UNEP report calls for climate change adaptation investments in Africa
The United Nations Environment Programme's Keeping Track of Adaptation Actions in Africa (KTAA) report highlights a significant threat to Africa, where around two thirds of people currently depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and has called for investment in key climate change adaptation projects to prevent years of development in Africa being undone by drought or flooding
A new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has called for investment in key climate change adaptation projects to prevent years of development in Africa being undone by drought or flooding.
UNEP’s Keeping Track of Adaptation Actions in Africa (KTAA) report highlights a significant threat to Africa, where around two thirds of people currently depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
The continents population is also expected to double to two billion by 2050 which would put further stress on natural resources, food and water security and would exacerbate the problem of dealing with the worsening effects of climate change.
Achim Steiner, the UN-Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "With 94 per cent of agriculture dependent on rainfall, the future impacts of climate change - including increased droughts, flooding, and sea-level rise - may reduce crop yields in some parts of Africa by 15 to 20 per cent. Such a scenario, if unaddressed, could have grave implications for Africa's most vulnerable states."
The report addresses how low-cost climate adaptation projects can improve the health of crucial ecosystems, enhance the capacity of communities to sustainably manage eco-systems, boost agricultural productivity, and store water.
The report cities how an aquatic eco-systems project in Togo led to an increase in the communities access to water, agriculture and livestock of 488 per cent.
A US$100,000 forest eco-systems project in Rwanda and Uganda is also referenced which has resulted in 2,500 farmers being trained in land husbandry, established 432 hectares of graded terraces, 74 kilometres of waterways, a 105 hectare drainage system and planted 789 hectares of forest. The project also provided essential impetus for a US$25 million investment from the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture.
Steiner added: "Using projects implemented in various countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the KTAA report clearly demonstrates how investment in adaptation 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 adaptation 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."
