Synergizing climate change mitigation and adaptation in Cameroon

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to examine the policy environments, institutional arrangements and practical implementation of some initiatives undertaken by the Government of Cameroon, together with some relevant stakeholders, in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation at various levels in the country, which are prerequisites to promote synergistic ways of addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation.Design/methodology/approach -Using a qualitative approach to data collection, the paper draws upon information collected from relevant literature and interviews with 18 key country resource personnel.Findings -Results revealed that most reviewed policies/programs/strategies do not mention "climate change" explicitly but propose some activities which indirectly address it. Interaction is fair within the government ministries but weak between these ministries and other institutions. Inadequate financial resources are being opined as the most important challenge stakeholders are (and would continue) facing as a result of adopting integrated approaches to climate change. Other challenges include inadequate coordination, insufficient sensitization and capacity building, ineffective implementation, inadequate compliance, lack of proper transparency and inadequate public participation. To redress the aforementioned constraints and challenges, the paper concludes by outlining a number of recommendations for policy design.Originality/value -The following recommendations were made: create a national technical committee to oversee and provide scientific guidance to the government on synergistic approaches; promote private sector investment and sponsorship on synergistic approaches; create local awareness, etc. It is important to underscore that minimal studies have been conducted to analyze multi-stakeholder perspectives on synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation in Cameroon. This study attempts to bridge this major gap.

Strategies to achieve a carbon neutral society: a review

“…The sectors with the most synergies were green urban infrastructures, construction, energy efficiency, and buildings. Another study used a qualitative method to examine the policy implementation of Cameroon’s climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives (Ngum et al 2019 ). While several policies address climate change, the findings indicated that they are all focused on mitigation rather than adaptation.…”

Adaptation to Climate Change with Forests, Trees and Agroforestry

“…Emerging economies possessed strong synergy potential, which might be associated with better capacity being available and/or potential for shaping their global images due to their growing emissions (Duguma et al 2014b). This analytical framework was applied by Ngum et al (2019) to look at efforts made by the Government of Cameroon and other stakeholders to promote synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation. The authors concluded that policies, laws, strategies and institutional arrangements relevant to promoting an integrated approach to climate change were insufficient in Cameroon, but that some promising projects and activities existed that harnessed great potential for synergies.…”

Multi-Stakeholder Efforts to Adapt to Climate Change in China’s Agricultural Sector

“…In order to implement effective adaptations that will address the complex internal and external issues of climate change, multiple stakeholders should be engaged [16]. Studies show that multi-stakeholder groups have a more experienced understanding of various biophysical and socioeconomic conditions than individual entities, and that they are valuable knowledge bearers of potential adaptation options [17]; therefore, the engagement of multiple stakeholders at multiple levels could help us to identify locally-relevant aspects of climate change vulnerability and viable adaptation options to combat the impacts of climate change. Through a review of the most recent programs and policies for climate adaptation by the Chinese government, and the incorporation of the latest domestic and international scientific literatures, the major goals of this paper are: to highlight the utility of using multi-stakeholder groups for the development of regionally appropriate adaptation campaigns for agriculture; to explore what is already being done in China's agricultural sector; to identify barriers to action; and to examine the future expectations held by governments, researchers, and farmers.…”