Transboundary climate and adaptation risks in Africa: Perceptions from 2021

Abstract

This paper documents how African policy-makers and experts perceive climate change and adaptation risks that have the potential for multi-country to regional consequences. Transboundary climate change and adaptation risks (TCARs) are the potential consequences or outcomes that could occur as the result of transboundary climate change impacts, the transboundary effects of adaptation decisions made by one or more countries or the transboundary effects of mitigation actions on countries’ adaptation options. A risk perception survey and interviews were conducted to understand what transboundary risks individuals working at the frontline of adaptation – whether at the national or regional level – perceive to be the most likely and severe.

This paper indicates that individual Regional Economic Communities’ aims, strategies and policies focus heavily on promoting regional economic cooperation and development and address climate change impact issues. Without stronger regional coordination and implementation, nations are unlikely to be able to effectively manage such risks that respect no boundaries. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 serves as a visionary framework for implementing seven aspirations with goals related to enhancing equitable and sustainable socioeconomic prosperity, peace and stability, culture and stronger governance – elements for building climate resilience across the continent.