UN: climate change investment could secure Africa’s development

Investment in climate change adaptation in Africa is vital to ensure that decades of development progress in the country is not reversed, according to a report by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

As the effects of climate change impact Africa, the steps the country has taken to grow and secure a sustainable and more equitable future could be placed at risk, the report states. UNEP estimates that by 2050 Africa’s population will have doubled, reaching 2 billion people, with the majority still largely dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Further amplifying the issues around a growing population is increasing water scarcity, water availability is projected to decline by 20-50%, is expected to put pressure on resources, including food. Some 94% of agriculture is dependent on rainfall and crop yields could be reduced by as much as 20% in some regions of Africa, highlighting how climate change could have a profound impact on the country’s development.

UN under secretary and UNEP executive director, Achim Steiner said, “Such a scenario, if unaddressed, could have grave implications for Africa’s most vulnerable states.”

A report from UNEP sets out examples of successful adaption projects that are low-cost and offer additional benefits, such as improving the health of ecosystems and educating communities to sustainably manage their areas. One example in the report is an aquatic ecosystem project in a local community in Togo that delivers a 448% increase in access to water for human use, agriculture and livestock.

Stenier added, ”Using projects implemented in various countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the KTAA report clearly demonstrates how investment in adaption actions can provide, not just low-cost solutions to climate change challenges, but can actually stimulate local economies through more efficient use of natural capital, job creation and increased household incomes.

“By integrating climate change adaption strategies in national development policies, governments can provide transitional pathways to green growth and protect and improve the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of Africans.”

Countries and economies globally need to adapt to the challenges that climate change presents, from rising sea levels to increasing temperatures. Last month most of the world’s major cities, from London to São Paulo, warned that climate change presents a very real and physical risk to their economies.

Photo: DFAT photo library via Flickr

Take our 2014 reader survey and you could win an iPad, Kindle or donation to a charity of your choice.

Further reading:

Stable population helps species adapt to climate change

Japan pledges $15m to help Caribbean states adapt to climate change

UK needs to adapt to climate change risks

207 global cities say climate change is a threat to local economy

China blames climate change for £41bn natural disaster bill