African climate solutions in the new climate change agreement : high level event at COP21

Abstract

In Africa, climate change constitutes a major threat to the continent’s development, and has major implications and impacts on African economies. For instance, climate extremes such as drought, flooding, heat stress and tropical cyclones will become more intense and more frequent. Rising sea levels will threaten Africa’ large coastal population with agriculture, tourism, cities, water levels, health, energy and fisheries all likely to be impacted by climate change. In addressing climate change, Africa needs to drive an economy that is climate-resilient, less-carbon intensive and that closes the energy deficit and reduces poverty. Hence, the continent needs to strengthen its existing continental initiatives such as the high level framework Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa (WPCAA) and the Climate for Development in Africa Programme (ClimDev-Africa).