Lusaka, Monday, 2nd, September, 2024 – Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Mike Mposha MP says the 2023 State of Climate in Africa report provides valuable insights that can inform policy decisions and guide future actions to protect Africa from the devastating effects of Climate Change.
Delivering a statement on the release of the State of Climate in Africa report 2023 at the 12th Climate Change for Development in Africa Conference (CCDA XII) during a virtual meeting, Hon. Mposha, who is also the first Vice – President of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET), said the report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action in Africa, where extreme weather events are intensifying and disproportionately impacting the continent’s socio-economic development.
“Africa is uniquely vulnerable to climate change, with its high dependence on rain-fed agriculture and limited adaptive capacity. Rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and erratic rainfall are already causing widespread harm to human health, ecosystems, and livelihoods. These challenges threaten to derail Africa’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063,” he said.
The Honourable Minister said the 2023 State of Climate in Africa report provides a sobering assessment of the continent’s climate situation.
He said rising temperatures, severe heatwaves, accelerating sea-level rise, and erratic rainfall are all contributing to a worsening climate crisis.
Hon. Mposha said these impacts are affecting agricultural productivity, food security, and overall well-being.
He said the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) plays a pivotal role in addressing Africa’s climate challenges.
Hon. Mposha said its integrated African strategy on meteorology focuses on enhancing climate services, strengthening partnerships, and building capacity to support climate adaptation and resilience.
He said by implementing this strategy, Africa can improve its ability to deliver early warning systems and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
“As we move towards the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), it is essential to continue advocating for increased investments in climate adaptation and resilience, particularly through the loss and damage frameworks. The 2023 State of Climate in Africa report provides valuable insights that can inform policy decisions and guide future actions to protect africa from the devastating effects of climate change,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the chair and other colleagues to ensure that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and Regional Climate Centers receive the necessary political support.
