Abandoned villages submerged by floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. (Photo: Michael Daniel.)

President Salva Kiir on Thursday urged developed countries to significantly cut carbon emissions and fulfill their pledges to avail funds to help and middle-income nations mitigate and adapt to the impact of Climate Change.

Since 2009, global climate talks agreed on mobilizing $100 billion US dollars annually for developing countries to take climate action, both to adapt and cut emissions.

According to the United Nations Climate Action, the money is supposed to come from wealthier countries, through bilateral, regional, and multilateral channels, as well as the private funds generated by public interventions.

Addressing the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, President Kiir appealed to the rich countries to cut carbon emission by 45% in a bid to bring down global temperatures.

“It is only fair for us to call upon developed countries to cut their emission by 45% and honor their pledges of availing funds for mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage to the developing countries,” he said.

South Sudan’s north has been affected by catastrophic floods that has swept away livelihoods and displaced thousands of people in the last four years.

While droughts and insufficient rain struck southeastern part of the country leading to poor harvest and starvation.

President Kiir told the world leaders in New York that South Sudan is dedicated to address the impact of change of weather pattern including sustainable land use.

“South Sudan is dedicated to address its adverse (climate change) impact. We plan to prioritize sustainable land use, promote renewable energy and collaborate with international partners to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment for generations to come.”

 In August this year, the South Sudan’s Environment Ministry said the country required 100 billion U.S. dollars to mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change in 27 years’ time.

It adds that the government has developed a National Determined Contribution plan that focuses on the mitigation and adaptation of shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.

Others key intervention include building water harvesting, the use of technology, and other methods to protect arable land against soil erosion.