Understanding Africa’s climate and human security risks

This policy brief explores the continent's vulnerabilities and discusses the need to strengthen climate governance.

Climate change poses a major threat to human security in Africa. The risk emanates not from climate change per se, but from how climate-related stressors interact with socio-economic, environmental and political factors. To address these risks, climate action through investment in socio-economic resilience and a rethinking of climate governance and diplomacy is required. This policy brief explores the broader nature of climate risks facing Africa and discusses the need to strengthen climate governance.

About the authors

Dhesigen Naidoo is a senior research associate at the Institute for Security Studies, and World Bank senior adviser and climate adaptation lead to the South African Presidential Climate Commission.

Manisha Gulati is an economist with over 20 years of experience in cross-cultural environments. As an independent adviser to governments, not-for-profit organisations and think tanks she brings interdisciplinary expertise on climate change and sustainable development.

Image: Mulugeta Ayene/UNICEF Ethiopia