Climate Action within the AU-EU partnership in Africa

Despite its low greenhouse gas emissions, Africa is highly vulnerable to climate hazards. The CAPA project (Climate Action within the AU-EU Partnership in Africa) aims to strengthen climate research and services by integrating community priorities and addressing key sectors such as DRR, water ressources, agriculture, and health. It consolidates scientific and local knowledge to support climate-resilient development.CAPA will build an inclusive network of scientists, funders, service providers, policymakers, and communities, involving 14 African beneficiairies and 6 subcontractors from 10 countries and 9 European beneficiaries from 7 countries with a gender balance of lead PIs of 33% female-66% male. It includes five African Universities from Egypt, Togo, Kenya, DRC and Malawi will be subcontracted via the Future Earth Africa Hub to cover the five African Regions. The transdisciplinary approach, co-designed with stakeholders, develops a roadmap, proposes regional actions, and promotes innovation and capacity building. The project contributes to STISA 2034, the Climate Pillar of the AU-EU STI Partnership on CCSE, the African Union Agenda 2063, as well as the national disaster risk reduction strategies and the national adaptation plans.The methodology is based on defragmenting climate initiatives, integrating scientific and traditional knowledge, strengthening human and institutional capacities, and using advanced technologies such as AI. Seven Work Packages cover governance, roadmap development, funding, knowledge aggregation, operational integration, capacity building, and participatory communication.CAPA applies Open Science, ensuring free access to data, protocols, and publications, fostering African ownership and sustainability of results. Expected impacts include stronger recognition of African climate science, better climate services, education of new generations, and coordinated funding. In the long term, CAPA aims to establish a sustainable AU-EU partnership for climate risk reduction and resilient African communities.