For ECOWAS, global warming requires joint action within the framework of regional solidarity to enable the region to reduce its vulnerability to the consequences of climate change.

With five of the ten most vulnerable countries in the world regarding climate change and despite a low responsibility for the origin of this phenomenon - 1.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions - the region stands out for its vulnerability. Faced with this challenge and by taking actions in leading a concerted regional response, ECOWAS supports and accompanies the various efforts already made by its Member States to minimize the adverse effects of climate change.

With CILSS and the technical and financial support of its partners, notably the European Union, ECOWAS, for example, worked from 2011 to 2016 to strengthen the capacities of countries and regional actors in the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies that integrate climate change into development plans and programs. In September 2019, ECOWAS organized the launch of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) West Africa plus Chad and Mauritania project, followed by a regional workshop on strategic thinking for climate action. The climate focal points, regional and national institutions, other regional initiatives and civil society working for the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement have thus laid the foundation for a regional climate strategy and identified concrete means of action. The Nationally Determined Contributions that have been the subject of a diagnostic report constitute one of the first tools of this strategy. ECOWAS has also identified potential actions to support Member States. These include (i) pooling efforts to create economies of scale, (ii) strengthening regional leadership, particularly during negotiations, (iii) regional capitalization on innovative public policies and practices, and (iv) support for national policy initiatives and orientations.