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Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy

Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Publication | 2025

Climate Change, Green Economy, and Agriculture - A Development Pathway towards Food Security and Climate Resilient Sub-Saharan African Countries

This study is the first to investigate the relationship between climate change, green economy, and their combined impact on food security within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study employed a targeted non-systematic literature review and annual data spanning 2005 to 2022 and encompassing 39 SSA countries using rigorous econometric techniques, including Driscoll-Kraay fixed effects, two-step system GMM, and quantile regressions. Focusing on the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of food security, the literature review first concluded that most agricultural systems in SSA over the past nearly 10 decades failed to address food security, especially for the smallholders, the significant population across SSA. This is due to externally introduced agricultural systems and value chains not contributing to food security, whereas green economy actions show potential depending on the local socio-economic conditions. A conceptual model framework is proposed to consider the links between food security, climate change, agriculture, and the green economy. The econometric analysis found that carbon emissions significantly negatively affect food security in SSA. At the same time, the green economy demonstrates a positive effect, countering the adverse impacts of climate change on food security. Furthermore, the findings revealed that when climate change interacts with green economic activities, it curtails the adverse effects of carbon emissions on food security. As a result, green policy measures are essential in steering food security and reducing the adverse effects of climate change on food systems. The findings show the imperative for strategic policy interventions to bolster climate-smart agricultural methodologies focused on food security, sustainable land management practices, and inclusive renewable energy initiatives. This research paper contributes to the existing literature by delving into the holistic dynamics of climate change, the green economy, and food security. It delineates actionable pathways for policymakers and stakeholders. It advocates for a multidimensional approach prioritising food security in SSA, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as poverty eradication, hunger alleviation, climate action, and sustainable community development, aiming to pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable food future in the region.