Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over half of the population living in poverty, and large gaps in terms of infrastructure—particularly road access for goods and services, provision of basic services, low agricultural productivity, and low education rates. Mozambique is also one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. The bulk of Mozambicans inhabit rural areas prone to weather and climate shocks, have low adaptive capacities, and are heavily reliant on climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture and livestock. Droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones pose a particular threat to coastal communities, transport infrastructure, and livelihoods dependent upon rain-fed agriculture. In 2000, floods in Mozambique killed around 800 people, displaced 540,000, and inflicted costs of around 10% of annual GDP.
...the average percent decrease in GDP caused by major water shocks
The adverse consequences of climate change, including increasing global temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels, are expected to exacerbate Mozambique’s climate vulnerabilities. Rising sea levels will increase coastal erosion, causing land loss and displacement of human populations, the loss of coastal wetlands, and accelerate negative impacts on fisheries and coastal protection efforts. Intensified storm surges will accelerate saline intrusion into freshwater systems and aquifers in low lying areas, jeopardizing the food and water security of Mozambique’s poorest and most vulnerable.
Mozambique is taking action to enhance its own climate resilience by tapping US$86 million in grants and near-zero interest credits from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR). Designed under the leadership of the government in coordination with the African Development Bank (AfDB), members of the World Bank Group (IBRD, IFC), other development partners, and key Mozambican stakeholders, Mozambique’s PPCR strategic program will provide investments to support infrastructure upgrades, better resource management, enhanced climate services, and the development of local and national capacities for climate resilient planning and action.