Investing in Africa’s infrastructure can make it more resilient to the threats of climate change, according to a recent report. Traditionally, risks to infrastructure systems such as transportation, water, and energy have been the focus of attention from the perspective of resilience to climate change.
But a new report titled ‘Africa’s climate solutions: investing in infrastructure for climate resilience across Africa’, launched by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and the University of Exeter at COP28 on 7 December 2023, urges investors and developers to broaden their focus.
The report highlights the importance of considering how infrastructure can effectively contribute to the resilience of local communities and economies, particularly those most vulnerable to extreme climate impacts.
Professor Richard Betts MBE, one of the report’s lead authors, said Africa was witnessing an increase in climate hazards such as extreme heat, humidity, drought, heavy rainfall and sea level rise, and these challenges were expected to become more prevalent and severe in the coming decades.
“Millions of people in Africa are made even more vulnerable to these threats because they lack access to critical power, transportation and water services, or rely on aging, overstretched or informal infrastructure.”
This report outlines the diverse climate threats affecting different regions of Africa. Heat stress will increase across large parts of the continent, while certain regions, such as northern Africa, southern Africa, and parts of the Sahara desert, will be more susceptible to drought.
Meanwhile, heavy rains and flooding are likely to increase in other regions, including East, Central and West Africa. Some regions, for example Madagascar, may face dual challenges.
Coastal flooding and wildfires are expected to increase in certain regions. To respond to these escalating threats, the report recommends that investors comprehensively understand the vulnerabilities they need to be aware of and determine the types of investments that will have the most impact on building resilience.
Co-lead author Anna Murphy emphasized the need to focus on the people who use infrastructure when considering climate resilience in infrastructure investments.
Anna emphasized that the most exciting and effective solutions are those that revolve around people and address multiple issues at the same time.
“I spoke with entrepreneurs who are building affordable solar-powered irrigation systems that improve crop yields even in drought conditions and bring clean power to communities, thereby providing an array of educational, informational, and economic opportunities.”
Madam Anna suggested that multi-use roads could be designed to reduce the risk of flooding and store water for use in times of drought. Furthermore, converting health risks exacerbated by flooding from sewage sludge into fuel can reduce emissions from businesses, lower costs, address deforestation, and effectively solve health risks.
“Entrepreneurs developed these solutions in close collaboration with users. They are showing that determination and creative problem solving are identifying win-win solutions for climate resilience, local livelihoods, the wider economy and the planet.”
The report highlights that climate resilience and sustainable development can be mutually beneficial. Taken together, these can move beyond incremental changes and begin processes of expansion and acceleration of transformation that positively impact lives and ensure sustainable development and growth for African economies in the face of climate change.
Tom Powell, another lead author, highlighted the challenge for investors to strategically allocate resources to maximize climate-resilient development.
“By doing this, investments can drive processes and outcomes that are sustainable, self-sustaining and cascading in the face of climate change. Such opportunities exist.”
Mr. Powell noted that, unlike some other regions, Africa has significant demand for new infrastructure, giving it an opportunity to adopt an integrated approach that aligns with sustainability, adaptation, and resilience goals.
“Africa’s young, educated and entrepreneurial people are developing and scaling solutions that simultaneously provide development, adaptation and resilience.”
The report highlights the huge potential of nature-based “green infrastructure” solutions in specific contexts and highlights their effectiveness in delivering resilience, adaptation and development.
These solutions are often more cost-effective than traditional hard infrastructure approaches. Infrastructure plays a key role in promoting climate resilience and development by providing direct adaptation or resilience benefits that protect against climate hazards.
Furthermore, it fosters economic development, strengthens people’s adaptive capacity and resources, and contributes to macroeconomic resilience by facilitating trade and reducing import dependence.
Philippe Vallaf, President of PIDG, emphasized that infrastructure financing is playing an important role in developing and emerging markets at a significant scale and pace. This is particularly important to address challenges in regions where climate resilience and sustainable development issues are most pressing.
“Our report identifies risks and opportunities and aims to redefine what it means to invest in climate action in Africa, opening new avenues for investors and supporting decisions that enable and accelerate climate-resilient development.”
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