The effect of climate change on Togo is most visible in agriculture, reads the African Development Bank (AfDB) report on the ‘Economic Outlook’ published on May 24, 2022 on the sidelines of its annual meetings. held in Accra. The activity occupies approximately 60% of the active population.
According to the institution, agriculture recorded a contraction, falling to 24.7% of GDP in 2021, while it represented 37.3% in 2008. “Temperatures could increase by 2.15–2.75 °C in 2100 compared to 2020 (Representative Concentration Trajectory (RCP) 6.0), but could be lower, to 1.53–1.96°C, in 2100 if GHGs were contained,” the AfDB says.
In 2021, continues the institution, the prospects for achieving SDG 13 on climate action are favorable, linked to the control of CO2 emissions. The country having strengthened its institutional mechanism by adopting the REDD+ strategy, and the law on the development, protection and enhancement of the coast. In addition, the Blitta solar power plant, with a capacity of 50 megawatts, is expected to help increase national access to electricity to 60% in 2022, compared to 45% in 2018.
“According to the revised 2021 NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions, Editor’s note), the financial resources needed to achieve the GHG emission reduction targets are approximately $5.5 billion, of which 78% is for conditional measures. The country intends to mobilize national public and private funds as well as foreign aid to finance the planned actions,” reports the AfDB.
21.38 million plants
To fight against the effects of climate change, Togo is launching this Wednesday, June 1, the day of the start of a new national reforestation campaign, the planting of one million seedlings throughout the territory to reach a total of 21.38 million plants for the entire campaign. Launched last year, this campaign has allowed the planting of 3.3 million plants over an area of 4,500 ha, according to the authorities.
“The government invites the entire population to mobilize massively to enable our country to improve its coverage
forestry, a national priority in response to the continued degradation of forest resources and the fight against climate change”, indicates the press release that sanctioned the Council of Ministers held on May 30.