Monthly Archives: October 2011

Kulima presents at “Experience-based disaster risk reduction in southeast Africa and the southwest Indian Ocean islands”

Posted by on October 28, 2011 Comments Off

Dr Katharine Vincent attended a workshop on “Experience-based disaster risk reduction in southeast Africa and the southwest Indian Ocean islands”, hosted by FAO and Care as part of the EU ECHO/DIPECHO food security disaster risk reduction project.  Kulima was contracted earlier in 2011 to undertake a study of the sustainability of introducing early-maturing seeds as a food security disaster risk reduction intervention, involving field visits to Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique.  Katharine presented the findings of the study at the meeting.  Over 80 people attended from the three focal countries, as well as elsewhere in the region, representing government, NGOs and UN agencies.

UK Government launches findings of the Foresight Migration and Global Environmental Change Project

Posted by on October 23, 2011 Comments Off

The UK Government Office for Science in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has just launched the findings of the Foresight project on Migration and Global Environmental Change.  In addition to the project report, the evidence base includes 17 reviews of drivers of environmental migration, 21 state of the science reviews, 14 policy development reviews, 8 case studies, and 7 modelling reviews.  Prior to publication, findings were presented and discussed at 4 workshops, including one focusing on the drylands region, which was held in conjunction with Kulima in Johannesburg in March.  Tracy Cull and Katharine Vincent wrote the report from the drylands workshop, which is also now available.

Kulima presents at UNDP-NBI event on climate change and business in Africa

Posted by on October 20, 2011 Comments Off

Kulima participated in the UNDP-NBI event on Green Economy and Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa, held in Johannesburg on 17-18th October.  The event was attended by delegates from business and business organisations across the continent, who heard plenary presentations from UNDP, NBI, and the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for KwaZulu Natal Province, among others.  Dr Alec Joubert gave a presentation on vulnerability, adaptation and business in one of the breakaway sessions, and Kulima rapporteured at the event.

Kulima presents on adaptation at NBI business event

Posted by on October 13, 2011 Comments Off

Dr Katharine Vincent was a member of the expert panel and presented on adaptation at a National Business Initiative business seminar held today in Johannesburg.  The event, organised as part of the preparation for COP-17, with support from the British High Commission and AngloGold Ashanti, had the theme “Adaptation: Building resilience and exploring opportunities in the face of climate change risks”.  Dr Sylvester Mpandeli of the Department of Environmental Affairs was the keynote speaker, presenting South Africa’s position on adaptation and the latest status of UNFCCC negotiations, based on last week’s meeting in Panama City.  In addition to Katharine, the expert panel comprised Mandy Rambharos from Eskom, and Justin Smith from Woolworths.

Kulima and International Development conduct climate change training at the African Development Bank

Posted by on October 9, 2011 Comments Off

Dr Alec Joubert will be travelling to Tunis this week to conduct climate change training at the African Development Bank.  A one-day training will be held for Executive Directors on Thursday 13th October, followed by a half-day training for Senior Management on Friday 14th October.  The training has been designed and run by Kulima and International Development East Anglia as part of a project to raise awareness of climate change and development issues among African Development Bank staff at a variety of levels.