Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on parliaments across the globe to harness their legislative authority in combating climate change.
Speaking at the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the pivotal role of legislators in shaping climate policies that promote sustainable development and ecological resilience.
According to him, legislative bodies worldwide must leverage their law-making powers to implement effective climate solutions. Highlighting the existential threat posed by climate change, he called for robust national commitments to environmental protection and investment in renewable energy.
In a Facebook post, the Parliament of Ghana noted that the Speaker shared the country’s initiatives in climate action and stressed the importance of allocating sufficient resources in national budgets to achieve environmental restoration goals.
Additionally, he encouraged legislators to engage and educate their constituents on supporting and implementing climate policies and regulations.
The Congress adopted a resolution aimed at enhancing international environmental cooperation, which will be presented at the upcoming United Nations Conference.
Speaker Bagbin participated in a ceremonial tree planting, where he planted Tree No. 5—an ashberry tree, known for its ecological significance in the northern hemisphere.
The ashberry provides nourishment for humans and wildlife, supports biodiversity, and contributes to soil health.
Ghana’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices
The government has developed several policy frameworks, including the National Climate Change Policy and the National Adaptation Plan. These initiatives aim to promote climate-resilient development through afforestation projects, climate-smart agriculture, and investment in renewable energy. Ghana has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions as part of the global Paris Agreement.
Through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Ghana has mobilised $800 million by trading carbon credits with nations like Switzerland and Sweden.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables international cooperation to tackle climate change and to unlock financial support for developing countries. There are three components to Article 6:
Article 6.2: Provides accounting and reporting guidance for Parties to use internationally transferred mitigation outcomes towards their nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Article 6.4: Establishes a new UNFCCC mechanism which can be used to trade high-quality carbon credits.
Article 6.8: Provides opportunities for non-market-based cooperation for enhancing climate action.
In 2023, the West African country began receiving payments from the World Bank for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, known as REDD+.
At COP28, the country signed a $50 million emission reduction payment agreement with the Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator Incorporated, a US-based non-profit organisation, under the Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition.
Presently, youth-led organizations and civil society groups are increasingly joining the effort. From climate education and clean-up campaigns to sustainable farming projects, these groups are raising awareness and urging stronger action to address the climate crisis.
Experts warn that without sustained investment in climate adaptation and environmental protection, Ghana may face more severe consequences in the years ahead.
Ghana is grappling with the growing impacts of climate change, as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and sea-level rise continue to disrupt livelihoods and threaten the country’s natural ecosystems.
Over the past decades, average temperatures across Ghana have increased, while rainfall patterns have become increasingly unpredictable. These changes are particularly affecting agriculture, a sector that contributes significantly to the economy.
