Johannesburg - International environmental lobby group Greenpeace opened its first office in Africa on Thursday in Johannesburg.

In a statement Greenpeace said having an office in Africa was part of its commitment "to tackling the most urgent environmental problems facing the continent - climate change, deforestation and overfishing."

Greenpeace also said it would open a second office later this month in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and a third in Dakar, Senegal in 2009.

Africa is the continent that contributes the least climate-changing gases but is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including more extreme weather, the group says.

"While the environmental threats facing Africans are urgent and critical, Africa is in a position to leapfrog dirty development and become a leader in helping to avert catastrophic climate change and protect the natural environment. We are here to help make that happen," said Amadou Kanoute, executive director of Greenpeace Africa, said. (dpa)