ClimDev-Africa Integrated approaches to innovative climate change adaptation and resource use in Africa Prof Martin de Wit, Prof Mark Swilling, Mr John van Breda, (Stellenbosch University) Dr Nicholas Ozor (African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) Network) Prof Shem Wandiga (University of Nairobi) Prof Richard Kangalawe (University of Dar-es-Salaam) 1
Framing the problem Africa specific context: 75-250 million people in Africa exposed to water stress by 2050 (IPCC) 300 million people already undernourished (FAO/WFP) Persistent poverty and low quality of life despite recent growth BUT AND Little contribution to GHGs Development rules to access climate finance for adaptation Increasing demand for natural resources (oil, coal, timber etc.) Internationally shifting development paths Green economies (environmental quality, decoupling etc.) 2
Before responding Record of failed, technocratic interventions High risks of project-level, engineering solutions in contexts of high social vulnerability, poverty and/or political malfunctioning Persistent dire baseline situation of many Africans Despite record GDP growth in recent decade Inequality on the rise Socio-economic development needed Poor record on effectiveness of international aid Possible important lessons for climate finance as channeled through bureaucracies and host governments Short-sighted NOT to start searching for alternatives 3
Before responding Recogniselarge-scale and long-term nature of problem climate and resource challenges Recogniseshifting patterns in development paths presenting opportunities (clean technology) and posing threats (energy, carbon limits) Recogniseimportance of knowledge both from science and from society Recognise that whole system counts not just project-level interventions Recogniseimportance of human actors and their institutions in shaping innovative response 4
A different type of response. Start with complex reality, resist urge to simplify too quickly Intellectual pluralism wanted; not surpressed Better science not necessarily better decision making Focus on understanding human activity and human behaviour humans and their institutions are the agents of change Engage with society on uncertain, disputed problems with large stakes (climate, resources) Co-production of knowledge with society In short, we are recommending a response building on scientific and practical insights from complexity, transdisciplinarity and systems approaches 5
Cases in point On climate adaptation, UKCIP criticizes its own evidence-based and risk-based approach Highlights the need to unpack the space between science and strategy Making the (scientific) case is just not enough in a complex world (and even more so in Africa with system-wide challenges) On resource use, a plea for whole-systems approach to achieve recommended levels of consumption (e.g. Factor 5 - Von Weizsäcker) Massive technological, financial and social innovation needed A great need to see the big systems picture A great need to operate as if people and broader society can contribute to and are key in achieving robust change 6
Shifts in policy Climate finance is not predominantly a financial issue More cash is of little value for African society if it does not reach desired green developmental objectives Invest in key resources: Humans and institutions are agents of change Sensitive to changing development paths worldwide Does climate finance achieve not only an increase resilience, but also in line with green economy objectives? Climate finance need to play a role in broader developmental transition (e.g. energy, transport) Invest in co-production of knowledge: R&D, address skills gap Can climate finance play a role in building innovative capacity for the future? Innovation is knowledge-intensive 7
Thankyou for your attention Thanks to the organisers for the invitation martin@sustainableoptions.co.za 8