Habiba Daggash argues that climate change is a threat multiplier which could disrupt all sectors of the African economy. Consequently, she says, ‘it is essential for all economic planning to consider climate change impacts so development strategies and infrastructure investment can be designed to be resilient to both climate impacts and socioeconomic consequences of climate action.’
Editor’s note: This essay is available in our print issue, Godfathers: An Introduction. Buy the issue here.
In the weeks heading into 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or ‘COP27’, the conference was lauded as an ‘African COP’—a COP where Africa’s climate issues would finally be prioritized and addressed. However, COP27 failed to deliver for the continent, as was hoped. Agreements secured on key priority items for Africa, including climate financing and institutionalizing support for loss and damage, fell below the mark.
Chemical engineer, energy researcher and scholar, Habiba Daggash emphasizes that an African outlook on climate change exists, and continues to evolve. Rather than relying on international forums such as COP which consistently fall prey to the prevailing geopolitics of the day, Daggash argues that African countries should prioritize climate adaptation in national budgets, account for climate change impacts as well as the socioeconomic consequences of climate action in their economic planning, and implement adaptation measures across all sectors of the economy...
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