Foreword
Human-induced climate change is happening at a faster rate than expected, and its impact is being observed and felt in all corners of the world. The IGAD region has already experienced temperature rises, shift in rainfall patterns, high frequency of droughts and floods, reduced food production, increased risks of health and reduction in water availability. These observed changes are linked to the accumulation of greenhouse gasses emitted from human activities, primarily from fossil fuel burning and deforestation.
The international community has recognized the threat of climate change to sustainable development and adopted three major international agreements to address the threat. These agreements include: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Parties to the international agreements on climate change have made commitments to collectively take actions to limit global warming, mobilize resources and build adaptive capacity to deal with its impact. The scale of the climate challenge is huge, and its solution requires engagement at all levels.
