Africa's Climate Agenda

Africa is in an untenable predicament: It is the continent that contributed the least to climate change yet faces the harshest of its consequences. As African countries balance efforts to address the climate crisis with goals of economic growth and job creation for the youngest populations in the world, our objective is to understand what this balance means for policymaking.

Areas of programmatic focus include:

Confronting the harsh realities of the current climate crisis’s impact on lives and livelihoods through adaptation is the first step towards just, equitable, and sustainable global climate action. We aim to enhance resilience and sustainable development across Africa by developing strategies to help African countries adapt to climate impacts.

Africa has minimally contributed to the current climate change crisis and greenhouse gas emissions. How Africa chooses to develop and build for current and future generations will significantly impact the well-being of its people and its role in either promoting or hindering environmental and climate protection. Our research examines synergies of mitigation efforts and just and sustainable development in Africa.

Climate finance is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most significant challenges. The region faces a huge financing gap, particularly in adaptation financing. We seek to rigorously assess, analyze, and highlight windows of opportunities to inform African policymakers and their partners on pathways to effective and sustainable climate finance.

Our focus is on identifying opportunities and rallying support for climate action in Africa, both domestically and internationally. We provide a dynamic platform for developing, sharing, and discussing climate change knowledge and data. This platform informs strategic narratives, policies, and initiatives that align with the needs and priorities of Africans.

Additionally, we aim to build the capacity and agency of individuals, policymakers, journalists, activists, and civil society organizations. By doing so, we support meaningful and effective participation and engagement in climate change actions, ensuring they are appropriate and impactful.