Can you help shape our future priorities? Take a five minute survey now.

Publication

K4D Helpdesk Report

Climate change and stability in North Africa

Published on 4 December 2017

North Africa is highly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change because of its strong exposure to increases in temperature, changes in freshwater availability, and population growth.

The production of agricultural goods is sensitive to changing climate conditions across northern Africa, as economies strongly depend on agriculture or livestock. Due to the already existing water scarcity and this strong dependence on rain-fed agriculture, there is additional vulnerability, further exacerbated by an adaptive capacity that is limited by poverty and political instability.

The impacts of climate change in North Africa are complex and not fully understood, they also interact and amplify other drivers and socio-economic factors, making attribution difficult to detangle. However, in general, climate change is expected to have important impacts on drought, water supplies and food security, which may impact on the stability, prosperity and security of the region.

However, research in this emerging field has not yet succeeded in establishing a consensus on primary causes, mechanisms, links, and interventions between climate change and insecurity (Gemenne et al. 2014).

Cite this publication

Price, R.A. (2017). Climate change and stability in North Africa. K4D Helpdesk Report. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies.

Authors

Roz Price

Researcher

Publication details

published by
IDS
authors
Price, Roz
language
English

Share

About this publication

Related content

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.