Staff members from sub-Saharan Africa met in Tanzania last week to discuss how the British Council in Africa could develop a powerful response to climate change, instead of becoming a victim of its effects.

Our South African offices already have a climate change programme. Now, we plan to develop one for all our offices in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to a 2001 Human Development Report published by the United Nations Development Programme, America emits 100 to 200 times more greenhouse gas per capita than a typical African country. A typical European country emits 50 to 100 times more.

The report states: “Africa is very vulnerable to climate change, given its low capacity to respond and adapt. However, Africa’s contribution through greenhouse gas emissions is insignificant.”

The workshop was also attended by British Council partners such as the Commonwealth Foundation, development group Panos and sustainable architecture companies Pick Everard and SeARCH.

According to Rohini Naidoo, Director of Science projects in our Durban, South Africa offices, Africa needs to start developing strategies to deal with the global impact of climate change. Because of its low dependence on technology, the continent is in a position to create innovative solutions to climate change.

We have developed a network of scientists, municipal councillors, university staff and researchers in Africa and in the UK. We hope, through the extension of this network and collaboration between individuals, that strategies of “adaptation” and “mitigation” can be put in place to minimise the effects of climate change.

This is in line with our international strategic priority to “achieve climate security by promoting a faster transition to a sustainable, low-carbon global economy.”

Naidoo says British Council in Africa will engage in “consultation with stakeholders and potential partners at a local level to work jointly in the production of a climate change programme.

“There will be a focus on mutuality … harnessing good practices in Africa that can be shared with the UK. By working and thinking locally, we hope to make an impact globally. We need to develop plans locally and regionally to contribute to a greater African plan.”

The meeting also discussed ways in which British Council projects such as school partnerships Connecting Classrooms and Dreams & Teams and leadership programme Interaction could promote issues of climate change using current networks and knowledge.

Fiona Sander, project manager of British Council’s e-Africa website, also attended the meeting. She says she was impressed at how external partners participated in the whole workshop, instead of just presenting and leaving.

“They showed us that there are solutions for Africa, which is still developing. Africa’s in a much better position [in terms of climate change strategy] than the rest of the world, and we should take this opportunity to try to lead [on this issue] instead of feeling victimised.”

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