Study: African Nations Forced to Spend on Climate Adaptation

A herd of adult and baby elephants walk in the dawn light as the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, sits topped with snow in the background, seen from Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, Dec. 17, 2012 . (AP file photo)
A herd of adult and baby elephants walk in the dawn light as the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, sits topped with snow in the background, seen from Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, Dec. 17, 2012 . (AP file photo)
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Study: African Nations Forced to Spend on Climate Adaptation

A herd of adult and baby elephants walk in the dawn light as the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, sits topped with snow in the background, seen from Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, Dec. 17, 2012 . (AP file photo)
A herd of adult and baby elephants walk in the dawn light as the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, sits topped with snow in the background, seen from Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, Dec. 17, 2012 . (AP file photo)

African countries are having to spend up to five percent of their annual economic output to shield themselves against the impacts of climate change, even though they emit the least greenhouse gases in the world, a report released Saturday said.

The findings, published by the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa, focus on the costs of warding off climate impacts by strengthening transport infrastructure, shoring up communications, building flood defenses and other preventative measures.

The threat is forcing nations to divert "already stretched" resources to climate self-defense, the report said.

The survey focused on seven countries from around the continent, AFP reported.

Ethiopia -- which is also fighting a brutal war in its northern region -- was the hardest-hit, spending up to 5.6 percent of its GDP to ward off climate-related disasters, it said.

Conflict-wracked South Sudan, which has been reeling from heavy rains and flash floods affecting more than 850,000 people, is on track to spend up to 3.1 percent of its GDP every year, the report said.

In West Africa, meanwhile, Sierra Leone will be spending as much as $90 million (80 million euros) a year -- 2.3 percent of its economic output -- on climate adaptation, even though its citizens on average generate 80 times less carbon than US residents.

"This report shows the deep injustice of the climate emergency," said Mohamed Adow, head of the Power Shift Africa.

"It is simply not acceptable for the costs to fall on those people who are suffering the most while contributing the least to climate change."

- 'Massive' help needed -
Adow said African nations needed a "massive" amount of help to withstand the onslaught of climate change.

African economies have long struggled to find funds to limit emissions while also adapting to climate change.

A study published last November warned that the world's 65 most vulnerable nations will see GDP drop 20 percent on average by 2050 and 64 percent by 2100 if the world heats up by 2.9 degrees Celsius (5.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

That research, commissioned by Christian Aid, found that eight of the top 10 most affected countries are in Africa, with the remaining two in South America.

All 10 countries would see their GDP fall by 40 percent even if global temperature rises are capped at 1.5C, in keeping with the most ambitious Paris Agreement goal, the study said.

To date, Earth's average surface temperature has risen 1.1C compared to late 19th-century levels.

The next COP27 climate summit will be held in Egypt, seeking to build on gains made at the previous conference in Glasgow last year.

Pledges were made at COP26 to phase down coal-fired power, curb methane emissions and boost financial aid to developing countries.

Rich countries have also vowed to muster $100 billion annually in climate aid for poor nations.

But only a part of that funding promise has so far been earmarked for adaptation, as opposed to measures to mitigate carbon emissions.

A report last year by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) found that developing countries will need to spend up to $300 billion a year on adaptation measures by 2030, and up to $500 billion annually by 2050.



Saudi KAUST Researchers Join OceanQuest Inaugural Expedition Around Africa 

The KAUST research team conducted crucial research in biodiversity assessment, seamount studies, and chemical analyses. (SPA)
The KAUST research team conducted crucial research in biodiversity assessment, seamount studies, and chemical analyses. (SPA)
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Saudi KAUST Researchers Join OceanQuest Inaugural Expedition Around Africa 

The KAUST research team conducted crucial research in biodiversity assessment, seamount studies, and chemical analyses. (SPA)
The KAUST research team conducted crucial research in biodiversity assessment, seamount studies, and chemical analyses. (SPA)

Researchers from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) joined the Saudi non-profit foundation OceanQuest on its first marine expedition around Africa aboard the advanced research vessel RV OceanXplorer, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

The expedition represents a major milestone in marine and ocean exploration, underscoring Saudi Arabia's dedication to advancing national scientific expertise and boosting global research cooperation — key goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

The mission began in Moroni, Comoros, with the team sailing south through the Indian Ocean to Cape Town, South Africa. Its focus was on assessing biodiversity across several seamounts.

A second phase, designed for early-career oceanographers, proceeded north to Walvis Bay in Namibia before concluding scientific operations in Mindelo, Cabo Verde.

The KAUST research team, comprising two PhD candidates from the Marine Microbiome Lab and one from Earth Science and Engineering, conducted crucial research in biodiversity assessment, seamount studies, and chemical analyses. The experience provided the students with significant hands-on experience.

The team researched seamount formation in the Indian Ocean, seeking insights into similar geological phenomena in Saudi waters. The work involved ocean depth mapping and sample collection, providing the researchers with practical field experience applicable to research within the Kingdom.