Climate Risk Profile: West Africa

This profile provides an overview of climate risk in 21 countries in West Africa. As one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate variability and change, the profile provides a regional climate summary and projected changes, along with suggested responses to identified risks that will improve climate resilience. Climate risks, impacts, adaptation responses are examined by key sectors, including agriculture, energy, ecosystems, human health, water, and urban development, with additional information detailed for three subregions – the Sahel, Inland Forests and Coastal areas. Climate vulnerability is compounded by high dependence on rainfed agriculture, population growth, and inadequate access to safe water and sanitation.

Warming across West Africa is greater than the global average, a trend expected to continue, with the greatest warming anticipated in the Sahel. The region’s long coastline is home to densely populated cities and economic hubs, and faces threats from rising sea levels, coastal erosion and inundation. Increasing temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are already affecting livelihoods, food security, and economic and governance stability. Transnational climate impacts include threats to food security and water quality and availability, threats to health conditions from poor air quality, disruption of transportation networks, and increased migration.

Find other country and regional climate risk management resources here.

Country
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Zimbabwe
Projects
ATLAS - Adaptation Thought Leadership and Assessments
Sectors
Adaptation, Energy, Education, Agriculture and Food Systems, Urban, Water and Sanitation
Strategic Objective
Adaptation, Integration
Topics
Adaptation, Climate Risk Management, Energy Efficiency, Health, Infrastructure, Resilience, Urban, Water and Sanitation
Region
Africa

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