I came across this site focused on Africa. supported by SADC, COMESA and EAC. Read through and tell us more!
Over 25% of carbon sequestration can be achieved through sustainable land use, including agriculture and forestry.
A call for action
1. Eliminate limitations on non-Annex 1 offsets (currently capped at 1%)
2. Expand eligibility beyond REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) to include the widest range of bio-carbon (as already eligible for Annex 1 countries)
3. Advance the inclusion of AFOLU (Agriculture, Forest, and Land Use) in Climate Change negotiations
4. Mainstream Climate Change concepts and principles into national development and sectoral policies and programmes
5. Design, develop and share experiences of on-the-ground adaptation and mitigation initiatives
6. Construct and operationalise an African Carbon Finance Model
7. Ensure social equity, justice, and ethical standards in carbon markets
8. Create and manage carbon sinks and pools (AFOLU)
9. Liberalise many of the definitional constraints which effectively rule out the greater part of Africa from global carbon markets
10. Africa endorses the REDD agenda and advocates for a REDD-AFOLU solution
This is a positive initiative that should be used to rally the efforts of civil society from the local and national level through to the regional and continental level.
Astrid W. Wigström recently wrote a critical comment in Tiempo (Issue 70 January 2009) to the effect that developing countries are always under-represented in the official climate change negotiations so much so that Northern-based non-governmental organizations have assumed to speak on behalf of Southern (specifically African) civil society.
So it is important that the civil society in Africa raises its voice. In Kenya, diverse civil society organizations have come together to form a coalition called Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG). The aim and objectives of KCCWG are: to support raise awareness of climate change issues through mobilization and campaign blitz; provide leadership in terms of engagement with policy-makers, legislators, business, media and the public; facilitation and support in review and construction of climate change policy and legislation; organize and participate in activities and events (e.g. national and regional dialogues, research and publication) in preparation for Copenhagen 2009 and beyond.
Climate XL Africa is a founding member of KCCGW. Other members include Forest Action Network (FAN), Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Produces (KENFAP), Eco-Build Trust, Resource Conflict Institute (RECONCILE), CAFORD, TRÓCAIRE, Cordaid, Oxfam GB, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), among others.
Odero,
You have an impressive list of strong members in KCGW. How are they engaging with the Kenya Government for example in defining the national position on Climate Change issues? Is the government having any strategy about landuse, forests, livelihoods, marginal lands, water health etc? I think KCCGW should probably produce some – very “civil society” friendly notes and papers that will digest and filter the government message downwards (if there exists a message), or push upwards the marginalised voices towards informing the emerging policy related climate issues.
To be honest Kuria, the climate policy space at the moment is quite “confused”. Well, as you are probably aware this has been the situation for some time. It is only now that the government seems to be getting its act together. A meeting is scheduled from March 31 to April 3 in Naivasha to among other things formulate a national climate change strategy. KCCWG will be represented. There are other initiatives like providing support in drafting a climate change legislation. This has been mainly due to prompting by EAC and COMESA, which is a sad thing to say. A meeting with the editors guild is being finalized and there are attempts to reach out to the environment minister. But you are absolutely right; we need to debate more and write thought provoking pieces. Climate XL Africa is taking up this challenge very seriously and you will be seeing us much more actively in cyberspace.
Dear Peter Kuria and fans:
I am trying to find successful examples of agricultural projects that are using climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I need the name of country/village, type of farming/ type of strategy/ name of sponsor or respsonsible person.
@vicki assevero,
Vicki,
There are many models that exist that are climate friendly, however, simply put, it is only those who are in the know that can access resources that directly support agriculture within the frame of CC. That said, we are now working on the nexus of Energy and Agriculture- which is a model that can easily be integrated into CC. visit shalinry.org for some more info. Regards … Peter