As Cop28 approaches, a coalition of influential figures and organisations is rallying for prioritised livestock adaptation strategies within Africa’s climate action plans. This urgent call advocates for resilient animal breeds, fortified health systems, and digital tools to safeguard the continent’s livestock sector from climate-related disasters.
Signed by prominent organisations and figures such as the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), GALVmed, and the African Union Commission, the letter underscores the indispensable significance of livestock for millions across Africa.
It emphasises the diverse roles animals like camels, cows, goats, and chickens play, providing sustenance, livelihoods, and agricultural resilience to communities across the continent. It says, “Animals like camels and cows aren’t just sources of sustenance; they’re the lifeblood of millions across Africa.”
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Urgent plea for enhanced climate finance
The letter furthermore draws attention to the escalating challenges faced by Africa’s livestock-keeping communities due to increasingly frequent climate extremes. It cites distressing statistics of millions of livestock lost during ongoing droughts and floods in the region.
Urging action at Cop28, the signatories call for increased climate finance to support sustainable livestock practices in Africa. They underscore the necessity for high-income countries to fulfil their commitment of $100 billion annually in climate finance for developing nations.
The letter says, “And we urge African countries to make the adaptation of livestock systems a core part of their climate strategies. As of last year, the continent received only 11% of its total climate finance needs at just $30 billion, and less than 1% of climate finance reached the livestock sector.”
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Ensuring livestock resilience
Central to the letter’s appeal is a call for the prioritisation of livestock adaptation strategies within Africa’s climate action plans. The signatories highlight the importance of developing resilient animal breeds, robust health systems, and digital tools for disaster risk reduction to safeguard Africa’s livestock sector from climate-related disasters.
The signatories, comprising a diverse coalition of influential figures and organisations, stress that ensuring the resilience of Africa’s livestock sector isn’t merely an economic imperative; it’s fundamental for safeguarding livelihoods and promoting climate justice on the continent.
Notable signatories include International Livestock Research Institute director general Appolinaire Djikeng, GALVmed represented by Carolin Schumacher as chief executive, and Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy, and sustainable environment at the African Union Commission.
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