Climate change in Algeria

Climate change in Algeria has wide-reaching effects on the country. Algeria was not a significant contributor to climate change,[1] but, like other countries in the MENA region, is expected to be among the most affected by climate change impacts.[2] Because a large part of the country is in already hot and arid geographies, including part of the Sahara, already strong heat and water resource access challenges are expected to get worse.[1] As early as 2014, scientists were attributing extreme heat waves to climate change in Algeria.[1] Algeria was ranked 46th of countries in the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index.[3]

Temperature anomaly in Algeria, 1901 to 2020.

Greenhouse gas emissions
Algeria greenhouse emission of gas from 1990–2016

Algeria is a low emitter of carbon dioxide: producing 4.1 tons per capita as of 2008, less than the global average at that times.[2] At that time the 74% of their emission came from energy production.[2]

Impacts on the natural environment

Temperature and weather changes
Current/past Köppen climate classification map for Algeria for 1980–2016
Predicted Köppen climate classification map for Algeria for 2071–2100

Water resources
Main article: Water supply and sanitation in Algeria

According to World Bank, Algeria qualifies as a water scarce country.[2] Moreover, groundwater is already overexploited.[2]

Impacts on people

Agriculture
Main article: agriculture in Algeria

Agricultural land and water is already under pressure from both human activity, and desertification, erosion, and vegetation loss.[2] Climate change is expected to speed up this process, weakening soil and biodiversity in farmland.[2] Every part of agriculture in the country is expected to be affected: for example, small scale shepherding which is a common form of agriculture, becomes increasingly expensive as herders have to dig wells and buy feed, rather than use grazing.[4]

Mitigation and adaptation

Policies and legislation

The initial strategy developed by Algeria, as of 2013, focused on four areas: institutional strengthening, adaptation to climate change, mitigation of emissions of GHG and human capacity building.[2]

Algeria followed through on its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.[2] However, the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index described their policy approach as not enough to meet the 2° C goal.[3]

References
  1. Benzerga, Mohamed (24 August 2015). "Heatwaves are on the rise in Algeria due to climate change, says specialist". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. Sahnoune, F.; Belhamel, M.; Zelmat, M.; Kerbachi, R. (1 January 2013). "Climate Change in Algeria: Vulnerability and Strategy of Mitigation and Adaptation". Energy Procedia. TerraGreen 13 International Conference 2013 – Advancements in Renewable Energy and Clean Environment. 36: 1286–1294. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2013.07.145. ISSN 1876-6102.
  3. "Algeria". Climate Change Performance Index. 28 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  4. "Climate Change and Sheepherding in Algeria". Pulitzer Center. 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
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