Fourth Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-IV)
October 8 – 10, 2014
Marrakesh, Morocco
Theme: Africa Can Feed Africa Now: Translating Climate Knowledge into Action
Call for Papers
Introduction
The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) will organize the Fourth Annual Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-IV) in Marrakesh, Morocco from 8-10 October, 2014. The Conference is
organized each year under the auspices of the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa)
Programme
. The theme of this year’s Conference is: Africa Can Feed Africa Now: Translating Climate
Knowledge into Action. This theme is especially relevant as 2014 is celebrated by the African Union as the
Year of Agriculture and Food Security through which leaders will renew their commitment to agricultural
transformation. The conference will bring together a diverse group of African leaders, policy makers,
senior government officials, professionals, ClimDev-Africa partners, development partners, United
Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (IGOs/NGOs), academia,
practitioners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including the media, the private sector and others
concerned stakeholders.
CCDA 4 will comprise of a high-level panel session, technical parallel sessions as well as pre and side
events. Key Note speeches from eminent persons, lead speakers, and various expert presentations will be
made. The conference will also focus on the prominent roles for CSOs, Gender, Youth and farmers in the
agricultural transformation agenda.
The African Climate Policy Centre thus invites researchers, scientists, policy makers and practitioners to
submit research papers on any of the following main topics:
• Sub-theme I: Improving and harnessing climate data, information, and knowledge for
agricultural production, water resources management, and food security in Africa.
• Sub-theme II: Agricultural opportunities for renewable energy development in Africa.
• Sub-theme III: Enhancing Africa’s capacity to mobilize, access, and implement climate finance for
agricultural development.
• Sub-theme IV: Innovation and technology to enhance agricultural transformation in a changing
climate.
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Sub-Themes and Topics of the Conference
Sub-theme 1 Climate data, information and knowledge for agricultural production, water
resources management and food security.
Topic 1.1 Improving capacity of climate knowledge management, forecasting
and projection, and early warning and disaster management in the
agricultural sector.
Topic 1.2 Climate impacts and trends in agricultural production systems:
options to enhance response through timely climate information at
all levels.
Topic 1.3 Harnessing ecosystems and natural capital to enable Africa to
sustainably feed itself.
Topic 1.4 Policy options and measures to bridge the rural-urban divide and
reduce vulnerabilities to climate change.
Sub-theme 2 Agricultural opportunities for renewable energy development in Africa
Topic 2.1 Understanding the water-food-energy nexus in a changing climate.
Topic 2.2 Leveraging renewable energy technology opportunities in the
agricultural value chain.
Topic 2.3 Biomass energy and bio-fuels: Challenges and opportunities for food
security.
Sub-theme 3 Enhancing Africa’s capacity to mobilize and access climate finance and
investment for a climate-resilient agricultural transformation
Topic 3.1 Options for enhancing Africa’s capacity to access climate finance
mechanisms for agricultural transformation.
Topic 3.2 Agriculture in the UNFCCC negotiations: what are the opportunities
for Africa?
Topic 3.3 Finance mechanisms (e.g. REDD+, GCF, insurance schemes, private
finance).
Topic 3.4 Enhancing private sector finance and investments in climate resilient
agriculture.
Sub-theme 4 Innovation, technology transfer, and deployment to enhance agricultural
transformation in a changing climate
Topic 4.1 Agricultural research and innovations with emphasis on low-carbon
development.
Topic 4.2 Strengthening policies and financing for development and transfer of
green technologies in agriculture.
Topic 4.3 Options for enhancing the use of ICT in disseminating climate
information throughout the agricultural value chain.
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If you are working on any of these sub-themes and topics with focus on Africa, the organizing committee
would be happy to receive your abstract submission not exceeding 500 words before the 20 Aug 2014.
The abstract should summarize precisely the scope and content of the proposed paper. Authors are
required to identify where the particular submission fits to the conference theme/sub-theme. Authors of
accepted abstracts will be notified within 10 days of the closing date for abstract submission and will be
required to submit a full paper, which will be reviewed by the organizing committee. Authors of selected
papers will be invited for oral presentation and to submit an electronic copy for publication in CCDA-IV
proceedings.
The conference is open to all stakeholders, institutions or individuals active in Climate Change and
Development issues in Africa. A total of 45 papers will be selected for oral presentations. Scientific
papers will also be subjected to peer-review after the conference and those selected will be part of the
conference proceedings publication.
All contributions should be submitted in English or French. Submission is online at http://climdevafrica.
org/ccda4conference/register. Submissions by email will not be accepted unless in very exceptional
circumstances.
Please note: abstracts should be submitted only if one of the authors is able to attend the conference.
Important dates
20 Aug 2014 – Deadline for submission of abstracts
30 Aug 2014 – Notification of successful abstracts
30 Sept 2014 – Submission of fully developed papers and PowerPoint presentation
Financial support:
Authors who are in need of financial support will be considered for conference participation grant and
should indicate this on the registration form.
Registration
Participation is solely by invitation for those who have no papers to present. Invited participants will have
to register online.
