Addis Ababa, 13 February 2025 (ECA) – Over two days, national experts drawn from Ethiopia were joined by international climate change professionals for a workshop that explored solutions to the vexing issue of the effect of climate change on human security in Ethiopia. The event, which was convened as a collaboration of the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT and ECA, took place on the 10-11 February in Addis Ababa.
In particular, the event developed a shared understanding of the role of climate change in exacerbating root causes of vulnerability and human security risks in Ethiopia and identified potential solutions that mitigate this nexus. Participants used an approach of co-identification of challenges, developing a common vision for the future, and possible pathways to meet goals, following the “Three Horizon Method”, which entails understanding the current situation (Horizon 1), future goals (Horizon 3), and means to achieve those goals (Horizon 2).
Participants observed that climate variability and extreme events in Ethiopia are increasing pressure on natural resources, with negative impacts on food, land, and water systems. As communities continue to face rising temperatures, extreme weather events, changes in resource endowments and resulting resource competition, several facets of human life are being impacted. Among the most critical are livelihoods, economies, socio-cultural issues, health, and food and water security, to mention but a few. Compounding these challenges, some regions also grapple with influxes of refugees and/or internally displaced peoples (IDPs), which can sometimes exacerbate tensions between displaced populations and host communities. Additionally, vulnerabilities arising from climate change and conflict that differ across gender, age, and livelihoods further complicate the situation and underscore the need for targeted responses.
Key outcomes from the workshop included the imperative to strengthen the use of data driven approaches and involving affected communities and stakeholders in the design and implementation of national interventions for mitigating climate change and human insecurity.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org