Climate experts from West Africa have called for the urgent integration of livestock systems into global and regional climate action agendas, arguing that the sector is critical to both adaptation and mitigation efforts. The call came during the Bonn Climate Change Conference, where delegates emphasized that pastoral and agro-pastoral systems are often overlooked despite their crucial role in food security and community resilience.
The experts warned that failure to include livestock in climate strategies could undermine adaptation efforts in West African countries where millions depend on animal husbandry for survival. They advocated for policies that promote sustainable grazing, improved fodder systems, and climate-resilient livestock management as key components in national climate plans and financing frameworks.
Speaking at the conference, representatives from regional organizations and civil society pointed to the growing impact of climate change on pastoral communities across the Sahel and West Africa. Erratic rainfall, desertification, and shrinking grazing lands have put pressure on traditional livelihoods, exacerbating food insecurity and sparking conflicts over resources.
They urged governments and donors to support climate-smart pastoralism and integrate livestock into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. They also emphasized the need for increased funding for livestock-focused adaptation, arguing that such investments would deliver co-benefits for rural development, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
The Bonn summit, a key mid-year event on the global climate calendar, serves as a technical platform to prepare decisions ahead of COP30 in Brazil. West African delegates are hoping that their message will shape international negotiations and secure greater support for pastoral systems.
The experts concluded that recognizing livestock as part of the solution, rather than the problem, is vital to building resilient food systems and achieving equitable climate action in Africa.
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