Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Inclusive Development in Africa

Climate change has become a buzzword and has assumed global importance due to the increasing awareness of how it poses an existential threat to humans, planets, flora, and fauna. Thus, there have been calls across the world, including in Africa, to develop strategies for adapting to climate change to protect all segments of the population and the environment. This chapter examines the intrinsic link between climate change adaptation and broad-based development in Africa, emphasising the need to employ integrative approaches and address economic, social, environmental and governance issues. The approach is to assemble cases, best practice, lessons, and evidence from within and outside the continent to document how inclusive development frameworks such as Indigenous knowledge and practices and gender-responsive strategies can be harnessed for enhanced climate adaptation. The chapter concludes by offering recommendations for African policymakers and practitioners to navigate climate change strategies without compromising inclusive development.