The Climate, Land, Agriculture and Biodiversity (CLAB) Africa project is making progress towards its aim to leverage the grassroots insights of African scientists to inform policies and drive climate change, biodiversity and food and water security actions within nations, as well as to provide detailed information and considerations for international forums and agreements.
CLAB African scientists' research focuses on four core, cross-cutting themes, namely climate impact on food systems; land restoration and biodiversity; people, animal and ecosystem health and wellbeing; and land-water-energy resources uses.
The challenges caused and exacerbated by climate change and biodiversity loss in Africa are, by their nature, cross-cutting and transdisciplinary challenges, requiring a broad, inclusive response to overcome.
The team aims to produce its 'Voice of Africa' report, which will include a range of diverse inputs from scientists, by early October.
The report will provide a sound scientific foundation for national, sub-regional, regional and international climate change, biodiversity and development policy formulation, as well as provide policy makers with concrete actions they can take to contribute to mitigate climate change and restore and regenerate natural ecosystems and their associated environmental services and benefits, says pan-African research institute Future Africa director Professor Cheikh Mbow.
CLAB Africa is sponsored by the government of France through the French Embassy in South Africa, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and includes a range of partner universities and academic institutions.
Ambassador of France to South Africa Aurélien Lechevallier says the CLAB Africa project is in the final stages of drafting the report and recommendations, as well as concrete proposals to leaders.
"To effectively leverage the opportunities to influence the international agenda at international events on climate change and biodiversity over the coming weeks and months, we need to know what the most important actions for Africa are.
"It is important to listen to African scientists, many of whom are involved in prestigious international fora and high-level international groups shaping the science and recommendations.
"However, there was no platform for African scientists to design recommendations from the perspective of Africa for Africa," he says.
Scientifically, the continent is aware of the extent of the loss of biodiversity, desertification, the impacts of climate change and the effects on ecosystems and associated environmental services losses. The report will provide concrete options for decision-makers to take to the global stage and enable Africa to play a decisive role at the highest international levels, says Lechevallier.
There remains a need for a space where scientists can provide research and evidence to decision-makers, and this support can help to unlock the potential of Africa to address its challenges. The CLAB Africa project contacted the African group of negotiators to work towards building critical mass for climate change, land, agriculture and biodiversity action, says Mbow.
"The ability to engage decision-makers is central to the CLAB Africa project. Additionally, we need the scientists to reflect on what is happening in their areas of focus and study to inform actions and recommendations that are suitable for sub-national, national, sub-regional and regional contexts."
The cross-cutting issues highlighted by scientists must be brought to the fore in international discussions because the international climate agenda does not address the vulnerabilities of Africa, he adds.