Africa: Re-thinking Conflict sensitive approach to Climate Change and Environmental variability management
Experts have always underplayed the need for Conflict sensitive approach to Climate Change and Environmental variability management.
Yet, it’s instructive that over 70% of Africa’s most climate-fragile countries are affected by conflict persistence.
It’s noteworthy also that most international climate negotiations have refused to get onboard and recognise conflicts as a major factor in Climate Change adaptation management.
African decision-makers, donors and investors, have equally refused to take charge of the planning, organising, and driving home-grown climate initiatives despite being exposed to higher levels of variabilities comparable to other regions with atrocious emissions.
Regional attempts at climate change management have failed to consider adopting futuristic conflict risk sensitivity of climate change management planning and programming.
Climate change programming in Africa must and should involve proactive steps towards reduction of already high tensions and avoid further fueling of new wars within already fragile states.
While net zero emission is desirable, we should all be aware that efforts made today will only benefit future generations.
Our duty to the current generation should be in the areas of achieving sustainable peace through conflict sensitive approaches to mitigating and adaptation programming to climate variabilities.