Sustainable Development Helps African Cities Respond to Climate Change

In parts of Johannesburg, the skyline is pleasingly green, but the city is unlikely to escape the urban heat island effect that cities like it are likely to experience. The increased risk of flooding and drought are a climate change reality and in Africa and the developing world, there is increasing acknowledgement of the importance of mitigating climate-change risk.

The recent release of the Working Group I Sixth Assessment Report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) once again confirms the risks and opportunities associated with climate change, particularly for Africa. A key finding highlighted in the report is that the latest climate modelling studies for Africa reveal that the likely increase in temperature due to climate change is higher than for previous models.