Climate change is a critical issue that affects the entire world, with Africa feeling its impact profoundly. During the recent Climate Change and Health Strategy workshop organised by PACKS Africa in partnership with the University of Southampton’s CIRU and Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency, it became evident that to achieve more effective climate action, we need to move beyond large-scale international funding and leverage local evidence and resources.
The workshop, titled Advancing Climate Change and Health Issues in Ghana: Co-Creating Research and Policy Pathways for Sustainable Interventions, brought together experts as part of the Africa Evidence Week celebration in Ghana. Their discussion highlighted a significant financing gap in tackling climate change.
Edem Dennis, one of the key speakers, noted the inadequacy of available funds in Ghana, given the significant impacts of climate change. At the international level, mechanisms such as the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund exist, yet their accessibility remains inconsistent.
Edem pointed out that even if you apply, success is not guaranteed, with funding often "scattered across various institutions and agencies." This lack of reliability hampers long-term planning and the execution of comprehensive climate change mitigation strategies.
Given these challenges, the discussion underscored an essential strategy: utilising local evidence and resources to address immediate climate issues. Ms. Edna Ovulley, Chairperson of the event, emphasised the importance of focusing on small-scale, actionable interventions at the community level.
She highlighted that waiting for significant funding often delays solutions to local challenges, like sanitation, which can be addressed with minimal financial support. One proposed approach is integrating environmental education into the primary school curriculum to instil environmental responsibility from an early age.
Another critical point raised was the need to build local capacities and strengthen partnerships. Despite existing expertise in climate change and public health research, targeted funding for capacity strengthening is lacking. Edem Dennis emphasised that funding rarely targets capacity-strengthening initiatives for health researchers undertaking climate-related research.
Addressing this issue requires deliberate and sustained investment in training and developing health professionals and scientists. Such investment should be continuous, ensuring local experts are well-equipped to conduct research and implement policies effectively. Additionally, forging stronger international partnerships was highlighted as crucial. Donors must recognise that climate change affects Africa differently and tailor their support accordingly.
The workshop concluded with strategic recommendations to improve coordination in climate change and health research. A centralised platform was proposed to streamline these efforts, as the current approach is fragmented, with various entities working independently.
Public outreach and engagement were also identified as critical components of this strategy. Engaging the public in climate action – particularly in initiatives like carbon trading, which could generate significant revenue by 2030 – is crucial. This revenue could then be dedicated to climate health research and capacity strengthening.
The key takeaway from the discussion was clear: while large-scale funding is necessary, the power of local evidence and resources should not be underestimated. Addressing local climate issues with the resources at hand can make immediate and tangible improvements. As Edem Dennis concluded, we must be deliberate about our capacity-strengthening initiatives. This ensures that both local actions and international support are aligned to address the pressing challenges of climate change. In the face of global uncertainties, local action remains a powerful tool for sustainable change.
To watch the session, access the live recording here.
About the author: Divine Adongo is a Strategic Communications Specialist at PACKS Africa, an Emerging Public Leaders Fellow, and President of the Centre for Contemporary Pan-Africanism. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Media and Communications Studies from Tamale Technical University, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a specialisation in Public Relations, and a Master of Arts in Political Communications Management from the University of Media, Arts, and Communications (UniMAC). His interests include writing, law, diplomacy, policy, politics, and governance.
Acknowledgements: The author(s) is solely responsible for the content of this article, including all errors or omissions; acknowledgements do not imply endorsement of the content. The author thanks Charity Chisoro for her guidance in finalising this article and for her editorial support.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in published blog posts, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author/s and do not represent the views of the Africa Evidence Network, its secretariat, advisory or reference groups, or its funders; nor does it imply endorsement by the afore-mentioned parties.
Suggested citation: Adongo, D. (2024) Don't Wait for 'Big Funding': Harness Local Evidence to Tackle Climate Change. Blog posting on 09 September 2024. Available at: https://www.africaevidencenetwork.org/en/learning-space/article/365/
