Climate change experts have decried the increasing emissions from the growing transport sector, saying reversing the trend is one of the key challenges in limiting global temperature rise well below 2°C and possibly 1.5°C.

The observation was made, yesterday, at the ongoing 22nd UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco.

MP Fidel Rwigamba and Innocent Uwimana, chairperson of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), are some of the members of the Rwandan delegation at the two-week international summit that is also examining ways of seeking finances to combat climate change effects, and ensuring use of clean technologies to mitigate the effects.

Speaking to Sunday Times, Mohammed Boussaid, the Morocco minister for finance and economy, said African countries are more exposed to the threat, and called for more investment in the water transport which is free from emissions.

"We have to invent new tools of financing the transport sector with a clear guideline of ensuring doing away with carbon emissions. I’m not saying we should neglect the road sector; if this means having an organisation in Africa just for an emissions-free transport system, we should have it,” Boussaid said.

Statistics indicate that 598 million people in Africa alone have no access to electricity, leaving them to rely on expensive and dangerous alternatives such as homemade kerosene lamps which not only emit toxic black smoke, but also eat up to 15 per cent of a family’s income and are extremely hazardous.

Jonathan Taylor, European Investment Bank vice president in charge of climate action, confirmed to reporters that the bank has renewed its commitment to support climate action and increase the impact of climate related investment in Europe and Africa.

He said the bank recognises the importance of long-term finance to tackle a changing climate and the increasing role of climate finance to drive economic growth.

"The Paris Agreement has strengthened efforts to unlock more sustainable finance and catalyze greater investment where market innovation, national leadership and international finance all play a crucial role,” Taylor said.

As part of their contribution, a number of governments (including France, the US, China, Japan and Norway) are expected to make important announcements under the aegis of the Clean Energy Ministerial Electric Vehicles Initiative (CEM-EVI) during the COP22 summit.

Meanwhile, the Solar Impulse Foundation launched the World Alliance for Clean Technologies, on Friday, in Marrakech, as a legacy to the first ever solar flight around the world.

Its goal is to federate the main actors in the field of clean technologies to create synergies, promote profitable solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental and health challenges, and give credible advice to governments.

"We need to embrace clean technologies not because they are ‘eco-logical,’ but because they are ‘logical,’” said Bertrand Piccard, chairperson of the Solar Impulse Foundation.

"Even if climate change didn’t exist, energy efficient technologies would make sense to create jobs, generate profit and boost economic development, while also reducing CO2 emissions and protecting natural resources.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw