SADC Secretariat hosts presentation on climate change and trade
On 25th October 2011, a presentation on the linkages between climate change and trade in the SADC region took place at SADC Secretariat, followed by a discussion with technical staff from various directorates. For a report of the event and more background materials, please click here. 

SADC Water Ministers approve Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the Water Sector
At their recent meeting in Maseru, Lesotho, SADC Ministers Responsible for Water approved the Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) Strategy for the water sector, which aims to improve climate resilience through the strengthening and adaptation of water resources development and management in Southern Africa, and promotes the adoption of a multi-dimensional approach to climate change adaptation. For further information about the CCA, see here.

AfDB supports African countries to prepare NAMAs
To assist African countries to prepare and understand NAMAs, the African Development Bank held a training workshop in July that focused on capacity building to design and implement NAMAs. A total of 24 countries participated in the training, 11 of which have since submitted their NAMAs, and 13 receiving further support from the AfDB for developing national frameworks and strategies. For more information, see here. 

NAMA Database launched
A new database for NAMAs has been launched by Ecofys supported by the International Climate Initiative. The website aims to increase knowledge sharing and cooperation among stakeholders on experiences from NAMA activities and project proposals. It further lists resources and reports on NAMAs. To access the database, click here. 

Report on “Review of lessons learned for REDD+ donors”
Focali has released a report drawing on experiences from Norway in investing in REDD+. The report gives an overview of lessons learned in issues such as phased approach, MRV, policy coherence and others. It can be downloaded here. 

First “Climate Change and Development in Africa” (CCDA-1) Conference in Addis Ababa
From 17-19 October UNECA hosted the first CCDA Conference on the theme “Development First: Addressing Climate Change in Africa”. The conference highlighted the need for adaptation as a climate change priority to deal with the impacts of climate change and aimed to address the need for improved data and information on climate change in Africa. For further information, visit this website.  For more background information and documents, click here.

UN-REDD Programme invites comments on Draft Social and Environmental Principles and CriteriaThe UN-REDD Programme is working with partners and REDD+ countries to develop tools and guidance to enhance the multiple benefits of REDD+ and reduce risks from inadequate planning and implementation. As part of this work, a set of Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria are being developed. The consultation is open until 31 December 2011. For further information, please click here or send an email to ccb@unep-wcmc.org

TZ-REDD quarterly newsletter published
The Tanzania Natural Resources Forum (TNRF) published its TZ-REDD newsletter, which provides an overview about national REDD+ preparations in Tanzania. The newsletter is available here.

Proceedings from Asian REL Workshop available
A workshop funded by USAID was held in Bangkok in August 2011 and focused on the technical issues surrounding reference emissions levels (RELs), as well as the financial aspects of REDD+ and the best methods to develop regional collaboration. To access the proceedings from the workshop click here. For further information, visit this website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SADC Second Brainstorming meeting on the Regional Climate Change Programme, 21-22 November 2011, Harare, Zimbabwe
The SADC Secretariat is convening a second brainstorming meeting towards development of a Regional Climate Change Programme. The meeting will take place at the Bronte Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe from 21st to 22nd November 2011. By invitation only.

Pre-COP Ministerial Session, 23- 26 November 2011, South Africa (tbc)

SADC side-event on Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the Water Sector, 30 November 2011, Durban, South Africa

Forest Day 5, 4 December 2011, Durban, South Africa
For further information, visit this page. 

SADC official side-event on REDD+, 7 December 2011, Durban, South Africa
This side-event will make the case for a regional REDD+ approach in SADC with a focus on methodologies and institutional framework.

For a full list of side-events during COP17, click here http://regserver.unfccc.int/seors/reports/events_list.html?session_id=COP17/CMP7  

Climate Finance & Carbon Markets Africa, 24-25 January 2011, Johannesburg, South Africa
More information here. 

REDD Calendar of Events

To sign up for our newsletter and updates from the SADC REDD Information Network, become a member of our SADC REDD Information Network group.