Designing knowledge-matching facilities for scaling climate-smart agriculture: A proposal for accelerating food systems’ transformation in a changing climate

The brief talks about designing knowledge-matching facilities for scaling climate-smart agriculture. This is a priority discussed in the International Workshop on Scaling up and out of Climate-smart Technologies and Practices for Sustainable Agriculture (an initiative initiating from 2019-MACSG20), as well as of numerous CCAFS partners in the governments, research, donor, financial and policy institutions, civil society and private sectors. CCAFS proposes to join efforts, and outlines a way forward to develop and/or shape knowledge matching facilities for accelerating food systems transformation in a changing climate. This document is intended to be a living document that informs members and interested stakeholders about intermediate results and the planned or next steps

Accelerating innovation development and scaling processes for agricultural transformation

At the 5th Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture in Bali, CCAFS, IFAD and USDA-FAS organized the Side event “Accelerating innovation development and scaling climate-smart agriculture to drive a transformation in food systems”. High-level representatives of > 20 governments, research, donor, financial and policy institutions, civil society and private sectors discussed their previously shared insights and agreed to act as an “Insight Group” for further related CCAFS research and action. This Info Note summarizes the groups’ first findings, along with a short proposal for next steps

Special issue on climate-smart agriculture (CSA)

CSA strategies, policies, partnerships and investments; ‘CSA-Plan’: strategies to put CSA into practice; The mitigation pillar of CSA; Agricultural diversification as an adaptation strategy; Climate services and insurance: scaling; CSA Closing the gender gap in agriculture under climate change; How can the Data Revolution contribute to climate action?; Climate change and CSA in the current political climat

Summary of the 5th Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture

The 5th Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture brought together over 410 participants, from more than 200 institutions, based in over 60 countries. This included participants from research institutions, governments, private sector and civil society, to catalyze action oriented partnerships for a transformation in our food systems, under a changing climate. Detailed summaries of thematic discussions are captured in this document

Lessons learnt from CCAFS - 10 years scaling climate-smart agriculture: Insights from the review of CCAFS scaling activities, 2019

This Info Note is based on the insights of the CCAFS core team, lessons shared by project leaders via the MARLO, and interviewees from the following CGIAR centers and partners: Bioversity, CIAT, CIMMYT, CIP, ICARDA, ICRAF, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IITA, ILRI, IRRI, IWMI, WorldFish, and WUR. After ten years’ implementation, lessons learnt of practitioners validate two concepts that CCAFS has used and developed for scaling CSA: the Three-Thirds Principle for effective science-policy engagement (Dinesh et al. 2018) applies widely for scaling CSA, when adding the element of iterative learning; and the LearningWheel with 11 cornerstones for effective research and development to improve livelihoods and the environment (Campbell et al. 2006) is a useful framework for managing not only R4D, but also scaling processes

Workshop Report: International Workshop of the Knowledge Action Group of the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture

This report summarizes the proceedings of the “International Workshop of the Knowledge Action Group,” held in Montpellier, March 15th, 2015, organized by CCAFS, FAO, and CIRAD. The workshop brought together participants from Governments, research institutions, farmer organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector to determine the knowledge priorities for Climate-Smart Agriculture and partnerships to make these priorities possible. The priorities and outputs identified at the workshop formed inputs into the Knowledge Action Group’s work plan for its inception year. The workshop provided background on the role that the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture plays in developing a knowledge base for Climate-Smart Agriculture, and provided participants insights into how the Knowledge Action Group of the Alliance is governed and its activities to date. Discussions at workshop focused on the five priority work areas of the Knowledge Action Group (1. technical interventions and practices in CSA; 2. evidence base of CSA; 3. support, services and extension for CSA; 4. inclusive knowledge systems for CSA, and 5. integrated planning and monitoring for CSA). Participants identified the priority outputs for the inception year and partnerships to achieve these outputs. The workshop provided a platform for participants to share ideas, knowledge, approaches and resources, fostering stronger partnerships between organizations

Stepping up science-policy engagement to tackle environmental change: Methods and examples for achieving policy impact

In the context of rapid and unprecedented environmental change, there is growing emphasis amongst the scientific community to engage in policy processes and realise societal outcomes in addition to generating new knowledge. But, how can science-policy engagement efforts be delivered? What are the methods and tools? What are common challenges which need to be addressed? To address these questions, we provide insights and examples of the methods of science-policy engagement by researchers at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford. These practical insights aim to provide guidance for others in the research community to deliver their ambitions to engage in policy processes and generate societal outcomes

How can we develop value chain programs that address climate risks?

The “How To Do Note: Climate change risk assessments in value chain projects” provides guidance for the design and development of climate-smart value chains. A number of tools and resources are available to support decision makers at various stages in value chain development. Mainstreaming climate risk management approaches in different stages of value chain development helps increase resilience of smallholder farmers. The IFAD-CCAFS learning alliance generates and shares knowledge to support IFAD’s programming needs

10 best bet innovations for adaptation in agriculture: A supplement to the UNFCCC NAP Technical Guidelines

Faced with the triple challenges of achieving food security, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and reducing emissions, agriculture has been prioritized by countries as a sector for climate action. The national process of formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans, which gives effect to the ambitions set out in the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions of countries, is a key instrument that will not only facilitate access to resources, but also advance best practice and implementation of proven and effective adaptation actions. In order to support countries in the elaboration of their National Adaptation Plans, this paper aims to tap into agricultural research for development conducted by CGIAR Centers and research programs, to identify best bet innovations for adaptation in agriculture, which can help achieve food security under a changing climate, while also delivering co-benefits for environmental sustainability, nutrition and livelihoods

Investing in impacts to transform food systems in a changing climate: A design challenge for scaling sustainable finance in climate-smart agriculture

An info note on a design challenge for scaling sustainable finance in climate-smart agriculture. In a virtual design thinking workshop (2nd semester 2020), representatives of the relevant financiers will design (elements) of these crucial mechanisms. Designing sustainable investments can change the ways food system innovations are developed and prioritized