What strategy for Africa in the face of climate change? This is the question we are asking, as the signatory countries of the Paris Agreement must publish this year, before COP30 in Brazil, their new national plans to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and organize their adaptation to global warming. Botswana released its new climate plan shortly before Christmas. And he was applauded by neighboring countries…
A plan applauded because it reflects the challenges facing the entire continent: African countries emit very little greenhouse gases but are hit by increasingly extreme climate impacts. However, during the international negotiations at the climate COPs, their requests for funding for a just transition have difficulty materializing.
What challenges does Botswana face?
This southern African country, located in a semi-arid region, represents only 0.019% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is suffering the full brunt of the effects of climate change. The Botswana is plagued by dangerous heatwaves, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees. Persistent droughts are bringing agriculture and livestock to its knees and weakening its ecosystems, unique in the world, such as the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert. Deadly floods from tropical cyclones destroy infrastructure, and in winter, hailstorms wipe out crops.
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-Once this observation is made, what does the Botswana government’s climate plan provide?
He foresees “ to direct the limited financial resources available as a priority towards adaptation measures “. This is unprecedented: never before, since the signing of the Paris agreement ten years ago, has a country adopted such a strategy. For the Botswana government in any case it is necessary “ reduce the country’s vulnerability rather than its already low greenhouse gas emissions “. By 2030, Botswana wants to devote $2.1 billion to adaptation and $0.9 billion to reducing its emissions.
What are the adaptation measures planned by Botswana?
Above all, it is about making ecosystems, but also agriculture and livestock, more resilient in the face of acute water shortage. This ranges from the installation of water tanks on roofs to the introduction of a new species of cattle, a cross between a breed from Texas and local cattle, which can survive on less water and less food. The authorities also want to invest in improving the early warning system to warn the population in the event of storms and the risk of flooding. In total, Botswana’s climate plan contains more than 50 numerical adaptation targets. An effort that currently has no equivalent. Until then, the country is leaving the door wide open to international financing: with foreign money the State would like to develop biogas and solar energy projects.
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