The World Bank’s Yemen Country Climate and Development Report highlights the urgent need for climate-responsive investments to mitigate risks associated with climate change, which are compounded by ongoing conflict. Key sectors like water management and agriculture require immediate attention to enhance resilience and support sustainable growth. The report underscores the roles of disaster risk management and renewable energy as critical components for recovery, while also emphasizing the necessity for peacebuilding efforts.
Yemen is grappling with a complex web of crises marked by ongoing conflict and the profound impacts of climate change. The latest Yemen Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), released by the World Bank Group, underscores the urgent need for investments that are responsive to climate challenges, particularly in water management, agriculture, and disaster risk management, while taking into account the fragile socio-political landscape. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather events threaten food security, poverty levels, and economic stability, with projections indicating a potential 3.9% decline in annual GDP by 2040 under pessimistic climate scenarios. Despite these daunting challenges, the CCDR identifies viable pathways to enhance resilience and promote sustainable growth through targeted investments in sectors such as water storage and adaptive agricultural techniques. It suggests that cropping productivity could rise by as much as 13.5% by 2050 under favorable conditions. However, vulnerabilities remain, particularly in the fisheries sector, which may experience a 23% contraction by mid-century due to climate-induced changes. “Yemen is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises — conflict, climate change, and poverty. Immediate and decisive action on climate resilience is a matter of survival for millions of Yemenis,” stated Stephane Guimbert, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti. He further highlighted that investment in water security, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy is vital for safeguarding human capital and building resilience against future adversities. The report also emphasizes the importance of disaster risk management, especially in urban areas vulnerable to increasing flash floods. Without adaptation strategies, economic shocks resulting from climate events will disproportionately impact fragile communities. Additionally, anticipated climate-related health issues could lead to over $5 billion in excess healthcare costs by 2050, underscoring the need for integrating climate resilience into public health planning, focusing on vulnerable demographics such as women and children. Yemen possesses significant potential for renewable energy development, which could form a foundational element of the country’s climate response and recovery efforts. This transition to renewable resources not only alleviates dependence on fossil fuels but also strengthens power infrastructure critical for essential services in conflict-affected zones. Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East, commented, “The private sector has a critical role to play in addressing Yemen’s pressing development challenges. Harnessing its potential through innovative financing mechanisms can help mobilize the climate-focused funding the country urgently needs.” The CCDR advocates for flexible and risk-informed decision-making in climate actions to adapt to Yemen’s volatile political climate. By employing a scenario-based strategy, climate investments can be tailored according to Yemen’s compliance with peacebuilding efforts. The “Peace and Prosperity” scenario allows for a higher degree of climate adaptation, resulting in significant economic and social benefits.
Yemen is currently enduring a decade-long conflict compounded by severe climate change challenges that threaten its water, food, and economic stability. The World Bank’s CCDR aims to highlight the critical nature of climate-responsive investments amidst these challenges. With climate hazards such as extreme heat and flooding already affecting half of Yemen’s population, the CCDR stresses the necessity of implementing immediate actions to prevent further economic decline and promote resilience among vulnerable communities.
In summary, Yemen’s situation necessitates urgent climate-resilient actions amid ongoing conflict and existing vulnerabilities. The recently released Yemen CCDR outlines critical areas for investment that could mitigate climate risks while fostering sustainable development. The report calls for international cooperation and private sector engagement, emphasizing that long-term resilience hinges on peacebuilding efforts and smart investments in agriculture, water management, and renewable energy.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
