Climate change costs Africa $40b every year – Barrow

Even though Africa’s contribution to climate change is very small, the continent is at greater risk of  the consequences of extreme weather, which are costing the continent $40 billion every year.

Even though, no significant contribution by Africa to global warming can be established, it is  estimated that less than three percent of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gasses emanate from Africa.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the African Development Bank, (AfDB), Dr. Donald Kaberuka, at the Second Conference Climate Change and Development in Africa Friday October 19, 2012, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Lamin G. Barrow, the Resident Representative of the AfDB in Ethiopia said the cost is 3% of Africa’s GDP.

The $40 cost also equals the continent’s food import bill, remarked Dr. Jose Dione, Director, Food Security and Sustainable Development Division, UNECA.

Mr. Barrow indicated that the challenges of climate change pose threats to Africa’s development including the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said as a result, the African Development is providing support to the continent by expanding Africa’s access to existing climate change funds.

“The AfDB is keen to support facilities  designed to address the effects of climate change,” he said.

The two-day conference scheduled for October 19 to 20, 2012 is being organised by the African Climate Policy Centre of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The theme is “Advancing Knowledge, Policy and Practice on Climate Change and Development.”

BY Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia