African Forests, People and Climate Change – Phase II

Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to face significant impacts from climate change, both on economies and the social system. Forests and trees can play a crucial role in helping to adapt to climate change and mitigate greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Strengthening and further developing the forest-climate nexus, therefore, is a key issue for Africa’s future development.

Build capacities of stakeholders to strengthen the role of Africa’s forests and trees to adapt to climate change and mitigate its adverse effects in various landscapes in ways that will enhance livelihoods, sustain biodiversity, and improve the quality of the environment. This will be achieved through programmatic and institutional strengthening of the African Forest Forum (AFF) in ways that foster an independent and objective analysis of related issues, promote advocacy, and offer advice on all relevant policy and technical issues in forests and climate change.

African Forest Forum members and relevant stakeholders in forestry and climate change – with a special focus on African policy decision makers. The people living throughout the African continent will be supported to better adapt to the adverse effects of climate change by an enhanced role of African forestry.

(1) Knowledge and capacities of African stakeholders in managing forests and landscapes in the context of climate change improved;

(2) Policies and initiatives relevant to forests and climate change better informed by science.

Expected results:  

Better knowledge and skills on climate change and forests; raised profile of the forest sector; better application of mitigation and adaptation measures in the forest sector;  policies that integrate adaptation/mitigation promoted by policy makers.

Results from previous phases:  

(1) Status of forestry in relevant initiatives evaluated and documented;

(2) Overview of capacities of public forest administrations;

(3) Current trade pattern and future potentials assessed;

(4) Training and research needs assessed;

(5) Information about how women, youth and vulnerable people are featured in forest-climate change programmes gathered.

Relevant regional institutions, in particular the African Union Commission and the regional economic commissions; the African Development Bank; concerned global initiatives and conventions.

Swedish Sida and SDC closely coordinate their programme to support the operational planning of AFF. Programmatic collaboration is sought with relevant multilateral thematic institutions.

Phase 2 01.01.2015 - 31.05.2018   (Completed)