les enseignements du rapport SREX rédigé par le GIEC et des catastrophes en Afrique : Gestion des extrêmes climatiques

This report, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2012, synthesizes the findings of the IPCC's SREX report specifically for African policymakers. It examines the interaction between climate extremes, human vulnerability, and disaster risk management (DRM), emphasizing that disaster risks in Africa are increasing due to both climate change and socio-economic factors such as rapid urbanization and poor governance. The document provides regional observations and projections for temperature and precipitation extremes across Africa and advocates for the integration of DRM and climate change adaptation into national development planning to build long-term resilience.

• Disaster risks in many African countries are projected to increase regardless of climate change, driven by the growing exposure of people and assets to weather extremes.
• Climate change has already altered the frequency and amplitude of certain extreme weather events globally since 1950. In Africa, while the increase in extremes over the next two to three decades may be minimal compared to normal annual variations, the effects will become increasingly significant as climate change impacts intensify.
• Observed climate trends since 1950 vary by African region: West Africa has seen significant temperature increases and a rise in the duration of dry episodes; Southern Africa has experienced more hot days, longer heat episodes, and a general increase in drought; East Africa shows spatially variable trends for drought and a lack of evidence for most other extremes.
• Future projections (2071-2100) indicate a probable increase in hot days, hot nights, and heatwaves across West, East, and Southern Africa, as well as the Sahara. Precipitation trends are more varied: East Africa is likely to see an increase in heavy precipitation and a decrease in drought, while Southern Africa is projected to see an increase in drought and prolonged drought, except in its eastern part.
• The report highlights that current climate extremes may become the 'normal' weather conditions of the future. For example, the hottest day of the last 20 years of the 20th century is projected to occur at least twice a year across the continent by 2046-65, and every year by 2100 under A1B and A2 scenarios.
• Agriculture is the most vulnerable and exposed economic sector to climate extremes in Africa, contributing approximately 21% of the continent's total GDP and 50% of its total export value.
• African coastal cities are particularly vulnerable due to high population density, poverty, and rapid growth. In Alexandria, coastal flooding alone could cause losses of 563.28 billion USD in assets by 2070.
• Effective disaster risk management (DRM) requires a shift from reactive to proactive measures, focusing on anticipation and risk reduction. This includes implementing early warning systems, land-use planning, building codes, and ecosystem rehabilitation.
• National DRM systems are most effective when they are coordinated across sectors, led by high-level political bodies, and integrated into national development and poverty reduction policies. South Africa's Disaster Management Act of 2002 is cited as a model for establishing a legal framework for multi-level governance.
• International actors can catalyze resilience by coordinating initiatives, providing technical assistance, and financing risk transfers, such as index-based insurance. Examples include the World Food Programme's support for drought insurance in Ethiopia and microinsurance pilots in Malawi.
• To achieve long-term resilience, Africa requires 'transformational' rather than just 'incremental' changes. This involves shifting culture and approaches, fostering innovative leadership, and combining local knowledge with scientific data to address the root causes of vulnerability.

APA

Cameron, C., Norrington-Davies, G., & Velde, V. T. (2012). les enseignements du rapport SREX rédigé par le GIEC et des catastrophes en Afrique : Gestion des extrêmes climatiques. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Lessons-from-SREX-for-Africa_FRENCH_updated_v04-copy-1.pdf

Chicago

Cameron, Catherine, Gemma Norrington-Davies, and Victoria te Velde. les enseignements du rapport SREX rédigé par le GIEC et des catastrophes en Afrique : Gestion des extrêmes climatiques. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2012. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Lessons-from-SREX-for-Africa_FRENCH_updated_v04-copy-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cameron |first1=Catherine |last2=Norrington-Davies |first2=Gemma |last3=Velde |first3=Victoria te |title=les enseignements du rapport SREX rédigé par le GIEC et des catastrophes en Afrique : Gestion des extrêmes climatiques |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=2012 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Lessons-from-SREX-for-Africa_FRENCH_updated_v04-copy-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cameron2012les, author = {Cameron, Catherine and Norrington-Davies, Gemma and Velde, Victoria te}, title = {{les enseignements du rapport SREX rédigé par le GIEC et des catastrophes en Afrique : Gestion des extrêmes climatiques}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2012}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Lessons-from-SREX-for-Africa_FRENCH_updated_v04-copy-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }