CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE (MALAWI) MEETING
A Civil Society Network
on Climate Change (CISONECC) meeting was held in Lilongwe on 19th
and 20th February, 2014. The aim of the meeting was to review and
develop a draft of a revised advocacy strategy for CISONECC, with the objective
of setting realistic achievable expectations. It was facilitated by Raja
Jarrah, a consultant for Southern Voices on Climate Change.
Background
CISONECC
with funding from Southern Voices developed an advocacy strategy in July, 2011
for implementation till December, 2015. The advocacy strategy goal is ‘Reduced
vulnerability of all Malawians to Climate Change related impacts and disasters’ and it had the following objectives;
- To
influence Government to put in place an effective coordination mechanism
on climate change intervention by 2012
- To
influence Government and donors to build the capacity of civil society
organizations to mobilize, access and utilize existing climate change
funding opportunities by 2012
- To
influence Government to put in place a framework to improve the
understanding of climate change issues among Malawians by 2012
- To
influence Government to develop a comprehensive Climate Change Policy by
2012
- To
influence Government and donors on the implementation of the Climate
Change Policy by 2013
- To lobby
Government and donors to strengthen the capacity of additional negotiators
to COP by November, 2011
However, it was felt
that the strategy was a bit more ambitious considering the limitations of time
and funds. This facilitated the need to review the strategy for easy tracking
of progress but also incorporate new developments in climate change management
and create room for any emerging issues.
Current
Climate Change Policy Processes in Malawi
-
Disaster and Risk Management policy
draft in place waiting for cabinet approval
-
National Climate Change Policy being
drafted
-
National Climate Change Investment Plan
in place
-
Review of NAPA1 (National
Adaptation Programmes for Action) in process
-
Development of National Adaptation Plan
(NAP2) road map in process
-
REDD+ readiness program objectives being
developed
-
Process to identify National
Implementing Entity (for adaptation funds) in progress
Priority
Areas for CISONECC
Through a SMART process
(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) of prioritizing
CISONECC resorted to get involved in the advocacy of the following agenda items;
-
National Adaptation Planning
Objective;
National adaptation
priorities are established based on community-driven processes
-
Identification and operation of National
Implementing Entity
Objective;
National institutional
mechanism for adaptation funding, from sources under the UNFCCC, gives direct
access to civil society organisations
-
Approval of DRM policy, development and
implementation of Climate Change policy
Objective;
CC and DRM policy
instruments are approved and multi-stakeholder monitoring of implementation is
influencing the design of plans and programmes
Climate
Change and the Right to Food Campaign
Oxfam as a member of
CISONECC presented on a campaign it is carrying out worldwide on climate
justice and right to food with the focus on adaptation. The campaign will run
for two years and it will reach the climax with rural women climbing 3 mountain
peaks with the message ‘hands of our land’. CISONECC will coordinate the
development of a strategy for the campaign in Malawi with funds from Oxfam.
Capacity
Building and Visibility
In line with the
revised strategy CISONECC intends to conduct trainings in ‘Climate Financing
and Resource Mobilization’ and ‘Climate Risks and Hazards Assessment. It is
also encouraging members to take part in the upcoming ‘Climate Reality
Leadership Workshop’ in South Africa and ‘Community Based Adaptation’
conference in Nepal. It has also developed a website www.cisonecc.org with member organization represented on its
work and logos. CISONECC is also the only African network to get involved in
the implementation of Joint Adaptation Standards through Southern Voices on
Climate Change
Conclusion
The meeting was a build
up from the proceedings of CoP 19 where Civil Society through CISONECC contributed
to the government position and negotiations in Warsaw. An effective advocacy
strategy has been put in place which will allow member to engage in Climate
Change campaign and utilize CISONECC influence on civil society and government
in addition to influencing the policy landscape.
