Puntland’s Climate Change Outlook: Key Takeaways from the 6th Puntland Environment and Climate Change Conference

By Ahmed Abdullahi & Mohamed Aidarus

Introduction.

The 6th Puntland Environment and Climate Change Conference convened on December 2nd and 3rd, 2024, to address some of the most pressing environmental crises facing the region and the planet at large. Under the inspiring theme “Transforming Together: Better Financing for Thriving Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Justice”the conference brought together environmental leaders, community members, and multi-sector experts for a robust and timely dialogue.

This landmark, first-of-its-kind event in Puntland holds great significance given the region’s vulnerability to climate shocks and environmental degradation. Puntland facing escalating environmental threats, including illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, recurrent droughts occurring at least three times within the last decade, and the illegal extraction and export of rare trees and wildlife. The conference provided a vital platform for stakeholders to assess current conditions and mobilize coordinated solutions.

Geographically, Puntland’s vast coastline and arid interior position it at the intersection of climate-induced fragility and geopolitical environmental exploitation. With nearly 1,600 km of shoreline, Puntland accounts for over half of Somalia’s approximately 3,000 km coastline—one of the longest in Africa.¹ This stretch borders one of the most productive marine zones in the region, supporting vital fish breeding grounds and migration routes. However, this ecological wealth has made Puntland a hotspot for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) foreign fishing, which continues to erode marine biodiversity and devastate the livelihoods of local fishing communities. On land, worsening droughts, desertification, and biodiversity loss—fueled by unsustainable practices such as the illicit smuggling of Commiphora myrrh (Geed Quwaax) and rare wildlife—further underscore the urgent need for coordinated environmental protection and sustainable resource management across the region.

Over the course of the two-day gathering, breakout groups evaluated various financing mechanisms to strengthen climate resilience at the grassroots level to protect endangered species and ecosystems. In addition to this, Plenary sessions reviewed progress on prioritized actions and discussed promising solutions for a sustainable future. Lastly, the conference emphasized humanity’s collective responsibility to tackle environmental challenges. Participants affirmed their commitment to collaborative and transformative change.

As of 2022, Somalia contributes approximately 0.0024% of total global carbon dioxide emissions—making it one of the lowest emitters worldwide—yet it remains disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.² Somalia is among the countries eligible to receive support from the Loss and Damage Fund, a financial mechanism established at COP27 to assist developing nations and low-emitting countries in coping with the economic and social impacts of climate change. However, the fund is still in the process of being operationalized.

Nonetheless, it’s praiseworthy to know that Somalia allocates nearly 0.5% of its GDP into addressing climate change and environmental challenge.³ While this may not represent a large share of national resources, if the commitment is fully managed and strategically directed, it will significantly help Somalia address the existential threat of climate change.

In the sections that follow, this article presents key insights and recommendations from the conference, organized around six themes: Ecosystem Protection, Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Resilience, Environmental Justice, Climate Finance Mobilization, and Recommendations from Experts and Article Authors for Policy and Practice.

Key Highlights of the Conference.

I. Environmental Conditions in Puntland

Experts and researchers have raised serious concerns about the rapidly worsening environmental conditions in Puntland, where both land and sea ecosystems face severe threats. The region is grappling with multiple interconnected challenges: accelerating desertification and deforestation, acute water scarcity, loss of marine biodiversity, and the increasing impacts of climate change on agriculture and local livelihoods. At the heart of these problems is the unchecked production of charcoal, which persists on a large scale due to weak enforcement of environmental laws and limited economic alternatives for communities. This widespread practice has caused significant deforestation, reducing the vegetation cover that once helped protect soil and retain moisture. Compounding these issues, prolonged droughts—intensified by shifting climate patterns—have worsened water shortages and led to widespread land degradation, threatening the food security and economic survival of pastoralists and farmers who depend on these fragile ecosystems.

Along Puntland’s extensive coastline, illegal and unregulated foreign fishing has devastated fish populations and destroyed critical coral reefs. These marine ecosystems are among the most productive in the region, supporting vital fish breeding grounds and migration routes. The loss of biodiversity and fish stocks not only harms the environment but also undermines the livelihoods of coastal communities that rely on fishing as a primary source of income and nutrition. According to the United Nations, Somalia loses nearly $300 million annually due to foreign vessels exploiting their waters without regulation or benefit to local people.⁴

Climate change further compounds these pressures, with rising sea levels threatening coastal habitats and shifting weather patterns increasing the unpredictability of rain and drought cycles. These environmental shifts have far-reaching consequences—not only for ecosystems but also for social stability, as resource scarcity can drive migration, conflict, and poverty. Adding to the complexity are limited institutional capacities and low public awareness surrounding environmental issues, which hinder effective governance and sustainable natural resource management. Illegal activities such as trafficking of rare species and unsustainable harvesting of valuable plants, including Commiphora myrrh (locally known as Geed Quwaax), are pushing Puntland’s biodiversity to the brink.

1) The conference emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, noting that they are exacerbating the vulnerabilities of local communities and threatening the long-term sustainability of the region’s ecosystems.

2) There was also attention given to the increasing frequency of climate-induced displacements, which are reshaping community structures and livelihoods.

3) The depletion of groundwater and rising temperatures were reported to have a direct impact on food security and public health.

Community Calls to Action

a) Local communities from various regions of Puntland called for more inclusive policies that integrate their traditional knowledge with scientific research to promote sustainable environmental practices.

b) There were passionate appeals for the government and international stakeholders to prioritize local-led solutions in environmental conservation and climate adaptation.

c) The calls to action emphasized the need for grassroots engagement, ensuring that the voices of vulnerable communities, particularly pastoralists and farmers, are heard and considered in decision-making processes.

II. Conference Thematic Focus Areas

Thriving Ecosystems: The preservation of ecosystems is essential for the region’s long-term prosperity. The conference highlighted how ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and coastal areas are not only vital for local livelihoods but also play a significant role in global environmental health. Discussions included the restoration of degraded lands and the need for reforestation programs, which have the potential to reverse the effects of desertification and support biodiversity.

Biodiversity: One of the central themes throughout the recent conference was the protection and preservation of biodiversity, which is facing a serious and accelerating decline in Puntland. Experts and participants voiced deep concern over the loss of native species and the degradation of ecosystems, driven primarily by habitat destruction, overexploitation of natural resources, and the growing impacts of climate change.