Cabo Verde’s Climate Resilience and Development Strategies

The Cabo Verde Country Climate and Development Report highlights the country’s climate vulnerabilities compounded by economic dependencies, particularly on tourism and imports. It assesses the impacts of climate change, identifies key institutional frameworks, and proposes strategies for resilience and low-carbon development across multiple sectors. The report emphasizes the need for proactive measures to support both the economy and public health in the face of growing climate challenges.

Cabo Verde’s vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by its geographic conditions and economic weaknesses. Although the country has seen significant economic growth since the 1990s and made strides in reducing poverty, this growth remains inconsistent and has recently waned. Tourism, which represents a significant share of gross domestic product, exports, and foreign investment, is a primary driver of the economy, yet the nation remains highly dependent on imports, particularly food and fuel.
The country relies on remittances and international aid to meet its external financing requirements, but this creates additional vulnerabilities. Fiscal deficits, while somewhat contained recently, paired with rigid public expenditure, have resulted in public debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP. The COVID-19 pandemic notably exposed these external vulnerabilities by causing a dramatic contraction in tourism income alongside increased food and fuel import costs, a situation that only stabilized by 2023.
The Cabo Verde Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) offers insights on improving climate resilience and initiating low-carbon economic growth. It details projected social and economic impacts of climate change in the first chapter. Following this, chapters discuss the country’s institutional frameworks, strategies for a climate-resilient economy at the water-land interface, avenues for advancing the blue economy, the green transition in various sectors, and proactive measures to bolster private sector resilience and public health.
Chapter six compiles recommendations from previous chapters, evaluating their economic implications and estimating the associated costs and benefits. The report aims to inform strategies that enhance Cabo Verde’s economic stability in light of environmental challenges.

Cabo Verde faces unique challenges related to climate change, primarily due to its geographic positioning and economic structure. Despite experiencing growth and poverty reduction over the past few decades, the country remains vulnerable due to its reliance on tourism and imports. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these vulnerabilities, underscoring the importance of developing climate resilience and pursuing sustainable economic strategies. The CCDR serves as a comprehensive guide to address these challenges and harness opportunities for growth through climate adaptation and low-carbon development.

The Cabo Verde CCDR outlines critical recommendations for enhancing the country’s climate resilience and supporting sustainable economic growth. By addressing vulnerabilities, particularly in the tourism sector and dependency on imports, Cabo Verde can develop a robust framework for climate adaptation. The integration of strategies across various sectors, public health enhancement, and private sector engagement are essential steps towards securing a sustainable and resilient future for the nation.

Original Source: reliefweb.int