Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Senegal

Senegal is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on rain-fed agriculture and fisheries, and a population concentrated along a coastline exposed to sea level rise. While the government has established coordinating bodies like the National Climate Change Committee and identified priority sectors in its NAPA and INDC, the report finds that climate adaptation is not yet effectively mainstreamed into most national sectoral policies or subnational planning. Current adaptation projects primarily target agriculture, water resources, and disaster risk management, often using ecosystem-based approaches, but gaps remain in the health and tourism sectors.

• Senegal's climate is characterized by rising temperatures and rainfall variability, with mean annual temperatures increasing by 0.9°C since 1960. Projections suggest further warming, with a high-emissions scenario potentially increasing temperatures by 4.0°C by 2100.
• Sea level rise poses a critical threat to Senegal's coastal population and infrastructure. A projected 40-centimetre rise shortly after 2050 could put 0.5 million people at risk of flooding, while a 1-metre rise by 2100 could result in GDP losses of 12–17%.
• The country's vulnerability is driven by high poverty levels—with nearly 70% of the population living in multi-dimensional poverty—and a heavy reliance on climate-sensitive sectors like rain-fed agriculture and artisanal fishing.
• Senegal has established a governance framework for climate change, including the National Climate Change Committee (COMNACC) in 2011 and Regional Climate Change Committees (COMRECCs). However, the report notes that a comprehensive national climate change policy or strategy is still missing.
• Integration of climate change into national sectoral policies is very limited. Only water-related and fishing policies recognize climate change as a risk, while the health, tourism, and gender equality strategies do not identify it as a risk.
• The government's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) released in 2015 estimates a total adaptation budget of US$14.558 billion between 2016 and 2035, with the vast majority (US$12.726 billion) expected to come from foreign financing.
• A review of 20 significant adaptation projects shows a heavy focus on agriculture (30% of projects), disaster risk management (25%), and climate information (25%). Many of these initiatives employ ecosystem-based adaptation, such as restoring mangroves to create natural barriers against coastal erosion.
• Despite being identified as priority sectors in the NAPA and Second National Communication, forestry and human health have very few dedicated adaptation projects.
• Climate finance from designated bilateral and multilateral funds was US$39.7 million between 2003 and April 2015. Between 2010 and 2013, Senegal received US$188.8 million in bilateral funding for projects with a principal or significant focus on adaptation.

APA

Zamudio, A. N., & Terton, A. (2016). Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Senegal. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55877-senegal.pdf

Chicago

Zamudio, Alicia Natalia, and Anika Terton. Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Senegal. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2016. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55877-senegal.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Zamudio |first1=Alicia Natalia |last2=Terton |first2=Anika |title=Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Senegal |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2016 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55877-senegal.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{zamudio2016review, author = {Zamudio, Alicia Natalia and Terton, Anika}, title = {{Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Senegal}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2016}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55877-senegal.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }