Introduction
Africa is one of the most vulnerable places on the planet to climate change, yet they contribute the least amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This is because the continent’s economy relies heavily on climate-related activities, and they also have a low capacity to adapt. Climate change will also continue to affect poverty, economic opportunities, and inequality in the region.

Decent Life Initiative
H.E. The President Abdel Fattah El Sisi launched the Decent Life initiative “Hayah Karima” in 2019. Its purpose was to improve the quality of life of those living in rural areas within Egypt. Therefore, the initiative focusses on infrastructure, livelihoods and basic services.

The initiative is a major part of the country’s National Sustainable Development Strategy (Egypt’s Vision 2030).

Rationale and Vision
The initiative aims to increase the amount of climate action within Africa’s sustainable rural development by:

  • Creating a nexus that will help to connect adaptation, resilience, and mitigation, as well as access to innovative solutions and small- scale technologies to increase rural communities’ quality of life
  • Creating support through a multi-stakeholder partnership to engage governments, the private sector, civil society, researchers, academia, development partners and philanthropies

Each of these aims must be carried out with variation of the continent in mind, and without a one-size fits all approach.

Objectives and Deliverables
By 2030, the initiative aims to increase Africa’s quality of life by 30%. To do this they will work with a number of partners in a climate sensitive manner to help the most vulnerable.

In order for this to be successful, projects, programs and interventions will need to take place to increase investments, increase resilience, support livelihoods and support climate resilient solutions and technologies.

Projects, programs and intervention includes:

  • Climate resilient livelihoods
  • Climate-resilient farming systems
  • Climate-resilient infrastructure and shelters:
  • Ecologically balanced environment for a liveable future
  • Managing climate risks
  • Planning and resources allocations