Southern Africa

Southern Africa

The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report: What’s in it for southern Africa?

This factsheet highlights:

  1. How southern Africa’s climate is already changing
  2. Southern Africa’s future climate 
  3. Climate change impacts we have already seen in southern Africa
  4. Future climate risks in southern Africa 
  5. Southern Africa’s potential to adapt
  6. Key investment areas for a climate-resilient southern Africa

Explore the factsheet, along with free-to-use images and infographics, below.

Infographic
Changes in global surface temperature

The Earth’s average surface temperature is expected to reach or surpass 1.5°C of warming above preindustrial times (1850–1900) in the near term (up to 2040), according to the IPCC’s most recent assessment.

Infographic
Constraints for the African continent that make it more difficult to plan and implement adaptation

The ability of southern African communities and sectors to pursue effective adaptation options to the full is constrained by lack of finance.

Infographic
Severe heat stress duration for cattle in Africa with increased global warming

KEY: (A) Number of days per year with severe heat stress in the historical climate (1985–2014). (B and C) Increase in the number of days per year with severe heat stress for global warming of 1.5°C and 3.75°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–2100). Heat stress is estimated using a high Temperature Humidity Index value (Livestock Weather Safety Index).

Infographic
Compounding risks to multiple African countries

Climate change is already challenging the health and wellbeing of African communities, compounding the effects of underlying inequalities (high confidence).

Infographic
Percentage change in GDP per capita for countries in southern Africa due to observed climate change (1991–2010)

In one estimate, African countries’ GDP per capita was on average 13.6% lower over the period 1991–2010, compared to if human induced climate change had not occurred

Infographic
Map of southern Africa

Graphic map of southern Africa.

Infographic
Risk of biodiversity loss across Africa with increasing global warming

With every increment of global warming, the risk of biodiversity loss and species’ extinction increases across Africa.

Image
Energy: Coal fired power station

Image of a very large coal fired power station in Tutuka, South Africa
 

Courtesy of Peter & Georgina Bowater via Fotosearch