World Resources Institute on climate change impact on urban land resources

Restoring landscapes and building resilience across the continent will be crucial in Africa’s quest to combat the devastating effects climate change is having. CNBC Africa’s Aby Agina spoke to Dr. Rebekah Shirley, Deputy Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute, to shed light on the institute's efforts and impact on urban land resources in the region. Dr. Shirley highlighted the various programs run by the World Resources Institute that focus on the intersection of people, nature, and climate across the continent. These programs aim to convene ambition around significant ideas such as restoring landscapes, building resilience in cities, and delivering universal energy access. One of the institute's major milestones was supporting the African Union in launching AFR100 at the 2015 climate summit in Paris. AFR100 aims to restore over 100 million hectares of degraded farm and forest land in Africa by 2030. The current state of affairs in Africa, according to Dr. Shirley, is dire, with many countries facing the brunt of climate change. Factors such as overgrazing, rampant tree cutting, and heavy rains are leading to soil degradation, which in turn impacts farming communities and urban areas downstream. Failed rains in regions like the Kenyan rift are pushing communities to the brink, impacting global trade, human migration, and international security. Dr. Shirley emphasized the interconnected nature of climate change impacts, highlighting the need for global cooperation. The World Resources Institute's approach to tackling climate change involves collaboration with various stakeholders. Dr. Shirley mentioned that the institute works with the African Union and other partners to support initiatives like AFR100 and build the capacity of local champions in restoration, renewable energy development, and urban resilience. The institute also helps deploy finance to these champions and tracks their progress to ensure impact. Additionally, the institute focuses on securing public policies that incentivize climate-friendly activities. In the face of dwindling tree cover in many countries, the World Resources Institute advocates for local community-driven restoration efforts. Dr. Shirley highlighted that locally led restoration projects are more likely to succeed in the long term compared to those led by international NGOs or governments. The institute is investing in local champions and restoration projects in critical landscapes such as the Ghana Cocoa Belt, the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, and the Rwuzizi Basin. These initiatives have already restored thousands of hectares of land and provided work opportunities for local communities, but there is still a long way to go to achieve the goal of restoring hundreds of millions of hectares. In conclusion, the World Resources Institute's focus on collaboration, capacity building, and local community engagement underscores the importance of grassroots efforts in combating climate change and restoring landscapes in Africa. With the continent facing increasing challenges due to climate change, initiatives like AFR100 and local restoration projects play a vital role in building resilience and sustainability across the region.