3 key fronts on which Africa must combat climate change
Never before have African countries felt such a sense of urgency to act, adapt, and build resilience. Every year, people are experiencing more floods, soaring temperatures, coastal erosion, land degradation, and other climatic shocks. In Western and Central Africa, recent floods across the region have affected millions of people, claiming lives, and displacing tens of thousands from their homes and livelihoods. It is one thing to talk about climate change, but as the African proverb says, “seeing is different from being told”.
Yet,
The climate crisis is undermining hard-won development gains and deepening cycles of poverty, fragility, and vulnerability across the continent. As we concluded the World Bank IMF annual meetings in Washington, it was clear from the discussions that climate change was front and center on the agenda of our Finance Ministers.Recent Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the G5 Sahel countries and forthcoming reports on Cameroon, Ghana and other countries from Africa show that climate change could induce GDP annual losses ranging between 2 and 12 % by 2050, driving millions more into poverty. In the Sahel, 13.5 million more people could fall into poverty by 2050 if no action is taken.
So, what are the key priorities from Western and Central African countries, as the delegations get ready for the COP 27 in Sharm el-Sheikh?
Boosting climate smart agriculture to sustain food security
Since the last decade,
– including $5.1 billion in new commitments – to encourage food production, enhance food systems resilience, facilitate trade, develop inclusive value chains, and support vulnerable households and producers. As part of this effort, the West Africa Food System Resilience Program will reach four million people and increase yield production through climate-smart agriculture.With fertilizer prices in Sub-Saharan Africa multiplied by three since 2020, there is a growing risk of food production shortages and food price hikes. Failure to act rapidly could lead to increased food insecurity in the region with over 100 million Africans becoming extremely food insecure.
Tackling the fertilizer crisis will require collaboration between governments and the fertilizer industry to develop a transparent and efficient fertilizer market in the region, better understand the soil needs, adopt sustainable agricultural practices for boosting productivity and increasing farmers’ income in a sustainable manner. Investments in climate smart agriculture are also reaping benefits for countries in the region, with greater food security preparedness, stronger value chains and integrated landscape management.
Countries can turn their natural capital into wealth
It is one of the most important hotspots on the planet for valuable biodiversity, which is rapidly depleting. It is also an important source of livelihood for the poor. However, with the support of the global community, the region will need to translate this asset into revenue streams locally, nationally, and globally.
Together with governments and partners such as the Central African Forest Initiative, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, Forest Investment Program, Global Environment Facility, PROGREEN, and REDD+, the World Bank is committed to supporting forest-smart development in the Congo Basin, empowering local and indigenous communities, and promoting the transparent and effective use of natural resources.
Countries in the region, such as Gabon and the Republic of Congo, are proactively addressing land degradation. They experience firsthand the benefits of carbon sequestration for job creation and enhanced climate resilience.
Focus on climate adaptation as the “new normal” of development
African countries need to invest in climate adaptation and shift to a low-carbon growth path to support sustainable development. As a leading partner and the largest financier,
The region has delivered a robust portfolio of green, resilient, and inclusive investments driving transformation and innovation.Strong climate action and increased climate financing are helping countries realize their full potential. As part of this effort,
through landscape restoration, improved food systems, and access to climate-resilient infrastructure. In Cote d’Ivoire, the Agri-Food Sector Development project is supporting the development of inclusive, resilient and competitive agri-food value chains. These are just some examples of how we are scaling up our climate investments.Recognizing that the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of action is a major point.
For all Africans living the reality of climate change, we need to reinforce our collective efforts and turn this crisis into an opportunity. We will ensure their voices will be heard in Sharm el-Sheik and beyond.
This blog was initially published on World Economic Forum.