Climate Change: Challenges for Social Protection in Africa

Abstract

This paper explores the role of social protection in helping Africa adapt to climate change. The increase in covariate (environmental and health) risks due to ongoing and future climate changes, and the demonstrated adverse impacts of such risks, make it important to scale up interventions to reduce household vulnerability. Efforts under way to gear up adaptation to climate change in Africa must be responsive to the needs of the poor. Social protection can contribute to this with its established frameworks for vulnerability reduction. Particular instruments to consider include social funds for community-based adaptation, safety nets designed flexible to respond to climatic shocks and natural disasters, and skills development, micro finance, and assisted migration for changing livelihoods.