Building Local Capacity - A Contextualised Approach to Climate Action

Introduction

The triple planetary crisis of Climate change, Nature and Biodiversity loss as well as Pollution and Waste threatens to result in catastrophic outcomes at local to global scales, affecting key dimensions of human life and hindering the provision of global public goods, including peace and security, food security, health, sustainable energy supply and economic stability (IPCC 2022). The reverberating consequences have been causing devastating losses, driving inequalities, and exacerbating vulnerabilities calling for prudent interventions. The poor and the less fortunate will continue to feel much of the brunt as they lack the functional and structural capacities, are exposed and thus are highly vulnerable to the vagaries of nature. This calls for the building of local capacities to help mitigate the impact of climate change and enable communities to adapt to its effects.

Global efforts to address the triple planetary crisis continue to build momentum, countries are pledging and setting targets, organizations and businesses are taking action, while individuals are calling for radical actions to address this nagging challenge, however, this is coming at a difficult time when countries, institutions or organizations are trying to wade through the current global challenges including energy, conflict, inflation inter alia. But do we have a choice against action? Climate action be it adaptation or mitigation should not be sidelined by certain actors because of large-scale, non-climate and compounding factors (AGR, 2022).

But then again, who is responsible for taking action??

The existing public perception is that governments are solely or to a greater extent responsible for addressing the climate crisis, with the role of citizens misconstrued and relegated to that of reminding those in authority of their inaction or inadequacy of action if at all there is action. Conversely, if we are to make good of any little progress, this approach to climate action must change to an all-actor approach where we do not only look up to the governments but also question what individuals are doing to build a better place for themselves and their future generations. Quoting former US president John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address on January 20, 1961, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." In this regard we need to ask the tough questions, what are we doing for the planet as individuals? If this call to service and civic responsibility continues to inspire Americans to this day, can’t we derive the same inspiration and replicate this by taking an active role in shaping the future of our planet??

Who is responsible for taking action?

Addressing the question of who needs to take action opens another plethora of questions, and just to frame one, what is needed to successfully deliver transformative change? Any practical action will require finances, but is this the only piece that we need? What if we secure the finances, does that mean we have solved the climate crisis? Undoubtedly, efforts to build capacity and effective response rely heavily on finances, and frankly, this piece of the puzzle has remained elusive. According to the United Nations Environment Programme in its Adaptation Gap Report (2022)[1], International adaptation finance flows to developing countries reached USD 29 billion in 2020, an increase of 4 per cent from 2019. But up to USD 340 billion per year is needed by 2030, and far more beyond. Additionally, the adaptation finance gap in developing countries is likely five to ten times greater than current international adaptation finance flows and will only widen if we do not ramp up investments. This financial shortfall is cascading down to the implementation level, which remains inadequate despite progress being made.

Fully cognizant of this shortfall, what do we then do whilst making do with the little that we mobilize? On 15 November 2022, the world’s population reached 8 billion people, a milestone in human development. Taking the example of Africa where projections indicate that more than half of global population growth between now and 2050 will occur in?[2]. The African Development Bank (ADB)[3]?postulates that Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts under all climate scenarios above 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is despite having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions. The continent with its youngest population is facing exponential threats from the impacts of climate change, posing systemic risks to its economies, infrastructure investments, water and food systems, public health, agriculture, and livelihoods, threatening to undo its modest development gains and slip into higher levels of extreme poverty. So, with the little finances, how is Africa positioned to respond to the reverberating consequences of a changing climate? Who should be held accountable for action??

Back to our initial question, who is responsible for taking action?

Clearly, the call for action is resonating with every living soul, but what is missing in this complex setup is the straight and bold answer as to who should do what. With the ever-burgeoning population, it is high time we rethink how we address societal challenges; this is no longer the time to wait for external commitments, politicians, and governments to act. It is time for local action through a radical mindset change and taking local but contextualized action.?

Changing perceptions

For far too long, climate change has been treated as this big elephant in the house that must be kicked out, however, a time has come when we must adjust our lenses and shake our senses to realism. While we might not be able to kick the elephant out of the room that easily, we can as well domesticate the elephant and make it our pet while we lure it out of the room.?

In the same way, we must learn to see the positive in the changing climate while we ramp up efforts to fully address it, something that clearly will take generations to fully realize. We must embrace optimism and utilize whatever is at our disposal to address the challenges akin to a changing climate; are we not taught to make lemonades out of lemons since the time we are born? what happened to some of these basic life lessons? Did we stop believing in the inherent ingenuity, potential and resilience of humanity??

In today's rapidly changing world, it's essential to understand that the way we perceive problems can significantly impact our ability to address them effectively. As we confront environmental challenges, we must recognize the potential opportunities hidden within them. By adopting a positive mindset, reframing issues as chances for growth, and employing effective problem-solving strategies, we can transform the way we tackle environmental concerns and drive sustainable progress.?

To achieve this, we must embrace a systemic mindset change, a shift from complaining to providing solutions. Taking the example of Africa, the benefits akin to a systemic mindset change are innumerable, for instance, according to Munang, the proponent of Innovative volunteerism[4], there is a wave of positive mindset change amongst actors in the continent anchored on the values of innovative volunteerism[5]?and driven by the desire to be agents of transformative change. In this case, individuals full of energy and creative ideas are putting this into action by shunning blame games and leveraging opportunities inherent to the changing climate landscape. When individuals embrace the values of innovative volunteerism and become agents of transformative change, they can drive positive social and environmental outcomes by leveraging their energy, creativity, and skills. By focusing on opportunities and solutions rather than blame and finger-pointing, they can foster a more constructive and solution-oriented mindset that empowers them to tackle challenges more effectively.

Generally, when this kind of positive mindset change becomes diffuse and sustained over time, it can create a ripple effect that inspires and motivates others to join the movement and contribute to the common good. This can lead to a virtuous cycle of collaboration, innovation, and impact that benefits not only the individuals involved but also the wider community and ecosystem. Overall, a systemic mindset change rooted in values of ‘innovative volunteerism’ and transformative change can be a powerful driver of positive social and environmental outcomes and can help individuals and communities thrive in a changing climate landscape.

Acquiring the needed skills

Increasing population, especially in climate-vulnerable regions is the perfect recipe for social, environmental, and economic challenges. The expected youthful populace will struggle to get jobs, food will be a luxury to afford, and social upheaval will be a norm. But then again, the youthful population full of energy, creativity and innovation is an invaluable resource that can be tapped into and channelled towards climate action. This however does not come on a silver platter as most of these youths do not have the skills and experience to contribute meaningfully and therefore there is a need to impart practical skills and know-how to this segment through skills retooling. As Munang (2018)[6]?argues, the accumulation of capital, which represents both human and physical capital, is the foundation of socioeconomic development and climate resilience, however, to unlock this potential, concerted efforts are needed to ensure that the youthful constituent is equipped with the skills and technologies required to harness this potential. These skills will help build a generation of manpower that is ready to respond and help build local adaptive capacity which ultimately contributes to climate action and development.

Critical sectors to build local capacities

While it is easy to be tempted to try and proffer solutions that cut across all sectors, which is ideal, it is imperative to focus on those sectors or areas that promise the highest return on efforts or with already existing proof-of-concept. In other words, it is important to avoid being the ‘Jack of all Trades’ as this diminishes effort and demotivates actors. To ensure a stable climate and make real on the commitment of the Paris Agreement, UNEP in its Emission Gap Report of 2020 identified six sectors with the potential to reduce emissions enough to keep the world below the 1.5°C mark. The sectoral pathway dubbed ‘The six-sector solution to the climate crises’[7]?provides a roadmap that can reduce 29-32 GT CO2e, and limit temperature rise to 1.5?C. The identified sectors also provide details on aggregated actions that can be undertaken by various actors in their various capacities.?

The focus here however is not on what the actors at the tip of the ‘action pyramid’ can do, but rather what the lowest level actors can do in their capacity to contribute to making transformative change. How can the lowest segment of society build its own capacity to respond to the unforgiving wrath of mother nature?

The science is so clear, and the call for action is so loud, however, this call is somehow misconstrued to target only a particular section of the society. It is time we decipher the call, decode it appropriately and respond to it accordingly, with the required speed and magnitude. The biggest pieces of the puzzles which include science have already been figured out, although finances seem to elude us, we can still make do with the resources at our disposal, this includes the ingenuity and potential inherent in our youthful populace. We need targeted interventions that are responsive to our special circumstances, and this includes action across various sectors. Take the example of two critical sectors as explained below:

Energy sector?

The energy sector contributes about 40 per cent of global emissions of CO2, thanks to our insatiable greed and desire to burn fossil fuels. However, according to EGR (2020)[8]?this sector has the potential to cut 12.5 gigatonnes of Greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030, such an immense potential. The interesting part is that we do not need to wait as the solutions are already existing. Part of the solutions leans on the part of the consumer, that is the demand side where individuals have a choice to make on how to utilize their energy. As individuals, we have a choice and a responsibility to make a conscious decision on what kind of energy we consume and how we consume it. We can choose to keep the status quo, continue burning fossil fuels and compromising the future of our generations, or we take a deliberate decision to stop this selfish charade and make the right decision, in Martin Luther’s words, each one of us must decide whether to walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness, so we can choose to benefit from science or turn a blind eye and learn from mistakes.?

According to REN21 (2022)[9], the renewable power sector took a large step forward, driven by record expansion in solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power. The number of countries with renewable power policies again increased in 2021 indicating a positive trend. For the first time, solar and wind power provided more than 10% of the world’s electricity. So, if this is the trend, what impedes us from making the right decision? Apparently, the cost of renewable energy far outweighs the cost of fossilized fuels, both in the short and the long term. Therefore, as individuals we have a choice to make, to sign up for the fossil-based grid or turn to the abundance that renewable energy offers us. Building local capacities in renewable energy is crucial in addressing climate change in developing countries. One way to build local capacities in renewable energy is switching to renewables such as solar power which is sustainable and is becoming increasingly affordable with uses cutting across various socioeconomic activities. Instead of relying on fossil-fuel-powered driers and cooling plants for their produce, individuals are presented with a choice to tap into the ever-available solar energy. Instead of depending on coal for district heating and warming, individuals can tap into fuel briquettes derived from wastewater. These are some of the many choices that we can deliberately make and contribute to building our own capacities whilst saving the planet.

Agriculture

According to the Emissions Gap Report (2017)[10], the global food system which represents agriculture in its totality is responsible for a third (18 GtCO2e) of GHG emissions per year. This includes Agricultural production (7.1 GtCO2e), Land Use change (5.7 GtCO2e) and Supply chain activities which contribute 5.2 GtCO2e. Basically, the emission from this sector emanates from our decisions on how we produce, add value, and consume agricultural products.?

There is a general concordance that most households in developing countries depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and so it is important that these households or individuals make the right decision on how to partake in agricultural activities. Under production, the choice of fertilizers we use will have a bearing on emissions, chemical fertilizers, despite promising us more yields contribute to higher emissions unlike if we choose manure. When it comes to supply chain activities, our choice of how to transport the food, how we package it, and how we preserve it, will always have an emission footprint. We have a decision to make, a decision to seek alternative ways to sustainably produce the food that is our lifeline.??

One way to build local capacities in agriculture is by making a deliberate decision to invest in climate-resilient crops. These crops are designed to withstand the effects of climate change and are better suited to the local environment. For example, in the Sahel region of West Africa, farmers are planting millet and sorghum varieties that are better adapted to the region's hotter and drier climate and in so doing are building their own capacities by relying on what works best under their circumstances. Across Africa, through the work of EBAFOSA[11], farmers are exploring the multiple benefits of drought-resistant crops such as Cassava, and in addition to this, they are being guided to fabricate solar driers that help them in preserving their produce, adding value, and ultimately cutting down on post-harvest losses. Aside from the production activities, individuals also have a choice to reduce food loss and waste, changing their diets to net-zero-aligned pathways and exploring alternative climate-smart agricultural activities. With these choices, agriculture has the potential to sustainably feed humanity while also contributing to reducing emissions, however, these decisions and actions must emanate from me and you at the lowest level of the ‘action pyramid’.

Conclusion

Building local capacities is crucial in addressing the impact of climate change globally and most importantly in developing countries. By building local capacities, communities can better adapt to the impact of climate change on agriculture, energy, water, health, and infrastructure. There are many successful projects that provide proofs-of-concept and that have built local capacities in response to climate change, and these projects can serve as a model for future efforts. It is important that efforts to build local capacities are sustained and scaled up to ensure that communities are better prepared to deal with the impact of climate change in the years to come. But again, this will not automatically come if actors do not change their perceptions and or acquire the right skills. Therefore, this is a clarion call to all actors, we need to invest in building our local capacities through a mindset change and acquiring skills that will position us as solution providers and not receivers. If we achieve this, we would have responded genuinely to the noble question of ‘What are we doing for mother nature?’ and not ‘What others are doing for mother nature?’.

References

[1]?https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/41078/AGR2022.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

[2]?https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/population

[3]?https://www.afdb.org/en/cop25/climate-change-africa

[4]?https://ebafosa.org/index.php/innovative-volunteerism

[6]?Munang, R. (2018).?Making Africa Work Through the Power of Innovative Volunteerism. AuthorHouse.

[7]?https://www.unep.org/interactive/six-sector-solution-climate-change/

[8]?https://wedocs.unep.org/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/34426/EGR20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

[9]?https://www.ren21.net/gsr2022-full-report

[10]?https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/22070/EGR_2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

[11]?https://open.substack.com/pub/richardmunang/p/the-power-of-home-grown-solutions-41d?r=1xs6oz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web