PROJECTS
The GUARD Africa Project
The implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement and the international discourse to build consensus to resolve longstanding issues regarding the Paris Rulebook have been thrown into disarray as countries have diverted their attention to tackle the pandemic, including the health of the people, lost employment and rebuilding the battered economies. The entire 2020, the year Parties to the Agreement were expected to submit revised NDCs, was instead doomed by the pandemic, with only four African countries beating the deadline to submit the crucial document. The UNFCCC-COP26, which was expected to finalize the Paris Rulebook, was postponed to 2021, which looks uncertain.
The global COVID-19 recovery, thus, should not divert the attention or resources to tackle the pandemic in isolation. The swift mobilization of trillions of Dollars to contain COVID-19 outbreak within record time is a demonstration that we only require political will by global leaders to raise sufficient funds needed to reverse the tide against climate crisis.
The post-COVID-19 reconstruction should thus not reverse the gains already made in tackling climate crisis, biodiversity loss and inequality, but should be a building block in the economy-wide transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, just and inclusive development pathways. All countries, institutions and people should recalibrate their strategies to align with the “new normal” in the era of the pandemic, which will inevitably live with us for the foreseeable future.
Addressing accountability gaps, exclusion, and environmental exploitation, will reduce the risk of widening inequalities and build a firm foundation for economic recovery and climate resilience.
GUARD-AFRICA is anchored on PACJA’s strategic plan.
Theory of Change
The Theory of Change (ToC) underpinning the project is:
“If efforts to promote the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, inclusive development pathways and ecologically-just responses to climate change are directed to the grassroots level (communities, businesses and business groups, cooperatives and local governments); If actions are based on fair, equitable local responses to climate and resource vulnerabilities and national NDCs and; If CSOs document results achieved and media communicates evidence-based success stories and learning; Then governments and private sector will be driven to develop and implement policies and investments that fuel resilient green growth leading to improved, sustainable post-pandemic stimulus Plans, climate finance and NDCs that will ultimately result to sustainable growth and wellbeing driven by environmental and climate justice pathways.”
PATHWAY 1: Policy influence, Public engagement and mobilization
Intermediate Outcome 1.1: Financial institutions support long-term structural improvements and financing that leads to a just recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and climate vulnerability.
Intermediate Outcome 1.2: A just transition and recovery process is embedded in African climate policy processes through a robust campaign and outreach
Intermediate Outcome 1.3: National governments, private sector companies and citizens appreciate the connection between climate security, public health, displacement and migration and develop joint action plans to address key emerging issues around the “loss and damage” in Africa dialogue.
Intermediate Outcome 1.4: Women, girls and youth have the capacity, voice and agency to engage with national and regional governments and power holders; and shape the policy and practice around climate change, resilience building and financing for a just recovery.
PATHWAY 2: Holding Governments and Private Sector Accountable
Intermediate Outcome 2.1: CSOs effectively monitor, assess and track progress of implementation of country NDCs
PATHWAY 3: Research, Knowledge Development and Communication
Intermediate Outcome 3.1: Knowledge Development and communication (KDC) mechanisms are in place to support the programme’s awareness creation and learning agenda
Intermediate Outcome 3.2: Media agencies are incentivized, strengthened and supported to enhance reporting on climate change
PATHWAY 4: Enhance the Capacity of PACJA Organs, National Platforms and Dedicated Sector-Based Initiatives to be Effective Catalysts for Galvanization of Action for Resilient Development in Africa
Intermediate Outcome 4.1. PACJA members equitably and meaningfully participate in decision making and governance of the network
Intermediate Outcome 4.2. Functional coordination mechanisms in place, fostering thematic campaigns, fundraising and linkage with sub-regional hubs and institutions
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