Study: Africa's Agriculturally-Dependent Nations Face Highest Costs from Climate Change

Climate change may deal a significant blow to the economies of countries most reliant on farming, according to new research, which identifies Sub-Saharan Africa as the region facing the highest risk. The Climate Change Exposure Index (CCEI) released by risk analytics firm Verisk Maplecroft reveals that the physical risks posed by climate change are ‘high’ or ‘extreme’ in 85% of the world’s most agriculturally-dependent countries, leaving their economies vulnerable to shocks and company supply chains open to disruption.

Using the latest climate models, Verisk Maplecroft has assessed physical exposure to climate change, including shifting temperature and rainfall patterns and climate extremes such as drought, down to a 22km² resolution globally. The research identifies changing weather patterns across Sub-Saharan Africa over the next three decades as a significant threat to the reliability of growing conditions and the yields of economically vital exports of agri-commodities.

The region is home to 17 of the 20 countries most economically reliant on agriculture; these nations are among the least well placed to financially weather repeated disruptions to harvests. Agriculture represents over 30% of national GDP (gross domestic product) in many African countries, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi and Rwanda, all of which are rated ‘extreme risk’ in the CCEI.

http://reliefweb.int/report/world/study-africa-s-agriculturally-dependent-nations-facing-highest-costs-climate-change-key

Albert Gonzalez Farran / UNAMID

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