Concept Note

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the world today. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that impacts all aspects of human life, including health, well-being, food security, and economic development. The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and include rising temperatures, more frequent and severe weather events, sea-level rise, and the loss of biodiversity.

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Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its geographical location, socio-economic conditions, and limited adaptive capacity. The region is already experiencing climate change, such as increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. These impacts are expected to worsen in the coming decades, with potentially devastating consequences for the region's population and ecosystems.

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The evidence is clear: climate change is a pressing issue that requires urgent action. Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference 2024 will provide a platform for discussing innovative research and evidence on climate change and its impact on Sub-Saharan Africa. The conference will also focus on identifying practical solutions and strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change in the region. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, the conference aims to foster collaboration and drive action towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Conference Theme

Resilience & Climate Change Adaptation

The conference theme, “Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation” explores the linkages and synergies between two key concepts that are essential for addressing the impacts of climate change, especially in Africa. It highlights questions such as: How can climate change adaptation enhance resilience to current and future climate risks? What are the barriers and enablers for effective and inclusive adaptation and resilience building? How can adaptation and resilience contribute to sustainable development and human well-being in a changing climate? How can evidence and evaluation inform and improve adaptation and resilience policies and practices?

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The theme covers research evidence and evaluation methods and tools related to the assessment and measurement of adaptation and resilience outcomes and impacts; the identification and prioritization of adaptation and resilience options and pathways; the design and implementation of adaptation and resilience interventions and strategies; and the learning and sharing of adaptation and resilience knowledge and experiences. It also provides an opportunity for in-depth discussions and exchanges on various sub-thematic areas as highlighted.

Subthemes

Artificial intelligence, advanced digital tools, and technological innovations
Adaptation methods and climate resilient infrastructure
Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI)
Intersectionality and climate justice
Youth and climate change
Climate policy, governance, and systemic change
Agricultural innovations for climate change adaptation and resilience
The Goal

The overall goal for the Evidence to Action Conference 2024 is to bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the latest research and evidence on climate change and its impact on the world, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The conference will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and identifying practical solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change in the region.

Conference Objectives

The conference will have the following specific objectives, revolving around resilience and climate change adaptation:

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  1. Knowledge Sharing: The conference will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, research, and best practices in resilience and climate change adaptation. By bringing together leading experts in the field, we aim to create a platform for idea generation and knowledge sharing.
  2. Networking: The conference will provide an opportunity for participants to network and build connections with professionals from various industries, organizations, and regions. By fostering collaboration and partnerships, we aim to strengthen the global resilience community and promote innovative solutions.
  3. Policy Dialogue: The conference will provide a platform for policymakers, government representatives, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on climate change adaptation policies. By fostering dialogue and collaboration between policymakers and experts, we aim to contribute to the development of evidence-based policies that support resilience and sustainability.
  4. Innovation and Technology: The conference will focus on highlighting innovative and technological solutions that can support resilience and adaptation to climate change. By highlighting advancements in technology, such as renewable energy systems, resilient infrastructure, and early warning systems, we aim to stimulate innovation and drive transformative change.
  5. Capacity Strengthening: The conference will enhance the knowledge and skills of participants in resilience and climate change adaptation. Through workshops, training sessions, and presentations by experts, we aim to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to the evolving climate challenges.
  6. Collaboration and Action: The conference will foster collaboration and action among participants to address climate change resilience and adaptation challenges. By facilitating partnerships, collaboration initiatives, and project proposals, we aim to translate knowledge and ideas into actions that contribute to building resilient communities and ecosystems.
Expected Outcomes

Climate change and building resilience are urgent yet complex challenges that require collaborative, evidence-based solutions. This conference aims to foster innovative outcomes that will propel the creation and adoption of effective policies and programs.

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Expected key outcomes include:

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  1. Enhanced Understanding of Climate Change and its Impacts: The conference will provide a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share their knowledge and research findings on climate change and its various impacts.
  2. Sharing Best Practices and Lessons Learned: The conference will provide an opportunity for participants to share and learn from the experiences and case studies of successful resilience initiatives from around the world.
  3. Identification of Key Resilience Strategies and Policies: The conference will engage participants in a focused discussion on resilience strategies and policies that can effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.
  4. Committing to Finding Solutions: New commitments, initiatives, and financing mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of local, regional, and global climate resilience solutions.
  5. Creating Opportunities for Action: Launch of a community of practice to develop resilience assessment tools, metrics, and monitoring capacities for communities and organizations.
  6. Promoting Collaboration and Partnerships: Climate change requires collective action and collaboration across sectors and boundaries. The conference will facilitate networking and partnerships among participants, enabling them to connect and collaborate on projects, research, and policy development.
Our Approach

The conference will serve as a forum to integrate and optimize innovative research, and evaluation findings through collaborative and shared learning. The goal is to promote evidence-based policymaking and sustainable program development related to resilience and climate change adaptation.

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This will be achieved through several formats:

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  1. Keynote addresses and plenary sessions from expert speakers
  2. Round table and panel discussions of critical issues
  3. Paper and poster presentations highlighting current work
  4. Exhibitions of programs and technologies
  5. Breakout sessions

Also, the conference will host pre-conference workshops to facilitate professional development training for participants eager to enhance their skills and expertise in this critical field. We look forward to creating a vibrant environment where knowledge exchange and networking contribute to the advancement of Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation initiatives.

Participants and Target Audience

The conference will bring together experts, government actors, policymakers, academia, civil society, NGOs, Public International Organizations (PIO), private sector, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, media, and other stakeholders in the climate resilience space. This diverse, interdisciplinary group aims to foster integrated knowledge exchange and collaboration across sectors to drive equitable climate resilience solutions based on evidence and community needs.

Conference Organizing Committee

This 2024 E2A Conference is convened by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) and The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Markets, Risk and Resilience (MRR) at the University of California – Davis (UC Davis), in conjunction with the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). The collaborators for this conference include: National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) of Ghana, Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Ghana Institute of Planners, Ghana Monitoring and Evaluation Forum (GMEF), Africa Evaluation Association (AfrEA), and other partners.

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