Preparing for transformative scenario planning in Botswana

This work was carried out under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA), with financial support from the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.The future of land management and water management in Bobirwa (Botswana) were highlighted in a transformative scenario planning (TSP) workshop. The TSP project involved farmers, researchers, meteorological office representatives, conservation officers and scenario team facilitators. TSP participants are encouraged to see the system and their roles in it from different angles. The aim is to increase trust between participants and allow them to work together more empathically and efficiently. This working paper outlines the scenario planning process. Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) investigates root causes of vulnerability towards effective and sustained adaptation

Climate change vulnerability and risk analysis in the Bobirwa sub-district, Botswana: towards Improving livelihood adaptation to climate

In November 2015, ASSAR ’s southern Africa researchers– from the University of Botswana, The University of Cape Town, University of Namibia and Oxfam GB– conducted a two-day Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) workshop in Bobirwa, Botswana. The workshop was attended by various government officials, Village Development Committee members, local community members, and representatives from farmer committees, collectively known as the VRA Knowledge Group. The VRA process aims to develop a common understanding among various stakeholders (government officials, village committees and local communities) of the main hazards and issues affecting those living in a given social-ecological landscape. This is done so as to design measures that reduce risk, enhance wellbeing and promote resilience to hazards in the landscape

Climate change vulnerability and risk analysis in the Bobirwa sub-district, Botswana : towards improving livelihood adaptation to climate short report

This work was carried out under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA), with financial support from the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.In November 2015, ASSAR’s southern Africa researchers – from the University of Botswana, University of Cape Town, University of Namibia and Oxfam GB – conducted a two-day Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) workshop in Bobirwa, Botswana. There are four steps that make up the VRA process, including: - an initial vulnerability assessment, - an impact chain exercise, - an adaptive capacity analysis, and - the alignment of findings with opportunities

Stakeholder and influence network mapping exercise with the government, development and research actors in Namibia

This report summarises the outcomes of the Stakeholder and Influence Network Mapping exercise were undertaken on the 23rd of July 2015 in Windhoek, Namibia. ASSAR southern African Team members: Margaret Angula, Nahas Angula, Nguza Siyambango (UNAM); Dian Spear, Salma Hegga (UCT); Hillary Masundire and Chandapiwa Molefe (UB) assisted and participated in the stakeholder mapping workshop facilitated by Daniel Morchain (Oxfam). This event brought together 11 national stakeholders from the government (Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, Namibia Energy Institute), NGOs (NNF, IRDNC) and Researcher/ Academic institutions (SASSCAL, DRFN & UNAM) (see Annex 9.2for a list of participants). The Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid (ASSAR) a multi-institutional and multi-national study investigates the factors that restrict effective adaptation to climate change impacts in agriculture-dependent communities in north-central Namibia. A multi-method approach including literature review, household surveys and semi-structured interviews is used to: i) explore the drivers of vulnerabilities to floods and droughts; 2) identify adaptation strategies; and 3) identify the barriers that impede successful adaptation. This report contains five main sections. Section 2 introduces the aims and objectives of the mapping exercise to ASSAR research. The Third section describes the methodology and approaches used, while section 4 describes the framing and analysis procedures employed. Section 5 presents the findings of the Network Influence Mapping exercise from the three groups of stakeholders attending the workshop. The discussion of the results and implication of the results are presented in section 6 and 7, respectively

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment in Botswana's Bobirwa Sub - District: Fostering People - Centered Adaptation to Climate Change

In November 2015, ASSAR’s (Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions) Southern Africa researchers from the University of Botswana (UB), University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Namibia (UNAM) and Oxfam, conducted a two-day Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) in order to bring stakeholder groups closer to ASSAR’s work. Based on the findings, the aim was to reassess ASSAR’s priorities. The workshop was attended by various government officials, Village Development Committee (VDC) members, local community members, and representatives from farmer committees

Stakeholder and influence network mapping exercise with the government, development and research actors in Namibia

This stakeholder and influence mapping exercise served to introduce the concept of power relations/dynamics and explore its use within the Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) Research into Use Strategy (RiU). The aim was to identify key stakeholders that influence climate change adaptation in north central Namibia (for example main channels of information, technical services, flow of funds), explore the links between them and identify how influential these networks are. The outcome of this exercise can be used for RiU planning purpose to ensure effective use of ASSAR research.Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA)

Vulnerability and risk assessment in Botswana's Bobirwa sub-district fostering people-centred adaptation to climate change

Synthesis and analysis reportThis report outlines the findings of a Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) exercise carried out in Eastern Botswana in the village of Bobonong in Bobirwa sub–district in the context of the project Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR). The workshop provided participants with key aspects in understanding and determining adaptive capacity of communities. Limited awareness of climate change is a serious issue for those who depend on land and other natural resources for their livelihood. The stakeholders, or workshop “knowledge group” indicated that crop farmers and livestock keepers are most affected.International Development Research Centre, UK's Department for International Developmen

Building transformative capacity in southern Africa : surfacing knowledge and challenging structures through participatory vulnerability and risk assessments

Participatory assessments that recognise the social roots of vulnerability are critical in helping individuals and institutions rethink their understanding of, and responses to climate change impacts. This paper interrogates the contribution of Oxfam’s ‘Vulnerability and Risk Assessment’ methodology to enabling transformation at both personal and institutional levels. Capacity building should not be exclusively understood as, or aimed solely at building technical skills; leadership and process facilitation skills are key elements. The assessments take an initial step towards collaboratively identifying transformation pathways in development practices through adaptation responses

Changing ecosystem services are increasing people's vulnerability in semi-arid regions : an ASSAR cross-regional insight

Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) researchers collaborated to understand the complex changes and patterns in semi-arid vegetation and socio-ecological systems. Ecosystems were mapped using a cross-regional coarse scale study, relying on climate data to capture global and regional trends. Finest spatial scale mapping relied on LANDSAT to show changes in land use and land cover. Details of observed changes are provided for Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana, West Africa, and India. Links to referenced studies are embedded in the report. Ecosystem services need to be sustainably managed through regulatory measures.UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID

Preparing for Transformative Scenario Planning in Botswana

The University of Botswana, together with the University of Cape Town, organised a Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) training workshop in Botswana, facilitated by Colleen Magner and Karen Goldberg from REOS Partners in South Africa. The TSP training workshop, which took place from 29 to 30 June 2016 in Gaborone, was targeted at the ASSAR research team, as well as key stakeholders of the ASSAR project.The main objectives of the TSP training were to build capacity in TSP, get buy-in for the TSP methodology from the key stakeholders, test the TSP methodology in the context of Botswana and determine what the TSP process in Botswana could be convened around. The theme for the TSP training was 'The future of water security in Botswana by 2035'