The SDG13 to combat climate change: an opportunity for Africa to become a trailblazer?. Issue 2 (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maupin, Agathe
• Is Part Of: African geographical review. Volume 36:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: Africa -- climate -- development -- policies -- resources; Africa -- Geography -- Periodicals; Africa -- Description and travel -- Periodicals; 916.005
• DOI: 10.1080/19376812.2016.1171156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-6812

Abstract

Abstract : In two decades, climate change has gained increased traction on the international scene. The proposed thirteenth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG13) invites the world 'to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, ' while recognizing that the UNFCCC is the primary forum for negotiating a global response to climate change. This SDG13 offers an opportunity to combine multi-leveled actions toward climate change with development objectives. Climate change impacts spare no country but strike unequally developed and developing countries, which raises the question of how adequately the African continent is equipped to respond to climate change challenges, particularly considering Africa's diverse development needs. Given that African countries present remarkably different contexts, this paper explores climate policies in Africa and discusses opportunities to address concurrently climate change and development challenges on this continent.