The Economic Impact of Climate change: An African Perspective

1. The Economic Impact of Climate change: An African Perspective Abdoulie Janneh UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, ECA October 2009

2. SERIOUS ! URGENT ! Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate change Scientific Evidence

3. AFRICA GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Contributes LESS < 4% Climate change: African perspective Hardest hit by the impacts

4. Exacerbate current socio-economic challenges + Meeting the MDGs Higher temperature increases Changing rainfall patterns Rising sea levels 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 Scientists estimate – The continent likely to experience:

5. 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

6. 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 Recent Modeling indicates that in Africa …

7. 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

8. 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

9. Adaptation …… crucial ! Cost of adaptation 5 – 10 % GDP IPCC estimate Mitigation …… also important ! Cost of mitigation for Developing countries US$ 100 – 200 billion Climate change: African perspective

10. Negotiators High-level experts African Common Position on Climate Change Ministers 13th Ordinary Summit of the African Union, July 2009 Heads of State & Governments 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

11. Mr. Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of Ethiopia Designated as Africa’s spokesperson on climate change AU Summit Aug/Sep 2009 Tripoli, Libya Political impetus to engage with the global community • 50 African countries  ONE VOICE Leveraging Partnerships for CC in Africa Consultations on Africa’s position on Copenhagen outcomes

12. African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) Climate for Development in Africa (Climdev-Africa) Supported by DFID Leveraging Partnerships for CC in Africa ECA actively engaged in Africa regional process towards Copenhagen Important role in shaping Africa’s policy responses & actions post 2012 CC regime ECA

13. Thank You!www.uneca.org