We are excited to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter, focusing on the remarkable work being done by CACCI to build evidence-based, actionable plans for NDC implementation to combat climate change in some of the most vulnerable regions of the globe.

In this edition, we share upcoming events and showcase the tangible results and inspiring stories that exemplify the power of collective action and the potential for positive change in the face of a rapidly changing climate. We share highlights from our partners' work categorized according to the four pillars of the CACCI approach to shine a spotlight on the innovative approaches, transformative outcomes, and collaborative efforts addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

Upcoming Events

COP28 PRESIDENCY ASKS FOR PROPOSALS FOR DRAFT PROGRAM

The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28, has announced the draft program which can be found here. COP28 will take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, UAE. As a coalition of partners dedicated to understanding the impacts of climate change and finding solutions to mitigate its effects, CACCI recognizes the critical importance of this event.

The COP28 Presidency announced a high-level draft program, outlining the potential theme days and fixed components of the event. Through consultations with stakeholders, thematic areas were developed by the COP Presidency to highlight interrelated action areas. They welcome comments from all stakeholders on the draft program and have asked for proposals on the thematic days and sequencing to be submitted by Monday, May 28, through their feedback form on the COP28 draft program webpage. Any information provided will remain confidential.

CACCI in Action:

CACCI AT AIM4C 

We are delighted to share that CACCI presented a breakout session at the Aim for Climate Summit, held from May 8-10, 2023. The session, titled Innovation for Integrating and Mainstreaming Agriculture in the NDCs, featured a distinguished panel discussing challenges and collaborative efforts in accelerating agricultural innovation and climate action. Emily Weeks from USAID moderated the session, with Manuel Otero from IICA providing context and emphasizing the need for greater innovation and regional cooperation. Panelists, including Laura Suazo, Bill Hohenstein, and Vatimi Rayalu, shared insights on implementing NDC goals and fostering transformative approaches.

The session included discussions on supporting agri-food system adaptation by Assistant USAID Administrator, Dina Esposito and an exploration of collaborative opportunities in Africa by H.E. Ambassador Josefa Sacko. The panel highlighted the global challenges faced in translating commitments into action and the importance of cross-sector collaboration between governments and the private sector. CACCI's contributions were recognized as a significant step towards meeting these needs, with ongoing efforts to foster innovation and address climate-related goals.

CACCI-GHANA Pilot Outreach Event

CACCI Updates for

March & April

Pillar I Updates:

Clarify ambitions and set

policy agendas

• CACCI-Asia — Suresh Babu embarked on a whirlwind tour, engaging in conferences and meetings of global significance. At the 11th Asian Society of Agricultural Economists International Conference (ASAE) in Tokyo, Japan, Babu delivered an in-person presentation titled Climate Change and Food Systems: From Research to Action, contributing to discussions on sustainable Asian agriculture and food systems. He later participated in the ASEAN-CRN Knowledge Exchange Event, presenting insights on climate change initiatives and collaboration opportunities among ASEAN-CRN partners, met with researchers at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji to explore collaborations under CACCI Asia, and engaged with USAID Uzbekistan's Agribusiness Development Activity and CACCARI in Central Asia. He also held discussions with ASEAN HQ in Indonesia.
• Ghana — A Pilot Outreach Event was convened by the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER) and the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI). The April 25 event set out to showcase the CACCI pilot program in Ghana to stakeholders from Ghana as well as participants from across Africa and Asia.
• Rwanda — On March 16, AKADEMIYA2063 and USAID met with the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE). FONERWA and MoE requested analytical support to inform the design of investment programs to implement themes 3 and 4 of the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS), which serves as Rwanda’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP). On April 12 and April 20, AKADEMIYA2063 met with MoE to review Rwanda’s current environment- and climate-related M&E systems and discuss data collection for the indicators identified in the IRF. It was suggested to integrate the platforms currently being used by the MoE and REMA as well as the additional indicators proposed in the IRF to result in a comprehensive data repository. 
• Senegal — On April 13, AKADEMIYA2063 met with the Directorate of the Environment and Listed Establishments (DEEC) within the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to discuss activities being carried out under CACCI. Also, the Ecological Monitoring Center (Centre de Suivi Ecologique-CSE), AKADEMIYA2063’s main partner in Senegal, has prepared a draft country profile summarizing the institutional and policy environment for climate action in Senegal as well as a document synthesizing adaptation actions in different sectoral policies and plans.
• Zambia — As the chair of the sustainable charcoal production sub-committee the IAPRI team participated in an engagement meeting of the National Charcoal Taskforce (NCTF) sub-committee Chairpersons to develop a 2023 work plan for the NCTF. The NCTF is coordinated and hosted by USAID’s supported Alternatives to Charcoal (A2C) project. 

Pillar II Updates:

Strengthen human capacity and improve institutional infrastructure

• Rwanda and Senegal — AKADEMIYA2063 has carried out and submitted stakeholder mapping analysis for both Senegal and Rwanda, identifying and categorizing major CACCI stakeholders in the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia.
• Zambia — The CACCI technical team participated in the review of the Zambia Feed the Future (FtF) implementation plan and the selection of FtF zone of influence. The meeting was organized by USAID Zambia mission on April 27, 2023, in Lusaka. They also participated in a workshop to validate the revised Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning System framework for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process. The workshop was held on March 15th, 2023 at Ibis Gardens in Chibombo district. The team also conducted a survey on some members of the Technical Working Committee on Climate Change to assess their capacity-building needs on NDCs and NAPs. The exercise was conducted from 9th to 23rd March, 2023 and input from this activity will feed into the Capacity Needs Assessments Report for Zambia.

Pillar III Updates:

Facilitate implementation and progress toward net zero carbon emissions

• Rwanda — On April 25–27, AKADEMIYA2063 participated in the Training and Validation Workshop for Developing Rwanda’s Emission Carbon Trading and Readiness Framework under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, organized by REMA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Zambia — IAPRI took part in the commemoration of the International Day of Forests themed, Forest and Health and Launch of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) in Zambia on March 21st, 2023 at Kenneth Kaunda International Conference in Lusaka. The Initiative targets to plant four million trees across the country, focusing on degraded areas to reduce the impact of desertification, as well as supporting ecosystems and assisting in removing CO2 from the atmosphere. In April, the CACCI technical team (comprising technical staff from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and IAPRI) met the consultant developing the NDC Result Framework on April 12th, 2023, and provided input in the costing of activities in the NDC under the agricultural sector. They also participated virtually in the pre-scoping mission for the nature, people, and climate investment program hosted by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment on 18th April, 2023.

Pillar IV Updates:

Track progress, report, and monitor

• Rwanda — AKADEMIYA2063 is preparing a series of CACCI Field Notes which will disseminate analytical outputs from CACCI. The first two issues, presenting the Rwanda Integrated Results Framework and a report on forest cover dynamics in Rwanda, are currently being finalized.

Visit the CACCI Website to learn more.

The new Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative (CACCI), launched at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), partners with key stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers at the country level to create actionable programs and policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. For those countries who have ratified the Paris Agreement, their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) will outline plans and goals. CACCI is designed to support nations in their implementation of NDCs and NAPs through technical and analytical support, capacity development, and inclusive and evidence-based policy dialogue. CACCI aims to help achieve a critical mass of countries able to respond to their commitments under the Paris Agreement, thus promoting household and community-level resilience, food security, and robust inclusive growth. The CACCI Update comes out on a bi-monthly basis and is a compilation of the latest information and actions being taken by CACCI teams from across the globe.