AFIRRD seeks to promote a transition to a climate-resilient future by advancing the development of mitigation and adaptation initiatives aligned with international negotiations and processes.
Climate change is an increasing threat at the local and global levels. We assist policymakers, local communities, businesses, and investors in understanding climate risks and future climate regimes based on sound science. Through our research activities on market mechanisms, mitigation, and adaptation, we help various stakeholders co-design actions for localizing climate-resilient societies.
1. Climate mitigation and adaptation
Africa is not a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, as it accounts for only 2–3 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions from energy and industrial sources. However, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the vulnerability of Africa to climate change is driven by a range of factors that include weak adaptive capacity, high dependence on ecosystem goods for livelihoods, and less developed agricultural production systems. Moreover, Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change and climate variability, a situation aggravated by the interaction of ‘multiple stresses,’ occurring at various levels, and low adaptive capacity. For this reason, AFIRRD is positioning itself as among the players to fight climate change through mitigation and adaptation, co-Benefits analysis, energy System analysis, transition, aligning with International Climate Regimes.
2.Ecosystems
AFIRRD focuses on protecting and managing healthy, resilient ecosystems for the well-being of current and future communities. AFIRRD believes that natural resources and ecosystems provide the foundations for a healthy planet and people. Thus, we work closely with governments, academic institutions, and other development organizations as well as the communities to conduct demand-driven policy research and provide practical solutions on a range of environmental issues, including biodiversity, forest management, resilient livelihoods, and water.
3. Environmental governance
AFIRRD supports sustainable environmental governance arrangements that promote collaboration across sectors, levels, and stakeholders, building inclusive, resilient, and prosperous societies with climate change elements in mind. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is essential to mainstream sustainability into the institutional frameworks and policymaking processes of countries, cities, and communities. Following a co-benefits approach, we work collaboratively with national and local governments, businesses, and civil society to help improve environmental safeguards and move towards achieving the SDGs.
4. Green economy
AFIRRD analyses green finance and investment trends, including green business and employment markets, to guide a shift to cleaner economic growth. Charting pathways towards a green economy helps achieve sustainable and resilient societies amidst the coronavirus, Agenda 2030, and constrained global resources. We conduct practical research and cooperate with governments, academic institutions, and other development partners and organizations to analyze green finance and investment, including finding ways to stimulate green jobs and green businesses in Uganda and East African Community (EAC).
5. Sustainable Consumption and Production
AFIRRD cooperates with central and local governments, businesses, international organizations, and other development partners to guide the transition to a resource-efficient, circular, and low-carbon economy. Thus, AFIRRD promotes the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials and the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product. That is to say, AFIRRD promotes consumption and production patterns that secure efficiency and productivity gains, ensuring that human activities remain within the carrying capacity of the planet while respecting the rights of future generations.
6. Sustainable Societies
AFIRRD envisions sustainable societies as low-carbon, resource-efficient, and conservation-oriented to ensure a safe, inclusive, and equitable future for all. Realizing sustainable cities and societies requires taking action at the local level. We work closely with local and city governments, international organizations, including ASEAN, and other development partners on building low-carbon societies, ensuring sustainability transitions, developing sustainable cities and transport, and forging sustainable lifestyles and education.
