In continuation of efforts to prepare for COP27 and bring forward the concerns of Africa and seek solutions to their climate related problems, ECES and CIB have conducted six webinars to address a few key issues of relevance to resilience and adaptation to climate change.
Many African countries are burdened with debt, along with limited financial resources and ability to access financial markets to build climate adaptation and mitigation projects. With the participation of several experts, this webinar discussed suggested mechanisms for overcoming the obstacles faced by African countries in trying to access the existing green fund, proposed innovative ways for financing that are tailored to the needs of African countries, and highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in finance for Africa. Instead of relying on loans and donations, Africa needs to be able to finance its own projects as needed and without dictation or conditionality by any foreign donor.
Key topics of discussion:
Suggested mechanisms for overcoming the obstacles faced by African countries in trying to access the existing green fund.
Suggested innovative ways for financing that are tailored to the needs of African countries.
The need for a paradigm shift in the area of finance for Africa. Instead of relying on loans and donations, Africa needs to be able to finance its own projects as needed and without dictation or conditionality by any for foreign donor.
Recognizing that even as a long term project, there is a need to start from now.
How such a paradigm can shift take place, and what are the steps needed for it.
Climate change has a wider effect over farmers and extends to their family. The impact of climate change is particularly dire for vulnerable demographics. It threatens 50-70% of the endangered community working in agriculture which are composed of women and children. Climate change and irregular changes in temperature and moisture can cause reduction in crop growing seasons, affect herbal cattle feed, increase livestock death due to droughts (such as in the Sahel region), and affect fishing. Consequently, agricultural production is expected to decrease by 30-50% by 2050.
The wellbeing of farmers is highly sensitive to problems facing any particular nation as a whole, which greatly impact the farming community; and in light of their economic vulnerability particularly women and children. This general wellbeing will in turn determine the economic stability of a nation due to the fundamental importance of agriculture in maintaining food security.
Key topics of discussion:
What is the impact of climate change on agriculture in Africa?
Specifically what is the impact on small farmers?
How to increase the resilience of small farmers in Africa?
How to improve the efficiency of agriculture in Africa? Innovative ideas.
Key topics of discussion:
Africa absorbs 1,500 tons of CO2 every year. This should be monetized for financing. For example, a country like the Central African Republic is a new negative emitter CO2 due to its forests, but this is not recognized.
How to tap into the market for carbon credits and carbon offsets to help support environmental conservation.
How to design an integrated carbon market, whereby countries that emit CO2 levels above the global per capita average contribute to a global stimulus fund that invests in developing countries for adaption and mitigation programs.
Key topics of discussion:
There is a need for building an integrated early warning system for natural disasters as about 60% of the African population is not covered by an early warning system.
How to build such a system, especially given that the financial return of such systems is estimated to be ten times the investment.
Key topics of discussion:
Adaptation readiness plans are not a one size fits all.
Preparation of such plans is a challenge for all developing countries.
African countries are different in their level of development and thus adapt to readiness differently.
The challenges faced by the African continent collectively are thus bigger than individual developing countries.
How can such plans be prepared in a comprehensive and inclusive way?
Key topics of discussion:
What do African youth feel about the climate change? The impact on the economic and social situation in Africa?
How they perceive their future as youth? And what they think needs to be done to improve the situation (adaptation, resilience)?