ABSTRACT
Climate change is arguably the greatest development challenge facing Africa in the twentyfirst century. As the continent most susceptible to climate variability and vulnerability, Africa faces a threat that can reverse many decades of national and international development effort and plunge large sections into severe poverty. Vulnerability to climate change is compounded and exacerbated by multiple stressors such as low level of development, rapid population growth, weak institutions and low adaptive capacity. Both historically and currently, Africa’s contribution to climate change is very low compared to other world regions. This makes the changing climate in Africa and associated negative consequences very much an issue of global justice and equity. However, while climate change poses profound challenges to African development, it also offers unique opportunities to pursue low carbon growth and build more resilient economies. Whether or not climate change will impede African development or be turned into an opportunity for sustainable development will depend on how governments and other stakeholders at different scales – from the local through national to international level – choose to respond.
