In the high-level conference on Climate, Conflict and Demography in Africa which we co-hosted on 14 September with the International Crisis Group and Royal African Society, over 1,000 attendees heard speakers from Africa, the Americas and Asia, including Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and former President of the African Development Bank Donald Kaberuka as well as a host of economists, scientists and activists.

Five main conclusions emerged. First, the need to improve meteorological forecasting and planning for extreme weather such as floods and drought, and closer monitoring of conservation areas. Second, an effective governmental response to climate change has to include the whole administration (agriculture, trade, industry, finance and security) not just environment ministers. Third, the security implications of climate change should be more central to November's COP26 negotiations in Glasgow and COP27 in Africa next year. Fourth, Africa should get a greater share of the US$100 billion pledged by G20 countries to assist developing economies mitigate the effects of climate change. And fifth, a 'just transition' to green energy demands far higher levels of private, state and multilateral investment in Africa's effort to secure universal access to reliable power.