ACTS has teamed up with training and research institutions to develop market-driven climate change training modules for different cadres and levels of education in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.
The other consortium partners include the Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA), University of Nairobi and Tetralink Taylor & Associates East Africa in collaboration with the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Institute (ECSDI), University of Zimbabwe. and Ethiopia’s Environment and Forest Research Institute (EEFRI).
Under the umbrella of Capacity Building of Technical Institutions involved in Climate Change Education Training and Scientific Research (CapCET), the consortium will develop specific modules based on existing training demands on climate change.
According to Dr Joel Onyango, the project lead and a senior researcher at ACTS, the ultimate aim of CaPCET is to enhance the capacity of training institutions and professionals in climate change within the COMESA region. The project is based on the premise that Africa in general, and the COMESA region in particular, continue to experience unique climate change challenges that require a dynamic approach to capacity building.
A needs assessment on climate change training demands conducted in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe revealed an array of training gaps that needs to be addressed with a view to building the capacity of different actors in the climate change space; and stand the continent in good stead of reversing or slowing down the effects of climate change.
Specific topics requiring special attention for training in climate change include ecosystem based climate smart agriculture, climate transparency and reporting, calculation of greenhouse gases and climate modeling
The findings of the needs assessment presented during a webinar held on 27th October, 2021, identified climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate financing, disaster risk management and climate resilience building as the key training demands identified by stakeholders.
ACTS Executive Director, Prof. Tom Ogada, noted that there is lack of clear strategies to mobilize funds for climate actions, which is a key area of training.
“To enhance climate change financing, we should also separate adaptation and mitigation projects and proposals” - Prof. Tom Ogada, Executive Director, ACTS
On his part, Prof. Kefasi Nyikahadzoi, the Director of ECSDI at the University of Zimbabwe noted that knowledge on climate change has not permeated to the people who need it most - especially extension workers who work directly with farmers to improve their livelihoods. He called for re-packaging of information from research on climate change to benefit those being affected by the effects of climate change especially vulnerable groups like small scale farmers.
“Existing curricula do not articulate issues of climate change, we need to package the curriculum to suit all levels and especially the vulnerable groups” - Prof. Kefasi Nyikahadzoi, the Director of ECSDI at the University of Zimbabwe
Prof Linda Mhlanga, the Deputy Director of ECSDI said the University of Zimbabwe does not have a stand-alone training programme on climate change.
“What exists are specific courses spread across different undergraduate and postgraduate programs. For this reason, he noted that the CaPCET project comes in handy as it will come up with an integrated and well-coordinated curriculum that will be offered at the university” - Prof Linda Mhlanga, the Deputy Director of ECSDI
Dr. Agena Anjulo, EEFRI Deputy Director General, Ethiopia said there is an urgent need to improve resource management to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation actions at the community level.
