Download Panel Discussion of Executive Secretaries on: “The Role of the

Economic Commission for Africa
The Economic Impact of Climate
change: An African Perspective
Abdoulie Janneh
UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, ECA
October 2009
Climate change
Scientific Evidence
SERIOUS !
URGENT !
Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC)
Climate change: African perspective
AFRICA
Contributes LESS
< 4%
Hardest hit by the
impacts
GREENHOUSE
GAS
EMISSIONS
Climate change: African perspective
Scientists estimate – The continent likely to
experience:
Higher temperature increases
Changing rainfall patterns
Rising sea levels
Exacerbate current
socio-economic
challenges
+
Meeting the MDGs
Increased climate variability
Increased severity & frequency
of droughts, floods & storms
Changes in agricultural, livestock
and fisheries productivity
Increase in water-related diseases
Climate change: African perspective
IPCC AR4: Potential sectoral impacts of CC in Africa
By 2020, 75-250 mil people exposed
to increased water stress
By 2020, in some countries, yields from
rain-fed agriculture reduced by upto 50%
Towards the end of the 21st century, projected
sea level will affect low-lying coastal areas
By 2080, 5-8 % increase of arid &
semi-arid land in Africa
Climate change: African perspective
Recent Modeling indicates that in Africa …
Temp. increase
of 2 oC
loss of 4.7% of GNP
hunger for
128 mil.
Temp. rise of
2.5 – 5 degrees
108 mil. affected
by flooding
sea level rise of
15 – 95 cm
Climate change: African perspective
Hampers human
development
Nature & extent of
climate change
Hampers ecosystems
integrity
Major threat to
human security
Spark violent conflicts
Massive migrations
due to climate change
Fuel international
Out migration
Climate change: African perspective
Africa’s reliance on
local ecological
Resources
+
Existing stresses on
health and well-being
+
Limited financial,
institutional
and human resources
Most vulnerable
+
Least able to adapt
to the impacts of CC
Increasing frequency of
severe weather-related events
Consequences for the little
development gains registered
Climate change: African perspective
Adaptation …… crucial !
Cost of adaptation
5 – 10 % GDP
IPCC estimate
Mitigation …… also important !
Cost of mitigation for
Developing countries
US$ 100 – 200 billion
Leveraging Partnerships for CC in Africa
Consultations on Africa’s position on Copenhagen outcomes
Negotiators
High-level experts
African Common Position
on Climate Change
Ministers
Heads of State
& Governments
13th Ordinary Summit of
the African Union, July
2009
Members:
Algeria, Rep. of Congo, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Nigeria, Uganda, Chairpersons of
AU & AUC, Chairperson of AMCEN
Conference of African
Heads of State
& Governments on
Climate Change (CAHOSCC)
Leveraging Partnerships for CC in Africa
Consultations on Africa’s position on Copenhagen outcomes
AU Summit
Aug/Sep 2009
Tripoli, Libya
Political impetus to engage
with the global community
Mr. Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Designated as
Africa’s spokesperson
on climate change
 50 African
countries

ONE VOICE
Leveraging Partnerships for CC in Africa
ECA actively engaged in Africa regional process towards
Copenhagen
African Climate
Policy Centre (ACPC)
Climate for Development
in Africa
(Climdev-Africa)
Supported by DFID
ECA
Important role
in shaping Africa’s
policy responses &
actions post 2012
CC regime
Economic Commission for Africa
Thank You!
www.uneca.org