Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change on African States

Michaela Gyasi-Agyei | Africa Fellow

Climate change is impacting cocoa farming in the Ivory Coast, one of the world's largest cocoa producers. Image credit: KokoDZ via Wikimedia Commons.

Africa disproportionately experiences the negative effects of climate change, waste dumping and pollution despite the continent’s relatively low level of consumption and per capita emissions. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) highlighted this asymmetry, resulting in signatory states committing to the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund. However, countries with high levels of emissions need to take further proactive steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change on African states, which have flow on effects for the rest of the world.

Imbalanced scales

The unequal contributions of different states to climate change has been clearly documented. Africa as a whole is only responsible for 4% of global carbon emissions, however, out of the 20 countries most affected by climate change, 17 are in Africa. Higher income countries – largely concentrated in the Global North – also generate significantly more waste than most developing countries, including those in Africa. Sites like Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana contain piles of electronic waste, received from Western countries. Unusable second-hand clothing is also sent from the Global North to African states such as Kenya, ending up in landfill.

The impacts of climate change and waste dumping on African states are numerous and significant.  Waste dumping can cause land, water and air pollution, and produce deleterious effects to human health. The improper disposal of waste also leads to the emission of greenhouse gases, which exacerbates climate change. This is already causing more extreme weather events in Africa, including heatwaves, droughts and floods. The Congo Basin, which spans six African countries and is the second largest rainforest in the world, has been impacted by factors such as deforestation and a reduction in rainfall. Changing climate patterns have also contributed to the reduced supply of cocoa. This has disrupted the livelihoods of farmers in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world’s largest cocoa producers.

Global warming could even increase the prevalence of malaria, with hotter temperatures speeding up the growth of the malaria parasite and prolonging the malaria season. This may impede recent progress made in developing a malaria vaccine for infants and eradicating the spread of the disease in certain African states. In addition, climate change is intensifying food insecurity in several African countries, increasing the risks of regional conflict and internal displacement.

Spillover effects

Beyond national and regional consequences, the impact of climate change on African states has the potential to affect the wider international community. The limited availability of cocoa, for example, has led to a surge in the price of cocoa and chocolate for manufacturers, retailers and consumers across the globe. Due to the long term issues fuelling these shortages, it is likely that price increases will continue. Potential global repercussions are also looming in the Congo Basin, which receives insufficient funding and attention despite absorbing more greenhouse gases than the Amazon rainforest. Further depletion of the Basin could worsen the effects of climate change. These wide-ranging impacts make it clear that addressing climate change in African countries is in the interests of every state.

Recent progress

During COP28, which was held in November 2023, states agreed to establish a Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) to support developing countries which are particularly prone to the effects of climate change. Multiple higher income countries and large carbon emitters have made commitments to the fund, which will be administered by the World Bank. This is a starting point in ensuring the responsibility of combating climate change is equitably distributed. Further progress was made during the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya and concluded in March 2024. This event focused on multilateral action required to address issues such as climate change, pollution and waste management. There are also several African-led initiatives, including the African Climate Security Risk Assessment which was recently established by the African Union to analyse and address the security impacts of climate throughout the continent.

Looking ahead

Though some steps have been taken to tackle the effects of climate change and waste dumping in African states, further progress and support from the broader international community is required. With COP29 set to be held in November 2024, priority areas and timelines for delivery of the LDF should be finalised by the conference’s conclusion. As significantly more contributions to the LDF will likely be required, high-emissions countries which have not yet pledged an amount should do so.

Beyond monetary compensation, it is necessary to adopt proactive strategies to mitigate future loss and damage. Further progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could contribute to this, particularly SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals. All countries should continue implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change, and cease exporting waste to African states.  A proactive approach could also include providing support for African countries to harness renewable energy production in their continuing development initiatives, a process known as “green industrialisation”. In addition, African states must have a greater say in international policy decisions relating to climate change and security, making initiatives such as the proposed reform of the United Nations Security Council crucial.

Africa has been described as being at the “eye of the climate change storm”, and this storm is already sending shock waves throughout the world. Time is of the essence, and governments of all states should take necessary action.

Michaela Gyasi-Agyei is the Africa Fellow for Young Australians in International Affairs. She has a Bachelor of Economics/Laws (Honours) from the University of Queensland.