Africa's Climate Adaptation Funding Gap: Challenges and Opportunities for Building Resilience
George Tsitati
PhD Candidate | Anticipatory Humanitarian Action | GIS | Climate Change Vulnerability and Impact Analysis | Gender and Climate Change | Top 10 Global Climate Activists | Climate Change Adaptation | Commonwealth 22’
The problem of climate change affects people and ecosystems on a global scale. The Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era, with global temperatures rising at an unprecedented rate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has cautioned that this trend must be reversed and that "rapid and far-reaching" action must be taken in a variety of areas, including land use, energy, buildings, transportation, and urban planning, if we are to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
In spite of these warnings, however, we are not on track to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap Report 2021 warns that a 2,7°C increase in global temperature by the end of the century would have catastrophic consequences for both people and the planet.
Insufficient funding for climate action is one of the leading causes of this emissions gap. The report demonstrates that we lack the necessary funds to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. This funding gap is particularly severe in developing nations, where the need for climate finance is greatest.
The report also identifies gaps in financing for essential sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. These deficiencies impede efforts to build climate resilience and mitigate the effects of climate change. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme, Africa will need between $50 and $100 billion annually by 2050 to adapt to the effects of climate change. Only $3 billion to $5 billion are available annually for climate adaptation in Africa.
Since the 1970s, Africa has been a leader in climate deficit financing for adaptation. Climate change was not yet acknowledged as a major issue, and adaptation funding was virtually nonexistent. Not until the 1990s did the international community acknowledge the gravity of the situation and make efforts to provide developing countries with climate finance.
Despite these efforts, the funding gap for climate adaptation in Africa continues to increase. The Overseas Development Institute reports that climate finance for African countries increased from $600 million in 2008 to $3.6 billion in 2016. However, this is insufficient to bridge the funding gap between what is necessary for adaptation and what is actually provided. As a result, many African nations are struggling to adapt to the effects of climate change, including food insecurity, water scarcity, and loss of livelihood.
Lack of transparency and accountability in the funding process is one of the greatest obstacles African countries face in gaining access to climate finance. Many nations lack the required institutional frameworks and technical capacity to effectively access and utilise climate finance. In addition, for countries with limited resources, the complexity of the funding procedure, with its numerous actors and funding channels, can be overwhelming.
领英推荐
Even with a greater emphasis on climate finance for adaptation, Africa still has significant funding gaps in vital sectors like agriculture, urbanisation, and energy. For instance, agriculture accounts for approximately 23% of Africa's GDP and employs over 70% of the population. Nonetheless, the sector receives less than 5 percent of climate finance. Comparatively, while the energy sector contributes significantly to regional emissions, it receives a relatively small portion of climate finance compared to other industries. Lack of funding for these vital sectors could exacerbate the effects of climate change and impede Africa's efforts to build climate resilience.
Since the 1970s, financing for climate adaptation in Africa has grown significantly. To close the funding gap, especially in sectors vital to the continent's economic and social development, however, much work remains. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, sufficient efforts are being made in Africa to improve the accessibility and efficacy of climate finance. The Green Climate Fund, for instance, was established in 2010 as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to assist developing nations in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Several grants and loans have been made available to African nations for climate adaptation projects, including the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and the expansion of access to clean energy.
To close Africa's climate finance gap, however, there is still much work to be done. The continent is home to many of the world's most vulnerable populations; therefore, it is imperative that adequate funding be provided to assist these communities in adapting to the effects of climate change. The international community must continue to collaborate with and provide assistance to African nations, ensuring that they have the means to build a more resilient future.
In addition to increased funding, greater transparency and accountability are required in the climate finance process. This includes enhancing the institutional frameworks and technical capacity of African nations so that they can effectively access and use climate finance. The complexity of the funding process can also be overwhelming for countries with limited resources; simplifying this process could increase the efficacy of climate finance in Africa.
Climate change is a global challenge whose effects are felt by people and ecosystems everywhere. The effects of climate change are most pronounced in Africa, where communities are confronted with significant challenges such as food insecurity, water scarcity, and loss of livelihood. While efforts are being made to provide African countries with climate finance, there remains a significant funding gap between what is required and what is provided. The international community must continue to work together to close this gap and assist African nations in their efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change and build a more resilient future for their citizens.
References:
PhD Student
1 年Thank you very much, George! Well said! Especially adding the reference part to this newsletter is very appreciated. Despite their low contribution to the global GHG emission(only 4%), Africans pay unfair value to the climate crisis. Drought, flood, poverty, food insecurity, etc are becoming common problems across the African continent. We should have to voice for the planet as well as Africa and the world.
Peace Research || Civic Space || Kectil Fellow '22
1 年Great work! Considering the grave corruption, misappropriation of funds and mismanagement of resources among the governments of African nations, how do one still hope that allocated funds from international organization to these nations to tackle climate change challenges will be effectively used?
climate change is the world's biggest threat that need mitigation measures
Climate-Smart Agribusiness and Environmental Governance Consultant at Success in Agriculture
1 年Worst dynamics now is the direction the Ukraine war is taking. Its likely to be the Centre for the American and European investments. Climate finance has just been overtaken by this more urgent Eurocentric challenge.