Platform for Exchange between African Research Scientists and Policymakers on Climate Change Adaptation
Given its widespread poverty and unique geography, Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change. But, while there is unequivocal evidence that the climate is changing, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the pace, extent and impact of climate change on different regions, sectors, nations and communities. This uncertainty makes policymaking more complex and magnifies the need for a knowledge and analytical base to help African policymakers address issues related to climate change. This grant will enable the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD) to develop a mechanism - or platform - to meet the information needs of policymakers by supplying them with timely and credible information on climate change adaptation. The platform will compile and synthesize lessons learned from IDRC's Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) program, integrating research findings from other institutions and other IDRC-supported programs (Climate Change and Water). The project will also implement targeted research to address gaps in climate adaptation knowledge, establish a framework for periodic discussion between researchers and policymakers, and contribute to the debate at international meetings on climate change.
Project ID
106533
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
Edith Ofwona
Total Funding
CA$ 3,019,532.00
Programs
Climate Change
Climate Change
Institution Country
Senegal
Project Leader
Dr. Abdulai Jalloh
Institution
Conseil ouest et centre africain pour la recherche et le développement agricoles/West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development
Institution Website
Outputs
| Regional Sensitization Workshop on the Platform for Exchange Between Researchers and Policy Makers for Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa, September 28 – 29, 2011, Abuja, Nigeria; report Report
West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/ WECARD) is coordinating the project on Climate Change Adaptation for Africa (CCAA) funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC). The project aims at reducing vulnerability to climate change through research and capacity building. Research gaps identified by participants focus on data generation, data analysis, impact analysis, and on research methods and tools. Participants also noted that there are gaps in policy addressing cross-cutting impacts of climate change in various domains (for example, water – urbanization - industrialization). Author(s): Executive Secretariat of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) Language: English |
| Regional Sensitization Workshop on AfricaInteract project : Enabling Research-to-Policy Linkage for Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa, February 29 – March 1, 2012, Nairobi, Kenya; report Report
40 participants, representing sub-regional and international research organizations, nongovernmental organizations, farmers’ organizations, national and regional policy makers attended the workshop, whose objective was to inform stakeholders about AfricaInteract, and as well to identify key partners for implementing the project in the Eastern Africa sub region. AfricaInteract will work to help communities recognize climate change vulnerabilities and to identify practical steps for implementation. Processes involving communities, farmers and pastoralists, who are the main victims of climate change, should be clarified. Formulation of sustainable policies for climate change adaptation needs to build upon existing policy processes, governance bodies and communities. Author(s): Language: English |
| Review of research and policies for climate change adaptation in the health sector in West Africa Study
West Africa’s vulnerability to climate change is related to a high regional reliance on climate-sensitive economic activities such as rain-fed agriculture, livestock rearing, fisheries and forestry. Socioeconomic vulnerability correlates with poor health conditions in the region. Some climate-sensitive diseases and disease vectors are discussed. Meanwhile the analysis reveals that the West African region is already suffering from health impacts of climate change. A cross-disciplinary research agenda needs to be developed to enhance understanding of the health effects of climate change in different eco-climatic settings within West African countries, linking meteorology, climatology, and other relevant sectors. Author(s): Doumbia, Seydou, Jalloh, Abdulai, Diouf, Aliou Language: English |
| Africalnteract : enabling research-to-policy linkage for adaptation to climate change in Africa Training Materials
AfricaInteract aims to provide a forum for interaction between major stakeholders, particularly researchers and policy makers in climate change. The brochure outlines key activities: 1) Synthesizing and disseminating research results aimed at influencing strategies and practices for adaptation to climate change; 2) Strengthening capacity; 3) Establishing a framework for periodic discussions towards formulation of policy options related to climate change; 4) Contributing to debates at continental and international meetings to establish an African position on adaptation to climate change. Author(s): Executive Secretariat of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), Jalloh, Abdulal Language: English |
| Synthesis of findings and assessment of gaps in research and policy : urban areas, agriculture and health Study
Linkages between research and policy are determined by a complex set of factors, including how the issue is framed, how it enters the policy processes, and importantly, who supports or champions particular actions or types of interventions. The report documents how and to what extent climate change and urban, health, and agricultural concerns have been integrated, both in climate change specific policies and in respective sector policies. There is a need for more focus on gender‐sensitive approaches to interventions on climate and health in cross‐sectoral disaster risk reduction and preventive health strategies. Author(s): Naess, Lars Otto, Jalloh, Abdulai, Faye, Mbène Dièye, Njoya, Aboubakar, Roy-Macauley, Harold Language: English |
| Review of research and policies for climate change adaptation in urban areas of West Africa Study
Because the people who are directly impacted by climate change are ‘local’, as such, adaptation strategies to increase resilience of vulnerable populations must also be ‘local’. This should be carried out within the context of urban climate change frameworks and dynamics. The scope of this report is to review climate change adaptation research and policy pertaining to the urban sector, including the Author(s): Sanni, Maruf, Jalloh, Abdulai, Diouf, Aliou Language: English |
Review of research and policies for climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector in West Africa Study
The impact of climate change is moderated by factors such as access to land, inputs, credit and markets. There is little mainstreaming of climate change policy into agricultural development policies. Barriers to implementation of policy include weak institutions, lack of political will and inadequate funding. Vulnerabilities and adaptation capacity of various agricultural systems, and their implications for agricultural and climate change policy, are reviewed. Although focusing on adaptation to climate change in agriculture, there is need for further research at various levels on both the mitigation and adaptation aspects of climate smart agriculture, their interactions and trade-offs. Author(s): Rhodes, Edward R., Jalloh, Abdulai, Diouf, Aliou Language: English |