Strengthening Climate Adaptation in Africa: A Community of Practice Emerges in North Africa

On the auspicious 8th of October, against the backdrop of the annual World Bank meeting, the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, in collaboration with its esteemed partners and the National Platform in Morocco, marked a pivotal moment by establishing a Community of Practice within the framework of an Adaptation Network. This groundbreaking initiative is strategically designed to unite North African regions in a concerted effort to address the increasingly undeniable gaps in adaptation finance. The primary focus is not merely acknowledging the challenges but actively defining and implementing strategies to empower local communities through heightened awareness and the construction of resilience frameworks. In a world where climate adaptation is imperative, this newly forged network stands as a beacon, fostering collaboration and innovation to navigate the complexities of climate change in the region.

Adaptation finance remains skewed towards water and agriculture, leaving other critical sectors, such as biodiversity conservation, underfunded. Despite the pressing need for climate finance, a substantial adaptation gap persists. “Adaptation remains a key but costly priority for Africa,” emphasizes James Murombedzi of UNECA. Africa must urgently raise the profile of climate adaptation, amplifying the voices of communities most affected by the crisis. Pan African Farmers’ Organizations are taking steps to onboard the community of practice on adaptation for the North Africa region, signaling a crucial commitment to address adaptation challenges.

Kenya’s success in mobilizing over USD 300 million for the Financing Locally Led Climate Action Initiative (FLoCCA), as noted by Peter Odhengo, demonstrates the potential of locally driven efforts to combat climate change. Further, Dr. Olufunso Somorin, Regional principal Officer, AfDB underscores that adaptation finance must diversify to cover more sectors, including biodiversity conservation.

With the establishment of the North Africa Region Community of Practice, PACJA aims to empower key groups like youth, women, faith-based organizations, and indigenous peoples to advocate for adaptation and resilience building. By amplifying the African voice in global climate policy-making processes, PACJA seeks to drive greater adaptation ambition aligned with local communities’ needs.

These six regional networks and communities of practice on adaptation across Africa, with the North African region being a significant focal point, will achieve a lot. This initiative is committed to addressing the prevalent adaptation gaps within North African countries, offering solutions to mitigate the region’s vulnerability to climate change. It will also aim to identify potential partners and allies who can contribute their expertise and resources to strengthen the network, ultimately amplifying its impact and reach. Together, these objectives underscore a dedicated effort to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development in North Africa.

In conclusion, Africa’s vulnerability to climate change demands immediate and sustained action. The formation of a Community of Practice for the North African region is a vital step towards addressing adaptation gaps and creating a resilient future for the continent. As Africa stands on the frontline of the climate crisis, this initiative promises to amplify its voice and strengthen its resolve in the global fight against climate change.