The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the world's second largest rainforest. Environment Minister José Endundo Bononge asks Europe to open its eyes to the interlinked destinies of Europe and Africa. Climate change is a matter to be negotiated equita

Interview: Europe cannot forget Africa - José Endundo Bononge

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15167074/N003-0028-EN.srt

What do you expect   from this summit for Africa?

Africa today, and the Democratic   Republic of Congo in particular -

we have half the forests in Africa,   half the fresh water in Africa,

around 280,000 square kilometres   of protected areas...

Africa today is also giving the planet   the means to solve the problems.

So we are here not with the aim   of accusing those who have polluted,

but with a constructive outlook - how can   we stop climate change escalating?

In relation to climate change,   people talk about deforestation.

You said that Congo has a rich   natural resource in its forests.

If you limit deforestation,   the felling of trees,

won't you somehow limit the economic   development of your country?

The President of the Republic said   in his address to the nation on Monday

that in return for compensation,   this contribution of financing,

Congo accepts that the forest can be   used to regulate climate change.

Do you think that   the large economic powers -

are ready to put their hands   in their pocket? Who will pay?

Today, the question   can't be framed in that way.

We know where the planet is going   if we don't take urgent steps...

We should have done it before.   If we can do it today, it's a good thing.

..urgent steps to correct   what is happening.

have been exceeded.   Today we're at 4.5 or 5 millimetres.

Over a century sea level has risen   by more than 20 centimetres.

The forecast was for   250 gigatonnes of ice to melt,

we're at 500 gigatonnes.   500 billion tonnes of ice has melted.

So if we don't take steps today,   we won't be able to stop it.

The more delay there is,   the tougher the costs will be.

we can't accept that we will leave   our children a decaying planet,

a planet that won't allow them to live   as we live today.

So what can we do   to mitigate the change?

What can we do for fragile countries,   island countries, Africa -

so that these countries   get the means to adapt

that will allow them to live   and to look forward to the future

in the same way   that the Western world can?

Look. Today an American consumes   the equivalent of 8 tonnes of oil.

A European consumes 2 tonnes, a   Chinese person 1 tonne of oil equivalent,

and an African consumes   only 500 kilograms.

So there's one part of the world   that is draining resources

and another part   that now needs to develop.

Whose fault? It's everyone's fault.   Today we're all together.

that is divided or national   or even continental.

Today we need the management   of the environment

What might you wish for Africa   from this summit?

I would like Africa to be able to lend   its support to improving the situation.

I would also like Africa   to participate in this development.

Africa can't be the fifth wheel.   Africa must also develop itself.

It has the resources, it has the people.   It has a population...

Tomorrow, as I told you,   there will be 2 billion Africans

So we are heading towards a situation   where Africa must have its place.

the strategic depth of Europe, migration,   all that comes from Africa.

The environmental issue is a question   of intelligence and good sense.

Europe cannot forget that Africa is there -

Europe can't get away from this deal.   It must be confronted.

Africa must be given   the chance to develop

and we must avoid questions that can   be used as an excuse - governance, etc.

Today the problem is here, it must be   faced and it must be resolved together.