Facing the drought: a scoping review of the impact of extreme weather events on adaptation and pro-environmental behavior in Africa

Abstract Extreme weather events (EWEs) are among the most tangible manifestations of climate change, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in Africa. This scoping review synthesizes evidence from 52 studies to address three questions: (i) how EWEs influence adaptation, (ii) how they influence pro-environmental behavior—defined to include mitigation actions and the public acceptance of environmental policies—and (iii) where the main evidence gaps remain. The analysis reveals stark geographic imbalances: most studies are clustered in Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria, while many highly exposed countries such as Chad, Burkina Faso, and Somalia remain underrepresented. Evidence on adaptation is extensive and shows that droughts, floods, and other EWEs trigger a variety of behavioral responses, including adoption of drought-resistant crops, water management, and livelihood diversification. By contrast, the evidence base on pro-environmental behavior in Africa is extremely limited, with only two studies explicitly examining mitigation actions or policy acceptance. Methodologically, quantitative approaches dominate, yet fewer than one in five studies employ rigorous causal identification strategies, limiting their policy relevance. We identify five priorities for future research: expanding geographic coverage, deepening analysis of pro-environmental behavior, strengthening the use of rigorous causal identification strategies, adopting interdisciplinary approaches, and better integrating local and indigenous knowledge into formal systems. Addressing these gaps is essential for designing equitable, evidence-based policies that strengthen climate resilience and advance climate action on the continent.