Making every dollar count: how investing in climate information pays dividends for the key socioeconomic sectors of Africa

A new framework – the first of its kind – developed by the African Climate Policy Centre can provide Governments of climate dependent countries with clear social and economic returns for investing in climate information services.

Social and economic welfare in Africa is intrinsically linked to the health of climate-dependent sectors, from agriculture to aviation, fishing to forestry, transportation to tourism. As the impacts of extremes in climate change and variability – such as floods, droughts and tropical cyclones – deepen, countries need clear strategies that safeguard affected sectors against losses from climate shocks and stresses while supporting economic growth. Governments, businesses and communities must be able to adapt to climate variability in order to mitigate the threats of climate change, while at the same time seizing opportunities for adapting to the changing climate.

One such strategy includes investments to improve the capacity of human resources and upgrading the technical equipment necessary to generate high-quality weather and climate information and prediction services. In addition, benefits can be realised by building the capacity of end users to apply such information and services, and by assessing the socioeconomic benefits that result from using high-quality information to mitigate climate impacts.