African governments have been called upon to integrate Science and Technology policies in their National Development Plans to mitigate the effects of  Climate Change. In her opening remarks at a post-Copenhagen Climate Change workshop currently underway in Addis Ababa, Aida Opoku-Mensah, Director, ICTs, Science and Technology Division, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) noted that there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that the world needs to take urgent action to mitigate climate change. She observed that better integration of Science and Technology policy is crucial for effective adaptation to climate Change.“Africa enters the 21st century facing monumental challenges to its survival and long-term sustainability. At the core of these challenges is the continent’s ability to master Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and successfully apply these forces to address critical problems related to health, food, water and the Climate Change adaptation and mitigation”, Opoku-Mensah said.

While R&D provides the backbone for adaptation and mitigation, promotion of technology transfer is crucial more than ever before, as the deployment of scientists on the continent becomes critical to addressing climate Change challenges. While acknowledging the importance of R&D, Prof Oye Ibidapo, President, Nigeria Academy of Science (NAS) said it is time to move from mere R&D to technology innovations if Climate Change is to be mitigated.

 Opoku-Mensah noted that new technologies and practices, supports to the commercialisation, dissemination and widespread adoption of environmentally sound technologies offer the prospect for continued economic growth with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

“We need to focus more on innovations, inventions and patenting. We need to showcase to the world that there are inventions, innovations and technological discoveries in Africa”.

The workshop—dubbed Science and technology challenges for Africa on Climate Change:Post-Copenhagen—has brought together 60 scientists, economists, researchers and academicians to discuss the implications of the resolutions of the Copenhagen Summit (COP 15) and to determine how technology and scientific knowledge as a basis for institutional action can support ways of adapting to and mitigating the effects of Climate Change. The workshop has been organised by ECA in collaboration with the International Council for for Science, Regional Office for Africa (ICSU-ROA). Kenya is represented by Dr Rispah Oduwo, Chief Science Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof Joseph Otieno-Malo, President, Kenya National Academy of Science and Dr Wandera Ogana, a professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Nairobi.

The capacity to identify, collect and share data, use information and methods and build knowledge relevant for Climate Change adaptation , mitigation and food security is critical because of rapidly changing climatic, environmental and socio-economic conditions. ECA has been working with other continental institutions within the framework of the Joint Secretariat of the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop appropriate Climate Change response policy and intervention agenda for the Africa region.

In his keynote address, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, Regional Director, ICSU-ROA South Africa, said global warming is a reality and Africa needs to invest in low carbon technologies in order to combat Climate Change. He observed that Carbondioxide emissions have accummulated by 30 percent since pre-industrial era in 1750.

Despite numerous challenges, there are signs of encouragement on the continent. The Nairobi-based Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), established in 1975 by ECA, has become a major player in its own right in recent years. It provides capacity building and advisory services for surveying, mapping, remote sensing and provision of other geographical information services (GIS). In the last six years, it has been at the forefront of promoting remote sensing and collaborating with NASA to establish a satellite-based disaster early warning system known as SERVIR for Africa.

“We need to invest in low carbon technologies and renewable energy which is more affordable. However, for this to happen, we need to have a functioning research infrastructure. Africa also needs to generate credible data which can be used by the rest of the world”, Prof Muhongo said, adding that the assistance with technology transfer would help Africa move to the next level.

The workshop will culminate in a formulation of a high level policy document bearing a roadmap that may be put into use by African governments and national and regional reserach insitutions dealing with this subject from a scientific and technological perspective. Further more, a network of African scientists on Climate Change will be launched.