African Adaptation Initiative

The African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) is seen as the leading Africa-led adaptation initiative created in response to a mandate by African Heads of State at the 25th African Union Summit in June 2015. The AAI's overall purpose is to enhance concrete adaptation action and address loss and damage on the Continent in the context of the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the African Union's (AU's) 2063 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

History

During the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) in 2015, African heads of state launched the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI). The AAI's steering committee is composed of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) Bureau and the chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN)

It is designed as the initiative for Africa driven by Africa. The devastating impacts of climate change have increased in Africa – including severe droughts, floods, reduced agricultural yields, food and water insecurity. Climate change threatens the economic growth of African states and impedes progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The recent IPCC report has found that the GDP per capita for 1991–2010 in Africa was on average 13.6% lower compared to if climate change had not occurred. As an Africa-led initiative, the AAI project aims to nurture a hub of African experts on risk management and address the adaptation financing gaps.

The Africa Adaptation Initiative is also supported by the European Union The European Union has partnered with the African Union on the promotion of sustainable resources management, environmental resilience, and climate change mitigation

Launch

African Heads of States launched the AAI at the COP21 in Paris. This was the result of a mandate provided by the 25th African Union Summit to the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) to enhance support to Africa on adaptation together with the African Group of Negotiators, in order to respond to increasing climate change challenges. The AAI organizational Structure includes the AAI Champion, spearheading the initiative and appointed by the African Union; the Steering Committee that advises and oversees AAI's work; and the Technical Support Unit, that serves as the Secretariat to the Initiative and is responsible for the day-to-day operationalization of AAI.

Works

1. On January 25, 2021, at the Climate Adaptation Summit 2021, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), European Union (EU), and partners of the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) joined forces with governments, businesses, scientists, NGOs, and youth from all over the world to announce the launch of a two-year €1 million grant that will support the Africa Adaptation Initiative.
2. AAI will engage with existing institutions to enhance adaptation activities on the ground. Additionally, AAI will: (i) Increase knowledge about climate adaptation; (ii) Promote collaboration and partnerships (at sub-regional and regional levels) to maximize shared benefits, scale, and create synergy; (iv) Encourage knowledge management, capacity building, and capacity strengthening; (iii) Support and facilitate resource mobilization for implementation; (v) Track progress through monitoring and evaluation of action.