Background
Climate change is a profound global challenge with palpable impacts on every corner of the world. Africa, with its dependence on agriculture and a rapidly growing population, stands on the frontline of this crisis. Climate change-vulnerable countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal demonstrate the mounting threats of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, extreme weather events, and other climate-induced challenges. Despite these nations' robust policy commitments, evident in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other national strategies, effective climate adaptation, especially at the grassroots level, remains a challenge. This gap threatens not only the present but also the future generations.
Recognizing the urgency to delve deeper into these issues, especially in light of global dialogues such as COP 26 and 27 which emphasized the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), APRI, in collaboration with local stakeholders, embarked on a two-year project. The focus of this project was to examine locally-led adaptation (LLA) initiatives in these countries. The project's comprehensive approach involved:
- A thorough analysis of the NDCs and other national policy documents to evaluate the existing climate adaptation landscape and their alignment or non-alignment with local adaptation goals and priorities of local communities.
- Active consultations with a diverse set of stakeholders, ranging from policy implementers, academicians, NGOs, and local representatives, to private and public sectors. This broad spectrum of interactions aimed to identify the current state of climate action, pinpointing gaps, opportunities, and entry points for further actions.
- In-depth case studies exploring local adaptation actions, practices, and strategies in each of the countries, focusing on diverse sectors and ecological zones.
Event Objectives
The event will seek to:
- Underscore the ever-mounting impacts of climate change, and the actions local communities are implementing to adapt and build resilience, emphasizing the significance of locally-rooted strategies.
- Draw lessons and insights to inform policymakers and implementers about effective climate adaptation strategies.
- Foster collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers.
- Identify actionable strategies and pathways for the implementation and scaling of climate adaptation initiatives in the region.
The Speakers
Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe
Speaker
Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of the Environment Nigeria
Professor Yacob Mulugetta
Speaker
Professor Yacob Mulugetta, Professor of Energy and Development Policy at the University College London.
Ruka Sanusi
Speaker
Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director of Ghana Climate Innovation Centre.
Dr. Olufunso Somorin
Speaker
Dr. Olufunso Somorin, Regional Principal Officer at the African Development Bank.
Dr. Ibrahima Sy
Speaker
Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Senior Climate Change Fellow - Senegal
Moderation
Dr. Grace Mbungu
Moderator
Dr. Grace Mbungu - Senior Fellow and Head of Climate Change Program