USA Africa Dialogue Series - Links between climate change, conflict and governance in Africa

Climate change has repeatedly been called a major threat to Africa. Identically, the risk of climate-induced violent and armed conflict is considered high for the continent. The current paper identifies available policy options and recommends mitigating measures to counter these perceived effects of climate change in Africa.

The paper clarifies that human security and environmental protection are mutually dependent. Indeed, a policy aimed at reducing energy use and cutting down on carbon emissions in Africa would reduce economic growth, making poverty reduction harder to achieve and generating risks of political instability and conflict.

The document argues that the challenges of climate change, governance and security in Africa can mainly be resolved through cooperation and commitment to enforcing relevant treaties and agreements.