In order to help Africa adapt to the changing climate, the European Union has announced a $1 billion grant for the continent.
According to a statement made by Frans Timmermans, the executive vice president of the European Commission, this is the case. He made a point of highlighting the fact that COP 27 was an African COP and an adaptation of COP during his speech on November 16 at COP 27. By Timmermans
“Africa has contributed least to where we are today. Yet many of the countries on this continent are among the most vulnerable to climate change and are suffering more than many other places. So, we need to step up our game for adaptation in Africa.
“That is why I am happy to announce at this event that together the European Union and four member states, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, will provide over 1 billion euros to support adaptation in Africa. This 1 billion euros initiative is a starting point. Other member states can join and we also encourage development banks to join.”
Timmermans stated in his speech that the €1 billion initiative will accomplish four things:
- Data gathering and analysis for climate risk
- Regional and national early warning system reinforcements
- The development of multi- and single-country proposals to mobilize international climate finance, including from the private sector. To raise the trillions of dollars required for climate adaptation in Africa, do this.
- To protect vulnerable populations from the effects of climate change, stronger climate and disaster risk financing and insurance mechanisms are needed.
Timmermans also addressed attendees about support for loss and damage, which is one of the frontier discussion points at COP 27. He declared that the EU will also contribute €60 million to help with loss and damage in Africa. Added Timmermans:
“The EU will not stop there. The climate finance target for our main global budgetary program has been raised to 35%. And we intend to raise further investments for clean, secure, and climate-resilient infrastructure. That includes the Great Green Wall, the EU African Union transboundary water management initiative, and strategic corridors to name a few.”
Frans Timmermans emphasized in his speech that despite not contributing to the current level of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, Africa has been severely impacted by climate change. He stated:
“Every day we are reminded about the grave impacts of the climate crisis. You know Africa has seen incredible droughts and incredible floods. East Africa is now suffering from a terrible drought. You’ve had locust infestations; you’ve had coastal degradation at levels that are incredible. You see desertification causing levels of migration that are causing tensions in other countries. I mean, it is clear this is a challenge Africa can’t face alone.”
What this means for Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari stated in an opinion piece published in the Washington Post on November 9 that Africa urgently requires investment in adaptation infrastructure, such as flood prevention systems, to fend off disasters that wreak havoc on communities and ruin economies.
Nigeria experienced flooding in 34 states in 2022. These floods have damaged 569,000 hectares of farmland, along with residential areas, commercial buildings, and oil and gas facilities (in oil and gas producing states). Flooding has affected 3.2 million people, causing over 1.4 million to be displaced and over 600 fatalities across states. According to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, this is the case.
Actions that lessen the negative effects of climate change while seizing potential new opportunities are referred to as climate adaptation. It entails modifying laws and practices as a result of seen or anticipated climatic changes.
