Climate Change Adaptation and Access to Energy in Africa

LEAD, in conjunction with the Climate Action Network and the African Centre of Technology Studies is holding a 2-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya on 13-14 September 2006, which will focus on the particular challenges facing LDCs in Africa in the climate and energy security agenda. GCAP-Africa is an interested partner in furthering dialogue through this workshop and a number of their partner organisations will be participating.

The workshop will bring together topics addressing both top down and bottom up approaches and to examine strategies that can support the integration of climate adaptation in development policy and strengthen access to energy; it will also enhance information sharing and cooperation at all levels - international, national and local.

A strong emphasis will be placed on informing international and national policy processes and supporting African country negotiation positions by reflecting local needs and experiences, underpinned by science-based knowledge.

Importantly, the partner organisations have identified climate change, development and energy experts from African environmental and development NGOs, academia and government to take part in this dialogue. Output from the workshop will be directed into the G8 Gleneagles Dialogue, the Africa Partnership Forum, UNFCCC and the German G8 Presidency, providing timely, evidence-based inputs from stakeholders in African Least Developed Countries to international policy makers.

It is also hoped that an ongoing process can be developed, with the participants initiating an informal network that can continue to engage in the international policy debate. A workshop report will be available in October.

This workshop was made possible with the financial support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Netherlands Climate Assistance Programme, managed by ETC International.