Climate Compatible Development and experience from sub-Saharan Africa Post-Workshop Synthesis
Researchers from Malawi country discussion – (from L to R) Natalie Suckall (Univ. of Leeds), David Mkwmabisi (Univ. of Malawi), Evan Fraser (Univ. of Guelph), Commodious Nyirenda (Trees of Hope, Clinton Foundation), Andy Dougill (Univ. of Leeds), Lindsay Stringer (Univ. of Leeds).
A three-day workshop on Climate Compatible Development was hosted by the School of Earth & Environment & the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) at the University of Leeds between 15 and 17 May 2012.
The workshop brought together international development and donor agencies, policy makers and international researchers addressing institutional, social and environmental components of climate compatible development debates, with climate change and rural development researchers, NGO practitioners, private sector partners from the climate finance sector and government staff working in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.
Forty-two individuals attended the workshop, which was jointly funded by the World Universities Network (WUN), CCCEP and Africa College. The workshop formed part of the WUN-FIRC funded project, entitled ‘Building Partnerships and Research Capacity for Climate Compatible Development in sub-Saharan Africa’, led by Dr Susannah Sallu and Professor Andy Dougill from the School of Earth & Environment. It complements ongoing research within CCCEP.
On Day 1 the workshop facilitated a critical discussion of Climate Compatible Development (CCD) as a concept, drawing on multiple international and sectoral (eg donor, policy and private sector) perspectives. Keynote speakers included Yvan Biot and Su-Lin Garbett-Shiels from the Department from International Development, Lindsey Jones from CDKN, Professor David Satterthwaite from IIED, Philip Powell from Ecolivelihoods, and Dr Mike Riddell from Bioclimate Research & Development.
On Day 2 insights, reflections and experiences of CCD from the African context were shared. Focus was given to three particular country contexts, namely Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, with five African keynote speakers presenting. Dr Stephen Syampungani (Copperbelt University), Dr David Mkwambisi (Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi), Commodius Nyirenga (Trees of Hope Malawi), Professor Pius Yanda (Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam) and Charles Meshack (Tanzania Forest Conservation Group) outlined key insights from research, policy and practice perspectives.
Discussions will be used to provide syntheses on the guiding principles for "Characteristics for Successful Climate Compatible Development" and "Challenges for Implementing Climate Compatible Development".
On Day 3 outcomes from days 1 and 2 were analysed, characteristics of projects achieving CCD and associated challenges were examined, research gaps and needs identified, and short- and long-term writing and research goals determined.
The following workshop outputs and follow up activities are currently in preparation:
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Short workshop brief;
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Academic discussion piece reporting the conceptual debates around Climate Compatible Development in Day 1;
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An academic paper reporting research, policy and practical perspectives of CCD from the African contexts (outcomes of Days 2 and 3);
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Follow-up project and policy research in Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi, as part of FIRC-WUN funded project;
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Project development and proposal writing.