There has been considerable attention on the conventional climate mitigation and adaptation debate in Africa, including the prominent efforts of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change in global climate forums. However, there is little understanding of how the African Union (AU) is discussing and responding to the security implications of climate change.

A background report outlining an overview of the climate security landscape of the African Union. An overview of the framework of the AU is provided and the institutional responses and policy implementation of four thematic policy areas are analyzed. These policy areas include food security, peace and conflict, human security and energy and natural resource crisis.

Besides this background paper, a policy brief is published outlining the key strengths of the AU’s response, such as the rapidly evolving discourse around climate security and efforts to improve collaboration and coordination among different parts of the institution. But also, key weaknesses in the discourse around AU policy responses, such as the lack of tangible policy operationalization as well as financial unpreparedness and limited member state accountability are covered. Recommendations on advancing the understanding of the risks and respond to it within the AU are included as well.
Check out also : Multilateral cooperation in the area of climate-related security and development risks in Africa from our catalogue