he Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has revealed that 65 percent of Africa’s arable land is degraded, leading to an annual loss of $68 billion in productivity. Hanan Morsy, the Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist of ECA, highlighted these figures in a recent statement delivered during the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment.
Ms. Morsy emphasized the severe economic impact of climate change, noting that it costs African economies up to 15 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) each year. Additionally, governments are allocating up to 9 percent of their budgets to manage extreme weather events. She also pointed out the dual challenge of debt distress and the difficult balance between addressing climate issues and meeting essential development needs such as health and education.
“Deforestation rates in Africa are currently twice the global average, further compromising our agricultural output and ecosystem services,” Ms. Morsy stated. “Immediate action is crucial.”
Ms. Morsy stressed the importance of programs like REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), which aim to curb emissions linked to deforestation. However, she called for more robust measures, highlighting that African carbon credits are often undervalued, fetching less than $10 per tonne compared to $120 in more developed markets. She argued for fair carbon markets with prices that truly reflect the value of Africa’s efforts.
The ECA official also underscored the need to balance carbon credit initiatives with community needs, particularly regarding access to forest resources for sustainable development. Developing a high-integrity African carbon market that ensures equitable pricing and unlocks the continent’s potential is considered a strategic priority, Ms. Morsy noted.
She further described climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss as interconnected crises posing significant threats to both the environment and societal well-being. The ECA is committed to supporting its member states in tackling these challenges through various initiatives.
