Abstract
People in Africa are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change due to factors such as agro-based economies, poor infrastructure, low technology and industrialization. This phenomenon has weakened Africa’s adaptive capacity to climate change. In an interconnected global economy, effective and inclusive development demands effective partnerships. On the other hand, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) adopted by the Chinese Government propagates infrastructural investment in participating countries and logistic connectivity. This chapter discusses the strategic goals and scope of the BRI in relation to Africa’s priority adaptation sectors such as agricultural modernization, industrialization, energy and infrastructural development. It argues that the BRI has huge potential in promoting agricultural modernization, infrastructural development and industrialisation in Africa which will strengthen the continent’s adaptive capacity. In conclusion, it suggests that the African Union and African governments must develop and/or revise their multi-sectoral climate change adaptation policy frameworks to tap into the opportunities that the BRI offers.
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Addaney, M. (2020). Strengthening Africa’s Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change: African Union Law and Implications of China’s Belt and Road Policy. In: Leal Filho, W., Nagy, G., Borga, M., Chávez Muñoz, P., Magnuszewski, A. (eds) Climate Change, Hazards and Adaptation Options. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37425-9_25
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