SciDev.Net

This site provides access to reports of projects and case studies conducted as part of the international Assessments of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change in Multiple Regions and Sectors (AIACC) initiative. A searchable database of projects by country, region, and sector contains some of the final reports in pdf format.

The projects cover adaptation in almost all sectors, with five projects with final reports in southern Africa, one project in eastern Africa and three projects in western Africa. The site also provides accessible summaries of each project, as well as updates posted throughout the duration of the studies.

This web portal is the starting point for Africa-related biomass information. It contains the latest news on biofuels research on the continent, as well as an events calendar and discussion forum.

CABI is a not-for-profit, intergovernmental organisation specialising in agricultural and environmental research, publishing and communication. With over 40 different member countries, its scientific projects include finding ways to lower production costs while using ecological practices. CABI studies environmental impacts of invasive species and pests, and searches for natural ways of controlling them. CABI also finds solutions to agricultural problems caused by climate change, provides microbial services and advises on trade policy.

Checkbiotech's Green Portal focuses on using biotechnology for a sustainable future. It contains news and features on biofuels research and development in both developed and developing countries.

Articles focus on: how improving production methods with enzymes can increase biofuel yields; key research breakthroughs; how enhancing plant genetics can improve biofuel yields and make agriculture more sustainable; world politics surrounding biofuels; who the key industry players in the biofuels market are; and how biofuels are changing global economics.

This online resource captures current articles, reports, papers and books sourced from nongovernmental organisations and development agencies such as ActionAid, SouthSouthNorth, the International Institute for Environment and Development and the World Bank. The site features short summaries and links to full papers, all of which are relevant to adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa.

The IISD is a Canadian policy research institute that publishes books, papers and policy briefs on issues affecting sustainable development such as climate change, governance and natural resources. The IISD Reporting Services focuses on environmental issues and publishes news and event coverage as well as the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (see ENB). The organisation also runs the Climate-L.Org blog and hosts a number of networks, including the Trade Knowledge Network and the Sustainable Coffee Partnership.

Knowledge for Development is a web-based source of information on science and technology for agriculture and rural development in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. It promotes collaboration between agricultural research and development scientists and technologists in ACP countries, and facilitates dialogue between ACP and European communities with the aim of strengthening policy formulation on science and technology issues.

This website contains a number of useful documents on biofuels and biotechnology in ACP countries.

LAMNET is a worldwide network of 48 institutions from 24 countries, funded by the European Commission. Its main objective is "to establish a trans-national forum for the promotion of sustainable use of biomass in Latin America and other emerging countries". It offers literature on bioenergy, including publications from journals, newspapers and conference proceedings.

This site contains all National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) so far submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  It includes a rationale for NAPAs, a brief history of NAPAs and a short account of the process involved in preparing a NAPA. There are links to the relevant policy documents under the UNFCCC on the site, including the decisions that establish the NAPA process.

NAPAs submitted by countries to date are posted as pdfs in English and sometimes French.

After the release of the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2001, UNEP and GRID Arendal published this set of 25 graphics focused on the special challenges that Africa faces due to expected long term climate change. 

Three sections cover the evidence of change in Africa, the science driving these changes, and vulnerability to — and trends in — extreme events on the continent. The graphics also show the severity of climate impacts on fresh water, human health, and food in Africa.