‘SPARC is pleased to be sponsoring the Resilience Hub as it represents exactly the kind of co-operation and partnership that is required to address the challenges posed by climate change.’
Mark Redwood, executive director SPARC
by Mark Redwood
The challenges posed by climate change are myriad and can only be addressed through collaboration and striving for common purpose. Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC), a programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,is pleased to be sponsoring the Resilience Hub as it represents exactly the kind of co-operation and partnership that is required. Through our engagement in the Hub, we are joining other organisations to share what we are learning and to define our future actions and collective effort.
In 2020, SPARC embarked on a five-year programme of research on pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in dryland systems in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Pastoralists play a key role in the stewardship of rangelands, including in dryland areas, but are often misunderstood and marginalised. Despite their exposure to serious climate risks, few efforts have been effective in addressing the needs of the estimated 240 million pastoralists and agro-pastoralists who make their livelihoods in dryland areas.
Examples of our work include understanding how insurance can be adapted for livestock herders, how markets can be rebuilt and supported after conflicts, and how to support climate action across political and administrative boundaries. SPARC is working with donors and practitioners to generate evidence and address knowledge gaps to build the resilience of these communities across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.
This is a defining moment in our collective effort to address climate change. COP26 reminds us of the need for continuous action and investment to improve the ability of people to cope, adapt and build resilience to climate change. We hope – together with others supporting the Resilience Hub – to find like-minded partners and engage with them in joint action. We also want to ensure that our work complements that of others, and builds alliances around a common agenda. COP26 will end on November 12, but the work of SPARC and our partners will continue with fresh purpose.
Main image: A Borana family in Ethiopia leads their goats for grazing. Photo ILRI/Zerihun Sewunet
Website: www.sparc-knowledge.org Twitter: @SPARC_Ideas