Specific Objectives:
The key objectives of the WASCAL International Conference on Climate Change 2024 are to:
- Assess and Prioritize Knowledge Gaps: Evaluate the current state of climate change research, innovations, and practices in Africa to identify critical knowledge and technology gaps, and set priorities for future research and development.
- Showcase Scalable Policy and funding Solutions: Highlight successful policy frameworks, governance mechanisms, and financing models that have enabled the scaling up of impactful climate resilience initiatives, emphasizing the role of consolidated national and regional efforts.
- Promote Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Approaches: Explore and elevate gender-responsive practices in climate adaptation and mitigation, and provide actionable strategies to empower women, youth, and marginalized groups as leaders and active agents in resilience-building efforts.
- Bridge Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge: Facilitate the integration of scientific research and indigenous knowledge systems in fields such as agriculture, water management, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness, to ensure contextually relevant and community-driven climate solutions.
- Foster Innovation and Local Ownership: Promote innovation across key fields such as agriculture, water management, renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, and land use planning to develop transformative solutions. Encourage the development and adoption of affordable, locally made of data instruments for densified climate observation and monitoring. Support the design of innovative financing models (e.g., blended finance, community-based funding mechanisms) that enable equitable access and sustainable resilience.
- Facilitate Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Create a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the establishment of new partnerships among researchers, policymakers, financiers, community leaders, and innovators to accelerate the implementation of sustainable climate solutions.
- Advance Policy and Investment Recommendations: Develop actionable, evidence-based recommendations to guide policy, investment, and programmatic decisions at national and regional levels, with a focus on improving livelihoods, strengthening governance, and fostering sustainable development in Africa.
- Catalyze Youth and Community Engagement: Mobilize women and young leaders, local communities, and grassroots organizations to actively participate in and co-create climate resilience solutions, ensuring their voices and expertise are incorporated in decision-making processes.
