Is Nature Africa's Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Climate Change?

Although Africa contributes minimally to global emissions, it bears a disproportionately high burden of climate impacts, with many nations lacking strong disaster preparedness and adaptive capacities. However, Africa holds a critical asset: its natural ecosystems. This session will explore the potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as cost-effective strategies for integrated disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate adaptation across the continent. It will highlight successful examples, such as UNEP's Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) project, and examine innovative financing mechanisms to support the scaling up of such approaches. The session will also explore synergies between the Rio Conventions and the Sendai Framework, presenting evidence from across Africa, including a case study from Niger that demonstrates how NbS can mitigate climate risks like drought while enhancing food security.

The session will focus on bridging policy gaps, scaling up nature-driven solutions, and ensuring alignment between climate change and DRR agendas. It will emphasize the role of public-private partnerships and innovative financing in expanding Eco-DRR strategies in Africa. Participants will engage in discussions on best practices, investment opportunities, and gender-inclusive approaches to nature-based climate adaptation. Proven approaches like the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) methodology and the CLIMADA tool will be presented to help decision-makers optimize investments and achieve co-benefits for biodiversity, land restoration, and climate resilience. The session will conclude with actionable recommendations, including contributions to the Windhoek Declaration, aimed at ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for Africa