Call for papers

Introduction

The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) will organize the Fourth Annual Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-IV) in Marrakesh, Morocco from 8-10 October, 2014. The Conference is organized each year under the auspices of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme. The theme of this year’s Conference is: Africa Can Feed Africa Now: Translating Climate Knowledge into Action. This theme is especially relevant as 2014 is celebrated by the African Union as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security through which leaders will renew their commitment to agricultural transformation. The conference will bring together a diverse group of African leaders, policy makers, senior government officials, professionals, ClimDev-Africa partners, development partners, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (IGOs/NGOs), academia, practitioners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including the media, the private sector and others concerned stakeholders.

CCDA-IV will comprise of a high-level panel session, technical parallel sessions as well as pre and side events. Key Note speeches from eminent persons, lead speakers, and various expert presentations will be made. The conference will also focus on the prominent roles for CSOs, Gender, Youth and farmers in the agricultural transformation agenda.

The African Climate Policy Centre thus invites researchers, scientists, policy makers and practitioners to submit research papers on any of the following main topics:

  • Sub-theme I:   Improving and harnessing climate data, information, and knowledge for agricultural production, water resources management, and food security in Africa.
  • Sub-theme II:  Agricultural opportunities for renewable energy development in Africa.
  • Sub-theme III: Enhancing Africa’s capacity to mobilize, access, and implement climate finance for agricultural development.
  • Sub-theme IV:  Innovation and technology to enhance agricultural transformation in a changing climate.

Sub-Themes and Topics of the Conference

Sub-theme 1

 

 

Climate data, information and knowledge for agricultural production, water resources management and food security.

Topic 1.1

Improving capacity of climate knowledge management, forecasting and projection, and early warning and disaster management in the agricultural sector.

Topic 1.2

Climate impacts and trends in agricultural production systems: options to enhance response through timely climate information at all levels.

Topic 1.3

Harnessing ecosystems and natural capital to enable Africa to sustainably feed itself.

Topic 1.4

Policy options and measures to bridge the rural-urban divide and reduce vulnerabilities to climate change.

Sub-theme 2

Agricultural opportunities for renewable energy development in Africa

Topic 2.1

Understanding the water-food-energy nexus in a changing climate.

Topic 2.2

Leveraging renewable energy technology opportunities in the agricultural value chain.

Topic 2.3

Biomass energy and bio-fuels: Challenges and opportunities for food security.

Sub-theme 3

Enhancing Africa’s capacity to mobilize and access climate finance and investment for a climate-resilient agricultural transformation

Topic 3.1

Options for enhancing Africa’s capacity to access climate finance mechanisms for agricultural transformation.

Topic 3.2

Agriculture in the UNFCCC negotiations: what are the opportunities for Africa?

Topic 3.3

Finance mechanisms (e.g. REDD+, GCF, insurance schemes, private finance).

Topic 3.4

Enhancing private sector finance and investments in climate resilient agriculture.

Sub-theme 4

Innovation, technology transfer, and deployment to enhance agricultural transformation in a changing climate

Topic 4.1

Agricultural research and innovations with emphasis on low-carbon development.

Topic 4.2

Strengthening policies and financing for development and transfer of green technologies in agriculture.

Topic 4.3

Options for enhancing the use of ICT in disseminating climate information throughout the agricultural value chain.

Additional Guidelines

If you are working on any of these sub-themes and topics with focus on Africa, the organizing committee would be happy to receive your abstract submission not exceeding 500 words before the 20 Aug 2014. The abstract should summarize precisely the scope and content of the proposed paper. Authors are required to identify where the particular submission fits to the conference theme/sub-theme. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified within 10 days of the closing date for abstract submission and will be required to submit a full paper, which will be reviewed by the organizing committee. Authors of selected papers will be invited for oral presentation and to submit an electronic copy for publication in CCDA-IV proceedings.

The conference is open to all stakeholders, institutions or individuals active in Climate Change and Development issues in Africa.  A total of 45 papers will be selected for oral presentations. Scientific papers will also be subjected to peer-review after the conference and those selected will be part of the conference proceedings publication.

All contributions should be submitted in English or French. Submission is online at http://climdev-africa.org/ccda4conference/register. Submissions by email will not be accepted unless in very exceptional circumstances.

Please note: abstracts should be submitted only if one of the authors is able to attend the conference.

Important dates

  • 20 Aug 2014 – Deadline for submission of abstracts
  • 30 Aug 2014 – Notification of successful abstracts
  • 30 Sept 2014 – Submission of fully developed papers and PowerPoint presentation

Financial support

Authors who are in need of financial support will be considered for conference participation grant and should indicate this on the registration form.

Registration

Participation is solely by invitation for those who have no papers to present. Invited participants will have to register online.