Climate Change

In 2000, Cape Verde submitted its First National Communication on Climate Change to the UNFCCC. This was followed by the submission of its National Adaptation Programme for Action (NAPA) on Climate Change to the UNFCCC in 2007. Cape Verde has also developed a National Strategy Action Plan against Climate Changes, which primarily focuses on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Cape Verde is highly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise and has a low capacity to adapt to these phenomena. Models of future climate change suggest that temperature increases of up to 4ºC and decreases in rainfall by up to 20% can be expected by 2100. In the next 10 to 20 years, climate-induced changes are expected to include seasonal water shortages at an increasing number of key economic locations and year-round shortages at other sites. Climate variability is also predicted to increase, with more storms, floods and droughts and a shorter rainy season. Key sectors likely to be affected by the impacts of climate change include the transportation, energy and water industries. The analysis of future agro-climatic development indicates that under the anticipated conditions of increasing aridity resulting from decreasing rainfall and increasing temperature, the amount of food Cape Verde will be able to provide as a percentage of its requirements will drop dramatically, thereby exposing a large portion of the population to food deficits and food insecurity by 2020. A warming climate and sea-level rises also threaten potentially lucrative economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries.