Yaounde host maiden Youth Forum on Adaptation Finance in Africa.

The continental gathering is supported by the government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development.

The forum expected to bring together over 200 youth from across the continent runs till Saturday November 18.  It is holding under the theme: “Empowering Africa: More than doubling adaptation finance for a resilience future”.

Prior to the kick off, the Executive Director of ACSEA, Dr Augustine B Njamnshi, had briefed the press in Yaounde Tuesday, November 14, on the essence of the forum.

Dr Njamnshi said it will be a unique opportunity for young Africans to raise their voices and demand more action and support for climate adaptation, one of the most urgent issues of our time.

He said participants will gain knowledge and skills on climate finance, advocacy and project development as well as join their voices to address the adaptation finance gap that will help safeguard the African continent.

Africa, Dr Njamnshi noted, is facing a climate crisis that is not of its own making. This, he added, necessitates a synergy of actions to come out with adaptation mechanisms.

“Our countries put together contribute less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts,” Dr Njamnshi stated.  

Climate change, he noted, threatens livelihoods, food security, health, peace and stability, exacerbates existing inequalities and injustices as well as undermines development aspirations and human rights.

He encouraged the population to make efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission, insisting that adaptation remains an urgent factor even with the implementation of these measures. 

“Adaptation is an urgent imperative for the continent because we are already experiencing severe impacts of climate change. This needs money, which has to come from the countries with historical responsibilities for climate change,” he said. 

The failure to adapt, he furthered, has massive implications for losses and damage, particularly for the most vulnerable as the time to act is now.

The environmental expert further underlined that: “We cannot afford to wait any longer. We need to act now and scale up adaptation efforts at all levels. Young people are not only the most affected by climate change, but also the most innovative and creative in finding solutions”. 

He said it is for this reason that they are organising this forum, to showcase best practices and initiatives of young Africans in adapting to climate change and also to engage with policymakers and donors on how to increase financing and support for adaptation.

UNEP Adaptation Gap Report published 

According to the latest Adaptation Gap Report published by United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, the adaptation finance needs of developing countries are 10-18 times as big as international public finance flows. 

This is over 50 per cent higher than the previous range estimate. The modeled costs of adaptation in developing countries are estimated at US$215 billion per year this decade. 

The adaptation finance needed to implement domestic adaptation priorities is estimated at US$387 billion per year.

Despite these needs, public multilateral and bilateral adaptation finance flows to developing countries declined by 15 per cent to US$21 billion in 2021. 

As a result of the growing adaptation finance needs and faltering flows, the current adaptation finance gap is now estimated at US$194-366 billion per year. At the same time, adaptation planning and implementation appear to be plateauing.