Break-out session 1: Group 1

Chair: Ayieko, Monica Rapporteur: Karimanzira, Rungano Transition Team member: Wilson, Steven

Participants:

 Agboola, Julius Ibukun  Akeem, Ayofe Akinwale    Biggs, Oonsie Brand, Kobie Ekosse, Georges-Ivo      Martin, Orla Matondo, Jonathan Midgley, Guy Moloney, Coleen Swilling, Mark

Future Earth Research Theme: Dynamic Planet

Observing, explaining, projecting Earth and societal system trends, drivers and processes, and their interactions; anticipating global thresholds.

1. Research priorities relevant for Africa that can be linked to / integrated within the Future Earth research framework  

Bridge the gap and fragments in the governance systems in Africa

Energy – develop affordable renewable sources  Relationship to FE – reduce environmental degradation, sustainability,…  Understanding of African marine ecosystems – behavior of ocean currents and the impact on marine environment –deep water and shallow water systems… (FE Dynamic Planet); marine resource management (natural and human resource management for food securities and income generation). Fisheries – regulated at national level or policed at broader level

Cont…

   Management of water resources  Global development and its relationship to African development – address R&D for Sustainable development in Africa; Technology transfer N/S, adaptation , adoption, diffusion and extension services. Technology development by Africans, sustainability of development projects through development of capacity building (organizational issues); Environmental tipping points – for Sustainable Development and human wellbeing and poverty alleviation; Alternative development trajectories – lessons learnt from experiences from other regions;     Developmental analysis… (Chair); Targeted research consistent with national priorities and community needs; Optimal use of available knowledge for common good; Co-design research projects and effectively communicate these in the implementation process ;

Cont…

 Connection between ecosystems services (benefits – provisioning & regulating services (water, food, energy); processes (climate regulation); cultural services(recreation, spiritual and tradition) and human wellbeing and poverty alleviation;

2. On-going regional activities / programmes, already dealing with these priorities. Gaps not being addressed            ECA/CLIMDEV – Climate for Development in Africa Large Marine ecosystems programmes – link between basic science and policy SAPECS- Southern African Prog on Ecosystem Change and Society; Wild Coast Project ; AHEAD – Animal Health and Environment – veterinary (livestock and wildlife management) ILRI – livestock management IITA – International Institute of Tropical Agriculture VICRES – Lake Victoria Research Initiatives (trans-boundary – East Africa)- Energy, Major River Basin Studies – (Nile, Niger, Congo, Zambezi IWMI – International Water Management Institute (food production) UNU INRA (Ghana) Institute for Natural Resources in Africa – Sustainability and low carbon /green economies

Research GAPS

     Linkages amongst the sectors. (Management of trade-offs.); • • • • Energy – renewable/appropriate/alternative energy research initiatives. Competition with food security. Optimal use of available land for exploitation of renewable energy Water – harvesting technologies, waste water management and sanitation programmes; development and management of emerging water treatment technologies Animal/Human Health disease transmission, drug discovery and management using emerging technologies ; Agriculture and food/feed security new and disease resistant varieties; broaden the application of processed products Sustainable approaches – conservation/optimal/efficient use Governance (environment) African-led approaches to Leadership Capacity Building initiatives in existing programmes ( region specific)

Research Gaps Cont…

 Preservation ---- sustainable use continuum with socio-cultural-political implications. Which management approach is applicable in Africa?????

3. Opportunities for collaboration between Future Earth and existing regional activities        Identify opportunities (global/regional, etc) Comparative management approaches to identify commonalities in ecological, social systems etc. {African approaches; lessons learnt from

pitfalls of developed nations related to global change challenges; how were the challenges addressed; regional diversity, dynamism, cultural differences, top-down/bottom-up approaches used in various areas]

Developing and sharing knowledge and exchanging of best practices.

Assist regional research activities in a way that better contribute to social challenges – trans-disciplinary approach and addressing the questions being posed; Downscaling and upscaling of research opportunities; Effective and efficient transfer of sector-based research outcomes for development; Establish financing framework for development linkages between and amongst research initiatives;

Future Earth Research Theme: Global Development

Providing the knowledge for sustainable, secure and fair stewardship of food, water, health, energy, materials and other ecosystem services.

Future Earth Research Theme: Transformation towards Sustainability

Understanding and evaluating strategies for governing and managing the global environment across scales and sectors, to move towards a sustainable Future Earth.