Adaptation network launching in Africa

Africa Science News.org: Plans are at an advanced stage for the establishment of a Global Climate Change Adaptation Network for Africa to spearhead mitigation of effects of climate change in the continent. The network is set to enhance climate change adaptation capacity of developing countries by mobilising appropriate knowledge and technologies to help build the climate change resilience of vulnerable human systems.

A regional consultative forum on the development of the Global Climate Change Adaptation Network for Africa held recently in Nairobi , Kenya unanimously agreed that the network was necessary to bring together different kinds of expertise and capacities to address climate change. The meeting brought together experts from Africa, government representatives, civil society organizations, regional bodies, research centres, ground facility centres and donor agencies.

According to a communiqué released after the end of the meeting, the envisaged network will among other things improve the accessibility and applicability of existing knowledge on climate change. “The network would focus on key thematic and priority areas notably water, agriculture, coastal zones and mountain areas, forest and energy. Best practices and coping strategies would be promoted/strengthened and existing capacity mobilised and shared,” reads the communiqués in part. It will also enhance collaboration between sectors and regions and facilitate the sharing of best practices and lessons learnt.

During the two-day meeting, the participants emphasised on the need for the network to bring all stakeholders on board in order to bridge the gaps between science, policy and implementation. Other function of the Global Climate Change Adaptation Network for Africa will be to bridge the knowledge gap by integrating traditional and indigenous knowledge with modern science and technologies so as to increase the continent’s level of adaptation to climate change…..