Climate change and Africa

Africa has experienced major changes to its climate over past millennia. The continent is now facing higher temperatures and more volatile rainfall conditions, as a consequence of global heating. The rapid rise in greenhouse gas emissions of recent decades has led to major impacts on landscapes, livelihoods and urban infrastructure, costing 10-20% of GDP in many regions. As the latest assessment by the IPCC shows, further warming will accelerate such damage. To date, the African continent has been responsible for less than 4% of global emissions, despite providing homes to more than 17% of global population, and suffering many of the harshest impacts. This fundamental injustice needs to be addressed within the heart of the climate change negotiations. Locally-led adaptation and resilience-building measures offer some prospect for helping people cope with increased fluctuations in rainfall. African counties face difficult choices regarding exploiting its large fossil fuel resources, generating greater value added through industrialisation, and ensuring jobs for millions of young people. Green economic strategies by some governments seek to balance the urgent need for inclusive economic growth with the goal of net-zero carbon by 2050, as outlined in Just Energy Transition programmes by South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal and others.