The International Climate Change Conference held at Makerere University has sparked significant discussions on the need to tailor global climate resilience and adaptation strategies to fit the African context.

The conference, themed, ” Grounding Climate Change in East Africa,” brought together Over 100 participants from eight universities in East Africa  and the diaspora encompassing natural scientists, social scientists, humanities, medical, law  and art scholars as well as  Government ministries and agencies, the private sector and civil society organistaions to debate and propose solutions for the pressing climate issues facing East Africa.

Funded by University of Cambridge in the US, the two day conference (25^th -26^th July 2024) was convened  by Makerere University’s Department of Environmental Managemnet  in conjunction with University of Cambridge  spearheaded by Prof. Justine Namaalwa ,  Dr. Patrick Byakaga and Adam Branch.

The conference underscored the urgent need to reframe global climate strategies to better suit African realities. Integrating local knowledge, mainstreaming climate issues across disciplines, enhancing collaboration between academia and practitioners, and valuing cultural perspectives provide a comprehensive roadmap for effective climate action in East Africa. The participants call for immediate and sustained efforts to implement these resolutions to address the climate crisis effectively.

While officially opening the conference at Makerere University CEDAT Conference room, the Deputy Vice Chancellor  in charge of  Academic Affairs, represented by Dr. Robert Wamala, emphasized the collaborative effort between Makerere University and  the University of Cambridge as a significant milestone in addressing global climate challenges.

Dr. Wamala noted that Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change due to its limited adaptive capacities. “The continent faces increasing climate extremes like droughts and floods, exacerbating poverty and destroying livelihoods,” he said. He highlighted the dire predictions for East Africa, mentioning significant impacts on agriculture, health, infrastructure, and businesses.

“Climate change is recognized as a constraint limiting East Africa’s efforts to attain many critical sustainable development goals,” Wamala added, stressing the urgency for sustainable solutions amid rising conflicts and insecurity in drought-prone areas.

The conference aims to foster meaningful dialogue and explore innovative solutions to climate change. Dr. Wamala encouraged active participation from attendees, stating, “We all shall be able to shape the conversations on climate change based on our unique experiences, insights, and knowledge.”

He highlighted three key themes for the conference: Africanizing global discourses of resilience and adaptation, Deepening climate justice from East African perspectives, and Grounding climate actions by addressing constraints and building momentum. “These themes encapsulate the manifest nature of climate change and the need for knowledge when exploring opportunities for effectively addressing the challenge,” he explained.

Dr. Wamala concluded by expressing gratitude to the Department of Environmental Management and international partners, reaffirming Makerere University‘s commitment to addressing global challenges. “Together, let us interrogate the complexities of climate change and trigger discussions on tangible actions that will shape a sustainable future,” Dr. Wamala urged.

Co-Convener Highlights the Power of Collaboration in Addressing Climate Change

Representing the Principal of the College of Agricultural  and Environmental Sciences, Co-Convener Assoc. Prof. Justine Namaalwa, who is also Chair of the Department of Environmental Management, emphasized the critical role of academic institutions in tackling climate change. Namaalwa underscored that the conference represents a culmination of the college’s mandate to advance research and education in agricultural and environmental sciences.

Prof. Namaalwa praised the collaborative spirit of the conference, noting, “This event is a testament to the power of collaboration and our shared vision to address the pressing issue of climate change in our region.” She highlighted the diverse range of participants, including academics, government officials, and private sector representatives, all coming together with the common goal of enhancing understanding and shaping effective climate actions tailored to East Africa.

She expressed her gratitude towards the leadership of Makerere University and the Centre of African Studies at the University of Cambridge for their significant contributions. “Our appreciation goes to our esteemed partners at the Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge. Your invaluable partnership and mutual respect have been instrumental in making this conference a reality,” Prof. Namaalwa stated.

Addressing the conference attendees, Namaalwa called for a multidisciplinary approach to climate change. “Climate change is a multifaceted issue that intersects with various fields, including environmental science, agriculture, economics, law, medicine, sociology, and public policy. By integrating insights from these diverse disciplines, we can develop comprehensive and effective actions tailored to our region’s specific needs.” she said.

She urged participants to focus on opportunities for innovation and progress. “The challenges posed by climate change are immense, but so are the opportunities for innovation. Let us emphasize the potential for positive change and work together to build resilient communities, protect our ecosystems, and foster sustainable development.”

In conclusion, Prof. Namaalwa expressed confidence that the conference would act as a catalyst for meaningful action and new partnerships. “I am confident that this conference will inspire new initiatives and collaborations aimed at addressing climate change effectively. Let us seize this opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices, and forge lasting collaborations for a better future.”

Calls for Unified Climate Research, Localized Solutions, and Redefining Global Models

The Head of African Studies at the University of Cambridge, Prof. Adam Branch outlined three main intellectual and institutional goals for the “Grounding Climate Change in East Africa” conference, emphasizing the need to address fragmentation in climate research, political transformations driven by climate discourse, and the influence of Western-dominated climate models.

Prof. Branch pointed out the fragmentation in climate change research driven by donor priorities. He explained that much of the current research is conducted under varied agendas and lacks coordination among different disciplines and institutions. “The conference aims to bring together researchers from various disciplines and universities to build common agendas, discuss shared challenges, and address the fragmentation caused by donor-driven priorities,” he said.

Branch addressed the political and social transformations triggered by climate change discussions. He noted that climate change is driving significant shifts in policies, institutional changes, and civil society agendas. “Given the broad impacts of climate change, it is crucial to create a platform where civil society, activists, academics, practitioners, and political leaders can reflect on these changes and collaborate on navigating the evolving political and social landscape,” Prof. Branch stated.

Prof. Branch also discussed the need to challenge the dominance of Western climate models and agendas. He highlighted concerns about the relevance of global climate policies and models to African contexts, emphasizing that these frameworks often overlook Africa’s environmental histories and adaptation practices. “To ensure that climate actions are relevant and effective, we must ground climate change discussions in African environmental histories and needs, driven by African researchers. This approach will help avoid perpetuating climate injustice and promote genuine environmental justice,” he asserted.

He concluded by reaffirming the importance of the conference in addressing these key issues, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring that climate strategies are tailored to the unique needs and histories of African societies.

Conference Highlights Multidisciplinary Approaches to Climate Change

The conference, held over two days, explored three core themes: Africanizing global discourses of resilience and adaptation; Deepening climate justice with East African perspectives, and Grounding climate actions by addressing constraints and building momentum.

The conference attracted eight universities in East Africa and beyond including Gulu University, Makerere University, University of Cambridge, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, University of Dodoma, University of Dar es Salaam, Lira University, and Addis Ababa University. A total of 28 scholarly papers were presented, alongside three keynote speeches and six panel discussions.

During the opening, agenda setting and overview roundtable, Prof. Justine Namaalwa emphasized the critical role of research in shaping climate actions. Dr. Patrick Byakagaba discussed the importance of harnessing synergies between universities and civil society organizations for climate resilience and justice.

Byakagaba emphasized the multifaceted nature of climate justice, stating, “Climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, and achieving climate justice means addressing these disparities. It involves not only fair distribution of costs and benefits but also correcting historical wrongs.” He explained that climate justice is deeply intertwined with both distributive justice—where wealthier nations shoulder more responsibility—and corrective justice, which seeks to address past inequities.

Byakagaba highlighted the growing involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) and governments in adopting climate justice perspectives. “while some Global South nations are enacting climate laws that incorporate human rights and intergenerational considerations, successes in climate litigation have been sparse.” This is often due to the technical challenge of proving causal links between human activities and localized climate impacts. He stressed that “robust evidence from technical experts, often based in universities, is essential to support these legal claims.”

Universities, once considered detached from real-world problems, are increasingly aligning their research with societal needs and community priorities. Dr. Byakagaba noted, “The collaboration between universities and CSOs is crucial. Universities have the research capabilities to provide actionable insights, while CSOs offer on-the-ground perspectives and practical experience.” This partnership is seen as a vital strategy for developing and implementing effective climate-resilient interventions.

Policy advocacy for climate justice relies heavily on rigorous, objective research. Dr. Byakagaba explained, “Countries with strong climate laws often have advisory committees that include technical experts from academia and civil society. These committees are vital for shaping and implementing effective climate strategies.” However, many regional and local governments in East Africa still face challenges in creating actionable climate plans.

Addressing barriers to effective university-CSO partnerships—such as power imbalances and differing timelines—requires significant reform. Dr. Byakagaba concluded, “Overcoming these challenges will necessitate a shift in mindset within both universities and CSOs. Strong collaborations between these institutions can drive meaningful climate action and address the pressing challenges of climate change.”

Additionally, Adam Branch and Dr. Florence Ebila presented on extending the climate change debate and engendering climate change action, respectively.The conference featured three keynote addresses. Mathew Bukhi Mabele from the University of Dodoma presented on “Green Extractivism and a Surging Commodity Frontier in African Carbon Forestry.” On the second day, Laury Ocen delivered a keynote on “Framing Climate Security within the Historical Lenses of Oral Texts,” while Aaron Werikhe and Kimono Jamil from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Water and Environment discussed “Mainstreaming Climate Change in National and Local Government Budgets in Uganda: Opportunities and Challenges.”

Panel discussions covered a range of topics. Panel One, chaired by Prof. Namaalwa, included debates on climate change politics, data, and justice. Panel Two, led by Solomon Olum, focused on land, natural resources, and livelihoods, with discussions on gender dynamics, carbon hegemony, and conservation agriculture. Panel Three, chaired by Arthur Oworo, explored culture and climate change, with presentations on literature, disaster risk reduction, and indigenous knowledge.

Day Two Featured Panel Four, chaired by Laury Ocen, which examined environmental hazards and social vulnerability, including studies on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change in East Africa. Panel Five, led by Irene Anying, presented research on local climate knowledge and adaptation practices, while Panel Six, chaired by Adam Branch, addressed land, displacement, and ecology, featuring discussions on refugee self-reliance, land tenure, and sustainable development.

The conference successfully fostered a multidisciplinary dialogue on climate change, emphasizing the need for collaborative and context-specific solutions to address the challenges facing East Africa and beyond.

Communiqué: Key Takeaways and Resolutions from the Conference

The conference addressed several critical issues, providing clear resolutions for tackling climate change in East Africa. A major focus was the pivotal role of academia in shaping climate adaptation and resilience strategies for Africa.

Universities and research institutions were urged to lead by developing curricula and research agendas that incorporate African perspectives and solutions. This includes supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) with accessible information and fostering collaborative actions. There was a strong call to mainstream climate change across all academic disciplines, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches and ensuring that all fields, including the humanities, contribute to climate solutions.

The importance of evidence-based climate action was emphasized. It was highlighted that research should inform decision-making processes to ensure that interventions are grounded in solid evidence. This approach is crucial for implementing effective strategies to address climate change challenges.

The conference also underscored the need for research to be deliberate and intentional in influencing policy and practice. Researchers were encouraged not only to generate evidence but also to actively engage in refining and rebutting existing policies and practices. This focused effort aims to ensure that research findings contribute directly to improving climate policies and practices.

Researchers were urged to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts through targeted research that provides actionable insights and solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate impacts. Additionally, there was a call for researchers to provide evidence-based results that support both national and international climate policy processes, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This will ensure that climate strategies are informed by the latest research findings.

Academia is expected to play a proactive role in supporting policy and strategy development. Researchers were urged to align their work with policy processes, offering valuable data and analysis to shape and refine climate strategies. This commitment is crucial for bridging the gap between research and practical climate action, ensuring that policies are effective and grounded in robust scientific evidence.

The conference also emphasized the urgent need to realign global climate strategies to better address African realities. By integrating local knowledge, mainstreaming climate issues across disciplines, enhancing collaboration between academia and practitioners, and valuing cultural perspectives, participants laid out a comprehensive roadmap for effective climate action in East Africa. Immediate and sustained efforts are required to implement these resolutions and address the climate crisis effectively.

Local knowledge and perspectives were highlighted, with the conference stressing that societies affected by climate change should not only be seen as victims but also as repositories of valuable indigenous knowledge. Challenging conventional notions of climate change and integrating local insights is essential for developing more effective and contextually relevant solutions.

Climate change was recognized as a cross-cutting issue impacting various sectors of society. The conference underscored the necessity of addressing climate change across political, economic, social, and scientific fields. Comprehensive engagement from all academic disciplines, including the humanities, is vital. Integrating diverse perspectives will ensure a holistic approach to tackling climate change and its multifaceted impacts.

Sustainable charcoal practices were identified as a critical area for environmental conservation and local livelihoods. The sub-region was highlighted as a key area for implementing such initiatives, emphasizing the need to mitigate deforestation and support community well-being.

Participants were encouraged to become proactive climate change activists, advocate for climate considerations in budget plans, and integrate these issues into everyday practices. Effective climate action requires collaboration between academia and CSOs to create and implement meaningful policies and initiatives.

Communication strategies were addressed, with a focus on using vernacular languages to effectively communicate climate change. This approach is crucial for bridging the gap between universal and local understandings, making climate information more accessible and relevant to diverse communities.

The conference stressed the need for a critical approach to data justice and climate modeling. There was a call for examining climate models and data with consideration of historical injustices, ensuring they inform policies and practices thoughtfully. Caution was advised to avoid perpetuating inequalities or misrepresenting local conditions.

Cultural perspectives and environmental justice were also highlighted. Cultural values and traditional knowledge play a crucial role in conserving natural resources and promoting environmental sustainability. The rich content of oral culture can offer valuable insights for developing effective climate change responses and resilience strategies.

Jane Anyango
Principal Communication Officer