HoAREC Repository Collection:http://repository.hoarec.org:80/home/handle/123456789/1802026-05-25T02:27:13Z2026-05-25T02:27:13ZA Strategy for Mainstreaming Climate Information in Planning for Achievement of the Millennium Development GoalsCLIMATE INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AN ACTION PLAN FOR AFRICAhttp://repository.hoarec.org:80/home/handle/123456789/1832023-09-04T13:04:10Z2016-11-01T00:00:00ZTitle: A Strategy for Mainstreaming Climate Information in Planning for Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
Authors: CLIMATE INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AN ACTION PLAN FOR AFRICA
Abstract: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Climate Information for Development Needs: An Action Plan for Africa was a joint initiative of the
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat,1
which took the lead in organizing the
meeting, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which hosted it. The US based International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) provided an analysis
identifying gaps in the use of climate information. The meeting took place at UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 18-21 April 2006. The United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID) provided substantial support for the meeting
and for the IRI Gap Analysis. The UN Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment
Facility (GEF) provided additional backing through its support of the GCOS Regional Workshop
Programme.
Approximately 100 people attended the Addis Ababa meeting, including senior representatives
from a cross section of African regional institutions and political bodies (the African Union
Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission); potential development partners (the
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UNDP, UNEP,
and the European Commission (EC)); the user community (with strong representation from the
health, water, agriculture, food security, disaster management, and marine sectors in particular);
and the climate community (including, in particular, the GCOS Secretariat and the Secretariat
and African Regional Association of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the IGAD
Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), ACMAD, OSS, and a number of Africa's
National Meteorological Services).
The objectives of the meeting were to bring together stakeholders—providers and users of
climate information, the development community, and representatives of African political
institutions—to discuss key gaps in the use of climate information from the perspective of users
and decisionmakers, to identify starting points on demand-led integrated climate information
tools, to develop plans jointly with the African regional cooperation structures, and to agree
among all stakeholders on an integrated strategy for launching a climate and development
programme for Africa.
The first day of the meeting was devoted to a series of presentations demonstrating the links
between climate and sustainable development. The presentations helped to provide a common
understanding of problems and a common vocabulary with which to discuss them.
The second day was devoted to consideration of the IRI Gap Analysis. The participants
considered gaps in integrating climate into policy, gaps in integrating climate risk management
into development practices, gaps in climate services, and gaps in climate observations and data
management as perceived by the various user communities. The participants also considered
ways to eliminate the gaps and identified selection criteria for inclusion of projects in an
integrated strategy for addressing climate and development. Possible selection criteria for near term projects included gap-bridging projects that would allow for early progress, pilot projects
that could be scaled up at a later date, and activities that could be incorporated into existing
initiatives (e.g., in the health and food security sectors). Integrated projects that would address
gaps at multiple levels (e.g., central government, local government, and community levels), and/or that would promote sharing of acquired knowledge regionally were considered to be of
particular importance.
On the third day of the meeting, prospective development partners expressed their views. The
greatest challenge, as seen by some, is to have the climate experts work with sectoral
development experts in a way that influences both policy and practice to provide what poor
people need. An additional challenge is to engage governments and donors in dialogue on the
likely impact of climate change on national poverty reduction strategies and on planning for the
adaptation that inevitably will be necessary. Development experts seek to be able to add a new
tool, climate risk management, to their planning toolboxes and thus help ensure that the
development gains they have helped foster will not be lost as a result of climate change. All
agreed on the need for a common framework for action based on the Gap Analysis, the
Regional Action Plans, and expressions of support for the process by the G8 countries.
Identification of a common framework for action was thus the subject of the last day of the
meeting. The participants considered, revised, and reached consensus on an overall strategy
for a programme to help deliver and sustain those Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that
are climate sensitive. The programme, to be known as “Climate for Development in Africa,” or
ClimDev Africa, involves four inter-related thrusts or Result Areas:
· Policy: awareness raising, accountability, and advocacy;
· Climate risk management;
· Climate services; and
· Climate observations, data management, and infrastructure (based on priorities and
projects proposed in the GCOS Regional Action Plans).
It was agreed that implementation of the Strategy should proceed via a set of clearly defined,
focused, and costed projects in each of the four Result Areas coordinated through, or in close
consultation with, the various responsible regional and national organizations. In the case of the
Result Areas focused on Policy and Climate Risk Management, it was proposed that the
responsible regional organizations begin by commissioning a rapid audit of action already
completed or underway at regional and national levels with a view to formulation of a set of
initial projects for addressing the highest priority needs. In the case of the Result Areas focused
on Climate Services and Observations and Data Management, it was proposed that
implementation proceed, within the overall framework of GCOS Africa, on the basis of an
integrated set of updated, elaborated and re-costed priority projects from the Regional Action
Plans and including, in the case of Climate Services, additional projects based on an initial audit
of existing climate service capabilities under the overall framework of the World Climate
Applications and Services Programme (WCASP).
All four programme thrusts should be implemented in 3 phases over a 10-year period in order to
assist in achieving the MDGs by 2015. Phase 1 should initiate several demonstration projects,
focusing on a limited number of countries. Phase 2 should focus on scaling up demonstration
projects, and Phase 3 should undertake full-scale implementation on a continent-wide basis.
The essential conditions for successful implementation of the strategy for "Climate for
Development in Africa" will be adequate donor funding in line with the G8 Gleneagles
commitment and strong commitment from the responsible regional and national organizations in
Africa. This will involve the following 'Next Steps,’ as agreed at the Addis Ababa meeting:
· DFID and GCOS will help identify additional funding partners;
· UNECA, AfDB, and the AUC will jointly endorse letters to the G8 countries for assistance
with implementation of the Strategy;
· GCOS will approach the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) Secretariat with a view to
securing European Commission (EC) funding for Phase 2;
· The National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of Africa will develop a
coordinated approach, with WMO assistance, to improve climate observations and
services necessary for achieving the MDGs;
· The IRI will prepare a document on best practices for demand-led climate information
services for development in Africa, for use as an information and advocacy tool.2016-11-01T00:00:00ZEngendering Climate Change Policy and Practice in EthiopiaMesfin, Edenhttp://repository.hoarec.org:80/home/handle/123456789/1822023-09-04T12:55:45Z2007-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Engendering Climate Change Policy and Practice in Ethiopia
Authors: Mesfin, Eden
Abstract: Executive summary
Neither the impacts of climate change on people nor the ways in which people respond to
climate change are gender-neutral. Gender inequalities and different socially ascribed
gender roles, needs and preferences which vary over space and over time influence the
specific ways in which climate change affects males and females of all ages and the ways
in which they develop strategies to adapt to or mitigate climate change. Gender equality
is recognized globally as a high-priority development goal, a fact that is reinforced by the
third Millennium Development Goal on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the
Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). At the same time, it is recognized as a
condition for the achievement of sustainable development. As such, gender equality is
both a goal and condition for successful climate change adaptation and transitions to low carbon development pathways in developing countries.
Yet, the mainstreaming of gender issues is an issue of great concern in climate change
policy making and programming. While some progress has been made over the past few
years, the social, and particularly the gender dimensions of climate change and its
responses, are insufficiently addressed under the UNFCCC and in developing countries’
strategies for climate change adaptation and low-carbon development. The spheres of
policymaking and programming on climate change, both at national and the international
levels, remain dominated by technical and natural science perspectives and solutions,
whether they are implemented at the household, community, national or global level.
Amongst known and new sets of stakeholders working on around climate change and
development-related issues- including civil society, donor and the more recently
established private-sector low-carbon initiatives – government leadership on promoting a
much greater focus on the gender dimensions of climate change is, therefore, essential.
However, despite the rapid development of new knowledge and awareness on the gender
dimensions of climate change, there has been hardly any consideration of how climate
change policy makers and institutional leaders could achieve this.
It is by now widely accepted that failure to include women in decision-making processes
around climate change adaptation and mitigation at local, national, regional and
international levels not only exacerbates gender inequalities, but also undermines the
effectiveness of climate change responses. Gender based analysis has the potential to
facilitate gender mainstreaming and programme efficiency, thus contributing to capacity
building and empowerment especially of poor rural women as producers of knowledge
and has clear benefits for the communities that they will serve. This will also assist in
achieving the long term development goal of achieving gender equality and ensuring
environmental sustainability.
Understanding how different social expectations, roles, status, and economic power of
men and women affect and are affected differently by, climate change and incorporating
these gender differentials in the climate change policy making process will improve
actions taken to reduce vulnerability and combat climate change in poorer countries. In
this regard, the study was conducted with the main aim of understanding the gender dimensions of climate change in Ethiopia thereby contributing towards engendering
climate change related policies and programmes of action. This is perhaps the single most
important step towards the development and achievement of more equitable and
responsive climate change policies and programmes.
The study heavily relied on secondary sources of information (Government climate
change related policy documents, action plans, and published and unpublished research
reports). In addition, attempts were made to include the viewpoints of relevant experts
and policy makers at the Federal Environmental Protection Authority and the Ministry of
Women, Children and Youth.
The followings are the major findings of the review:
Need for national policy response measures: There are a number of reasons why
Ethiopia should be concerned about climate change. Our main natural resources
namely water, forest, rangeland, agricultural land, biodiversity, energy, etc are very
much the reflection of the climate we have. Socio-economic activities such as
agriculture (both crop cultivation and livestock herding) and agro-forestry which are
the main source of livelihoods and backbone of the country’s economy, as well as
vital socioeconomic sectors including energy and water supply, human health, etc
are also very sensitive to climate variations. Well-intentioned climate change policy
response measures are vital if Ethiopia is to break the poverty trap and achieve its
national ambition of becoming a middle income carbon-neutral economy by 2025.
National policy responses to climate change: Ethiopia is determined to flip
challenges of climate change into genuine opportunities. The country has ratified the
UNFCCC (1994) and the KP (2005). A national adaptation document is in place, and
climate change is being integrated into sectoral development plans. The NAPA
(2007) document (now replaced by EPACC) was prepared (2007); NAMA (in 2010);
and currently a CRGE strategy is being developed. The five-year national Growth
and Transformation Plan (GTP) stipulates the country’s ambition to build a climate
resilient green economy by 2025. Other than the GTP, the various national policies
and sectoral programs now in place also address climate change, albeit indirectly.
Why engendering climate change policy and practice: Including both men and
women in decision-making on climate change adaptation, mitigation, financing,
technology development and transfer, and understanding the reasons for and
implications of their different roles, responsibilities and capabilities is clearly
essential for gender equality, poverty reduction and low-carbon development.
Moreover, when addressing climate change, not taking both women and men, and
girls and boys into account would mean neglecting a large part of the people whose
well-being we seek to improve. Gender insensitive policies and perspectives tend to
exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. It is only through gender sensitive climate change policy making and programming that the vulnerabilities of
women and their unique environmental knowledge and life experiences in
environmental adaptation be taken care of. This is why engendering climate change related policies and practices become key to the reduction of poverty and attainment
of the MDGs.
Gender differentiated impacts and vulnerabilities in Ethiopia: In Ethiopia, the
majority of the poorest groups are composed of women, the disabled, and those
living with HIV/AIDS. Women constitute nearly half of the country’s population,
and most of them are living in dire economic condition with endemic poverty and
poor working and living conditions. Not surprisingly, these social and demographic
groups are also the most vulnerable, least prepared and likely worst affected by
climate change. It follows that any response to climate change should be sensitive to
their needs and priorities, and thus aim at building their resilience and adaptive
capacities. Women’s limited access to resources and decision-making processes
increases their vulnerability to climate change.
Women as agents of environmental adaptation: Despite their vulnerability to
climate change and environmental degradation, Ethiopian women are also the
unsung heroines. Rural women in particular strategize to prevail amid deteriorating
environmental conditions. They generally have developed a sense of how to cope
with disasters and have found ways to adapt with climatic and non-climatic stressors.
They have developed important knowledge and skills for orienting the adaptation
processes, a product of their roles in society. In this regard, involving both women
and men and their respective viewpoints in the climate adaptation process of
planning and implementation is critical to ensure that the end solutions will actually
benefit all members of the community.
Environmental Policy of Ethiopia: Ethiopia did not have a comprehensive
environmental policy until 1997. Realizing that natural resources are the foundation
of an economy, the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) issued the country’s first ever
Environmental Policy in 1997. The aim was to rectify the economic and social costs
of environmental damage from widespread mismanagement of environmental
resources, and to provide overall guidance in the conservation and sustainable
utilization of the country’s environmental resources. From the perspective of climate
change, the policy has considered in its sectoral environmental policy components
atmospheric pollution and climate change as important environmental, social and
development challenges that need to be tackled. The Policy fully considers sectoral
and cross-sectoral issues, and ensures the full participation of women in
environmental decision making, resource ownership and management. However,
during implementation of the various policy measures stipulated in the EPE, the
issue of gender and the role of women in environmental adaptation and sustainable
development were not taken seriously.
Ethiopia’s Program of Adaptation to Climate Change (EPA-CC): EPA-CC is a
programme of action to build a climate resilient economy through adaptation at
sectoral, regional and local community levels. EPA-CC updated and replaced the
NAPA which was formulated and submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat in 2007.
The EPA-CC interlinks climate change adaptation strongly with the economic and physical survival of the country and identifies key climate change adaptation
measures, and strategic priorities and intervention areas to address the adverse
effects of climate change. In the project based NAPA that Ethiopia prepared in 2007,
there were important concerns about the participation of relevant stakeholders in the
plan preparation process. Most importantly, there were no representatives from the
Women’s Affairs Office and the Ministry of Health in the steering committee
(responsible for the preparation of the NAPA document). Social and gender issues
were also not given sufficient attention. The EPA-CC, on the other hand, considers
gender and social issues as two important components of the adaptation process.
Among the objectives listed for EPA-CC relate directly to gender and social issues:
ensuring that gender equity is achieved and ensuring that the physically handicapped
are enabled to fend for themselves.
Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) of Ethiopia: In accordance
with the requirements of the Copenhagen Accord, Ethiopia prepared and submitted
its NAMAs in January 2010. The Ethiopian NAMA is comprised of various sectors
and concrete projects in the energy, transport, forestry, agriculture and urban waste
management sectors. However, there are two important concerns. First, the limited
experience in the country so far in the production of bio-fuels show that there is real
danger of energy crops displacing food crops and forest resources. If care is not
taken, land use change from forests and woodlands to energy crops will rather lead
to more carbon emissions than sequestration. Second, as compared to NAMAs
prepared by other countries, the Ethiopian NAMA has failed to include important
mitigation actions in land use planning, energy efficiency, fiscal incentives and
traffic management regulatory policy measures. Over all, mitigation responses
should avoid a narrow criterion that leads to environmentally and socially harmful
consequences. These responses should have broad goals that aim to reduce climate
change, protect natural resources, improve social wellbeing, promote equality, and
recognize that women are key agents in climate change processes.
Engendering climate change policy and practice: There are gender mainstreaming
frameworks and tools to facilitate and/or guide the mainstreaming of gender issues
and the engenderment of climate change related policies and programmes of action.
The most commonly used frameworks include the Harvard Analytical Framework,
Gender Planning framework (Caroline Mosser Framework), Social Relations
Framework (Naile Kabeer IDS Framework), and Capacity and vulnerabilities
Analysis (CVA). The main steps for successful gender mainstreaming are
Gender Auditing, Gender Analysis, Idea formulation, Strategy and Action.
Engendering climate change related policies and practices also requires the
following considerations:
o Beyond a focus on vulnerability (women as environmental managers and leaders)
o Generating and disseminating gender disaggregated data
o Paying particular attention to women’s special condition
o Overcoming underlying drivers of women’s vulnerability
o Taking into account the concerns and capabilities of men and boys
o Gender based technology needs assessment and information dissemination
o Gender training.
There are some steps that should guide the process of mainstreaming gender in national
and regional adaptation plans and programmes, including the EPA-CC and NAMAs.
These include:
o Analyzing the effects of climate change from both a male and female
perspective;
o Incorporate a female perspective when designing and implementing projects;
o Developing and applying gender-sensitive criteria and indicators;
o When collecting and presenting data include women’s statistics as well as men’s;
o Capitalizing on the talents and contributions of both women and men;
o Setting targets for female participation in activities;
o Ensuring that women are represented in 50% of all decision-making processes;
o Making women’s equality, access to information, economic resources and
education a priority;
o Focusing on gender differences in capabilities to cope with climate change
adaptation and mitigation actions;
o Undertaking a gender analysis of all budget lines and financial instruments.
Given the gender dimensions of climate change and the need for engendering national
and regional climate change related and environmentally-oriented policies,
programmes and plans and the need for strong and consistent advocacy and lobbying
work required for this, it is high time for the ENCNCC to establish a separate Gender
and Climate Change Working Group. This working group will facilitate and
coordinate research and advocacy works for the engenderment of climate change
related and other development policies and programmes and their effective
implementation.2007-01-01T00:00:00ZTHE RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY FOR UGANDAMinister of Energy and Mineral Developmenthttp://repository.hoarec.org:80/home/handle/123456789/1812023-09-20T12:12:58Z2002-09-01T00:00:00ZTitle: THE RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY FOR UGANDA
Authors: Minister of Energy and Mineral Development
Abstract: Introduction
The Energy Policy for Uganda which was approved by Cabinet and published in
September 2002 laid down Government’s commitment to the development and
utilization of renewable energy resources and technologies. This Renewable Energy
Policy document, which was approved by Cabinet on the 29th March 2007, therefore
reinforces that commitment.
The implementation of the policy objectives will positively respond to the various
policy instruments and programmes, which address poverty, catalyze
industrialization and protect the environment. These include; the Uganda
Constitution 1995, the Poverty Eradication and Action Plan, the Millennium
Development Goals, the Electricity Act 1999, the National Environment Act 1995, the
Programme for the Modernization of Agriculture and the Kyoto Protocol.
The following stakeholders should take particular interest in the provisions of this
Policy: Project Sponsors; Consultants; Contractors; Manufacturers; Equipment
Dealers; Training and Research Institutions; Media Houses; Central Government
Ministries; Local Governments; Parastatals; Civil Society Organisations; Financial
Institutions and Development Partners.
The overall objective of the Renewable Energy Policy is to diversify the energy
supply sources and technologies in the country. In particular, the policy goal is to
increase the use of modern renewable energy from the current 4% to 61% of the
total energy consumption by the year 2017. In this respect, the following key areas
have therefore been addressed.2002-09-01T00:00:00Z