PowerPoint Presentation

Coastal megacity at risk from CCAccra, GhanaTurn Down the Heat: Why a 4C Warmer World Must be Avoided27 January 24 February 2014 Benjamin De Ridder

This presentation is my final project of the Massive Open online Course on CC developed and facilitated by the WB. Through this short presentation I would like to showcase the process of CCA/M within a megacity context like Accra. As climate change has multiple cross-cutting effects the focus lies on the coastal impacts caused by climate change.1

Nyani Quarmyne 2010Climate Change is real and impacts are being felt everywhereConsensus: 97% of climate scientists agreeIntergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeWarming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.13

IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, Summary for Policymakers (2007)

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General contextStrong economic growth in Africa

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General contextUrbanization trends coastal megacities

The urban population in Africa will likely triple from 359 million in 2009 to 1.23 billion in 2050. 60 per cent of the African population then will be living in urban areas.4

Detailed contextEconomic importance of Ghanas coastal zone

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Context CC impactsDirect impactsSea-level rise

IPCC, AR5, 2013

There has been significant progress in our understanding of sea level change since the AR4. Paleo data now provide high confidence that sea levels were substantially higher when GHG concentrations were higher or surface temperatures were warmer than pre-industrial. The combination of paleo sea level data and long tide gauge records confirms that the rate of rise has increased from low rates of change during the late Holocene (order tenths of mm yr1) to rates of almost 2 mm yr1 averaged over the 20th century, with a likely continuing acceleration during the 20th century

These observations, together with our current scientific understanding and projections of future climate and sea level, imply that it is virtually certain that sea level will continue to rise during the 21st century and beyond. For all scenarios, the rate of 21st century GMSL rise is very likely to exceed the average rate during the 20th century.

Despite this progress, significant uncertainties remain, particularly related to the magnitude and rate of the ice-sheet contribution for the 21st century and beyond, the regional distribution of sea level rise, and the regional changes in storm frequency and intensity. For coastal planning, sea level rise needs to be considered in a risk management framework6

Context CC impactsDirect impactsIncreased storm surgesClimate change threatens Ghana's coast Coastal erosion has forced a town of thousands to flee into a swampy, trash-filled area.

HELP!...Azizanya is drowning, Friday, August 20, 2010,

Keta, eaten by the sea, but remains resilient16 February 2014

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Context CC impactsDirect impactsChanges in disease vectorsProlonged droughtsErratic rainfall patterns and floodingIndirect impactsSalt water intrusionMigrationLoss of biodiversity, ecosystem services and goodsLoss of livelihoods (fisheries, tourism)Food InsecuritySaltwater poisoning threatens Ghana

Several other impacts (direct or indirect) can be contributed to climate change. The complexity stresses the need for improved intersectoral coordination while integrating the CC discussion within the national development planning.8

Actions takenNational Climate Change Policy

Five main areas:Agriculture and Food SecurityDisaster Preparedness and ResponseNatural Resource ManagementEquitable Social DevelopmentEnergy, Industrial and Infrastructural DevelopmentTen Programme areas:Develop climate-resilient agriculture and food ecurity systemsBuild climate-resilient infrastructureIncrease resilience of vulnerable communities to climate-related risksIncrease carbon sinksImprove management and resilience of terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystemsAddress impacts of climate change on human healthMinimize impacts of climate change on access to water and sanitationAddress gender issues in climate changeAddress climate change and migration, andMinimize greenhouse gas emissions

Climate change is a global challenge that requires a concerted effort by all nations. The National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) isGhanas integrated response to climate change. It has been prepared and designed within the context of national sustainable development priorities; it provides a clearly defined pathway for dealing with the challenges of climate change within the current socio-economic context of Ghana, and looks ahead to the opportunities and benefits of a green economy.9

Actions takenNational Climate Change Adaptation StrategyGhana Plan of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change AdaptationSeveral stocktaking and vulnerability assessments (The government has also identified 17 erosion hotspots along the shoreline). Several multilateral and bilateral support programs on the way to develop future models based on the different scenariosFor exemple WB Case study on Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change (WB, 2010)

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GHANAS SEA DEFENSE PROJECTA 67 MILLION EUROS SEA DEFENCE WALL ALONG ADA COASTLINE

Actions ongoingICZM frameworkintegrating short-term and long-term planningstrengthening or creating observation networksimproving governance for coastal planningdeveloping practices for integrated coastal zone management that reduce pressures from unplanned development

Hard measuresSoft measures

ModelingEconomics of AdaptationEarly Warning SystemsGIS and satellite imagerySustianable use of coastal wetlands & mangrovesBeach nourishmentDevelopment of climate-smart building standards

The government has adopted constructing hard engineering structures to manage coastal erosion in the critical areas along the coast. This approach is not sustainable as the erosion problem is simply transferred down-drift of the coast. There is therefore the need to explore the option of using soft engineering measures, such as beach nourishment which facilitate managing with nature, to manage the erosion problems in the western section. The measures if adopted would preserve the source of livelihood of the inhabitants as well as their social life.

A number of hard and soft Adaptation options were identified to enhance resilience and robustness of natural and human systems in the coastal zone

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Way forwardAdvance knowledge of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reductionDevelop strategies and methodologies for climate change adaptationEnhance practitioner and academic capacity and transfer knowledge

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Policies are one thing

Policies are one thing, implementation and enforcement are another. This is why awareness raising, early buy in and education are key if we want to be succesfull in the long run.13

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