Introduction

This project represents an opportunity to unleash new scientific insights on climate change through synthesis of diverse existing knowledge and data. And to do this in a way that strengthens the science-policy-practice interface for more evidence-based and inclusive climate action to reduce risks for vulnerable people and places in Africa. The project also presents a significant opportunity to develop the pipeline of African researchers skilled in conducting synthesis research and able to take leading roles in forthcoming global environmental assessments, to add value to the existing knowledge base in Africa, and build the evidence base for future regional and global adaptation policies and strategies. BAOBAB will mobilize and provide technical and capacity strengthening support for six African-led, transdisciplinary teams to synthesize existing data and knowledge on climate change risks and response options. The goal is to advance scientific discoveries and best practices from the wealth of data and knowledge that already exist on climate change risks and response options, and to do this in a way that is southern-led, and facilitates co-production of knowledge among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

This project is jointly funded by CLARE and the Step Change initiative, a Canada-Netherlands partnership to drive equitable and inclusive locally-led adaptation.

Context

Capacity to synthesize existing climate evidence is critical to efforts to respond to the climate crisis in an evidence-based way, as shown through the successive rounds of Assessment Reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However, there is an absence of synthesis research programs in Africa and therefore a lack of opportunities for African scholars to develop capacity to conduct synthesis research working in transdisciplinary teams. Globally, no synthesis centre exists that is focused specifically on climate change adaptation. Combined, these are important gaps to fill as policy and practitioner demand increases for robust evidence to inform effective climate change adaptation action and for just transition strategies that integrate adaptation and mitigation into climate resilient development. 

Approach and Methods

The BAOBAB project is designed with careful attention to incorporating approaches that strengthen African capacity and leadership for synthesis research, support effective and inclusive co-production of research with users, and integrate knowledge brokering of actionable research to respond to decision-maker priorities for addressing urgent climate risks, especially for vulnerable and marginalized populations. The project intends to tackle the knowledge and capacity gaps in research synthesis, working to mobilise and support transdisciplinary teams; focusing on key research priorities of African decision makers; and ensuring research results are co-produced, relevant, and accessible to research users.  

To unleash new insights through synthesis of existing knowledge and data in a way that strengthens the science-policy-practice interface for more evidence-based and inclusive climate action and reduces risks for vulnerable people and places in Africa. 

1. Strengthen capacity for synthesis research in Africa and generate new insights for reducing climate change risks, including strengthening capacity to contribute to global environmental and climate change assessments.  
2. Produce actionable research for informing climate resilient development and reducing climate change risks, especially for marginalised and vulnerable groups.  
3. Advance southern-led synthesis research and support inclusive synthesis teams to strengthen a community of practice for synthesis research on climate change in Africa. 

Expected Results

The primary goal of BAOBAB is to contribute new actionable insights through synthesis of existing knowledge and data, to support evidence-based and inclusive climate action in Africa that increases climate resilience, especially for vulnerable and marginalized populations.  

To achieve the project outcomes and objectives, BAOBAB expects to deliver diverse and tailored outputs. This includes high-impact, open access peer-reviewed publications, as well as data and methodologies published to serve as long-term resources for future researchers.  

Each synthesis team will co-produce outputs with knowledge-users, such as fact sheets, infographics, decision support tools, policy briefs, news, and social media content, including in languages other than English. Outputs targeted for decision-makers will be complemented by interactions with broader policy and practice audiences to seize windows of opportunity for impact. 

A key GEI output expected is GEI-sensitive and GEI-responsive actionable research evidence and recommendations packaged in research articles and targeted materials for policymakers and practitioners that is focused on reducing climate change risks for marginalised and vulnerable groups. It is expected that some synthesis research will reveal the extent to which research and/or interventions on climate change adaptation and resilience have to-date been GEI blind. 

The project will strengthen capacity of many transdisciplinary teams, involving an estimated 90 participants from diverse backgrounds across Africa plus 6 postdoctoral students, to build expert synthesis research skills, including to integrate GEI-dimensions in synthesis research, and to work as knowledge brokers. The proposal outlines targets of 25% synthesis research team participants to be early career researchers, 25% early career practitioners and policymakers, and at least 50% women. 

Overall, the project will strengthen the systematic evidence base on climate change for Africa and increase the number of well-networked African researchers with expert synthesis research skills. This will enable these individuals to feature more prominently in future global environmental assessments, including for the IPCC 7th Assessment Report Cycle. 

In addition, the project will increase the experience of ASCEND in supporting transdisciplinary synthesis teams, including on integrating GEI dimensions, and through the support of CDKN, strengthen the capacity of ASCEND and collaborating partners, AAI and AGNES, for knowledge brokering.