Across Africa people already change how they farm and protect coasts to deal with changing rain and stronger floods. Many local groups make simple, low-cost solutions, but a lot of the funding meant to help them does not get to them.
A report published in February found that adaptation finance still depends mainly on multilateral and bilateral sources. Complex financing, many intermediaries and strong risk perceptions make it hard for local organisations to get money directly.
Governments can expand budgets, include climate in planning, issue green or resilience bonds, reform subsidies and create national climate funds. Public finance can use guarantees and co-financing to bring in private capital.
Difficult words
- adaptation — changes people make to cope with new conditions
- finance — money for a project, government or organisation
- multilateral — involving several countries or international groups
- intermediary — a person or organisation between two othersintermediaries
- subsidy — money given by government to help costssubsidies
- guarantee — a promise that supports payment or performanceguarantees
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you seen simple, low-cost solutions in your area to deal with weather changes? Describe one.
- Which government action in the article do you think is easiest to start locally? Why?
- Should private money help local groups with adaptation? Why or why not?
