Africa has long leaned on international agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, to combat climate change. These frameworks provide a global platform but their effectiveness in addressing Africa’s unique challenges has been limited. The Paris Agreement, though more inclusive of developing nations, has failed to account for the distinct vulnerabilities faced by African communities, especially rural ones. Climate financing remains insufficient, slowing down the continent’s transition to climate resilience. For example, Botswana signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 but struggled to incorporate climate action into its National Development Plan due to inadequate funding, only adopting a national climate policy in 2021.
The consequences of this disconnect are stark. Africa, despite contributing the least to global emissions, faces some of the worst impacts of climate change - rising temperatures, shifts in rainfall patterns, droughts, floods and desertification. The current international frameworks often fall short because they are formulated from a global or Western perspective that does not fully align with Africa’s on-the-ground realities. As a result, implementation is often fragmented or ineffective. To create a more coordinated and impactful response, Africa needs a tailored, bottom-up approaches that prioritise local knowledge and community-driven solutions.
A tailored, bottom-up approach
A climate response that works for Africa must involve those who experience its effects most acutely - local communities. Policies and frameworks designed in distant boardrooms are often ill-suited to the immediate realities of rural and indigenous populations, where climate change has the most direct impact. Regional and national climate strategies must involve these communities in the policy-making process, incorporating indigenous knowledge and community-led innovations. Such an approach will not only increase the relevance of climate action but also build ownership and ensure that policies are implemented with greater local support.
African nations can bridge the gap between policy and practice by encouraging community engagement at every stage - framework formulation, implementation and evaluation. Solutions that emerge from local contexts are more likely to succeed and endure, making them essential for developing climate resilience on the continent. Successful national strategies can serve as models for coordinated regional efforts. This will enable Africa to move beyond fragmented responses to climate change and create a regionally authentic, sustainable and unified approach.
Climate financing and renewable energy
Financing remains a critical barrier to progress. Despite the urgent need, developed countries have been slow in delivering on their commitments to fund climate resilience efforts in Africa. Accessing available funds is often hampered by complex negotiations and bureaucracy, delaying the very projects that could mitigate climate change's impacts.
Transitioning to renewable energy is an important component of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing a sustainable future. Currently, renewable energy accounts for 30% of global electricity, but Africa must accelerate its shift to clean energy industries. Frameworks that incentivise renewable energy investments and promote innovation in this sector will be vital to decarbonising African economies. The continent has immense potential for solar, wind and hydroelectric power and the right policies could unlock this potential, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing climate resilience.
At the same time, a shift in mindset is needed. Regional frameworks must promote sustainable production and consumption habits, encouraging the adoption of circular economies that minimise waste and reduce the carbon footprint. This includes reshaping industries to prioritise low-emission processes and supporting innovation to ensure that products and services contribute to a greener economy.
Towards a coordinated regional response
For Africa to succeed in its fight against climate change, regional coordination is needed. While efforts like the SADC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan are commendable, they must be expanded and deepened to ensure they reflect the realities faced by communities across the continent. A coordinated regional response should focus on scaling community-driven solutions into national policies, which can then be harmonised across borders to create a united front.
Indigenous knowledge, community engagement and tailored financing must all come together to form the foundation of Africa’s climate policies. Only through collective action can Africa build the resilience it needs to withstand the ongoing and future impacts of climate change. Regional frameworks that embrace a bottom-up, solution-driven approach will ensure that Africa not only survives but thrives in the face of this global challenge.