Despite emitting the least greenhouse emissions in the world, African countries must invest up to 5% of their yearly economic production to protect themselves from the effects of climate change, according to a report issued Saturday.

The findings, which were released by the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa, focus on the costs of mitigating climate impacts through improving transportation infrastructure, improving communications, constructing flood defenses, and other preventative measures.

The threat is forcing nations to divert "already stretched" resources to climate self-defense, the report said. The survey focused on seven countries from around the continent.

Ethiopia was the greatest hit, paying up to 5.6% of its GDP to avoid climate-related disasters, according to the report. Ethiopia is also facing a horrific conflict in its northern region.

Read more: 2021 Roundup: Ethiopia; a state of insecurity

Conflict-wracked South Sudan, which has been hit by torrential rains and flash floods that have displaced more than 850,000 people, is on track to spend up to 3.1% of its GDP per year.

Sierra Leone, meanwhile, will spend up to $90 million each year on climate adaptation, accounting for 2.3% of its GDP, despite the fact that its population emits 80 times less carbon than Americans.

"This report shows the deep injustice of the climate emergency," said Mohamed Adow, head of the Power Shift Africa.

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"It is simply not acceptable for the costs to fall on those people who are suffering the most while contributing the least to climate change."

Urgent help needed

African countries, according to Adow, require "huge" assistance to survive the effects of climate change.

African economies have long struggled to find resources to reduce emissions while also reacting to climate change.

A study published last November warned that the world's 65 most vulnerable nations will see GDP drop 20% on average by 2050 and 64% by 2100 if the world heats up by 2.9 degrees Celsius.

Eight of the top ten most affected countries are in Africa, with the remaining two in South America, according to the study commissioned by Christian Aid.

Even if global temperature rises are limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as set out in the most ambitious Paris Agreement objective, the analysis found that all ten countries' GDP will plummet by 40%.

The average surface temperature of the Earth has climbed 1.1 degrees Celsius since the late 1800s.  The next COP27 climate summit will be held in Egypt, with the goal of building on the progress made at last year's conference in Glasgow.

At COP26, pledges were made to reduce coal-fired electricity, reduce methane emissions, and increase financial help to underdeveloped countries.

Rich countries have also pledged to provide poor countries with $100 billion in climate aid each year. However, just a portion of that financing pledge has so far been set aside for adaptation rather than carbon-reduction initiatives.

According to research released last year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), developing nations will need to spend up to $300 billion per year on adaptation measures by 2030 and up to $500 billion by 2050.