B2925 - Africa and Climate Change Governance

Learning outcomes

The student will be able to frame the complex phenomenon of climate change, understand its main interdependencies, relating both to economic and political aspects and to local, supranational, and global dimensions. The student will be able to identify its main consequences on some areas of the economy, society, and international politics. They will also be able to describe the origins and evolution of international agreements and programs aimed at addressing the problem of climate change, as well as understand the differentiated impact that this phenomenon has on different regions/areas of the world, through the study of specific case studies. Specifically: The student knows the interaction between climate change and current economic and social factors of transformation of African societies and states, with particular reference to armed conflicts and migration processes. The student also possesses the skills to analyze the policies and instruments through which African and international governments and multilateral institutions have attempted to mitigate the impact of climate change on the countries of the continent.

Course contents

1 Introduction to the course (1): The environmental impact of climate change

2 Introduction to the course (2): The social, political, and economic impact of climate change challenges in Africa

3 Managing climate change challenges: supranational institutions and national approaches – from the Paris Agreement, mitigation policies, green growth, and energy leapfrogging

4 North-South Cooperation? Mitigation and adaptation: the case of EU-Africa cooperation (Global Gateway package)

5 Climate change management at the regional level: sustainable development and resource management in the SADC

6 Climate change and conflict in the Lake Chad basin: from Boko Haram to agro-pastoral violence – what causal link?

Readings/Bibliography

1. Introduction to module (1): The environmental impact of climate change

Mandatory readings:

• Fonjong, L., Matose, F., & Sonnenfeld, D. A. (2024). 'Climate change in Africa: Impacts, adaptation, and policy responses'. Global Environmental Change, 89.

• IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. (Chapter 9 only - "Africa").

Optional:

• Hendrix, C. S. (2017). "The streetlight effect in climate change research on Africa". Global Environmental Change, 43, 137-147.

• Trisos, C. H., et al. (2022). "Africa’s climate change adaptation landscape". Nature Climate Change, 12(1), 62-63.

• Serdeczny, O., et al. (2017). "Climate change impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa: from physical changes to their social repercussions". Regional Environmental Change, 17(6), 1585-1600.

• WMO (World Meteorological Organization) (2026). State of the Climate in Africa 2025.

2. Introduction to module (2): The social, political, and economic impact of climate change challenges in Africa

Mandatory readings:

• Fonjong, L., Matose, F., & Sonnenfeld, D. A. (2024). 'Climate change in Africa: Impacts, adaptation, and policy responses'. Global Environmental Change, 89, 102912.

• IPCC. (2023). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. (Chapter 9 only - "Africa").

Optional:

• Hendrix, C. S. (2017). "The streetlight effect in climate change research on Africa". Global Environmental Change, 43, 137-147.

• Trisos, C. H., et al. (2022). "Africa’s climate change adaptation landscape". Nature Climate Change, 12(1), 62-63.

• Serdeczny, O., et al. (2017). "Climate change impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa: from physical changes to their social repercussions". Regional Environmental Change, 17(6), 1585-1600.

• WMO (World Meteorological Organization) (2023). State of the Climate in Africa 2022.

3. Managing climate change challenges: supranational institutions and national approaches – from the Paris Agreement, mitigation policies, green growth, and energy leapfrogging

Mandatory readings:

• IRENA. (2022). Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Africa and its Regions (pp. 13-52).

• Sarcina, A., Miedzinski, M., Rialland, P., Cervantes, M., Daniels, C., Elci, S., Ely, A., Galindo Moreno, M., Ismail Tibazarwa, F., Ploeg, M., & Rivera Leon, L. (2025). Advancing sustainable development in Africa. Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/4414210 . (Pages 6 to 31 and case studies of Rwanda and Namibia).

Optional:

• Death, C. (2016). The Green State in Africa. Yale University Press. (Chapter 1: "Green economies in Africa").

• Sokona, Y., Mulugetta, Y., & Gujba, H. (2012). "Widening energy access in Africa: Towards energy transition". Energy Policy, 47, 3-10.

• Newell, P., & Phillips, J. (2016). "Neoliberal energy transitions in the South: Kenyan experiences". Geoforum, 74, 39-48.

• Abudu, H., Wesseh Jr., P. K., & Lin, B. (2023). 'Are African countries on track to achieve their NDCs pledges? Evidence from difference-in-differences technique'. Environmental Science & Policy.

• Chabal, P. (2002). 'The quest for good government and development in Africa: is NEPAD the answer?'. International Affairs, 78(3), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.00260

• Dodoo, A. N., Ko, J., Ma, Y., et al. (2025). 'Revisiting sustainable development in Africa through a national economic environmental social and governance perspective'. Discover Sustainability, 6, 1426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-02079-8

• Ockwell, D., et al. (2018). "Energy access and low carbon transitions: Is there a trade-off?". World Development, 105, 129-136.

• UNECA (2016). Greening Africa's Industrialization.

4 North-South Cooperation? Mitigation and adaptation: the case of EU-Africa cooperation

Mandatory readings:

• Keijzer, N., & Erforth, B. (2023). 'Between strategic autonomy and international partnerships: the EU’s Global Gateway'. Third World Quarterly.

Optional:

• Langan, M. (2018). Neo-Colonialism and the Poverty of 'Development' in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.

• Carbone, M. (2020). "The European Union and international development". In International Relations and the European Union (Oxford University Press).

• Haastrup, T., et al. (2021). The Routledge Handbook of EU-Africa Relations.

• European Commission (2021). The Global Gateway. Joint Communication to the European Parliament.

5 Climate change management at the regional level: sustainable development and resource management in the SADC

Mandatory readings:

• Jacobs, I. M. (2012). 'A Community in the Orange: The Development of a Multi-Level Water Governance Framework in the Orange-Senqu River Basin in Southern Africa'. International Environmental Agreements, 12(2), 187–210.

• Zeitoun, M., & Warner, J. (2006). 'Hydro-hegemony – a framework for analysis of trans-boundary water conflicts'. Water Policy, 8(5), 435-460.

Optional:

• Turton, A., Neal, M., & Julien, F. (2006). "Transboundary Water Resources in Southern Africa: Conflict or Cooperation?". Development, 49, 22–31.

• Dinar, S. (2009). "Power Asymmetry and Negotiations in International River Basins". International Negotiation, 14(2), 329–360.

• Swatuk, L. A. (2002). "The new water architecture in Southern Africa: reflections on current trends in the light of 'Rio+ 10'". International Affairs, 78(3), 507-530.

• SADC (2012). Regional Water Policy.

6 Climate change and conflict in the Lake Chad basin: from Boko Haram to agro-pastoral violence – what causal link?

Mandatory readings:

• Benjaminsen, T. A., et al. (2012). 'Does climate change drive land-use conflicts in the Sahel?'. Journal of Peace Research, 49(1), 97-111.

• Vivekananda, J., et al. (2019). Shoring up Stability: Addressing Climate and Fragility Risks in the Lake Chad Region. Adelphi.

Optional:

• Okpara, U. T., et al. (2015). "Conflicts about water in Lake Chad: Are environmental, vulnerability and security issues linked?". Progress in Development Studies, 15(4), 308-325.

• Koubi, V. (2019). "Climate Change and Conflict". Annual Review of Political Science, 22, 343-360.

• Moritz, M. (2010). "Understanding Herder-Farmer Conflicts in West Africa: Outline of a Processual Approach". Human Organization, 69(2), 138-148.

• Homer-Dixon, T. F. (1994). "Environmental scarcities and violent conflict: evidence from cases". International Security, 19(1), 5-40.

• Collier, P., & Hoeffler, A. (2005). 'Resource Rents, Governance, and Conflict'. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 49(4), 625–633. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002705277551.

• Devlin, C., et al. (2021). 'The causes and consequences of fisheries conflict around the Horn of Africa'. Journal of Peace Research, 00223433211038476. https://doi.org/10.1177/00223433211038476 .

• Lujala, P., Gleditsch, N.P. and Gilmore, E. (2005) ‘A Diamond Curse?: Civil War and a Lootable Resource’, Journal of Conflict Resolution, 49(4), pp. 538.

Assessment methods

Please, check the Italian version of the website for the assessment methods.

Office hours

See the website of Raffaele Ventura