Africa is responsible for only a small portion of global greenhouse gas emissions but is suffering disproportionately from climate change. This is harming food security, ecosystems and economies, fueling displacement and migration and worsening the threat of conflict over dwindling resources, according to a report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
More than 110 million people on the continent were directly affected by weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2022, causing more than US$ 8.5 billion in economic damages. There were a reported 5,000 fatalities, of which 48% were associated with drought and 43% were associated with flooding, according to the Emergency Event Database. But the true toll is likely to be much higher because of under-reporting.
Africa is responsible for less than 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. But it is the continent which is the least able to cope with the negative impacts of climate change. Heat waves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts are having devastating impacts on communities and economies, with increasing numbers of people at risk.
There are big gaps in weather observations in Africa and early warning services are woefully adequate. We are determined to close those gaps and ensure that life-saving early warnings reach everyone.
Africa, like other regions, has come to terms with the reality that climate change is already happening. Left untamed, the coming decades and years would easily be characterized by severe climate-induced pressure on the continent’s economies, livelihoods and nature.
Given Africa’s high vulnerability, fragility and low adaptive capacity, the effects of climate change are expected to be felt more severely. People’s health, peace, prosperity, infrastructure, and other economic activities across many sectors in Africa are exposed to significant risks associated with climate change.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Africa’s livelihoods and national economies supporting more than 55% of the labor force. But its agricultural productivity growth has declined by 34% since 1961 due to climate change. This decline is the highest compared to what other regions of the world have experienced.
The loss and damage costs in Africa due to climate change are projected to range between US$ 290 billion and US$ 440 billion, depending on the degree of warming, according to the UNECA’s African Climate Policy Centre.
Climate change and the diminishing natural resource base could fuel conflicts for scarce productive land, water, and pastures, where farmer-herder violence has increased over the past 10 years due to growing land pressure, with geographic concentrations in many sub-Saharan countries.
As part of the European country, the UK is committed to the fight against climate change in Africa, delivering on its promise of mutually beneficial and reliable investment.
The New UK-backed projects worth £49 million are cases in point in these regard. This project is focused on mobilizing finance for climate action and help people manage the impact of climate change across the continent – two critical areas in Africa’s fight against climate change. The funding will help to create jobs, grow economies and improve the lives of women, farmers and at-risk communities.
UK partnerships with African countries on green investment and climate resilience are growing economies and improving lives. But more action has to be taken, as those least responsible for climate change are increasingly bearing the brunt of its effects.
The UK is working closely with African partners to fight climate change, boost resilience and help those whose lives are most impacted.
Dr. Julian Wright is a Head of Climate and Nature for the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Africa. Approached by the Ethiopian Herald Dr. Julian Wright discussed UK’s efforts to combat climate change and the progress that has been achieved so far.
According to him, Climate change is a global issue that affects not only England and the UK but also the entire world. We face various challenges domestically, such as flooding, water resource management, extreme heat, storms, and transitioning to renewable energy to achieve our net-zero goals.
I have now transitioned to international development, with a specific focus on Africa, where the challenges related to climate change are even greater. Climate change significantly impacts livelihoods in Africa, he added.
Africa is a diverse continent, and different countries are taking varying approaches to addressing climate change. Some countries have more ambitious plans, while others have less. Each country faces unique challenges based on its resources and capabilities. For example, countries like Nigeria and South Africa, which heavily rely on fossil fuels, face different challenges compared to countries like Ethiopia, where transitioning to sustainable energy may be more feasible. The response to climate change impacts has been mixed, with countries developing their nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.
The Horn of Africa is a key focus area for us in addressing climate change. UK has various interventions in place, such as the Weather and Information Services for Africa (WISA) program, which provides climate projections, seasonal forecasts, and early warnings to help communities prepare for droughts and other climate-related challenges. We also work on social protection programs in collaboration with governments in countries like Ethiopia and Kenya to ensure a climate-responsive approach. Additionally, we are assisting countries like Somalia in accessing climate finance to support their climate resilience efforts.
Currently, UK is focused on making climate finance more accessible to Africa and reforming the international financial system to address debt challenges exacerbated by climate events. UK is introducing climate-resilient debt clauses and contributing to loss and damage funds to support countries impacted by the climate crisis.
“Our initiatives, such as the Ayrton Fund, aim to promote energy solutions in Africa and attract private investment in key sectors like energy and agriculture.”
As a developing continent Africa faces challenges like financing and technology to alleviate the damages incurred on it due to climate change. In this regard the partnerships its forms with developed countries would be vital in addressing these challenges. The ways collaborations are executed should take diverse forms so as to involve different sectors and generate as many opportunities in the continent as possible.
In this regard Ethiopia is also implementing an economic development program that takes into consideration climate action that could be integrated with the development activities. For instance, it is undertaking industrial development programs that are mainly located around industrial parks that are equipped with state of the art design and environmental friendly facilities. Furthermore it is implementing the continuous annual campaign of green legacy initiative through which is conducts plantation of billions of seedlings in all corners.
“We are encouraged by the Ethiopian government’s efforts to build a green and resilient economy and support their ambitious measures in tackling climate change.”
The determinant factor is that the government has linked the climate action with the routine economic development program which makes the activity enjoy unreserved commitment of the government and stakeholders.
“I am optimistic about the level of ambition demonstrated by the Ethiopian government in addressing climate change and integrating it into the development agenda.”
Ethiopia, as a highly vulnerable country with significant energy needs, is taking positive steps towards a sustainable future. The key now is to ensure effective delivery of these measures.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
The Ethiopian Herald May 28/2024
