Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has contributed the least of any world region to the global accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions; however, this region will probably be more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change than any other. Less than 7% of the world's total emissions of greenhouse gases emanate from the African continent; thus the continent contributes very little overall to climate change.

Climate change threatens the health of human populations worldwide, but particularly in low-income countries. These adverse health consequences are among the many important reasons why governments need collectively to act with resolution and urgency to reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions.