The stakes are high for Africa at the forthcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP 21) in Paris, as the outcome will have significant implications on the continent’s transformation agenda.
Africa is seeking a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, to be negotiated at the global climate conference, which effectively commits nations to greater ambition and accountability for greenhouse gas reductions, without which global temperatures will continue to rise to the detriment of the vulnerable and poor, mostly in Africa.
Experts predict that the economies and people of Africa are likely to suffer significant consequences of climate change as a result of global warming of2°C. Unlike more developed economies those of Africa are less resilient to the impacts of climate.
For example, says an Africa Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) report, a temperature increase of 2oC by 2050 will be catastrophic for Africa. It could mean a loss of 4.7% of GDP, most of it as a result of losses in the agricultural sector.
The document, entitled ‘’COP 21: Why it is Important for Africa’’ explains that the consequences of a temperature rise of 2.5oC ‐ 5oC would be hunger for about 128 million; 108 million affected by floods and an estimated sea‐level rise of 15‐95 cm affecting many coastal cities.
Given the implications of global warming of 2oC and higher for Africa, African delegations and negotiators will be going to Paris conscious of the fact that there is urgent need to ensure that appropriate policies are designed and adopted to increase ambition to reduce emissions before 2020 when a new climate agreement is expected to enter into force.
In addition to an increased severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms, changes in agricultural, livestock and fisheries productivity will occur; and, the continent will face further food insecurity as well as a spread of water‐related diseases, particularly in tropical areas.
For Africa, a progressive agreement in Paris would include binding clauses that reflect the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR); the importance of adaptation; provision for additional and adequate finance, including a strong commitment by the developed countries to capitalize the Global Climate Fund (GCF).
