Strengthening climate action: SEI Africa expands strategic partnership with IPCC

This strategic engagement began in 2023 when SEI Africa co-hosted an expert meeting with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Secretariat on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit. The event, attended by IPCC Working Group Vice Chairs from Ghana and Kenya, laid the foundation for a series of collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing climate action across Africa.

On 19 August, 2024, a pivotal meeting took place in Dodoma, Tanzania, where SEI Africa engaged with key officials from the IPCC and the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) to explore new avenues for collaboration. The discussion focused on using SEI Africa’s expertise to contribute to the IPCC’s scientific and technical leadership, with a particular emphasis on air pollution, short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), and their intersecting impacts on both climate and air quality, as well as policy engagement.

The meeting was attended by prominent figures including Ladislaus Chang’a, Vice Chairperson of the IPCC and Acting Director General of the TMA, alongside other significant stakeholders from the TMA and SEI Africa. The agenda underscored the critical need for integrated approaches in addressing the challenges posed by air pollutants and climate change. The discussions highlighted, the findings from the Integrated Assessment on Air Pollution and Sustainable Development in Africa as a key component of future strategies.

SEI Africa’s role in policy and research

During the meeting, SEI Africa presented its ongoing work, which includes the Dar es Salaam air quality monitoring baseline study project and the high-level policy dialogue on air quality management in Tanzania. These initiatives underscore SEI Africa’s commitment to applying scientific knowledge to influence and shape policy, aligning seamlessly with the IPCC’s overarching goals.

One of the key areas of potential collaboration identified during the meeting was the inclusion of SLCPs in the IPCC’s greenhouse gas inventory. SEI Africa’s contributions could prove crucial in ensuring that future IPCC reports, including the upcoming 2027 Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, are scientifically robust and incorporate the latest peer-reviewed literature on climate change. The discussions also explored how the methodologies proposed by the Africa Integrated Assessment could inform ongoing work in Tanzania, providing valuable insights for policy development.

Another significant aspect of the collaboration is the emphasis on enhancing the inclusivity and geographic representation within the IPCC’s processes. SEI Africa, with its strong regional presence, is uniquely positioned to promote the involvement of African researchers and experts in the IPCC’s work, thereby strengthening the global climate science community. As Ladislaus Chang’a aptly stated, “We need the story of Africa to be reflected and told in the IPCC reports and stories.”

Future outlook and continued collaboration

The meeting also sets the stage for SEI Africa’s continued support of the IPCC’s outreach efforts, including the upcoming IPCC outreach event in Abidjan where SEI Africa will play a crucial role in promoting the dissemination of IPCC reports and facilitating policy engagement across the continent. Additionally, TMA stands to benefit significantly from SEI Africa’s already established relationship with the Kenya Meteorological Department, fostering regional cooperation in climate research and policy development.

As SEI Africa and the IPCC deepen their collaboration, this partnership holds great promise for advancing climate action in Africa and beyond, ensuring that scientific knowledge is effectively translated into impactful policy measures. The enhanced cooperation between these organizations represents a crucial step towards addressing the complex and interrelated challenges of climate change and air pollution on the continent.