More than 400 private jets landed in Egypt as world leaders and advocates for a greener world gathered in for the climate conference.
Noting that such a number of private jets contradict the purpose of the conference, critics and social media commentators have accused the delegates of “hypocrisy”.
The climate change conference which is nicknamed as Conference of the Parties (COP) is a gathering of more than 90 heads of State and thousands of delegates, Investors King learnt.
While being hosted in Africa, this year’s climate conference is coming amid devastating floods that have ravaged many communities in Africa.
As Egypt witnessed huge air traffic of hundreds of private jets which will produce emissions, advocate groups and social media commentators have condemned the act, calling it “hypocrisy and double standard”.
While several social media posts criticised delegates for travelling by private jet, they opined that delegates should have travelled in groups to reduce the emission.
According to a report by the European Clean Transport Campaign Group (ECTCG), a private jet can emit two tonnes of carbon dioxide in an hour and is 5 to 14 times more polluting per passenger than a commercial plane.
In addition, scientists have noted on several occasions that climate change caused by human burning of fossils is a major catalyst to severe devastating disasters which include floods, heatwaves, and droughts.
Meanwhile, African leaders have called for more actions and commitment from the Western rich nations to climate change in Africa.
African leaders have argued that while Africa contributed the least to global emissions, the continent bears the brunt of climate impact.
They lamented that Africa needs around $250 billion annually to help African countries move to greener technologies, and adapt to the effects of climate change, yet funding to the continent has only stood at $29.5 billion.
Speaking at the conference in Egypt, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari noted that Africa urgently needs investment in adaptation infrastructure such as flood prevention systems to stave off the disasters that destroy communities and cripple economies.
Investors King had reported that trillions of naira was lost to incessant flooding which ravage some parts of Nigeria while farmlands, homes, and business were destroyed.
