ISS MONOGRAPH 167 Africa's major economic sectors are vulnerable to the current climate sensitivity. This vulnerability is aggravated by existing developmental challenges such as endemic poverty, complex governance and institutional dimensions; limited access to capital, including markets, infrastructure and technology; ecosystem degradation; and complex disasters and conflicts. It is therefore pertinent to engage in vigorous multi-disciplinary approaches to improve the impact of climate change on the African continent. In response to the latter, Law, and more specifically, environmental law, plays an important role in this respect, particularly as legal mechanisms since they are able to shape the people's behaviour with respect to their interaction with the environment. In addressing these challenges, this monograph covers the general overview of climate change issues in some African countries; approaches to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change in certain African countries and climate change adaptation. 155 Head Office Block D. Brooklyn Court, Veale Street New Muckleneuk. Pretoria Tel: (27-12) 3469500 Fax: (27-12)3469570 E-mail: iss,Vissa(rica.org ISS Pretoria Office Block C, Brooklyn Court, Veale Street New Muckleneuk. Pretoria Tel: (27-12) 346 9500 Fax:(27-12)460 0998 E-mail: pretoriavissafrica.org 155 Cape Town Office The 2nd Floor Armoury Building, Buchanan Square 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock 7915 Tel: (27-21) 461 7211 Fax: (27-21) 461 7213 E-mail: capetownpissafrica.org ISS Nairobi Office Braeside Gardens, Lavington. Muthangari off Gitanga Road, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254 -20)386 1625 Fax: (254-20) 386 1639 E-mail: [email protected] ISS Addis Ababa Office First Floor, Ki-Ab Building, Alexander Pushkin Street. Pushkin Square. Addis Ababa 41)372-1154/5/6 Fax: (251-11) 372 5954 addisababaVissafrica.org issafrica.org ISS MONOGRAI'l I No 167 PRICE R30.00 SBN 978 1 920114 91 6 90781920 114916 Environmental governance and climate erica Legal p pectives Rose Mwebaza and Louis J Kotze This publication was made possible through funding provided by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. In addition, general Institute funding is provided by the Governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The wr Federal Government EFTA01090692 As a leading African human security research institution, the Institute for Security Studies 0W works towards a stable and peaceful Africa characterised by sustainable development, human rights, the rule of law, democracy, collaborative security and gender mainstreaming. The ISS realises this vision by: ■ Undertaking applied research, training and capacity building ■ Working collaboratively with others ■ Facilitating and supporting policy formulation ■ Monitoring trends and policy implementation ■ Collecting, interpreting and disseminating information ■ Networking on national, regional and international levels O 2009, Institute for Security Studies Copyright In the volumeas a whole Is vested in the Institute for Security Studies, and no part may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission, in writing, of both the authors and the publishers. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute, Its trustees, members of the Council or donors. Authorscontribute to ISS publications in their personal capacity. ISBN 978.1.920114.91-6 First published by the Institute for Security Studies, P O Box 1787. Brooklyn Square 0075 Pretoria, South Africa www.issafrica.org Cover photograph Dreamstime Design, layout and printing Marketing Support Services +27 12 346-2168 EFTA01090693