Abidjan, 10 September 2022 (TDI): African continent has started taking pace for climate adaptation as it can no longer afford to park its climate concerns.
In Africa, climate change is languishing in seventh place behind more pressing issues such as inflation, social inequality, and other social ills. The lives of 600 million people who rely on rain-fed agriculture are at risk because of the growing severity and frequency of droughts.
Africa, the continent that has contributed the least to global warming, is paying a steep price for the GHG emissions of the rich world… Climate adaptation is our best chance to bring about a safer, greener + more prosperous continent. – @akin_adesina + @PVV_GCA in @Newsweek. https://t.co/kFvHhm47EF
— African Development Bank Group (@AfDB_Group) September 9, 2022
Efforts for Better Tomorrow
Climate adaptation offers a different way out of this predicament. African governments are doubling down on climate adaptation. They launched the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) two years ago.
Their aim is to mobilize $25 billion in adaptation investments by 2025. The African Development Bank has put up half of the funds already.
The AAAP is already investing in projects that are making the livelihoods of farming communities more secure. It is improving the accuracy of weather forecasts, making data available to farmers via mobile apps, and providing drought-resistant crop varieties in regions where water is increasingly scarce or rainfall unreliable.
In some cities, urban infrastructure is readied to withstand flash floods, extreme heat, and other climate impacts. The AAAP also aims to nurture climate entrepreneurs, particularly those who create career opportunities for young people.
Money invested in climate adaptation today will reduce the cost of dealing with climate disasters tomorrow.
Recently, the African Union, African Development Bank, International Monitory fund, and Africa Adaptation Initiative hosted Africa Adaptation Summit. The agenda of the summit was to lay the ground for adaptation breakthroughs for Africa at Cop27.
Also Read: Africa Adaptation Summit
