Mitigating the impact of climate change on African economies

The impact of climate change on African economies is becoming more evident, with extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts already affecting communities. In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Maxwell Gomera, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), discussed the implications of climate change on South Africa and the continent as a whole. Gomera highlighted the challenges faced by children in accessing education and enjoying outdoor activities due to the changing climate. He emphasized the need for urgent action to mitigate these impacts and transition towards cleaner energy systems. With temperatures projected to rise by 2.1 percent in South Africa by 2050, the time to act is now. Gomera outlined three key areas of opportunity for addressing climate change in Africa: creating jobs, securing funding for the transition to cleaner energy, and fostering international cooperation. He stressed the importance of finding consensus among governments, the private sector, and international organizations to develop sustainable solutions. Gomera also emphasized the role of the African Union in leading unified negotiations on climate issues to ensure fair representation and pricing in global markets. By working together and engaging all stakeholders, including the UNDP, African economies can build a resilient future in the face of climate change challenges.