The World Bank has warned Cameroonian lawmakers against the adverse effects of neglecting the war against climate change. It sounded the alarm at the presentation of Cameroon’s report on Climate Change and Development at the National Assembly, this November 16, 2022.
“Even though Cameroon has not contributed significantly to the emissions of the world it is basically facing the impact of climate change so it is important in this report to highlight what climate change does for growth and poverty reduction in Cameroon,” explained Nabile Cheharli of the World Bank.
The report, he noted, highlights “some of the economic losses and physical risks associated with climate change. We also put on the table, a number of important of solutions that Cameroon could contemplate on and address: solutions in agriculture, solutions related to forestry, related to cities in Cameroon and related to energy and transport and human capital.”
Naye Anna Bathily, of the World Bank delegation expressed a similar view, noting that the report is a vital document in Cameroon’s journey to overcoming climate change-induced threats. “This is a crucial report as it tackles the main challenges of climate change for Cameroon and for us there is no better place to be today, than for parliamentarians to all read this report but also to share it with the beneficiaries and the populations. We are grateful to the parliament of Cameroon for hosting us today,” she told reporters.
The session comprised of lawmakers of the Parliamentarian Network on the World Bank and the IMF as well as representatives from both international structures. Among those present at the report presentation, was Hon Alyioum Fadil of Benue Devision in the North region.
“The climate change is affecting our nation,” he remarked, adding that “in the Far North region and the other northern regions, we are faced with a lot of drought and floods.” These, he said, are making the poverty situation worse. The parliamentary network and the World Bank & IMF, he added, will continue to work hand in hand to see that the challenges are tackled and a better life provided for all Cameroonians.
To Nabile Cheharli, the situation on the ground is a difficult one, but they remain optimistic given that “there are important opportunities for Cameroon to grow at a higher speed if a number of actions related to adaptations but also to the reduction of emissions we have can be addressed.”
According to the recently released Country climate and Development Report (CCDR) by the World Bank, Cameroon can make great strides in combatting climate change, including reducing poverty rate by five-fold in 2050. To achieve this, the country, it notes, must undertake “robust reforms to induce climate-action investments.”
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