Climate change in Algeria

Climate change in Algeria has wide reaching effects on the country. Algeria was not a significant contributor to climate change,[1] but like other countries in the Mena region, is expected to be on the front-lines of climate change impacts.[2]

Because a large part of the country is in already hot and arid geographies, including part of the Sahara, already strong heat and water resource access challenges are expected to get worse.[1] As early as 2014, scientists were attributing extreme heat waves to climate change in Algeria.[1]

Algeria was ranked 46th of countries in the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index.[3]

Emissions
Algeria greenhouse emission of gas from 1990-2016

Algeria is a low emitter of carbon dioxide: producing 4.1 tons per capita as of 2008, less than the global average at that times.[2] At that time the 74% of their emission came from energy production.[2]

Impacts

Water
Main article: Water supply and sanitation in Algeria

According to World Bank, Algeria qualifies as a water scarce country.[2] Moreover, groundwater is already overexploited.[2]

Agriculture
Main article: agriculture in Algeria

Agricultural land and water is already under pressure from both human activity, and desertification, erosion, and vegetation loss.[2] Climate change is expected to speed up this process, weakening soil and biodiversity in farmland.[2] Every part of agriculture in the country is expected to be effected: for example, small scale shepherding which is a common form of agriculture, becomes increasingly expensive as herders have to dig wells and buy feed, rather than use grazing.[4]

Government action

The initial strategy developed by Algeria, as of 2013, focused on four areas: institutional strengthening, adaptation to climate change, mitigation of emissions of GHG and human capacity building.[2]

International participation

Algeria followed through on its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.[2] However, the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index described their policy approach as not enough to meet the 2° C goal.[3]

References
  1. Benzerga, Mohamed (2015-08-24). "Heatwaves are on the rise in Algeria due to climate change, says specialist". the Guardian. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  2. Sahnoune, F.; Belhamel, M.; Zelmat, M.; Kerbachi, R. (2013-01-01). "Climate Change in Algeria: Vulnerability and Strategy of Mitigation and Adaptation". Energy Procedia. TerraGreen 13 International Conference 2013 - Advancements in Renewable Energy and Clean Environment. 36: 1286–1294. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2013.07.145. ISSN 1876-6102.
  3. "Algeria". Climate Change Performance Index. 2019-11-28. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  4. "Climate Change and Sheepherding in Algeria". Pulitzer Center. 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
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