The Impact of Natural Resource Depletion on Climate Change Vulnerability and Income Inequalities in Africa

The continent of Africa is endowed with abundant natural resources but faces significant challenges in sustainably managing these resources while addressing the growing threats of climate change and socioeconomic disparities. Thus, this study investigates how natural resource depletion affects climate change induced vulnerability and income inequalities in Africa. The study employs the novel Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), and panel data of 21 countries spanning from 1994 to 2020 to explore the nexus. The study finds that natural resource deletion has a positive and significant effect on both climate change vulnerability on one hand and income inequality on the other hand. This implies that natural resource depletion significantly worsens both climate change induced vulnerability and income inequality. Consequently, policy makers need to consider the interconnectedness of environmental systems, and ensure that sustainable resource management and preservation policies and practices must take crucial accounts of not only effective climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies but also environmental and equity concerns, which are crucial for promoting more equitable societies and reducing income disparities. The findings of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics and provide insights for policymakers to devise effective strategies for sustainable development in the African region.