Participants’ Perspectives Regarding the Role of University Governance in Promoting Climate Change and Sustainability Interventions at University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania

Higher education offers several opportunities for faculty, administrative staff, and students to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as promote sustainability within the areas where such institutions are located. Through training, research, and community engagement functions, higher education institutions can ably contribute to sustainability and climate change response. This paper presents part of the findings from a larger study conducted at University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The researcher adopted a socio-constructivist perspective to explore the perspectives and views of lecturers, administrators, and students on climate change related programmes regarding the role that university governance and management can play in promoting climate change and sustainability interventions at their university. Data was generated using semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) from 33 participants. Data was analysed using thematic analysis based on Braun & Clarke (2006). Findings revealed several roles that their university’s governance has and continues to play in promoting climate change and sustainability interventions including integrating these aspects in the university strategy, adding climate change and sustainability to the university research agenda, and promoting sustainability practices in the management and governance processes and systems. The findings may be handy in supporting other universities to promote these aspects right from the governance levels.

Accelerating Adaptation of Forest Trees to Climate Change Using Individual Tree Response Functions

In forest tree breeding, assisted migration has been proposed to accelerate the adaptive response to climate change. Response functions are currently fitted across multiple populations and environments, enabling selections of the most appropriate seed sources for a specific reforestation site. So far, the approach has been limited to capturing adaptive variation among populations, neglecting tree-to-tree variation residing within a population. Here, we combined the response function methodology with the in-situ breeding approach, utilizing progeny trials of European larch (Larix decidua) across 21 test sites in Austria ranging from Alpine to lowland regions. We quantified intra-population genetic variance and predicted individual genetic performance along a climatic gradient. This approach can be adopted in most breeding and conservation programs, boosting the speed of adaptation under climate change.

INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION STRATEGIES ON RURAL LIVELIHOODS.A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: Climate change may reduce the availability of these local natural resources, limiting the options of rural households that depend on Natural resources for consumption or trade. The general objective of the study was to examine influence of climate change mitigation strategies on rural livelihoods Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. Findings: The study found out that local communities are aware of the climatic changes taking place in their locality and have taken steps to discuss climate change issues within their neighborhood, through local leadership Chief Barazas and reports by environment stakeholders. The researcher also established that different adaptation strategies are encouraged by different organizations. Recommendations: The study recommends that scaling up and diversifying funding allocations for climate change response by both government and NGOs. This will ensure vibrant climate that climate change response activities that are at the same time enhancing rural livelihoods. Channeling of funds through grass root organizations like youth groups and women organizations will provide support of most preferred local adaptation strategies like change in crop patterns, agro-forestry and cross breeding of livestock

A Deliberative Orientation to Governing Carbon Dioxide Removal: Actionable Recommendations for National-Level Action

Effective and legitimate governance of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) requires that the needs, interests, and perspectives of those liable to bear the burdens of CDR's effects be present in decision-making and oversight processes. This ideal has been widely recognized in prior academic work. How, though, in a practical sense, is this deliberative aspect of CDR governance to be understood? In this policy brief, we look at the future incorporation of carbon removal pledges into the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of countries under the Paris Agreement, and we argue for and explore a deliberative orientation when it comes to the inclusion of CDR into country-level climate change response goals. The aim is to provide practical guidance on deliberation as a toolkit and set of practices.

Beyond Planning Tools: Experiential Learning in Climate Adaptation Planning and Practices

In the past decade, several dedicated tools have been developed to help natural resources professionals integrate climate science into their planning and implementation; however, it is unclear how often these tools lead to on-the-ground climate adaptation. Here, we describe a training approach that we developed to help managers effectively plan to execute intentional, climate-informed actions. This training approach was developed through the Climate Change Response Framework (CCRF) and uses active and focused work time and peer-to-peer interaction to overcome observed barriers to using adaptation planning tools. We evaluate the effectiveness of this approach by examining participant evaluations and outlining the progress of natural resources projects that have participated in our trainings. We outline a case study that describes how this training approach can lead to place and context-based climate-informed action. Finally, we describe best practices based on our experience for engaging natural resources professionals and helping them increase their comfort with climate-informed planning.