Investing in ways to adapt to climate change will promote the livelihood of 65% of Africans, claims a new report by the UN’s Environment Programme (UNEP).

It says Africa’s population is set to double to 2 billion by 2050, arguing changes to their environments will directly affect the livelihoods of this growing population.

Jobs in agriculture are at risk, with 60% of sub-Saharan population depending on this for a living, says the report.

UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said: “With 94% of agriculture dependent on rainfall, the future impacts of climate change – including increased droughts, flooding, and seal-level rise – may reduce crop yields in some parts of Africa by 15 – 20%.”

He added: “Such a scenario, if unaddressed, could have grave implications for Africa’s most vulnerable states.”

Low-cost climate adaptation actions are worthwhile, according to the report, citing examples such as the aquatic ecosystems project in one local community in Togo, which apparently led to an increase in access to water for human use, agriculture and livestock of 488%.