Assessing Loss and Damage from Extreme Climate Events Beyond Economic Quantifications in Africa

This introductory chapter examines the issue of Loss and Damage (L&D) from extreme climate extreme events and the need for their assessment beyond economic quantifications in Africa. Climate-related loss and damage has become a major concern in Africa, contributing to huge economic losses, widespread livelihood disruptions, and irreversible non-economic impacts such as loss of social and cultural heritage, psychological implications, and human health. In most African countries, climate-related L&D assessments have largely concentrated on economic impacts, while non-economic dimensions have received limited attention. This chapter acknowledges that economic assessments of climate-related loss remain important, they capture only a fraction of the realities and lived experienced by local communities in Africa. This chapter advocates for the systematic inclusion of non-economic factors such as cultural heritage, social cohesiveness, psychological effects, biodiversity, and human well-being when assessing loss and damage in Africa. The chapter concludes by emphasising the need for inclusive methodologies that incorporate both economic and non- economic assessments through interdisciplinary approaches which are based on African context and case studies. Overall, the chapter provides a comprehensive academic contribution and offers a roadmap towards more sustainable and equitable approaches to assessing climate-related loss and damage in Africa.