Understanding and reducing climate risks: The impact of innovative policies for sustainable drought response in Cabo Verde

This paper aims to provide policymakers and civil society with an up-to-date outline of crucial developments and factors that links disaster reduction and climate change adaptation mainstreaming into development. The study considers Cabo Verde, with particular emphasis on the 2017-‍18 drought emergency response. It seeks to discuss the observed impacts of climate change on territorial development, as it provides the basis for understanding innovative approaches for drought risk and supporting activities towards drought risk reduction, aimed at increasing the disaster risk reduction knowledgebase by capturing issues that have emerged from national efforts making sure they inform international processes in order to enable climate-resilient pathways.

The Sahel has experienced severe drought conditions since the 1970s, whereas in West Africa extreme droughts have occurred more frequently in recent years. Drought is the most relevant hazard in Cabo Verde in terms of economic losses. This archipelagic country experiences extreme drought conditions regularly with particular impact on the agricultural sector. Although climate variability is a significant source of risk, the impact of drought on agriculture and society does not only depend on the inherent hydrometeorological characteristics of a region, but also the levels of exposure and the vulnerability of people, political, and agricultural systems. In this regard, and in light of global changes, the understanding of emerging political perspectives to deal with climate-related risks is essential to benefit planning and decision-making processes.