Climate change and sustainable development in Africa
MICHAEL BERNARD KWESI DARKOH
Climate change is no longer a debatable issue. In Africa, the evidence is clear. The continent is already experiencing the powerful impact of climate change.
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Weather patterns are becoming increasingly volatile and resulting in more droughts and floods, higher air and water temperatures. Sea levels are rising and coastal areas are eroding and experiencing saltwater intrusion and flooding. Lake Chad, once the sixth largest lake in the world and the second largest wetland in Africa has shrunk in the past 35 years to one tenth of its former size. The icecap on Mount Kilimanjaro is fast disappearing with serious implications for the rivers that depend on ice melt for their flow. Scientists estimate that there has been a reduction of about 82 per cent in the ice-cap since it was first surveyed in 1912. Likewise, the glaciers on the famous Ruwenzori Mountains, the so-called Mountains of the Moon, have shrunk by 50 per cent since the late 1980s. These decreases in both cases have been attributed largely to increased air temperature and decreased snow accumulation during the 20th century. If present rates of reduction continue, the ice-caps and glacier water reservoirs in Kilimanjaro and Ruwenzori will disappear within some two to three decades, with deleterious consequences for the dependent human livelihoods in the areas around these mountains and beyond.
Africa as a region is most vulnerable to climate change due to extreme poverty of many Africans and the heavy dependence on rainfall and other natural resources. Agriculture is the most important economic sector in most African countries. Because most of it is subsistence with high dependence on rainfall, it is highly vulnerable to changes in climate variability, seasonal shifts and precipitation patterns. The food security threat posed by climate change is particularly great, especially in the arid and semi arid Sudano- Sahel zone, Eastern and Southern African regions where in conjunction with the endemic threats of desertification, per capita food production has been steadily declining. As agricultural yields continue to drop by as much as half in some of these areas, other sources of income needs to be found for people to meet their basic needs. Economic necessity and competition for access to resources are already resulting in displacement, mass movement of people within countries and across borders, heightened social tensions and in many cases, conflicts. It has been argued that increased competition over land was one of the triggers of conflicts in Darfur in Western Sudan.
Africa is well known for its rich natural resources, especially wildlife, varied ecosystems, and picturesque landscapes.
The forest and savanna ecosystems, the rivers, lakes and wetlands, are currently under threat from natural and human pressures. In the dry lands of Africa, the heavy dependence of the rural poor population on natural resources for subsistence has largely contributed to land degradation and desertification. Projected climate change by the year 2025, associated with a rise in mean temperature, will exacerbate the losses already experienced due to drought and land degradation. The link between climate change and desertification is an issue that needs to be explored. Climate change has become an additional stressor which is leading to changes in habitats, causing species migration or extinction for both flora and fauna.
Environmental resources such as wetlands, grasslands woodlands and associated wildlife are currently natural resources upon which the burgeoning tourism activities in several dry land countries in Africa are built.
These resources are fragile because of the stressful climatic conditions. Any depreciation in any of the resources which tourists come to countries such as Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa to see would mean a decline in tourism's contribution to the national and local economy. Climate change poses an imponderable threat to this most important resource for the continued growth and development of tourism in these countries
Climate change also increases the risk of contracting vector borne diseases. In southern Africa, a disease that has made a spectacular come back in recent years after a successful campaign to curb it, is malaria. The malaria areas where the mosquitoes occur seem to have been growing larger, possibly because of global warming and changing rainfall patterns.
It is estimated that almost 30 million people in Southern Africa are at risk of severe malaria. Awareness of the potential impacts of climate change on human health is generally low within health sectors in Africa. Very few national or local assessments of the impacts of climate on human health have been undertaken. Such assessments would be of great value to health decision makers.
To sum up, climate change in Africa is already undermining economic development, increasing poverty and impeding development efforts in key sectors. For most rural people especially in the Drylands of Africa, climate change is making their already difficult lives impossible. There is a direct link between climate change and development.
However, although Africa's vulnerability is highly linked to climate variability and change, several other factors are exacerbating and accelerating the effects of climate change and making adaptation and coping strategies extremely difficult. These include the debt burden, structural adjustment policies, trade liberalization, conflicts, poverty and diseases (particularly malaria and HIV/AIDs).
In spite of the current low adaptive capacity of Africa, there are some African communities that have developed traditional adaptation strategies. For example, in response to the desiccation and decreasing rainfall in the Sahel since the late 1960s, farmers have shifted to shorter cycle varieties of millet and maize and abandoned crops like groundnuts that need higher rainfall. Other examples of the rich heritage of traditional adaptation strategies and social networks that African communities have developed to cope with climate variability and extreme events include: improved adaptive capacities by using traditional pruning and fertilizing techniques to double tree densities in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, diversification of herds and incomes such as the introduction of sheep in place of goats in Western Sudan, reliance on forest products as a buffer to climate induced crop failure, decentralization of local governance of resources, and manipulation of land use leading to land use conversion Fortunately for Africa, the continent is still not heavily polluted and is not considered to be a major source of green house gas emissions. African countries must ensure that their limited contributions to the problem through green house gas emissions do not grow unacceptably.
The solution to the problem is sustainable development through mitigation and adaptation strategies. Adaptation, according to the IPCC's Third Assessment Report, refers to "the degree to which adjustments are possible in practices, processes or structures of systems to projected or actual changes in climate". Adaptive capacity must take place through the broad framework of sustainable development taking both environmental and socio-economic considerations into account. African countries need to mainstream adaptation, with governments taking adaptation into account in any future expenditure and development planning. Necessary legislative and government structures will have to facilitate sustainable development and climate change responses such as mitigation and adaptation within their bureaucratic process. They must develop existing and new capacities to cope with climate variability and change so as to increase the resilience of societies, of natural systems and of economies. Approaches to climate change adaptation that are based on top-down development models, which often have little relevance to local conditions, should be avoided. More effort is needed to strengthen the capacity of local people to develop their own knowledge and promote techniques that involve both scientific and indigenous knowledge.
National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) were established as a part of the Marrakech Accords in 2001, in recognition of the particular vulnerability of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to climate change. NAPAs provide a process for the LDCs to identify, communicate and respond to their most urgent and immediate adaptation needs. As of June 2008, 38 LDCs (including 29 African countries) had submitted NAPAs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Ayers, 2008). Implementing NAPA projects can help build LDC resilience.
Despite progress on the development of NAPAs, the implementation of projects identified in NAPAs has been slow, largely owing to functional problems between countries and implementing agencies. It is vital that NAPA projects receive the financial and institutional support they require from donors, governments and climate change institutions
There is limited research on climate vulnerability and the approaches that could maximize resilience at regional, national and local levels. Consequently there is an urgent need to undertake comprehensive research and map out the complex impacts of global warming, integrating climate change risks with other vulnerabilities such as desertification, human health and diseases. Links between climate variability, air pollution and the occurrence and incidence of respiratory and vector borne diseases need exploring as does the impact of water scarcity in areas such as the dry lands of Africa.
African countries should implement sustainable development policies that prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy. Clean Development Mechanism Projects (CDM) need to be promoted as a means to improve energy efficiency in industrial operations. CDM opens up new opportunities to generate substantial revenues for entrepreneurs and governments and diversify economies. CDM allows industrial countries to meet their carbon offset obligations by investing in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reduction in their own countries.
The successful development of bio-fuels in African countries can be both an opportunity and a threat. An assessment is needed of the carbon benefits of different bio-fuel schemes, the risk of deforestation and socially negative impacts and whether there is competition between use of land for fuel or food
To help mitigate climate change and maintain valuable ecosystems, African countries should reduce and eventually halt deforestation. More stringent measures to protect Africa's rain forests from unsustainable logging and environmentally destructive development, including agricultural expansion, are needed. More protection for biodiversity and ecosystem integrity in wetlands and mountain regions is also vital.
Dramatically increased support for small scale agriculture is needed, with encouragement of diversification because diverse systems are more resilient and more productive than monocultures. Boosting production requires systems that combine new insights and technologies with the wisdom of tradition. Dangers associated with clearing forest land and planting bio-fuels as opposed to food crops should be avoided.
In conclusion, climate change-induced impacts are already undermining Africa's ability to develop. Climate change impacts have the potential to weaken Africa's adaptive capacity and compromise development efforts in key sectors of the region's economy. They could reduce livelihood security and delay or prevent the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. African countries must take the initiative in crafting development strategies that encompass the need to mainstream and boost adaptation to climate change as well as invest in infrastructure, clean energy, health, research and other sectors that go to the core of the national development strategies. Non governmental organizations and civil society groups can play a major role in strengthening local capacity to cope and supporting local action.
At the global level, any new climate deal should address the special needs of Africa, particularly its least developed countries. It should include binding commitments to ensure that they have access to financial resources and technological know how.As the world marches towards the coming summit in Copenhagen in December this year, we must ensure that the voice of the poor countries of the world is heard and that they are helped. These poor countries are suffering some of the greatest impacts despite their people having contributed the least to the human impact on climate. As Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General and Nicholas Stern of the London School of Economics have recently admonished, the poor countries of the world should pursue a common negotiating stance and define a clear position on key issues, including the steps that they and their partners should take to ensure financing of adaptation and appropriate mitigation actions using new and additional sources of swiftly accessible funds, including from carbon markets, and to ensure that the existing international aid and commitment are met (ANNAN & STERN 2009). Finally, global climate change affects every one on the planet. We therefore need to find solutions that are based on genuine partnerships.
*Paper presented at the Pre -Valedictory Workshop in honor of Professor J B Opschoor on Climate Change and Making Development More Sustainable, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands, 4th June 2009.
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=20&dir=2009/June/Friday12
Friday, 31 July 2009
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
VIII. Sustainable development for Africa
62. Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, sustainable development has remained elusive for many African countries. Poverty remains a major challenge and most countries on the continent have not benefited fully from the opportunities of globalization, further exacerbating the continent's marginalization. Africa's efforts to achieve sustainable development have been hindered by conflicts, insufficient investment, limited market access opportunities and supply side constraints, unsustainable debt burdens, historically declining levels of official development assistance and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The World Summit on Sustainable Development should reinvigorate the commitment of the international community to address these special challenges and give effect to a new vision based on concrete actions for the implementation of Agenda 21 in Africa. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is a commitment by African leaders to the people of Africa. It recognizes that partnerships among African countries themselves and between them and with the international community are key elements of a shared and common vision to eradicate poverty, and furthermore it aims to place their countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustained economic growth and sustainable development, while participating actively in the world economy and body politic. It provides a framework for sustainable development on the continent to be shared by all Africa's people. The international community welcomes NEPAD and pledges its support to the implementation of this vision, including through utilization of the benefits of South-South cooperation supported, inter alia, by the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. It also pledges support for other existing development frameworks that are owned and driven nationally by African countries and that embody poverty reduction strategies, including poverty reduction strategy papers. Achieving sustainable development includes actions at all levels to:
(a) Create an enabling environment at the regional, subregional, national and local levels in order to achieve sustained economic growth and sustainable development and support African efforts for peace, stability and security, the resolution and prevention of conflicts, democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development and gender equality;
(b) Support the implementation of the vision of NEPAD and other established regional and subregional efforts, including through financing, technical cooperation and institutional cooperation and human and institutional capacity-building at the regional, subregional and national levels, consistent with national policies, programmes and nationally owned and led strategies for poverty reduction and sustainable development, such as, where applicable, poverty reduction strategy papers;
(c) Promote technology development, transfer and diffusion to Africa and further develop technology and knowledge available in African centres of excellence;
(d) Support African countries in developing effective science and technology institutions and research activities capable of developing and adapting to world class technologies;
(e) Support the development of national programmes and strategies to promote education within the context of nationally owned and led strategies for poverty reduction and strengthen research institutions in education in order to increase the capacity to fully support the achievement of internationally agreed development goals related to education, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration on ensuring that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling and that girls and boys will have equal access to all levels of education relevant to national needs;
(f) Enhance the industrial productivity, diversity and competitiveness of African countries through a combination of financial and technological support for the development of key infrastructure, access to technology, networking of research centres, adding value to export products, skills development and enhancing market access in support of sustainable development;
(g) Enhance the contribution of the industrial sector, in particular mining, minerals and metals, to the sustainable development of Africa by supporting the development of effective and transparent regulatory and management frameworks and value addition, broad-based participation, social and environmental responsibility and increased market access in order to create an attractive and conducive environment for investment;
(h) Provide financial and technical support to strengthen the capacity of African countries to undertake environmental legislative policy and institutional reform for sustainable development and to undertake environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, to negotiate and implement multilateral environment agreements;
(i) Develop projects, programmes and partnerships with relevant stakeholders and mobilize resources for the effective implementation of the outcome of the African Process for the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment;
(j) Deal effectively with energy problems in Africa, including through initiatives to:
(i) Establish and promote programmes, partnerships and initiatives to support Africa's efforts to implement NEPAD objectives on energy, which seek to secure access for at least 35 per cent of the African population within 20 years, especially in rural areas;
(ii) Provide support to implement other initiatives on energy, including the promotion of cleaner and more efficient use of natural gas and increased use of renewable energy, and to improve energy efficiency and access to advanced energy technologies, including cleaner fossil fuel technologies, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas;
(k) Assist African countries in mobilizing adequate resources for their adaptation needs relating to the adverse effects of climate change, extreme weather events, sea level rise and climate variability, and assist in developing national climate change strategies and mitigation programmes, and continue to take actions to mitigate the adverse effects on climate change in Africa, consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
(l) Support African efforts to develop affordable transport systems and infrastructure that promote sustainable development and connectivity in Africa;
(m) Further to paragraph 42 above, address the poverty affecting mountain communities in Africa;
(n) Provide financial and technical support for afforestation and reforestation in Africa and to build capacity for sustainable forest management, including combating deforestation and measures to improve the policy and legal framework of the forest sector.
63. Provide financial and technical support for Africa's efforts to implement the Convention to Combat Desertification at the national level and integrate indigenous knowledge systems into land and natural resources management practices, as appropriate, and improve extension services to rural communities and promote better land and watershed management practices, including through improved agricultural practices that address land degradation, in order to develop capacity for the implementation of national programmes.
64. Mobilize financial and other support to develop and strengthen health systems that aim to:
(a) Promote equitable access to health-care services;
(b) Make available necessary drugs and technology in a sustainable and affordable manner to fight and control communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and trypanosomiasis, as well as non-communicable diseases, including those caused by poverty;
(c) Build capacity of medical and paramedical personnel;
(d) Promote indigenous medical knowledge, as appropriate, including traditional medicine;
(e) Research and control Ebola disease.
65. Deal effectively with natural disasters and conflicts, including their humanitarian and environmental impacts, recognizing that conflicts in Africa have hindered, and in many cases obliterated, both the gains and efforts aimed at sustainable development, with the most vulnerable members of society, particularly women and children, being the most impacted victims, through efforts and initiatives, at all levels, to:
(a) Provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen the capacities of African countries, including institutional and human capacity, including at the local level, for effective disaster management, including observation and early warning systems, assessments, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery;
(b) Provide support to African countries to enable them to better deal with the displacement of people as a result of natural disasters and conflicts and put in place rapid response mechanisms;
(c) Support Africa's efforts for the prevention and resolution, management and mitigation of conflicts and its early response to emerging conflict situations to avert tragic humanitarian consequences;
(d) Provide support to refugee host countries in rehabilitating infrastructure and environment, including ecosystems and habitats, that were damaged in the process of receiving and settling refugees.
66. Promote integrated water resources development and optimize the upstream and downstream benefits therefrom, the development and effective management of water resources across all uses and the protection of water quality and aquatic ecosystems, including through initiatives at all levels, to:
(a) Provide access to potable domestic water, hygiene education and improved sanitation and waste management at the household level through initiatives to encourage public and private investment in water supply and sanitation that give priority to the needs of the poor within stable and transparent national regulatory frameworks provided by Governments, while respecting local conditions involving all concerned stakeholders and monitoring the performance and improving the accountability of public institutions and private companies; and develop critical water supply, reticulation and treatment infrastructure, and build capacity to maintain and manage systems to deliver water and sanitation services in both rural and urban areas;
(b) Develop and implement integrated river basin and watershed management strategies and plans for all major water bodies, consistent with paragraph 25 above;
(c) Strengthen regional, subregional and national capacities for data collection and processing and for planning, research, monitoring, assessment and enforcement, as well as arrangements for water resource management;
(d) Protect water resources, including groundwater and wetland ecosystems, against pollution, and, in cases of the most acute water scarcity, support efforts for developing non-conventional water resources, including the energy-efficient, cost-effective and sustainable desalination of seawater, rainwater harvesting and recycling of water.
67. Achieve significantly improved sustainable agricultural productivity and food security in furtherance of the agreed Millennium development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, in particular to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger, including through initiatives at all levels to:
(a) Support the development and implementation of national policies and programmes, including research programmes and development plans of African countries to regenerate their agricultural sector and sustainably develop their fisheries, and increase investment in infrastructure, technology and extension services, according to country needs. African countries should be in the process of developing and implementing food security strategies, within the context of national poverty eradication programmes, by 2005;
(b) Promote and support efforts and initiatives to secure equitable access to land tenure and clarify resource rights and responsibilities, through land and tenure reform processes that respect the rule of law and are enshrined in national law, and provide access to credit for all, especially women, and that enable economic and social empowerment and poverty eradication as well as efficient and ecologically sound utilization of land and that enable women producers to become decision makers and owners in the sector, including the right to inherit land;
(c) Improve market access for goods, including goods originating from African countries, in particular least developed countries, within the framework of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, without prejudging the outcome of the World Trade Organization negotiations, as well as within the framework of preferential agreements;
(d) Provide support for African countries to improve regional trade and economic integration between African countries. Attract and increase investment in regional market infrastructure;
(e) Support livestock development programmes aimed at progressive and effective control of animal diseases.
68. Achieve sound management of chemicals, with particular focus on hazardous chemicals and wastes, inter alia, through initiatives to assist African countries in elaborating national chemical profiles and regional and national frameworks and strategies for chemical management and establishing chemical focal points.
69. Bridge the digital divide and create digital opportunity in terms of access infrastructure and technology transfer and application through integrated initiatives for Africa. Create an enabling environment to attract investment, accelerate existing and new programmes and projects to connect essential institutions and stimulate the adoption of information communication technologies in government and commerce programmes and other aspects of national economic and social life.
70. Support Africa's efforts to attain sustainable tourism that contributes to social, economic and infrastructure development through the following measures:
(a) Implementing projects at the local, national and subregional levels, with specific emphasis on marketing African tourism products, such as adventure tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism;
(b) Establishing and supporting national and cross-border conservation areas to promote ecosystem conservation according to the ecosystem approach, and to promote sustainable tourism;
(c) Respecting local traditions and cultures and promoting the use of indigenous knowledge in natural resource management and ecotourism;
(d) Assisting host communities in managing their tourism projects for maximum benefit, while limiting negative impact on their traditions, culture and environment;
(e) Support the conservation of Africa's biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, in accordance with commitments that countries have under biodiversity-related agreements to which they are parties, including such agreements as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, as well as regional biodiversity agreements.
71. Support African countries in their efforts to implement the Habitat Agenda and the Istanbul Declaration through initiatives to strengthen national and local institutional capacities in the areas of sustainable urbanization and human settlements, provide support for adequate shelter and basic services and the development of efficient and effective governance systems in cities and other human settlements and strengthen, inter alia, the joint programme on managing water for African cities of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme.
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/WSSD_POI_PD/English/POIChapter8.htm
VIII. Sustainable development for Africa
62. Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, sustainable development has remained elusive for many African countries. Poverty remains a major challenge and most countries on the continent have not benefited fully from the opportunities of globalization, further exacerbating the continent's marginalization. Africa's efforts to achieve sustainable development have been hindered by conflicts, insufficient investment, limited market access opportunities and supply side constraints, unsustainable debt burdens, historically declining levels of official development assistance and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The World Summit on Sustainable Development should reinvigorate the commitment of the international community to address these special challenges and give effect to a new vision based on concrete actions for the implementation of Agenda 21 in Africa. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is a commitment by African leaders to the people of Africa. It recognizes that partnerships among African countries themselves and between them and with the international community are key elements of a shared and common vision to eradicate poverty, and furthermore it aims to place their countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustained economic growth and sustainable development, while participating actively in the world economy and body politic. It provides a framework for sustainable development on the continent to be shared by all Africa's people. The international community welcomes NEPAD and pledges its support to the implementation of this vision, including through utilization of the benefits of South-South cooperation supported, inter alia, by the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. It also pledges support for other existing development frameworks that are owned and driven nationally by African countries and that embody poverty reduction strategies, including poverty reduction strategy papers. Achieving sustainable development includes actions at all levels to:
(a) Create an enabling environment at the regional, subregional, national and local levels in order to achieve sustained economic growth and sustainable development and support African efforts for peace, stability and security, the resolution and prevention of conflicts, democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development and gender equality;
(b) Support the implementation of the vision of NEPAD and other established regional and subregional efforts, including through financing, technical cooperation and institutional cooperation and human and institutional capacity-building at the regional, subregional and national levels, consistent with national policies, programmes and nationally owned and led strategies for poverty reduction and sustainable development, such as, where applicable, poverty reduction strategy papers;
(c) Promote technology development, transfer and diffusion to Africa and further develop technology and knowledge available in African centres of excellence;
(d) Support African countries in developing effective science and technology institutions and research activities capable of developing and adapting to world class technologies;
(e) Support the development of national programmes and strategies to promote education within the context of nationally owned and led strategies for poverty reduction and strengthen research institutions in education in order to increase the capacity to fully support the achievement of internationally agreed development goals related to education, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration on ensuring that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling and that girls and boys will have equal access to all levels of education relevant to national needs;
(f) Enhance the industrial productivity, diversity and competitiveness of African countries through a combination of financial and technological support for the development of key infrastructure, access to technology, networking of research centres, adding value to export products, skills development and enhancing market access in support of sustainable development;
(g) Enhance the contribution of the industrial sector, in particular mining, minerals and metals, to the sustainable development of Africa by supporting the development of effective and transparent regulatory and management frameworks and value addition, broad-based participation, social and environmental responsibility and increased market access in order to create an attractive and conducive environment for investment;
(h) Provide financial and technical support to strengthen the capacity of African countries to undertake environmental legislative policy and institutional reform for sustainable development and to undertake environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, to negotiate and implement multilateral environment agreements;
(i) Develop projects, programmes and partnerships with relevant stakeholders and mobilize resources for the effective implementation of the outcome of the African Process for the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment;
(j) Deal effectively with energy problems in Africa, including through initiatives to:
(i) Establish and promote programmes, partnerships and initiatives to support Africa's efforts to implement NEPAD objectives on energy, which seek to secure access for at least 35 per cent of the African population within 20 years, especially in rural areas;
(ii) Provide support to implement other initiatives on energy, including the promotion of cleaner and more efficient use of natural gas and increased use of renewable energy, and to improve energy efficiency and access to advanced energy technologies, including cleaner fossil fuel technologies, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas;
(k) Assist African countries in mobilizing adequate resources for their adaptation needs relating to the adverse effects of climate change, extreme weather events, sea level rise and climate variability, and assist in developing national climate change strategies and mitigation programmes, and continue to take actions to mitigate the adverse effects on climate change in Africa, consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
(l) Support African efforts to develop affordable transport systems and infrastructure that promote sustainable development and connectivity in Africa;
(m) Further to paragraph 42 above, address the poverty affecting mountain communities in Africa;
(n) Provide financial and technical support for afforestation and reforestation in Africa and to build capacity for sustainable forest management, including combating deforestation and measures to improve the policy and legal framework of the forest sector.
63. Provide financial and technical support for Africa's efforts to implement the Convention to Combat Desertification at the national level and integrate indigenous knowledge systems into land and natural resources management practices, as appropriate, and improve extension services to rural communities and promote better land and watershed management practices, including through improved agricultural practices that address land degradation, in order to develop capacity for the implementation of national programmes.
64. Mobilize financial and other support to develop and strengthen health systems that aim to:
(a) Promote equitable access to health-care services;
(b) Make available necessary drugs and technology in a sustainable and affordable manner to fight and control communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and trypanosomiasis, as well as non-communicable diseases, including those caused by poverty;
(c) Build capacity of medical and paramedical personnel;
(d) Promote indigenous medical knowledge, as appropriate, including traditional medicine;
(e) Research and control Ebola disease.
65. Deal effectively with natural disasters and conflicts, including their humanitarian and environmental impacts, recognizing that conflicts in Africa have hindered, and in many cases obliterated, both the gains and efforts aimed at sustainable development, with the most vulnerable members of society, particularly women and children, being the most impacted victims, through efforts and initiatives, at all levels, to:
(a) Provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen the capacities of African countries, including institutional and human capacity, including at the local level, for effective disaster management, including observation and early warning systems, assessments, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery;
(b) Provide support to African countries to enable them to better deal with the displacement of people as a result of natural disasters and conflicts and put in place rapid response mechanisms;
(c) Support Africa's efforts for the prevention and resolution, management and mitigation of conflicts and its early response to emerging conflict situations to avert tragic humanitarian consequences;
(d) Provide support to refugee host countries in rehabilitating infrastructure and environment, including ecosystems and habitats, that were damaged in the process of receiving and settling refugees.
66. Promote integrated water resources development and optimize the upstream and downstream benefits therefrom, the development and effective management of water resources across all uses and the protection of water quality and aquatic ecosystems, including through initiatives at all levels, to:
(a) Provide access to potable domestic water, hygiene education and improved sanitation and waste management at the household level through initiatives to encourage public and private investment in water supply and sanitation that give priority to the needs of the poor within stable and transparent national regulatory frameworks provided by Governments, while respecting local conditions involving all concerned stakeholders and monitoring the performance and improving the accountability of public institutions and private companies; and develop critical water supply, reticulation and treatment infrastructure, and build capacity to maintain and manage systems to deliver water and sanitation services in both rural and urban areas;
(b) Develop and implement integrated river basin and watershed management strategies and plans for all major water bodies, consistent with paragraph 25 above;
(c) Strengthen regional, subregional and national capacities for data collection and processing and for planning, research, monitoring, assessment and enforcement, as well as arrangements for water resource management;
(d) Protect water resources, including groundwater and wetland ecosystems, against pollution, and, in cases of the most acute water scarcity, support efforts for developing non-conventional water resources, including the energy-efficient, cost-effective and sustainable desalination of seawater, rainwater harvesting and recycling of water.
67. Achieve significantly improved sustainable agricultural productivity and food security in furtherance of the agreed Millennium development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, in particular to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger, including through initiatives at all levels to:
(a) Support the development and implementation of national policies and programmes, including research programmes and development plans of African countries to regenerate their agricultural sector and sustainably develop their fisheries, and increase investment in infrastructure, technology and extension services, according to country needs. African countries should be in the process of developing and implementing food security strategies, within the context of national poverty eradication programmes, by 2005;
(b) Promote and support efforts and initiatives to secure equitable access to land tenure and clarify resource rights and responsibilities, through land and tenure reform processes that respect the rule of law and are enshrined in national law, and provide access to credit for all, especially women, and that enable economic and social empowerment and poverty eradication as well as efficient and ecologically sound utilization of land and that enable women producers to become decision makers and owners in the sector, including the right to inherit land;
(c) Improve market access for goods, including goods originating from African countries, in particular least developed countries, within the framework of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, without prejudging the outcome of the World Trade Organization negotiations, as well as within the framework of preferential agreements;
(d) Provide support for African countries to improve regional trade and economic integration between African countries. Attract and increase investment in regional market infrastructure;
(e) Support livestock development programmes aimed at progressive and effective control of animal diseases.
68. Achieve sound management of chemicals, with particular focus on hazardous chemicals and wastes, inter alia, through initiatives to assist African countries in elaborating national chemical profiles and regional and national frameworks and strategies for chemical management and establishing chemical focal points.
69. Bridge the digital divide and create digital opportunity in terms of access infrastructure and technology transfer and application through integrated initiatives for Africa. Create an enabling environment to attract investment, accelerate existing and new programmes and projects to connect essential institutions and stimulate the adoption of information communication technologies in government and commerce programmes and other aspects of national economic and social life.
70. Support Africa's efforts to attain sustainable tourism that contributes to social, economic and infrastructure development through the following measures:
(a) Implementing projects at the local, national and subregional levels, with specific emphasis on marketing African tourism products, such as adventure tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism;
(b) Establishing and supporting national and cross-border conservation areas to promote ecosystem conservation according to the ecosystem approach, and to promote sustainable tourism;
(c) Respecting local traditions and cultures and promoting the use of indigenous knowledge in natural resource management and ecotourism;
(d) Assisting host communities in managing their tourism projects for maximum benefit, while limiting negative impact on their traditions, culture and environment;
(e) Support the conservation of Africa's biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, in accordance with commitments that countries have under biodiversity-related agreements to which they are parties, including such agreements as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, as well as regional biodiversity agreements.
71. Support African countries in their efforts to implement the Habitat Agenda and the Istanbul Declaration through initiatives to strengthen national and local institutional capacities in the areas of sustainable urbanization and human settlements, provide support for adequate shelter and basic services and the development of efficient and effective governance systems in cities and other human settlements and strengthen, inter alia, the joint programme on managing water for African cities of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme.
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/WSSD_POI_PD/English/POIChapter8.htm
Climate change and rainforests
Ethiopia - Sustainable Land Management Project
Environment, Forests & Forestry Ethiopia Sub-Saharan Africa
'The objective of the Sustainable Land Management Project (SLM) in Ethiopia is to reduce land degradation in agricultural landscapes and to improve the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers.
There are three components to the project. The first component is the watershed management. It is aimed at supporting scaling up of best management practices in sustainable land management practices and technologies for smallholder farmers in the high potential/food secure areas that are increasingly becoming vulnerable to land degradation and food insecurity. The second component is the rural land certification and administration. The objective of this component is to expand the coverage and enhance the government's land certification project, with the aim of strengthening land tenure security for smallholder farmers. The third component is the project management. The focus of this component is to provide financial and technical assistance to the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development and local government units responsible for sustainable land management to effectively support coordination and implementation of the SLM project.'
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2008/04/10/000334955_20080410050936/Rendered/PDF/429270PAD0P10710and0IDAR20081007211.pdf
WHAT ARE RAINFORESTS?
Tropical rainforests are forests with tall trees, warm climate, and lots of rain. In some rainforests it rains more than one inch every day! Rainforests are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon rainforest
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/
AFRICA: What will we eat in the future?
size=1 width="100%" noshade style='color:black' align=center>
Photo: Flickr
Drought-tolerant crop varieties will be hard to come by
JOHANNESBURG, 17 June 2009 (IRIN) - It will take at least ten years to develop a variety of staple grain that will survive in the climates caused by global warming in most parts of Africa, and the continent has less than two decades in which to do it, warn the authors of a new study.
"The countries have to start developing varieties now, but many of these countries don't have breeding programmes," said Luigi Guarino, one of three authors of a study to be published on 19 June in the US journal, Global Environmental Change. "This study, we hope, at least raises the flag." The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an international scientific body, has predicted that food production in Africa could halve by 2020 as global warming pushes temperatures up and droughts become more intense.
The new study by researchers at Stanford University's Program on Food Security and the Environment, in the US, and the Rome-based Global Crop Diversity Trust, noted that "For a majority of Africa's farmers, warming will rapidly take climate not only beyond the range of their personal experience, but also beyond the experience of farmers within their own country."
For a majority of Africa's farmers, warming will rapidly take climate not only beyond the range of their personal experience, but also beyond the experience of farmers within their own country
Guarino, a Senior Science Coordinator at the Global Crop diversity Trust, pointed out that many farmers could find staple crop varieties in other African countries, where current temperatures and conditions were similar to what they might experience in future. "For example, farmers in Lesotho [with one of the coolest climates in Africa] could find maize varieties grown in parts of Mali [one of the hottest countries in Africa] now, which would be tolerant to the very high temperatures they would face in another 20 years." Six countries in the Sahel - Senegal, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Sierra Leone, the hottest in Africa - are of major concern to the researchers, as they will face conditions unlike any currently encountered by farmers in the continent. "Of course, parts of these countries will never be able to grow maize [which is more heat sensitive]," he said, and would have to settle for the "drought-tolerant maize, which is sorghum". Many parts of Africa would no longer be able to grow anything.
Guarino said it was possible to develop crop varieties in simulated conditions, based on projections for the Sahel belt, but very few traditional primary cereal crops - African varieties of maize, millet and sorghum - selected by farmers over the centuries for their unique suitability to local growing conditions were available in genebanks. The researchers found that ten African countries, including Sudan, Nigeria, Cameroon and Mozambique, had current growing conditions very similar to those many other countries would soon face, but few of the crop varieties cultivated in the countries were found in major genebanks. In an earlier study, the Stanford University researchers projected that maize production, southern Africa's staple food, could drop by as much as 30 percent in another two decades. Cary Fowler, head of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, said climate change called for closer collaboration, sharing of resources and more investment. The researchers' call to help African countries came during the global debate over a legally binding funding mechanism to help poor countries adapt to climate change at the recent talks in Bonn, Germany. jk/he
Themes: (IRIN) Early Warning, (IRIN) Environment, (IRIN) Food Security
[ENDS]
Report can be found online at:http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=84892
Weather Monitoring Stations Will Help Africa Adapt To Climate Change
By Lisa Schlein Geneva18 June 2009
A new initiative has been launched in Geneva to radically improve Africa's weather monitoring network. Its aim is to help people across the continent adapt to the impact of climate change. The Global Humanitarian Forum headed by former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization and leading mobile communications companies are behind the initiative dubbed "Weather Info for All." "Global warming is causing an ever increasing number of extreme weather events that affect the word's poorest and most vulnerable communities. The change means that age-old knowledge passed from one generation to the next can no longer be relied upon to protect peoples lives and livelihoods," explained a video presentation.
And, that is where science and the ability to better forecast the weather become increasingly important."The initiative brings together the technical expertise and resources of private and public bodies to help people adapt to the effects of climate change," said Kofi Annan.Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan is President of the Global Humanitarian Forum, which is spearheading the "Weather Info for All" initiative.
He says climate change is not a threat waiting to happen. He says climate change already is altering traditional weather and rainfall patterns and threatening the health, security and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa. He says Africa is the continent that will be hit hardest by the impact of climate change. Yet, he notes Africa badly lacks the facilities to effectively monitor ground level weather data."As a first important step, we urgently need to scale up both the quantity and quality of information about weather patterns in Africa," he said. "This will enable farmers to make informed decisions in planning the seeding and harvesting of crops. It will also enable accurate warnings to be given about extreme and violent weather conditions."The initiative involves a unique public-private partnership. Swedish telecom giant Ericsson will install weather stations at new and existing mobile network sites throughout Africa.
And, Zain, one of Africa's largest telecommunications companies, will provide band width to send raw data and disseminate forecasts and early warnings.Both companies are in the process of installing 19 automatic weather stations in new wireless network sites in the Lake Victoria Region. And, in the last quarter of the year, hundreds of new installations will be made in East Africa. The goal is to install up to 5,000 new observation stations across Africa over the coming years. Members of the initiative say huge benefits in mitigating climate change will be achieved for a relatively small amount of money. They estimate the cost of installing 5,000 new weather stations is a relatively modest $30 million. http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-06/2009-06-18-voa46.cfm?CFID=267912270&CFTOKEN=22412058&jsessionid=de30365460f1a3f66e172b31356266d4dfb6
Environment, Forests & Forestry Ethiopia Sub-Saharan Africa
'The objective of the Sustainable Land Management Project (SLM) in Ethiopia is to reduce land degradation in agricultural landscapes and to improve the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers.
There are three components to the project. The first component is the watershed management. It is aimed at supporting scaling up of best management practices in sustainable land management practices and technologies for smallholder farmers in the high potential/food secure areas that are increasingly becoming vulnerable to land degradation and food insecurity. The second component is the rural land certification and administration. The objective of this component is to expand the coverage and enhance the government's land certification project, with the aim of strengthening land tenure security for smallholder farmers. The third component is the project management. The focus of this component is to provide financial and technical assistance to the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development and local government units responsible for sustainable land management to effectively support coordination and implementation of the SLM project.'
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2008/04/10/000334955_20080410050936/Rendered/PDF/429270PAD0P10710and0IDAR20081007211.pdf
WHAT ARE RAINFORESTS?
Tropical rainforests are forests with tall trees, warm climate, and lots of rain. In some rainforests it rains more than one inch every day! Rainforests are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon rainforest
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/
AFRICA: What will we eat in the future?
size=1 width="100%" noshade style='color:black' align=center>
Photo: Flickr
Drought-tolerant crop varieties will be hard to come by
JOHANNESBURG, 17 June 2009 (IRIN) - It will take at least ten years to develop a variety of staple grain that will survive in the climates caused by global warming in most parts of Africa, and the continent has less than two decades in which to do it, warn the authors of a new study.
"The countries have to start developing varieties now, but many of these countries don't have breeding programmes," said Luigi Guarino, one of three authors of a study to be published on 19 June in the US journal, Global Environmental Change. "This study, we hope, at least raises the flag." The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an international scientific body, has predicted that food production in Africa could halve by 2020 as global warming pushes temperatures up and droughts become more intense.
The new study by researchers at Stanford University's Program on Food Security and the Environment, in the US, and the Rome-based Global Crop Diversity Trust, noted that "For a majority of Africa's farmers, warming will rapidly take climate not only beyond the range of their personal experience, but also beyond the experience of farmers within their own country."
For a majority of Africa's farmers, warming will rapidly take climate not only beyond the range of their personal experience, but also beyond the experience of farmers within their own country
Guarino, a Senior Science Coordinator at the Global Crop diversity Trust, pointed out that many farmers could find staple crop varieties in other African countries, where current temperatures and conditions were similar to what they might experience in future. "For example, farmers in Lesotho [with one of the coolest climates in Africa] could find maize varieties grown in parts of Mali [one of the hottest countries in Africa] now, which would be tolerant to the very high temperatures they would face in another 20 years." Six countries in the Sahel - Senegal, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Sierra Leone, the hottest in Africa - are of major concern to the researchers, as they will face conditions unlike any currently encountered by farmers in the continent. "Of course, parts of these countries will never be able to grow maize [which is more heat sensitive]," he said, and would have to settle for the "drought-tolerant maize, which is sorghum". Many parts of Africa would no longer be able to grow anything.
Guarino said it was possible to develop crop varieties in simulated conditions, based on projections for the Sahel belt, but very few traditional primary cereal crops - African varieties of maize, millet and sorghum - selected by farmers over the centuries for their unique suitability to local growing conditions were available in genebanks. The researchers found that ten African countries, including Sudan, Nigeria, Cameroon and Mozambique, had current growing conditions very similar to those many other countries would soon face, but few of the crop varieties cultivated in the countries were found in major genebanks. In an earlier study, the Stanford University researchers projected that maize production, southern Africa's staple food, could drop by as much as 30 percent in another two decades. Cary Fowler, head of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, said climate change called for closer collaboration, sharing of resources and more investment. The researchers' call to help African countries came during the global debate over a legally binding funding mechanism to help poor countries adapt to climate change at the recent talks in Bonn, Germany. jk/he
Themes: (IRIN) Early Warning, (IRIN) Environment, (IRIN) Food Security
[ENDS]
Report can be found online at:http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=84892
Weather Monitoring Stations Will Help Africa Adapt To Climate Change
By Lisa Schlein Geneva18 June 2009
A new initiative has been launched in Geneva to radically improve Africa's weather monitoring network. Its aim is to help people across the continent adapt to the impact of climate change. The Global Humanitarian Forum headed by former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization and leading mobile communications companies are behind the initiative dubbed "Weather Info for All." "Global warming is causing an ever increasing number of extreme weather events that affect the word's poorest and most vulnerable communities. The change means that age-old knowledge passed from one generation to the next can no longer be relied upon to protect peoples lives and livelihoods," explained a video presentation.
And, that is where science and the ability to better forecast the weather become increasingly important."The initiative brings together the technical expertise and resources of private and public bodies to help people adapt to the effects of climate change," said Kofi Annan.Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan is President of the Global Humanitarian Forum, which is spearheading the "Weather Info for All" initiative.
He says climate change is not a threat waiting to happen. He says climate change already is altering traditional weather and rainfall patterns and threatening the health, security and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa. He says Africa is the continent that will be hit hardest by the impact of climate change. Yet, he notes Africa badly lacks the facilities to effectively monitor ground level weather data."As a first important step, we urgently need to scale up both the quantity and quality of information about weather patterns in Africa," he said. "This will enable farmers to make informed decisions in planning the seeding and harvesting of crops. It will also enable accurate warnings to be given about extreme and violent weather conditions."The initiative involves a unique public-private partnership. Swedish telecom giant Ericsson will install weather stations at new and existing mobile network sites throughout Africa.
And, Zain, one of Africa's largest telecommunications companies, will provide band width to send raw data and disseminate forecasts and early warnings.Both companies are in the process of installing 19 automatic weather stations in new wireless network sites in the Lake Victoria Region. And, in the last quarter of the year, hundreds of new installations will be made in East Africa. The goal is to install up to 5,000 new observation stations across Africa over the coming years. Members of the initiative say huge benefits in mitigating climate change will be achieved for a relatively small amount of money. They estimate the cost of installing 5,000 new weather stations is a relatively modest $30 million. http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-06/2009-06-18-voa46.cfm?CFID=267912270&CFTOKEN=22412058&jsessionid=de30365460f1a3f66e172b31356266d4dfb6
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
UNCCD
UNCCD
G8 Summit on Desertification
The G8 Summit ended Friday, 10 July 2009. See what these governments declared concerning sustainable development, and desertification, land degradation and drought in particular, at: http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/g8/menu.php
UNCCD News
The first issue of the UNCCD electronic newsletter, UNCCD New, was published last week. See the message from Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja. Get a quick snap-shot of the Land Day's focus and engagement with climate change participants regarding the significance of the Desertification Convention in addressing climate change. Find out what the UNCCD’s first Scientific Conference will be offering. Read Ambassador Bo Kjellén’s candid view of the UNCCD. Kjellén was the Chair of the group that negotiated the Convention. Explore the technological innovations being used to address desertification and land degradation, and browse through the latest publications on DLDD. Visit: http://newsbox.unccd.int/
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought From Internet social networks, to space observations, to village rallies and tree-planting activities, regional seminars and national conferences, the observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was characterized by variety and innovation. Get inspired to share ideas of your unique event or to organize your 2010 observance events from the latest reports that are available at: http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/june17/2009/menu.php?newch=l4
G8 Summit on Desertification
The G8 Summit ended Friday, 10 July 2009. See what these governments declared concerning sustainable development, and desertification, land degradation and drought in particular, at: http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/g8/menu.php
UNCCD News
The first issue of the UNCCD electronic newsletter, UNCCD New, was published last week. See the message from Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja. Get a quick snap-shot of the Land Day's focus and engagement with climate change participants regarding the significance of the Desertification Convention in addressing climate change. Find out what the UNCCD’s first Scientific Conference will be offering. Read Ambassador Bo Kjellén’s candid view of the UNCCD. Kjellén was the Chair of the group that negotiated the Convention. Explore the technological innovations being used to address desertification and land degradation, and browse through the latest publications on DLDD. Visit: http://newsbox.unccd.int/
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought From Internet social networks, to space observations, to village rallies and tree-planting activities, regional seminars and national conferences, the observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was characterized by variety and innovation. Get inspired to share ideas of your unique event or to organize your 2010 observance events from the latest reports that are available at: http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/june17/2009/menu.php?newch=l4
Saturday, 11 July 2009
AfricaAdapt launches new fund for innovative knowledge sharing
Africa’s poor and vulnerable communities rarely have the opportunity to share their valuable experience and learn from others in broader or more formal exchanges of knowledge on climate change adaptation. AfricaAdapt is launching its new Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund promoting new ways of sharing knowledge that can help address this problem.
How does the Innovation Fund work?
The Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund will offer grants of up to US$10.000 to projects that seek to overcome barriers to share knowledge with ’hard to reach’ or marginalised African communities. These barriers may be related to language, access to information and marginalisation due to gender or disability. Theatre performances, songs, radio broadcasts, visual arts, videos and comics are just a few ideas about how they could be overcome. The key is to ensure these groups can learn and share.
Why reach out to marginalised communities?
Ensuring that vulnerable communities are active in the exchange of African knowledge, best practices and know-how on climate change adaptation is a high priority for AfricaAdapt. These communities are the most directly threatened by climactic impacts, however they also have a wealth of experience in adapting to past changes that could benefit other communities.
Do you have an idea? Apply now!
African researchers, local and civil society organisations, cooperatives and community networks are encouraged to submit their ideas.
Important dates:
First round of submissions open from 1 July to 1 August 2009.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 15 October.
How does the Innovation Fund work?
The Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund will offer grants of up to US$10.000 to projects that seek to overcome barriers to share knowledge with ’hard to reach’ or marginalised African communities. These barriers may be related to language, access to information and marginalisation due to gender or disability. Theatre performances, songs, radio broadcasts, visual arts, videos and comics are just a few ideas about how they could be overcome. The key is to ensure these groups can learn and share.
Why reach out to marginalised communities?
Ensuring that vulnerable communities are active in the exchange of African knowledge, best practices and know-how on climate change adaptation is a high priority for AfricaAdapt. These communities are the most directly threatened by climactic impacts, however they also have a wealth of experience in adapting to past changes that could benefit other communities.
Do you have an idea? Apply now!
African researchers, local and civil society organisations, cooperatives and community networks are encouraged to submit their ideas.
Important dates:
First round of submissions open from 1 July to 1 August 2009.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 15 October.
Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) program.
Welcome to Adaptation Africa, a quarterly news and events bulletin from the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) program.
Adaptation Africa: CCAA News and Events
Contents
1. Project news
2. Media coverage
3. Competitions
4. Events
5. Publications
6. Adaptation resources
1. Project news
New fund to support local adaptation strategies
A new fund has been launched to help vulnerable groups in three countries of West Africa propose adaptation research that meets local needs. The Support Fund for Local Adaptation Strategies was launched in April 2009. The Fund is administered by IED Afrique, with financial support from the CCAA program. Its first call targeted community-based organizations in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. Read more: http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-133599-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Latest CCAA projects
Following a call for proposals on urban vulnerabilities in September 2009, five projects to date have been approved. Full details on the call and successful projects can be found at http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-131052-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.
Other projects recently approved:
· Partnership for adapting Vulnerable Populations to Soil Salinzation resulting from Climate Change in Sénégal led by Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA)
· Monitoring and evaluation toolkit development for climate change adaptation initiatives led by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
· Eco-Health Approach to the Control of Onchocerciasis in the Volta Basin of Ghana led by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana and Analysis of the health impacts of climate change adaptation strategies: The case of transmission of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis from Leishmania major in Tunisia administered by the Agence Tunisienne de Coopération Technique and implemented by l’Observatoire des Maladies Emergentes are the latest components of the CCAA-Ecohealth Linking Water, Climate Change and Health initiative.
· Linking African Researchers with Adaptation Policy Spaces (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda) led by Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex
2. Media coverage
Links to the latest media coverage of CCAA events and research projects captured online can be found at: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-141450-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
3. Competitions
AfricaAdapt and the Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund
AfricaAdapt, a new knowledge sharing platform on adaptation in Africa, was launched in May 2009. From July 1 to August 1, 2009, AfricaAdapt invites applications to an innovation fund that offers grants of up to US $10,000 for projects attempting to share knowledge with hard to reach or marginalised African communities.
For more on AfricaAdapt or to apply to the Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund, visit: www.africa-adapt.net
For background on CCAA support to AfricaAdapt: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-140225-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Picture this
Caring for the Earth photo contest seeks images that show how ordinary people on the African continent are mitigating the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation. The contest was launched by UNDP, in partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP) and the Olympus Corporation. The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2009.
For more information: http://www.undp.org/picturethis
4. Events
Cities and Climate Change
CCAA and IDRC’s Urban Poverty and Environment program supported the 2009 Urban Research Symposium in Marseille France, June 28-30. The programs jointly contributed to research papers and presentations on the symposium theme: “Cities and Climate Change – Responding to an Urgent Agenda”.
AMCEN Third Special Session on Climate Change
CCAA Program Officer Evans Kituyi represented the program as an observer to the Third Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) on Climate Change, May 25-29, 2009. The Special Session provided a forum for the Ministers to discuss a common African negotiating position on a post-2012 international climate change regime and a comprehensive framework of African climate change programs.
Background on and outcomes of the Special Session can be found at: http://www.unep.org/roa/Amcen/Amcen_Events/3rd_ss/default.asp
A policy brief prepared by the CCAA program for the Special Session can be found at: http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=142157_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
Exploring Morocco’s vulnerability to climate change
Partners, staff and Advisors to the CCAA program met in Agadir in May 2009 for a roundtable that explored how participatory action research is addressing climate change vulnerability. Researchers from four projects presented their work to date, following the 7th meeting of CCAA’s Advisory Board. DFID’s Chief Science Advisor, Sir Gordon Conway, was on hand to highlight the value of involving communities directly in testing adaptation options. Dr. Mohamed Badraoui, Director General of INRA, underscored the imperative of safeguarding Morocco’s development achievements against the impacts of climate change.
Read more: http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=142086_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
Advisors present on climate change and mobility in Africa
CCAA’s Advisory Board Chair and Vice-Chair participated in the conference on “Climate Change and Human Mobility in Africa” organized by the Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, April 21-22, 2009. Vice Chair Balgis Osman Elasha provided an overview of the IPCC report on Africa for the conference attendees, while Chair Mbareck Diop highlighted the work of the CCAA program during a panel on environmental vulnerability, migration, peace and stability. Their presentations and more information on the conference can be found at: http://www.cespi.it/climate-dev-africa.html
Strengthening M&E in adaptation research
Staff and partners of CCAA reviewed various approaches to monitoring and evaluating adaptation research at a workshop held in Mombasa, Kenya in May 2009. Research partners were consulted on research communications needs and were introduced to AfricaAdapt, a new knowledge sharing platform that will serve the continent. More information on CCAA’s capacity building workshops to date can be found at: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-126891-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Improving communication with policymakers
CCAA recently supported a half-day symposium on Effective Communication of Science and Climate Change Information to Policy Makers. The event took place during the 3rd East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) held in Nairobi on March 25-27, 2009. It brought journalists, researchers and policymakers together to identify capacity gaps and opportunities to improve communication on climate change and science issues in the sub-region.
For a full report see: http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=141838_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
5. Publications
· “Farmers' perceptions lead to experimentation and learning”, an article by P. Mapfumo et al in Leisa magazine, Volume 24 special issue on Climate Change, documents early lessons from the CCAA project Resilience and the African Smallholder.
· « Accompagner des citoyens dans des actions d’adaptation aux changements climatiques » by Diane Pruneau, Abdellatif Khattabi and Jackie Kerry appears on pp. 48-52 of Énergie, santé et éducation relative à l’environnement, published by IEPF. Dr. Khattabi leads the CCAA project Moroccan Coastal Management: Building Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change through Sustainable Policies and Planning
· A special feature on Malaria and Climate Change by Andrew Githeko appears in the Commonwealth Health Ministers' Update 2009. Dr. Githeko leads the CCAA project Transferring the Malaria Epidemic Prediction Model to Users in East Africa
6. Adaptation resources
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation have launched a new, independent website that tracks international funding initiatives designed to help developing countries address the challenges of climate change. See: www.climatefundsupdate.org
Communicating research
New! CCAA presents a collection of online resources to help you effectively communicate your research: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-141591-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Scoping studies on African adaptation
In 2007, CCAA commissioned a series of scoping studies exploring the strengths and capacity needs of African institutions with expertise relevant to climate change and adaptation. Regional reports can be found at:
http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-142225-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
The Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) research and capacity development program aims to improve the capacity of African people and organizations to adapt to climate change in ways that benefit the most vulnerable.
The program was launched in 2006 and is jointly funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). It is hosted and managed by IDRC from headquarters in Ottawa and three regional offices in Africa.
Adaptation Africa: CCAA News and Events
Contents
1. Project news
2. Media coverage
3. Competitions
4. Events
5. Publications
6. Adaptation resources
1. Project news
New fund to support local adaptation strategies
A new fund has been launched to help vulnerable groups in three countries of West Africa propose adaptation research that meets local needs. The Support Fund for Local Adaptation Strategies was launched in April 2009. The Fund is administered by IED Afrique, with financial support from the CCAA program. Its first call targeted community-based organizations in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. Read more: http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-133599-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Latest CCAA projects
Following a call for proposals on urban vulnerabilities in September 2009, five projects to date have been approved. Full details on the call and successful projects can be found at http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-131052-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.
Other projects recently approved:
· Partnership for adapting Vulnerable Populations to Soil Salinzation resulting from Climate Change in Sénégal led by Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA)
· Monitoring and evaluation toolkit development for climate change adaptation initiatives led by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
· Eco-Health Approach to the Control of Onchocerciasis in the Volta Basin of Ghana led by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana and Analysis of the health impacts of climate change adaptation strategies: The case of transmission of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis from Leishmania major in Tunisia administered by the Agence Tunisienne de Coopération Technique and implemented by l’Observatoire des Maladies Emergentes are the latest components of the CCAA-Ecohealth Linking Water, Climate Change and Health initiative.
· Linking African Researchers with Adaptation Policy Spaces (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda) led by Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex
2. Media coverage
Links to the latest media coverage of CCAA events and research projects captured online can be found at: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-141450-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
3. Competitions
AfricaAdapt and the Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund
AfricaAdapt, a new knowledge sharing platform on adaptation in Africa, was launched in May 2009. From July 1 to August 1, 2009, AfricaAdapt invites applications to an innovation fund that offers grants of up to US $10,000 for projects attempting to share knowledge with hard to reach or marginalised African communities.
For more on AfricaAdapt or to apply to the Knowledge Sharing Innovation Fund, visit: www.africa-adapt.net
For background on CCAA support to AfricaAdapt: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-140225-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Picture this
Caring for the Earth photo contest seeks images that show how ordinary people on the African continent are mitigating the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation. The contest was launched by UNDP, in partnership with Agence France-Presse (AFP) and the Olympus Corporation. The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2009.
For more information: http://www.undp.org/picturethis
4. Events
Cities and Climate Change
CCAA and IDRC’s Urban Poverty and Environment program supported the 2009 Urban Research Symposium in Marseille France, June 28-30. The programs jointly contributed to research papers and presentations on the symposium theme: “Cities and Climate Change – Responding to an Urgent Agenda”.
AMCEN Third Special Session on Climate Change
CCAA Program Officer Evans Kituyi represented the program as an observer to the Third Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) on Climate Change, May 25-29, 2009. The Special Session provided a forum for the Ministers to discuss a common African negotiating position on a post-2012 international climate change regime and a comprehensive framework of African climate change programs.
Background on and outcomes of the Special Session can be found at: http://www.unep.org/roa/Amcen/Amcen_Events/3rd_ss/default.asp
A policy brief prepared by the CCAA program for the Special Session can be found at: http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=142157_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
Exploring Morocco’s vulnerability to climate change
Partners, staff and Advisors to the CCAA program met in Agadir in May 2009 for a roundtable that explored how participatory action research is addressing climate change vulnerability. Researchers from four projects presented their work to date, following the 7th meeting of CCAA’s Advisory Board. DFID’s Chief Science Advisor, Sir Gordon Conway, was on hand to highlight the value of involving communities directly in testing adaptation options. Dr. Mohamed Badraoui, Director General of INRA, underscored the imperative of safeguarding Morocco’s development achievements against the impacts of climate change.
Read more: http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=142086_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
Advisors present on climate change and mobility in Africa
CCAA’s Advisory Board Chair and Vice-Chair participated in the conference on “Climate Change and Human Mobility in Africa” organized by the Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, April 21-22, 2009. Vice Chair Balgis Osman Elasha provided an overview of the IPCC report on Africa for the conference attendees, while Chair Mbareck Diop highlighted the work of the CCAA program during a panel on environmental vulnerability, migration, peace and stability. Their presentations and more information on the conference can be found at: http://www.cespi.it/climate-dev-africa.html
Strengthening M&E in adaptation research
Staff and partners of CCAA reviewed various approaches to monitoring and evaluating adaptation research at a workshop held in Mombasa, Kenya in May 2009. Research partners were consulted on research communications needs and were introduced to AfricaAdapt, a new knowledge sharing platform that will serve the continent. More information on CCAA’s capacity building workshops to date can be found at: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-126891-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Improving communication with policymakers
CCAA recently supported a half-day symposium on Effective Communication of Science and Climate Change Information to Policy Makers. The event took place during the 3rd East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) held in Nairobi on March 25-27, 2009. It brought journalists, researchers and policymakers together to identify capacity gaps and opportunities to improve communication on climate change and science issues in the sub-region.
For a full report see: http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=141838_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
5. Publications
· “Farmers' perceptions lead to experimentation and learning”, an article by P. Mapfumo et al in Leisa magazine, Volume 24 special issue on Climate Change, documents early lessons from the CCAA project Resilience and the African Smallholder.
· « Accompagner des citoyens dans des actions d’adaptation aux changements climatiques » by Diane Pruneau, Abdellatif Khattabi and Jackie Kerry appears on pp. 48-52 of Énergie, santé et éducation relative à l’environnement, published by IEPF. Dr. Khattabi leads the CCAA project Moroccan Coastal Management: Building Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change through Sustainable Policies and Planning
· A special feature on Malaria and Climate Change by Andrew Githeko appears in the Commonwealth Health Ministers' Update 2009. Dr. Githeko leads the CCAA project Transferring the Malaria Epidemic Prediction Model to Users in East Africa
6. Adaptation resources
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Heinrich Böll Foundation have launched a new, independent website that tracks international funding initiatives designed to help developing countries address the challenges of climate change. See: www.climatefundsupdate.org
Communicating research
New! CCAA presents a collection of online resources to help you effectively communicate your research: http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-141591-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Scoping studies on African adaptation
In 2007, CCAA commissioned a series of scoping studies exploring the strengths and capacity needs of African institutions with expertise relevant to climate change and adaptation. Regional reports can be found at:
http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-142225-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
The Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) research and capacity development program aims to improve the capacity of African people and organizations to adapt to climate change in ways that benefit the most vulnerable.
The program was launched in 2006 and is jointly funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). It is hosted and managed by IDRC from headquarters in Ottawa and three regional offices in Africa.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Logical Framework And Project Proposal
1. A Project Cycle Management and Logical Framework Toolkit –
Introduction
This guide is one of a series produced by the GB Equal Support Unit (ESU) to help Development Partnerships (DPs) and Transnational Partnerships to develop and mainstream best practice from innovative projects. This toolkit is based on the evaluation of the first round Equal Partnerships and the outcomes of the focus group exercises conducted with existing DPs conducted as part of the research to preparing this toolkit.
This toolkit is designed to help you to:
• overcome difficulties experienced by Round 1 DPs;
• get all partners on board from the start;
• produce a simple plan everyone understands and can use;
• reduce the stress of co-ordinating the partnership’s work programme testaetasetaehtraeta;
• improve DP activities and outcomes;
• meet the Commission’s updated requirements; and
• test and get adopted new ways of supporting disadvantaged groups.
The toolkit is based on extensive research into Equal Round 1 carried out with the Commission
and DPs, and international expertise in planning and evaluating multi-partner projects in over
40 countries.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=+preparing+a+project+log+framework&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=
2. What Is Logical Framework Analysis?
Logical Framework Analysis or the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is an analytical process for structuring and systematizing the analysis of a project or programme idea. It is useful to distinguish between LFA, which is a process involving stakeholder analysis, problem analysis, objective setting and strategy selection – and the logical framework matrix, often called the logframe, which documents the product of the LFA process. The process of logical framework analysis allows a project to:
• involve stakeholders in the problem analysis and design of the project
• systematically and logically set out the project or programme’s objectives and the means-end
relationships between them
• establish what assumptions outside the scope of the project may influence its success, and
• set indicators to check whether the objectives have been achieved.
The logframe matrix summarizes the results of this entire process, and presents the whole project in a nutshell. As shown in Figure 1, the logframe has four columns and four or more rows. Logframe terminology varies among donor agencies, so it is important not to get hung up on the terminology, but rather to understand the logic and the principles involved in building a logframe. Although the names may change, the hierarchy of different levels of the intervention logic remains the same.
http://www.artemis-services.com/downloads/logical-framework.pdf
3. The EMPOWERS approach to water governance: guidelines , methods and tools
How to improve water governance and water management
Authors: P. Moriarty; C. Batchelor; F.T. Abd-Alhadi Publisher: EMPOWERS Partnership Programme, 2007
Full text of document
Water is an increasingly scarce and contested resource around the world, particularly in the Middle East. There is general agreement about the need to improve water governance - the process of making and implementing decisions about water. These guidelines describe a practical and logical framework of activities based on the involvement of those who use and manage water, which leads to improved local water governance, and to the development of integrated water development plans for towns, villages, districts and governorates.
The guidelines advocate a process of collaboration through dialogue, to bring about a change in the way water sector professionals and water users work with each other. They are intended for all those concerned with practical approaches for tackling the complex themes of water governance and Water Resource Management (IWRM). They are particularly relevant for those who want to initiate and facilitate change processes to improve local water governance.Background information is provided followed by numerous tools for the implementation of the EMPOWERS approach. Topics covered include:
· Looking at improved water governance
· Stakeholder dialogue and concerted action
· Facilitation and capacity development and the management cycle
· Methods and tools for the EMPOWERS approach: Tools for visioning; scenario building; strategy development and planning; Tools for participatory learning and action; Tools for assessing; Tools for working with stakeholders; Tools for monitoring
The focus of the guidelines is on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region however can be applied in other contexts. (adapted from author)
http://www.eldis.org/go/topics/resource-guides/governance/public-sector-and-service-delivery/water-and-sanitation&id=40234&type=Document
http://www.project.empowers.info/content/download/3555/23235/file/Guidelines%20-%20Complete_Document.pdf
4. Logical Framework And Project Proposal
http://www.slideshare.net/rexcris/logical-framework-and-project-proposal
Introduction
This guide is one of a series produced by the GB Equal Support Unit (ESU) to help Development Partnerships (DPs) and Transnational Partnerships to develop and mainstream best practice from innovative projects. This toolkit is based on the evaluation of the first round Equal Partnerships and the outcomes of the focus group exercises conducted with existing DPs conducted as part of the research to preparing this toolkit.
This toolkit is designed to help you to:
• overcome difficulties experienced by Round 1 DPs;
• get all partners on board from the start;
• produce a simple plan everyone understands and can use;
• reduce the stress of co-ordinating the partnership’s work programme testaetasetaehtraeta;
• improve DP activities and outcomes;
• meet the Commission’s updated requirements; and
• test and get adopted new ways of supporting disadvantaged groups.
The toolkit is based on extensive research into Equal Round 1 carried out with the Commission
and DPs, and international expertise in planning and evaluating multi-partner projects in over
40 countries.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=+preparing+a+project+log+framework&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=
2. What Is Logical Framework Analysis?
Logical Framework Analysis or the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is an analytical process for structuring and systematizing the analysis of a project or programme idea. It is useful to distinguish between LFA, which is a process involving stakeholder analysis, problem analysis, objective setting and strategy selection – and the logical framework matrix, often called the logframe, which documents the product of the LFA process. The process of logical framework analysis allows a project to:
• involve stakeholders in the problem analysis and design of the project
• systematically and logically set out the project or programme’s objectives and the means-end
relationships between them
• establish what assumptions outside the scope of the project may influence its success, and
• set indicators to check whether the objectives have been achieved.
The logframe matrix summarizes the results of this entire process, and presents the whole project in a nutshell. As shown in Figure 1, the logframe has four columns and four or more rows. Logframe terminology varies among donor agencies, so it is important not to get hung up on the terminology, but rather to understand the logic and the principles involved in building a logframe. Although the names may change, the hierarchy of different levels of the intervention logic remains the same.
http://www.artemis-services.com/downloads/logical-framework.pdf
3. The EMPOWERS approach to water governance: guidelines , methods and tools
How to improve water governance and water management
Authors: P. Moriarty; C. Batchelor; F.T. Abd-Alhadi Publisher: EMPOWERS Partnership Programme, 2007
Full text of document
Water is an increasingly scarce and contested resource around the world, particularly in the Middle East. There is general agreement about the need to improve water governance - the process of making and implementing decisions about water. These guidelines describe a practical and logical framework of activities based on the involvement of those who use and manage water, which leads to improved local water governance, and to the development of integrated water development plans for towns, villages, districts and governorates.
The guidelines advocate a process of collaboration through dialogue, to bring about a change in the way water sector professionals and water users work with each other. They are intended for all those concerned with practical approaches for tackling the complex themes of water governance and Water Resource Management (IWRM). They are particularly relevant for those who want to initiate and facilitate change processes to improve local water governance.Background information is provided followed by numerous tools for the implementation of the EMPOWERS approach. Topics covered include:
· Looking at improved water governance
· Stakeholder dialogue and concerted action
· Facilitation and capacity development and the management cycle
· Methods and tools for the EMPOWERS approach: Tools for visioning; scenario building; strategy development and planning; Tools for participatory learning and action; Tools for assessing; Tools for working with stakeholders; Tools for monitoring
The focus of the guidelines is on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region however can be applied in other contexts. (adapted from author)
http://www.eldis.org/go/topics/resource-guides/governance/public-sector-and-service-delivery/water-and-sanitation&id=40234&type=Document
http://www.project.empowers.info/content/download/3555/23235/file/Guidelines%20-%20Complete_Document.pdf
4. Logical Framework And Project Proposal
http://www.slideshare.net/rexcris/logical-framework-and-project-proposal
On the way to Copenhagen: from words to action
On the way to Copenhagen: from words to action
Progress in negotiations on the path to the new climate deal have been recently achieved in Bonn during the Climate Change Talks held from March 29th to April 8th. Ivo de Boer, the UNFCCC Executive Secretary summarized results and problems to be solved in the final press conference*:
the short-term target has to be as ambitious, as the IPCC suggested, realizing a greenhouse gas emissions cut between 25 and 40% by 2020 by industrialized countries (vs 1990 levels);
China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa have already significant mitigation strategies in place, but these actions are not adequately recognized by developed countries;
decisions by all developing countries to limit the growth of emissions require guarantees on funds to be allocated by industrialized nations to generate a “large scale stable and predictable financing on adaptation and mitigation”.
One of the most important issue remains then the availability of a lot of money for the most vulnerable countries to climate change: these are the ones with less responsibility for the current situation (e.g. Africa produces 3.8% of global CO2 emissions), but most likely, and already, affected. The Millennium Development Goals**, especially on poverty reduction, child and maternal health and environmental sustainability will not be met in the future if brave choices are not made, most of if we consider the complications and unpredictable impacts of climate change on e.g. food and water availability and quality.
The geographical range of vector-borne diseases like malaria, cholera and yellow fever is expanding and there are higher risks of conflicts from population migrations caused by sea level rise for instance: this wide spectrum of impacts on human health calls for strong partnership between developing countries. Examples come from Africa where the programme Climate and Development in Africa (ClimDev Africa) is in place to tackle climate risks in the whole continent and the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) is going to be established by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the IPCC Chairman, Rajendra Pachauri. But agreements with richest nations are fundamental in economic and know-how terms.
Global and regional strategies are to be enforced with secure and constant flows of funds and in collaboration with the United Nations and its agencies.
According to Margareth Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization “malnutrition causes over 3.5 million deaths per year, diarrhoeal diseases kills over 1.8 million and malaria kills almost 1 million people a year”. Climate change is a serious threat for these figures to grow in the next decades involving regions and people now safe from these diseases. If it is true that nations and people have to adapt to unavoidable effects, mitigation policies offer co-benefits in terms of lives saved from problems such as air pollution (indoor and outdoor): human health is to be helped also via pursuing environmental sustainability through systemic technological and socio-economic innovations.
The Copenhagen treaty can be a milestone in giving both humans and the other inhabitants of our fragile and beautiful planet a chance for a new era with less conflicts among people and against nature, but the Nobel Peace Prize is only the beginning of a long and difficult challenge for survival, though hopefully a good sign.
Written by Luca Marazzi on behalf of Responding to Climate Change*http://unfccc.int/meetings/intersessional/bonn_09/items/4753.php**http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
To watch videos regarding Climate Change please visit:www.climate-change.tv
http://www.rtcc.org/2009/html/climate-change-talks.html
Progress in negotiations on the path to the new climate deal have been recently achieved in Bonn during the Climate Change Talks held from March 29th to April 8th. Ivo de Boer, the UNFCCC Executive Secretary summarized results and problems to be solved in the final press conference*:
the short-term target has to be as ambitious, as the IPCC suggested, realizing a greenhouse gas emissions cut between 25 and 40% by 2020 by industrialized countries (vs 1990 levels);
China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa have already significant mitigation strategies in place, but these actions are not adequately recognized by developed countries;
decisions by all developing countries to limit the growth of emissions require guarantees on funds to be allocated by industrialized nations to generate a “large scale stable and predictable financing on adaptation and mitigation”.
One of the most important issue remains then the availability of a lot of money for the most vulnerable countries to climate change: these are the ones with less responsibility for the current situation (e.g. Africa produces 3.8% of global CO2 emissions), but most likely, and already, affected. The Millennium Development Goals**, especially on poverty reduction, child and maternal health and environmental sustainability will not be met in the future if brave choices are not made, most of if we consider the complications and unpredictable impacts of climate change on e.g. food and water availability and quality.
The geographical range of vector-borne diseases like malaria, cholera and yellow fever is expanding and there are higher risks of conflicts from population migrations caused by sea level rise for instance: this wide spectrum of impacts on human health calls for strong partnership between developing countries. Examples come from Africa where the programme Climate and Development in Africa (ClimDev Africa) is in place to tackle climate risks in the whole continent and the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) is going to be established by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the IPCC Chairman, Rajendra Pachauri. But agreements with richest nations are fundamental in economic and know-how terms.
Global and regional strategies are to be enforced with secure and constant flows of funds and in collaboration with the United Nations and its agencies.
According to Margareth Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization “malnutrition causes over 3.5 million deaths per year, diarrhoeal diseases kills over 1.8 million and malaria kills almost 1 million people a year”. Climate change is a serious threat for these figures to grow in the next decades involving regions and people now safe from these diseases. If it is true that nations and people have to adapt to unavoidable effects, mitigation policies offer co-benefits in terms of lives saved from problems such as air pollution (indoor and outdoor): human health is to be helped also via pursuing environmental sustainability through systemic technological and socio-economic innovations.
The Copenhagen treaty can be a milestone in giving both humans and the other inhabitants of our fragile and beautiful planet a chance for a new era with less conflicts among people and against nature, but the Nobel Peace Prize is only the beginning of a long and difficult challenge for survival, though hopefully a good sign.
Written by Luca Marazzi on behalf of Responding to Climate Change*http://unfccc.int/meetings/intersessional/bonn_09/items/4753.php**http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
To watch videos regarding Climate Change please visit:www.climate-change.tv
http://www.rtcc.org/2009/html/climate-change-talks.html
AFRICA: Helping small farmers feed a continent
AFRICA: Helping small farmers feed a continent
DAKAR, 1 July 2009 (IRIN) - As an African Union summit on agricultural investments opens in Libya, donors and non-profits are calling participants' attention to the role smallholder farmers – mostly women – can have in feeding their communities. Agriculture is an overlooked “emergency” that deserves as much attention as the global financial crisis, according to Kate Norgrove with Oxfam UK’s office in Dakar, Senegal. “Nearly US$9 trillion has been injected into the global financial sector since January 2009 versus $4 billion in global ODA [overseas development assistance] to agriculture. That is small change relative to the scale of the problem.” Decades of declining production have pushed more families into hunger and disease, according to Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). AGRA calculated that 18 percent of ODA in 1980 went to agriculture versus 4 percent in 2006.
Small farms bear the brunt of these cuts, according to Oxfam UK. In a recent report, the NGO noted the United States and European Union invested less than $3 per small farm in poor countries from 1986 to 2007. “Half these farmers do not produce enough to feed their families,” Namanga Ngongi, AGRA’s president, told IRIN. “Small-scale farmers are not organized and do not have a voice in their government’s agriculture policies.” More than 70 percent of Africans depend on agriculture to live, according to the UN. People across sub-Saharan Africa protested when the prices of agricultural inputs, food and fuel soared in recent years; prices remain unaffordable for many. (IRIN’s coverage of global food crisis)
Africa's agricultural problems need massive investments - nothing short of a revolution
Small-scale revolution AGRA’s Ngongi said while he recognized the term “green revolution” recalls memories of failed agricultural investments, “Running away from the word does not solve productivity problems. We cannot tinker around the margins. Africa’s agricultural problems need massive investments – nothing short of a revolution.” Solutions need to be tailored to small-scale producers’ needs, he added. If smaller packages of fertilizers, seeds and tools were available, people who can only afford smaller quantities are more likely to buy.
The readily available packages weighing up to 100kg are impractical for farmers – most often women – travelling in precarious transport over long distances on poor roads, Ngongi told IRIN. Ngongi told IRIN farmers are now forced to travel long distances to get seeds and fertilizers because there are not enough small traders in rural areas.
“In western Kenya where AGRA has implemented agro-leadership programmes to train traders, farmers are now walking on average 4km to buy inputs versus 17km before.” Cash-strapped governments are unable to back loans to small farms, according to AGRA. “Banks need risk assurance,” Ngongi said, describing a loan-assurance programme in Kenya backed by AGRA and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) that has agreed to loan $50 million to small-scale farmers over three years. In a recent report on cash transfers in southern Niger, the NGO Save the Children UK wrote: “Providing agricultural inputs alone is not sufficient to help the poorest households increase their food production. These inputs must be accompanied by economic support (cash or food) so that able-bodied adults can spend sufficient time working in their own fields.”pt/np
Themes: (IRIN) Food Security, (IRIN) Gender Issues
[ENDS]
Report can be found online at:http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85094
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
DAKAR, 1 July 2009 (IRIN) - As an African Union summit on agricultural investments opens in Libya, donors and non-profits are calling participants' attention to the role smallholder farmers – mostly women – can have in feeding their communities. Agriculture is an overlooked “emergency” that deserves as much attention as the global financial crisis, according to Kate Norgrove with Oxfam UK’s office in Dakar, Senegal. “Nearly US$9 trillion has been injected into the global financial sector since January 2009 versus $4 billion in global ODA [overseas development assistance] to agriculture. That is small change relative to the scale of the problem.” Decades of declining production have pushed more families into hunger and disease, according to Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). AGRA calculated that 18 percent of ODA in 1980 went to agriculture versus 4 percent in 2006.
Small farms bear the brunt of these cuts, according to Oxfam UK. In a recent report, the NGO noted the United States and European Union invested less than $3 per small farm in poor countries from 1986 to 2007. “Half these farmers do not produce enough to feed their families,” Namanga Ngongi, AGRA’s president, told IRIN. “Small-scale farmers are not organized and do not have a voice in their government’s agriculture policies.” More than 70 percent of Africans depend on agriculture to live, according to the UN. People across sub-Saharan Africa protested when the prices of agricultural inputs, food and fuel soared in recent years; prices remain unaffordable for many. (IRIN’s coverage of global food crisis)
Africa's agricultural problems need massive investments - nothing short of a revolution
Small-scale revolution AGRA’s Ngongi said while he recognized the term “green revolution” recalls memories of failed agricultural investments, “Running away from the word does not solve productivity problems. We cannot tinker around the margins. Africa’s agricultural problems need massive investments – nothing short of a revolution.” Solutions need to be tailored to small-scale producers’ needs, he added. If smaller packages of fertilizers, seeds and tools were available, people who can only afford smaller quantities are more likely to buy.
The readily available packages weighing up to 100kg are impractical for farmers – most often women – travelling in precarious transport over long distances on poor roads, Ngongi told IRIN. Ngongi told IRIN farmers are now forced to travel long distances to get seeds and fertilizers because there are not enough small traders in rural areas.
“In western Kenya where AGRA has implemented agro-leadership programmes to train traders, farmers are now walking on average 4km to buy inputs versus 17km before.” Cash-strapped governments are unable to back loans to small farms, according to AGRA. “Banks need risk assurance,” Ngongi said, describing a loan-assurance programme in Kenya backed by AGRA and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) that has agreed to loan $50 million to small-scale farmers over three years. In a recent report on cash transfers in southern Niger, the NGO Save the Children UK wrote: “Providing agricultural inputs alone is not sufficient to help the poorest households increase their food production. These inputs must be accompanied by economic support (cash or food) so that able-bodied adults can spend sufficient time working in their own fields.”pt/np
Themes: (IRIN) Food Security, (IRIN) Gender Issues
[ENDS]
Report can be found online at:http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85094
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
Friday, 3 July 2009
Rich should compensate Africa for global warming: Ethiopian PM
Rich should compensate Africa for global warming: Ethiopian PM
Rich countries should compensate Africa for the consequences of their carbon emissions on the world's poorest continent, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Wednesday.
"My view is that Africa has been suffering from the consequences of carbon emissions in the developed world," Meles told a press conference.
"There are some theories that the droughts of the 90s might have been influenced by a phenomenon of global warming caused by pollution in northern countries," added Meles.
He said he would defend that position at next month's G8 summit in Italy and suggested African countries made a joint push for it at crucial climate change talks in Copenhagen in December.
"In Copenhagen, Africa should ask for compensation for adaptation, and for assistance for mitigation," Meles said.
"All of us are certain that the global warming will not be stopped... Africa is and will be significantly affected, and some parts of the continent might become uninhabitable. So in my view those responsible have to pay."
African environment ministers met in Nairobi in May to draft a common position and demand that the continent's interests be taken into account at upcoming summits defining world policy on climate
change.
http://www.france24.com/en/20090624-rich-should-compensate-africa-global-warming-ethiopian-p
Rich countries should compensate Africa for the consequences of their carbon emissions on the world's poorest continent, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Wednesday.
"My view is that Africa has been suffering from the consequences of carbon emissions in the developed world," Meles told a press conference.
"There are some theories that the droughts of the 90s might have been influenced by a phenomenon of global warming caused by pollution in northern countries," added Meles.
He said he would defend that position at next month's G8 summit in Italy and suggested African countries made a joint push for it at crucial climate change talks in Copenhagen in December.
"In Copenhagen, Africa should ask for compensation for adaptation, and for assistance for mitigation," Meles said.
"All of us are certain that the global warming will not be stopped... Africa is and will be significantly affected, and some parts of the continent might become uninhabitable. So in my view those responsible have to pay."
African environment ministers met in Nairobi in May to draft a common position and demand that the continent's interests be taken into account at upcoming summits defining world policy on climate
change.
http://www.france24.com/en/20090624-rich-should-compensate-africa-global-warming-ethiopian-p
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