Bissau, Nov. 5, 2024 (Lusa) - A report presented in Bissau by the World Bank warns out that climate change represents "a serious threat" for the development of Guinea-Bissau, "with a potential impact on agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure."
The report, which was presented late on Monday, analyses the impact of climate on Guinea-Bissau's development, in a diagnosis carried out for the first time in the country, with a strategic framework for aligning development objectives with the fight against climate change.
The document notes that Guinea-Bissau has the highest per capita natural wealth in West Africa, estimated at approximately $3,874 per person.
This wealth, it explains, includes agricultural land, fisheries resources, forests, natural habitats, as well as exploitable resources such as bauxite and phosphate deposits.
"As a highly vulnerable country, there are numerous needs in the different sectors, however, in order to be more efficient and effective, Guinea-Bissau must prioritise actions related to biodiversity, agriculture and social protection" in its development process, states the report.
At the presentation, Guinea-Bissau's minister for the economy, planning and regional integration, Soares Sambu, highlighted the importance of the report, which he said was a partnership between the World Bank and the country's government, but urged international partners to continue supporting the country in implementing the objectives it outlines.
Among the conclusions presented is that, despite its natural wealth, measures are needed to face and combat the challenges posed by climate change.
The report points out that Guinea-Bissau currently has natural resources that could be used for sustainable, resilient growth, but if nothing is done to adapt to climate change, its gross domestic product per capita will fall by 7.3% by 2050.
The study also emphasises that Guinea-Bissau "faces significant obstacles" to development, such as high poverty rates, political instability and economic challenges, including an excessive dependence on the exportation of cashew nuts.
In this regard, it is emphasised that projected increases in temperature and prolonged periods of drought could have severe impacts on agricultural production, especially in the interior regions of Guinea-Bissau.
"Cashew exports, which account for 90% of the country's total export earnings, highlight the economy's strong dependence on this single product - a dependence that exposes the agricultural sector and the national economy to significant risks... but climate change could affect productivity," the report argues.
Rising temperatures and long periods of drought could reduce Guinea-Bissau's GDP by up to 4.1% by 2050, notes the report, which also states that rural poverty is likely to increase, while the country's infrastructure, education and health systems remain underdeveloped.
The study also predicts an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the country due to agriculture and changes in land use, boosted by deforestation.
However, the report emphasises the fact that Guinea-Bissau "has high mitigation ambitions" and is aiming for a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The country's political instability, institutional weaknesses and limited financial resources pose challenges to the implementation of these climate commitments, which depend heavily on external funding, it also emphasises.
MB/ARO // ARO.
Lusa
