1/Ncerta,~;N, Ltortuhl,S Preparing Africa for a Changing Climate
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1/ncerta,~;n, ltortUhl,s Preparing Africa for a changing climate 2008–09 in brief Dust storm rolls over Khartoum, Sudan Photo: Sokoine University of Agriculture Climate Change Adaptation in Africa program year in review n 2008–09 the Climate Change Adaptation in of ‘learning by doing’. It weds scientific and Africa (CCAA) program entered its third year. local knowledge to test adaptation strategies that ILaunched in 2006 by Canada’s International respond to needs identified by local people. Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), the CCAA program aims to Programming directions for 2008–09 improve the capacity of African countries to adapt to climate change in ways that benefit the most This year, we focused on consolidating our invest- vulnerable. To this end, it supports three mutually ments in research and capacity building; addressing reinforcing activity strands: research; communications research and capacity gaps; and engaging more and networking; and education and training. widely with African and international audiences. Africa is among the most natural resource depen- ` We expanded our portfolio to address more areas dent regions in the world and the most exposed to of greatest vulnerability in Africa. We launched climate variability and change. CCAA supports African a call for new research on urban adaptation and researchers whose work helps communities confront approved two new projects that explore the links uncertainty. Our approach is to help them identify between water, health, and climate change. changes, pinpoint their greatest vulnerabilities, and plan CAD 7.4 million (GBP 4.15 million) 1 was invested adaptation strategies for a range of possible futures. in research and capacity building with eight CCAA applies action research to the field of new projects funded in total, bringing the CCAA adaptation — in itself a new and challenging endeavour. Participatory action research (PAR) brings 1 GBP equivalents for monetary figures in this report are representatives of vulnerable groups together with calculated using the Bank of Canada nominal currency decision-makers and scientists in a shared process exchange rate for 24 July 2009: CAD 1.78=GBP 1.00. Climate Change Adaptation in Africa program 2008–09 year in review ` Public events raised awareness of Africa’s vulner- ability to climate change in Canada, Kenya, Poland, Senegal, and Tanzania. We supported African participation in 16 regional and international conferences on climate change adaptation involv- ing researchers, journalists, and policymakers, and briefed West African and British parliamentarians on the CCAA program. ` To ensure effective monitoring of progress in strengthening adaptation, CCAA provided mul- tiple layers of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support to research partners. We also facilitated regional efforts to harmonize M&E of adaptive Faces behind the ACCFP: Clark Seipt of START and Madaka Tumbo of IRA, University of Dar es Salaam Photo: START capacity among key African regional organizations and donors. portfolio to 38 2 projects as of 31 March 2009. Research sites are located in 29 African countries, We launched a new fund while four capacity-building projects support - led by a West African networking, knowledge sharing, and training NGO - to support local across the continent. adaptation strategies ` Our training support continued, with 215 African researchers and other strategic partners acquiring ` A midterm review affirmed CCAA’s overall aim skills and knowledge in PAR, proposal development, and attested to the early success of our capacity- climate risk assessment, and social and gender building efforts, but also suggested strategic analysis through workshops held in Algeria, Benin, refinements to help us meet our stated objectives. Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, and Uganda. ` A new fund administered by the West African NGO Innovations environnement développement (IED) Afrique will support local adaptation strategies, championed by organizations representing vulnerable groups. As of 31 March 2009, we support 38 projects with ongoing research in 29 countries 2 Eleven of these projects are grouped under two ‘umbrella’ funding allocations made by the program in 2007–08: Advancing Capacity to Support Climate Change Adaptation, which has five Keziya Magawa tends maize in a Tanzanian field school, part of pilot projects; and Water, Health and Climate Change Adaptation research efforts led by IRA, University of Dar es Salaam in Africa, through which CCAA now supports six projects. Photo: IDRC / F. Nzema CCAA and partners were highlighted in some 40 media reports in 2008–09 Research and capacity: What our partners are achieving CCAA research partners contribute towards our four outcome areas: 1. Research institutions are better able to assess climate-related vulnerabilities and to evaluate The City of Durban is exploring adaptation options to protect water for vulnerable slum dwellers Photo: Golder Associates and develop adaptation options. 2. At-risk groups, policymakers, and researchers share learning and expertise on climate vulnerability 45 African Climate and poverty. Change Fellows were 3. The poor in rural and urban environments selected and are apply their experience of adaptation with the building expertise knowledge and technologies generated by research to implement improved and effective on the continent adaptation strategies. 4. Policy processes are informed by good quality Four knowledge-sharing officers were hired, trained, science-based work on vulnerability and adap - and integrated into host organizations in Ghana, tation, and by the experiences of the rural and Kenya, Senegal, and the UK. urban poor. ` Many project partners made effective use of mass media to raise the profile of their work with poli- Most CCAA-supported projects are in early to cymakers and to increase regional awareness of middle stages of progress, with only a few now climate change and adaptation issues. CCAA and entering their final year. Yet many show significant partners were highlighted in some 40 media reports signs of progress: in 2008–09. ` Partners’ work with communities is helping to ` Farmers and other at-risk groups are testing a range pinpoint climate-related risks and vulnerabilities. of adaptation options, and partners are sharing ` Active exchange and shared learning on adaptation examples of how linking science with traditional is taking place between researchers, at-risk groups, knowledge can improve seasonal forecasting. and policymakers. ` Officials at various levels of authority are directly ` Under the African Climate Change Fellowship involved in research activities, and a number of Program, 45 Fellows are building a core of expertise partners are contributing to National Adaptation in climate change and adaptation. Programmes of Action. Some policymakers are ` A project funded by CCAA is launching seeking access to research findings, and there are AfricaAdapt, a new continent-wide platform to signs that findings are beginning to inform changes support knowledge exchange on adaptation. in policy and practice. Reflections on CCAA experience to date and other stakeholders in shared learning on adaptation. There are early signs that decision-makers Lessons from this year’s experience in supporting find participation in the research process relevant to research, capacity building, and communications on policy. climate change adaptation in Africa focus on: Journalists can be valuable allies for increasing ` Coping with seasonal uncertainty in the agricul- public understanding of climate change and for tural sector reaching the ears of policymakers. This year, CCAA ` Making PAR work for vulnerable communities consulted with African regional journalists in East and ` Engaging African media on climate change and West Africa. Journalists share our interest in improv- adaptation. ing the quality and quantity of coverage on climate change and adaptation, but function with broad Most of our earliest supported projects explore reporting duties and limited resources. They value adaptation in the agricultural sector. To deal with the credible information researchers can provide and seasonal uncertainty, they are testing robust strate- welcome access to adaptation research sites and gies — such as crop diversification and soil fertility events. Researchers need to build trust and share improvements — that will benefit farmers across a their stories in newsworthy ways by providing local range of conditions. Some teams are exploring ways angles on international events and issues. of improving access to climate information in lan- guages and forms rural communities understand and trust, and complementing forecasts with decision Looking ahead aides updated over the season. A number of part- ners working with indigenous forecasters are finding With the addition of new projects resulting from our that linking scientific and traditional knowledge can 2008 call for proposals on urban vulnerability and widen dissemination of forecasts, increase their use, the launch of the Support Fund for Local Adaptation and build community trust. Strategies, CCAA’s research portfolio is approaching the thematic and regional diversity we originally Participatory action envisioned. research is proving a Research communication will take on increasing powerful tool for involving importance as projects begin to share results. The recently launched AfricaAdapt network can be people in shared learning