Climate Change Education in Africa: Setting the Scene

The continent of Africa has enormous resources and potential to meet its long-term development needs. However, the challenges posed by climate change in the continent are frequently worsened by underlying vulnerabilities, intensifying their influence on the progress of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Africa remains disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change despite having the smallest share of global greenhouse gas emissions. In this chapter, we advance opportunities and solutions that could be maximised to strengthen the continent’s resilience and sustainable future. In particular, we draw attention to climate change education and policy drives across the continent to promote climate literacy as demonstrated in the African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022–2032). While it is not out of place to assert that there are some policy drives across Africa for climate change literacy and education, the gap between policy and practice needs scrutiny. An insight into existing policies and practices in Africa as they relate to climate change can bring to light the gaps in educational frameworks intended to support a climate-resilient future. A framework for an impactful climate change education in Africa is advanced. The framework recommends that Indigenous knowledge holders can play a crucial role by working with other holders of knowledge such as academics with Western insights to accentuate a CCE in the continent that is critical of imposed systems, is relatable to places, promotes collective participation and is holistic in nature. The latter part of the chapter introduces the different chapters.