Tanzania's president urges fair carbon markets, ‘energy justice’ for Africa at COP31

What the report says

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan used remarks at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, to press world leaders for fairer carbon markets and what she described as “energy justice” for Africa. According to Anadolu Agency Africa, she argued that climate impacts are already carrying a heavy economic cost for Tanzania and urged richer countries and global institutions to do more to support climate adaptation and clean-energy access on the continent.

The source reported that Hassan said climate shocks are costing Tanzania an estimated 2% to 3% of gross domestic product each year. She framed that figure as evidence that African countries are bearing a disproportionate share of climate damage despite contributing relatively little to the problem. Her appeal focused on making climate finance and carbon-market rules more equitable for developing countries.

The president’s remarks fit into a broader debate at United Nations climate talks over how to channel funding, emissions reductions and energy investment toward poorer countries. In general terms, African leaders have often called for climate policies that account for development needs, energy access and the costs of adapting to droughts, floods and other extreme weather. Anadolu’s report indicates Hassan was making that case on behalf of Tanzania and, more broadly, Africa’s interests at the summit.