Despite the strong links between population and climate change, and their role in sustainable development, these issues are not a priority in broader development policies and strategies. Unfortunately, population, climate change and development are often addressed separately at policy and program levels. We conducted assessments in Kenya and Malawi, complemented by in-depth interviews, and found that policymakers recognize the importance of population issues for climate change and development.
This report calls on governments, donors, and civil society to invest more in population and climate change work, to address the two issues together in policies and programs, and to build the technical capacity to develop programs and research. Ensuring women in SSA who wish to avoid pregnancy have access to family planning can reduce population pressures and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. It can also help meet other development goals, including reducing poverty and maternal mortality, and improving education.
Africa Population Dynamics, Climate Change and Sustainable Development