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Environmental experts in the Nyanza region have petitioned African leaders to come up with modalities of ensuring proper utilisation of funds to mitigate effects of climate change.

The professionals argued that African countries and the world by extension can make great strides in the fight against the adverse effects of climate change if the funds meant for combating the vice are utilised prudently.

 Led by Clifford Omondi, a climatologist, they claimed that some African countries have diverted resources intended to be used in tackling the impact of climate change to other issues.

 Omondi urged the African heads of states to use the ongoing Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi city to come up with lasting financial solutions to climate change.

 “The heads of states in Africa should make a commitment on how the funds set aside for addressing climate change issues can be used prudently. This will encourage donors who commit their resources to champion this course to continue,”  he said during a press briefing in Homa Bay town yesterday.

 Omondi, who is also the University of Nairobi lecturer, further called for the establishment of a common policy framework to guide the various African countries in dealing with the negative effects of climate change.

Legal framework

 He stressed that such a legal framework will enable the countries to fight from a common point in order to achieve their desired objectives.

 “It is worth noting that different countries have different environmental policies but it will be prudent if common guidelines are instituted since most African countries have similar climatic conditions,” he added.

 The Africa Climate Change Summit which kicked off in Nairobi on Monday will run through to September 6.  The meeting has attracted various African heads of states, environmental experts and donors among other dignitaries.

 This year’s conference theme is Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the Globe.

 Omondi said they expect the summit delegates to come up with innovative ways of addressing adverse effects of climate change.

 “For instance, there is need to have a permanent solution to displacement and migration caused by perennial floods,” he said.