Projects for Theme 'Energy'

AfriCAN Climate, AfricaAdapt Hold Workshop on Agriculture, Climate Change and CSR (25-27 April 013), Dakar

Created by: admin | 2013-05-11 23:44

Associated Organization: ENDA

Summary:

The debate on Climate Change and Agriculture is crucial with regards to Africa's development and to the prosperity of its people. In fact, the continent is particularly vulnerable to Climate Change given the levels of poverty that characterize it.

Climate Change in Africa materializes itself particularly through prolonged periods of drought, which seriously affect the agricultural sector. Consequently, this results in the degradation of soil quality, higher temperatures, desert encroachment, frequent sandstorms, declining water resources, falling yields in agricultural productivity, proliferation of insects, threats to food security and increased poverty on the continent.
Bangladesh leading the way on Loss and Damage

Created by: admin | 2013-03-20 17:26

Associated Organization: ICCCAD, IUB

Summary:
Loss and Damage in the UNFCCC process
The least developed countries (LDCs) are both the least responsible for and the most vulnerable to climate change impacts." A lack of institutional, economic and financial capacity renders these countries less able to cope with climate change impacts# and more likely to suffer loss and damage as a result. The need for an international mechanism to address this inequity has long been acknowledged. In 1992, Principle 13 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
proclaimed that, “States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their jurisdiction.”
CARIAA/IRCAAA: Call for Concept Notes/Appel à notes conceptuelles

Created by: admin | 2013-02-20 17:24

Associated Organization: IDRC, DFID

Summary:
(Le français suit.)

CARIAA is a seven-year research program launched in 2012 and jointly funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

CARIAA supports collaborative, interdisciplinary research in three climate change hot spots in Africa and Asia: deltas, river basins affected by glacial and snowpack melt, and semi-arid regions. Visit our website for more about our approach.
Zimbabwe's climate change policies need an urban focus

Created by: admin | 2013-02-05 11:52

Associated Organization: IRIN

Summary:
In spite of the political and financial turmoil that Zimbabwe faces, the country seems to be on the right track in adopting strategies to address the effects of climate change. But these strategies tend to have a strong rural bias, overlooking the fact that almost half of the country now lives in urban areas, according to a joint review of the country's climate change response by a think tank and leading NGO.   Zimbabwe, like many other African countries, has begun to develop a national framework to respond to climate change, including efforts to identify authorities to process donor funds for mitigating and adapting to climate change, said one of the authors of the review, Shepard Zvigadza of ZERO Regional Environment Organization. [ http://www.climatenetwork.org/profile/member/zero-regional-environment-organization ]   However, as in most other African countries, policymakers and researchers "ignore longstanding urbanization trends and continue to overstate the proportion of Zimbabwe's population living in rural areas."   The ruling ZANU-PF party, which has dominated politics in Zimbabwe for decades, has been accused of appeasing their voters, who are largely rural, by developing policies that cater to them while disregarding urban residents.   Taking into account UN statistics, the authors suggested that almost 38 percent of Zimbabwe's population lives in urban areas, but the number could be as high as 50 percent if national assessments are considered.   Climate change adds to woes   Zimbabwe's urban transition is a lot more advanced than most countries in Southern Africa, and urban problems such as water scarcity - prompted by sparse rains and a dropping water table - are not getting the attention they deserve, Zvigadza told IRIN in an email.   "Research shows that the water table for boreholes used to be around 30m in the 1990s, but now water can be found around 60m or more below ground. This is true for cities like Bulawayo, whose water sources are various rivers. Such a situation has created long-term water and sanitation challenges, leading to health problems in cities like Chitungwiza and Kadoma," he added.   Following severe water shortages in Chitungwiza and Kadoma in 2012, outbreaks of typhoid and cholera were recorded. In 2008, the country experienced one of the worst cholera outbreaks recorded anywhere in recent times; the outbreak killed at least 4,000 people and infected 100,000 others.   The country's socioeconomic problems, combined with the effects of climate change, are likely to aggravate the situation in the coming years.

It has become obvious that climate change has not been politicized, thus civil society has been working and continues to work with communities without intimidation

Zvigadza explained that, "obviously, there are some other socioeconomic factors like poor waste management and service delivery that are most likely to be at play, but climate change is going to worsen this situation. For example, in [the] water and sanitation situation, nearby flowing sewer water is more likely to contaminate fresh piped water if there is a broken pipe. Water reticulation infrastructure has now aged and cannot cope with the rising population. This means they can break at any time where there is too much water in the system as a result of flooding."   Evidence from climate change impact studies shows that Zimbabweâ€™s capital, Harare, is going to experience heavy, frequent and prolonged rainfall leading to flash floods, said Zvigadza.   A broken health infrastructure that cannot cope with the rising urban population is yet another driver of a potential crisis. "The health facilities may fail to cope with this demand, and climate change as an added stressor is most likely to increase this urban populationâ€™s vulnerability," he added.   Adapting to climate change   The government should invest in the health, water and energy sectors to develop infrastructure that can adapt to climate variability, said Zvigadza.   Zimbabwe's development policies should be related to adaptation, such as promoting water harvesting techniques at the household level. Education on climate change should be initiated at primary schools to create awareness at an early age and help people prepare.   Zvigadza noted that the country "is obviously struggling financially", but there are "donors who are interested" in supporting the country, which "has advanced in its readiness to receive and use climate funds."   A number of NGOs and research organizations have begun to emphasize adaptation to climate change in their development projects, particularly in drought-prone rural areas, noted the review. A community-based adaptation project was piloted by the UN Development Programme in Zimbabwe, for example. A growing number of NGOs has also becoming involved in Zimbabwe's Climate Change Working Group, a leading civil society network.   While civil society has increasingly come under attack in the country for political reasons, Zvigadza said, "it has become obvious that climate change has not been politicized, thus civil society has been working and continues to work with communities without intimidation... Overall, what is only required is the sense of national belonging that is speaking with one non-partisan voice, and this has begun to happen. Read more http://bit.ly/VOPhpy
AfDB, Zambian Loan Agreement to Support Sub-Regional Energy Security

Created by: admin | 2013-01-16 19:43

Associated Organization: AfDB

Summary:

A US$55 million loan agreement has been signed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Zambia to finance the Itezhi-Tezhi Hydro Power and Transmission Line Project, which will contribute to ensuring secure energy supply in the country.

The project will lead to the construction of a 120 megawatt hydropower dam and associated infrastructure, in addition to improved sanitation and housing for local communities, along the Kafue river. The hydropower facility will build on existing dam infrastructure and transmission lines in order to mitigate the current supply constraints experienced in Zambia and underpin its fast-growing economy. As Zambia's first Public-Private Partnership within the energy sector, it will assist in putting the country's economy on a low-carbon growth path. It will also benefit the local population through increased economic activity and improved sanitation supply. [AfDB Press Release][Itezhi-Tezhi Hydro Power and Transmission Line Project Assessment Documents]
Overcoming local vulnerability: AAP pilot projects in Niger chart a path to resilience

Created by: admin | 2012-10-24 16:04

Associated Organization: UNDP/AAP

Summary:

Niger ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. People here have already noticed a shortening of the rainy season and higher average temperatures. These changes are resulting in smaller yields in the most widely cultivated and consumed crops. Read more http://bit.ly/TzrxaH
Cities and Climate Adaptation in Africa

Created by: admin | 2012-07-13 14:38

Associated Organization: ICLEI

Summary:

The African Secretariat of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability has recently launched a Climate Change adaptation project entitled “Sub-Saharan Cities: A five City Network to Pioneer Climate Adaptation through Participation Research and Local Action”. It is supported mainly by the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) research and capacity development program, which is a joint program of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, and the Department for International Development (DFID), U.K. In consultation with these development partners, ICLEI Africa has selected the following five cities in Southern Africa as key project beneficiaries:

•                Cape Town – South Africa

•                Walvis Bay - Namibia

•                Maputo - Mozambique

•                Dar es Salaam – Tanzania

•                Port Louis - Mauritius

Project Background

The project will address knowledge, resource capacity and networking gaps in the five selected sub-Saharan African cities over a three-year period, commencing in September 2009. The main aim of the project is to assist, equip and strengthen local authorities and cities in their ability to plan for, and adapt to, the threats and impacts associated with different variables related directly to climate change. We anticipate that this initiative will lead to a number of immediate and tangible results for each of the five participating cities during the initial phase.

Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on the physical, social, environmental and economic environments of cities in Africa. The threats posed by climate change include sea-level rise, variations in precipitation and rainfall patterns (which are projected to manifest themselves in the form of localised flooding and drought), increased wind speeds and incidences of cyclones, and increased temperature.

This project will focus on particularly vulnerable communities in each of the five cities and their livelihoods in different geographical, climatic and ecosystem zones. It will establish and/or add to Local Climate Adaptation Frameworks (LCAFs), taking into account relevant localised climate change impacts. Therefore each participating local government will take unique action during this process in order to assist with assessing and addressing their specific vulnerabilities to climate change.

For more information on the project download the summary report.

Should you require a brief overview of the project, download the following brochure in English and French.

 For the Five-City Risk Assessment, download the following brochure in English and French. ICLEI Adaptation Network Adaptation Solutions Brochure.
Awareness Raising of Renewable Energy Technologies Tanzania

Created by: matimbwi | 2012-04-22 11:16

Associated Organization: Tanzania Renewable Energy Association

Summary:
The project has the objective of raising awareness of renewable energy technologies in Tanzania. The project aims at scaling up the acceptance and use of the clean renewable energy technologies and reversing the climate change.
Review of Adaptation Action

Created by: AdaptationPartnership | 2012-03-20 19:58

Associated Organization: Adaptation Partnership / IISD

Summary:

As part of our effort to catalyze effective adaptation action, the Adaptation Partnership commissioned a review of planned and existing adaptation activities in 12 sub-regions across Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. These reviews provide an inventory of regional and country-level adaptation activities and a summary of key adaptation priorities, based on documents like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change's National Adaptation Programs of Action and National Communications. They also identify gaps and opportunities for scaling up and enhancing collaboration.
Domestic Biogas Plant

Created by: kievnov | 2012-02-28 15:30

Associated Organization: Kievnov Science and Environmental Technologies Co Ltd

Summary:
KSET Domestic Biogas Plants produce renewable fuel from organic biomass (kitchen waste) and are primarily used in developing countries and rural areas as an alternative to using fossil fuels, whose combustion contributes to global warming. Biogas is a carbon neutral fuel that is produced when bacteria degrade biological material in the absence of oxygen, a process known as anaerobic digestion, or fermentation of biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, or municipal waste. The fuel consists primarily of methane (CH4 or natural gas) and carbon dioxide (CH4) mixed with trace gases and can be used to generate electricity for cooking and heating when it is burned.
Ecosystem Livelihood Adaptation Network (ELAN) case studies: good practices in Niger, Sudan & Madagascar

Created by: admin | 2012-02-06 19:27

Associated Organization: ELAN

Summary:
ELAN collects, selects, and disseminates peer-reviewed case studies on good practices in integrating ecosystem and rights-based principles into people-centered adaptation policies, plans and programmes. Unsuccessful projects or “bad” practices are also of interest if they provide good lessons for future applications. Case studies are used for learning, knowledge exchange, and training purposes. Case studies are collected through different channels. http://elanadapt.net/good-practices
FAO, EU Fund Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa (Malawi and Zambia)

Created by: admin | 2012-01-19 14:23

Associated Organization: FAO

Summary:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the European Commission have launched a €5.3 million, three-year project in Malawi, Viet Nam and Zambia to identify challenges and opportunities for climate-smart agriculture and produce strategic plans for each country. Continued.
GEF-SCCF Project Increases Resilience to Drought and Climate Change in Zimbabwe

Created by: admin | 2011-12-23 12:42

Associated Organization: GEF

Summary:

December 2011: In Zimbabwe’s rural District of Chiredzi, the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) of the Global Environment facility (GEF) has supported a project to enhance the capacity of farmers to adapt to climate variability and change through the adoption of gender-sensitive approaches.

The project, which is implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), focuses on improving climate change knowledge base of local populations to facilitate adaptation choices; piloting demonstration of policy oriented adaptation practices; and promoting the use of climate early warning systems.
World Resources Report 2010-2011: Decision Making in a Changing Climate

Created by: admin | 2011-10-24 06:55

Associated Organization: UNEP

Summary: Recent extreme weather events including floods, heat waves, and droughts present a vivid image of the direction the world is heading. As climate change intensifies, more events like these, combined with longer-term changes in the climate's average state - including rising seas, melting glaciers, and shifting precipitation patterns - will have profound impacts on people, ecosystems and infrastructure.
IMPACT Business Award 2011

Created by: anais | 2011-10-13 05:23

Associated Organization: IMPACT Business Award

Summary: The IMPACT (Innovative Models Promoting Adaptation and Climate Technologies) Business Award rewards enterprises that apply innovative business solutions in combating Climate Change. The IMPACT Business Award on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will make a total of up to five International Awards available in 2011. For more information and application, please visit: www.IMPACT-business-award.de
Generator Zero Solar

Created by: matimbwi | 2011-09-27 09:17

Associated Organization: Tanzania Renewable Energy Association

Summary: Generator Zero Solar is aims to sensitize members of community to use the Solar PV Charged Battery Backup System in a place of petrol and diesel generators. The project is implemented in Dar es Salaam. The driver of the intervention is the failure of the National Utility to provide reliable and sustainable electricity.
Indigenous Knowledge in Kenya: Treating milk with wood ash and growing tree seedlings with limited w

Created by: admin | 2011-09-12 10:07

Associated Organization: Forestry Action Network

Summary: Summary of two indigenous knowledge studies conducted in Kenya and published in 1998: - Milk Treatment Using Selected Tree Species: A case study in Trans-Nzoia District, Kenya by W. Mureithi at Moi University. - A Community’s Initiative to Survive in a Semi-Arid Area: The case of Kikapu, Njoro location, Nakuru, Kenya by E M Njoka and P M Makenzi at Egerton University.
Evaluation of the GEF Strategic Priority for Adaptation - july 2011

Created by: admin | 2011-09-09 05:44

Associated Organization: GEF

Summary: In November 2008 the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council asked the GEF Evaluation Office to perform an evaluation of the GEF Strategic Priority for Adaptation (SPA) pilot program. This evaluation was conducted fully and independently by the GEF Evaluation Office with support from the GEF Secre- tariat, GEF Agencies, governments, and civil society organizations.
Experiences of Climate Change Adaptation in Africa

Created by: admin | 2011-09-07 10:37

Associated Organization: Ecological Society of Eastern Africa (ESEA)

Summary: 19 case studies on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa.
Climate Change TV Video Awards now online

Created by: admin | 2011-09-01 10:51

Associated Organization: Climate Change TV

Summary: The first Climate Change TV Video Awards (http://www.climate-change.tv/video-award) are now open with videos submitted from people and organizations all over the world.