A new policymakers advisory booklet on climate change adaptation and resilience in Africa will be launched at an upcoming communication event in Mauritius next week.
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, besides others, would introduce the booklet, which assessed the status and made recommendations for African governments to consider when dealing with climate change and resilience.
The document specifically provided guidance on effective policy responses for climate change adaptation and the reasons adaptation and resilience were critical for the continent.
“It also conveys key messages on addressing the climate change impact through targeted policy actions and interventions specific to water, agriculture and food security, fisheries, coastal and urban zones, and human health,” ASSAf said in a statement on Thursday.
From July 4 to 5, more than 60 representatives from African countries would gather to deliberate on measures to counteract Africa’s vulnerability to the impact of climate change and the importance of scientific evidence to enable society to understand and respond to climate change threats.
“Africa is the most vulnerable continent regarding the impact of climate change and faces innumerable development challenges that are expected to be exacerbated by projected climate changes,” ASSAf noted.
Mitigation and societies’ adaptation to existing climate changes were vital and needed to be integrated into multisectorial policies and macroeconomic frameworks to combat climate change effectively.
“The focus must lie on informed, forward-thinking policies that integrate the best understandings of regional risks and vulnerabilities, together with local understandings of the environmental context and cultural needs,” ASSAf concluded.