Madrid, Spain — Africa is still the most vulnerable and the least prepared continent to adapt to the consequences of climate change, experts have warned.

Despite it having contributed least to global warming, it was likely to suffer most from climate change, says Mr Enos Esikuri, an environmental specialist with the World Bank.

The World Bank official said increased climate variations in the continent already had diverse impacts which was likely to worsen over time.

The official made the comments during the 8th Conference of Parties Journalist Training on desertification meeting at the Palacio de Congresos hall in Madrid, Spain yesterday. The training preceded the high-level segment expected to be attended by Environment Ministers from all the 178 member countries.

Senior officials

Kenya will be represented by permanent Secretary Prof James Ole Kiyapi among other senior government officials.

Mr Esikuri said: "Changing rainfall patterns affect agriculture and reduce food security, worsening water availability and increasing weather related disasters which will in turn undermine economic growth."

He said that "more than 95 per cent of the continents agriculture is rain fed. Agricultural production, including access to food, in many African countries will be severely compromised by climate variability." He added that according to statistics, two thirds of the continent was already declared a dry land or desert, which he added, implied limited scope for agricultural production.

Agriculture contributes about 30 per cent of Sub Saharan Africa Gross Domestic Product, he said.