“Our ambition is to build a comprehensive concept for an African research infrastructure. We will identify key players to operate the research infrastructure, search for sustainable funding, and build a solid strategy for implementation.”
Developing an African greenhouse gas observation system is crucial for addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development, and protecting Africa’s agriculture, food security, and air quality. To achieve this, investment is needed in data, capacity development, governance, and scientific expertise, along with the establishment of continental policies and agreements for coordination and data exchange.
The societal benefits of a comprehensive environmental observation system in Africa will be significant, as it enables better understanding of the global carbon cycle, facilitates climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, and supports the reduction of aerosol emissions and improvement of air quality.
KADI is coordinated by ICOS ERIC and builds on the results of an earlier project, SEACRIFOG.
Pilots
In this pilot, we will work on the evaluation and specific improvements of the parametrisations of land-surface attributes of the first African Earth System Model that provides many climate services. The model consists of three main components, namely the conformal-cubic atmospheric model (CCAM) developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, … Continue reading “Earth System Modeling as a tool for data and knowledge”
In this pilot we will work on quantifying key elements of the coastal carbon cycle relevant to usage of the ocean and the role the coastal ocean plays in regulating global climate. We will use monitoring stations at key sites along the coast of South Africa in Algoa Bay, adjacent to Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha … Continue reading “Coastal bio-geochemistry as a crucial part of the climate and carbon system”
In this pilot we will take a closer look at the local climate service infrastructures and solutions for rapidly growing cities of Africa. We explore how observations of for example greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and heat can be combined with other critical data of human and natural assets for integrated urban climate services in … Continue reading “Cities as complex societal systems for climate services”
In this pilot we aim to summarise, integrate, and assess the value of existing long-term climate observations in order to provide a guidebook of the lessons learned. These are expected to be an essential part of a future climate observation research infrastructure in Africa. We have chosen Kenya as the ideal showcase for this pilot, … Continue reading “Experiences as an inevitable part of the human dimension of research infrastructures”
News
The KADI project envisions the development of knowledge and co-production of climate services through an African observation and data research infrastructure. Within this framework, the project team in Kenya organised a workshop to bring together stakeholders of weather and climate information provided by the Kenya Meteorological Department for a discussion on how to understand user … Continue reading “Understanding user needs and co-producing climate services in Kenya”
Earlier in April 2024, KADI partners from the Resilience Academy visited the premises of Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) in Helsinki. The FMI is housed on the same building as the ICOS Head Office, therefore this was the ideal opportunity to hear about the FMI’s activities in Africa as well as share ICOS’ work in KADI. … Continue reading “KADI partners visit the Finnish Meteorological Institute in Helsinki”
In this report, we highlight the stakeholder engagement and partnerships of the Abidjan City Pilot in terms of the roles, resources and expertise that would be useful for the pilot. In this pilot, the climate service that will be designed is a particulate pollution warning system through a PM2.5 measurements network and an effective communication … Continue reading “Stakeholder engagement events in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire”
In February 2024, a research article on the African Regional Greenhouse Gases Budget (2010–2019) by Yolandi Ernst and colleagues was published in Global Biochemical Cycles. As part of the Regional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes Phase 2 (RECCAP2) initiative of the Global Carbon Project, the paper addresses the policy-relevant objectives of RECCAP2 through a comprehensive … Continue reading “New publication shows Africa’s carbon sink capacity is decreasing”