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Scaling Climate-Smart Food Systems: From Policy Ideas to Practice 
Scaling Climate-Smart Food Systems: From Policy Ideas to Practice  848 244 Jamie

Scaling Climate-Smart Food Systems: From Policy Ideas to Practice 

How do we move from promising policy ideas and pilot projects to practical, sustained action at scale? This was the central question explored in the third webinar of the series From Soil Health to Climate Action: Unlocking the Power of Soil Organic Carbon. 

On 28 July 2026, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) held the final session of the webinar series, titled Scaling Climate-Smart Food Systems: From Policy Ideas to Practice. It brought together insights on soil organic carbon, climate-smart agriculture and the practical systems needed to support wider adoption.  

The session examined why soil organic carbon and climate-smart agriculture matter for national food security, climate resilience and long-term agricultural transformation. Across Africa, many regenerative and climate-smart practices have shown strong potential, but adoption often remains limited because farmers face real barriers, including upfront costs, delayed benefits, limited advisory support, weak market access and insufficient risk-sharing mechanisms. 

A key message from the discussion was that scaling must be designed from the beginning. It is not enough to recognise soil health in policy documents; policies must be connected to delivery systems that farmers can actually use, including access to finance, inputs, training, climate information, extension services, monitoring tools and markets that reward sustainable production. 

The session was moderated by Nina Pretorious, Junior Project Manager for AfCAP, and featured Dr Ermias Betemariam, a land health scientist, at the World Agroforestry, specialising in land restoration, soil health, carbon dynamics and sustainable land management. His work links science, policy and practice to support resilient landscapes and food systems.  

The discussion reinforced that building soil organic carbon is not only a technical issue, but a systems challenge requiring stronger alignment between agriculture, environment, finance and planning sectors. 

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Watch the recording to discover how practical scaling pathways can align policy, finance and delivery with the everyday decisions farmers make on the ground here:
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Harvesting Knowledge, Building Resilience: AfCAP’s Path to Climate‑Smart Africa Rice Futures 
Harvesting Knowledge, Building Resilience: AfCAP’s Path to Climate‑Smart Africa Rice Futures  848 244 Jamie

Harvesting Knowledge, Building Resilience: AfCAP’s Path to Climate‑Smart Africa Rice Futures 

From Challenge to Resilience 

Rice is rapidly becoming Africa’s most important staple, with demand rising by 6% each year, faster than any other food. Yet, the continent still imports about 40% of what it consumes, leaving millions of smallholder farmers under pressure to boost local production while depending on rice for their livelihoods. Climate change is already making it harder to sustain yields, and traditional rice cultivation adds to the challenge by releasing large amounts of methane. Feeding Africa’s growing appetite for ice cannot come at the cost of worsening the very climate risks that threaten communities.  

The urgency is clear: climate-smart rice solutions can reduce emissions, increase yields, and build resilience. Methane is a short-lived greenhouse gas (GHG) but potent, cutting rice-related emissions offers immediate benefits for slowing global warming compared to CO2 mitigation alone. Supporting strategies that strengthen Africa’s rice systems while advancing global climate commitments is essential to secure food, protect livelihoods, and ensure rice remains on Africa’s menu without driving the crisis further.  

AfCAP’s Rice Community of Practice – driving climate-smart rice solutions in Africa 

In 2023, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) launched the Rice Community of Practice (CoP), a collaborative platform uniting experts, institutions, and governments across Africa. By sharing knowledge, exchanging strategies, and building collective expertise, the CoP is driving low-emission, climate-resilient rice solutions that strengthen livelihoods and empower African countries to meet both local food production needs and global climate commitments.  

“The Community of Practice is hugely increasing the awareness of people into the issue of climate change to the extent that you see people are expressing, people are passionate, people have started developing roadmaps in order to combat this.” – Abubakar Halilu Girei (Rice Community of Practice Core Group Member) 

Why the Rice CoP matters – turning shared knowledge into climate-smart action 

By learning together and building on each other’s experiences, the CoP transforms shared knowledge into practical climate-smart solutions. It is more than just a network, it is a space where collaboration ensures that lessons from one country can strengthen resilience across the continent, empowering communities to reduce emissions, boost yields, and secure Africa’s rice future. 

Insights and shared learning 

AfCAP’s Rice CoP has shown the power of collaboration across Africa. By bringing countries together to share challenges and solutions, it enables innovations to be replicated, scaled, and adapted to local realities. This collective learning strengthens strategies and ensures progress is refined through shared experience. The CoP demonstrates the impact of African-led solutions, harnessing local expertise to build resilient rice systems that secure food, protect livelihoods, and withstand climate pressures for generations to come. 

“We have seen a lot of momentum from the countries due to the lessons learned and experienced shared” – Elliott Dossou-Yovo (Rice Community of Practice Core Group Member) 

Shaping Africa’s Rice Future: Hope, Action and Resilience 

AfCAP’s Rice CoP holds enormous promise for Africa’s rice sector. It is more than just a network, it empowers collaboration and knowledge sharing that turns challenges into opportunities, helping countries boost yields, cut emissions, and adapt solutions to local realities. By investing in collective learning, the CoP ensures rice cultivation becomes more productive, sustainable and inclusive.  

Watch and discover how the African Climate Action Partnership’s Rice Community of Practice unites experts, governments and stakeholders to build resilient, climate-smart rice systems in Africa: 
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From Degradation to Regeneration: Land Management Practices that Build Soil Organic Carbon  
From Degradation to Regeneration: Land Management Practices that Build Soil Organic Carbon   848 244 Jamie

From Degradation to Regeneration: Land Management Practices that Build Soil Organic Carbon  

Food system governance often suffers from fragmented decision-making across ministries and sectors. Digital technologies – such as GIS, remote sensing, integrated dashboards, and scenario modelling – can help governments align land-use planning, food security strategies, and climate policies. 

Held on the 9th of July 2026, the African Climate Action Partnership convened its second session to the webinar series, From Soil Health to Climate Action: Unlocking the Power of Soil Organic Carbon, through the Soil Organic Carbon Community of Practice (SOC-COP).  The second session focused on “From Degradation to Regeneration: Land Management Practices that Build Soil Organic Carbon”. 

The webinar explored how data-driven tools can support coherent policy decisions across food systems. The key focus was on the governance challenges, adoption barriers, and decision-support tools needed to align land management, food security, and climate objectives.  It explored farmers’ difficulties in adopting new practices, highlighted the key barriers to digital land governance, and reviewed the current early warning systems for drought and food insecurity. Together, these discussions provided insights into the obstacles and opportunities for strengthening resilience in farming communities and improving national food systems. 

“We have been collecting a lot of data but we have to be honest the cost of obtaining this is very expensive. We have to find win-win initiatives on how data collectors can benefit by sharing to address this data inaccessibility issue.” – Dr. Harifidy Rakoto Ratsimba  

The session was moderated by Dr. Christian Tegha, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sustainable Environment, Ecotourism, and Agricultural Development Organisation (SEEADO), and the featured speakers including: 

  • Dr. Harifidy Rakoto Ratsimba, Head Researcher at LLandDev (Land, Landscape, and Development Research Lab) at the University of Antananarivo, who presented on Digital tools for sustainable land management: The role of GIS, remote sensing, and decision-support systems in strengthening SOC outcomes.   

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Building Net-Zero: Decarbonising the African Cement Sector 
Building Net-Zero: Decarbonising the African Cement Sector  848 244 Jamie

Building Net-Zero: Decarbonising the African Cement Sector 

About 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from cement. This is more than aviation and shipping together. As African economies and societies grow, modernise, and industrialise, the fastest increases in consumption are seen on the continent. Around 2040, Africa will be the largest cement-consuming region worldwide. 

Held on the 7th of July 2026, the African Climate Action Partnership in collaboration with SD Strategies convened a session focused on “Building Net-Zero: Decarbonising the African Cement Sector”. 

The webinar focused on introducing government officials, private-sector representatives, researchers, and development partners to the enormous challenges and opportunities for making the most crucial material for roads, buildings, and other infrastructure climate-friendly, sustainable, and future-proof. Guest speaker, Alexander Oches, Managing Director of SD Strategies, shared on cement-sector technology trends; what African countries already do to mitigate emissions in arguably the hardest-to-abate sector of all and how they can further advance their efforts to decarbonise cement while furthering public goods from public health to better jobs.  

“Cement at this point does not have a substitution material. There is a lot of research going into this and how we can substitute cement altogether.”- Alexander Oches 

The session was moderated by Sihle Poyo, the Project Manager for the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP), and featured speakers including: 

  • Alexander Oches (Managing Director of SD Strategies) who presented on Decarbonising the Africa Cement Sector 

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Watch the recording to discover how the African Cement sector can be decarbonised: 
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Strengthening livestock GHG inventories in Africa 
Strengthening livestock GHG inventories in Africa  848 244 Jamie

Strengthening livestock GHG inventories in Africa: Lessons from the NZ CSA Initiative 

Under the New Zealand Climate-Smart (CSA) Initiative technical work in ten countries has moved beyond default emission estimates to full Tier 2 approaches.  

Held on the 11th of June 2026, the session focused on “Strengthening livestock Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories in Africa: Lessons from the NZ CSA Initiative”.  The session showcased key capacity building activities in Africa, centered on improving agricultural GHG inventories and the role of the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) Livestock Community of Practice (CoP). 

The webinar highlighted the practical benefits and challenges of Tier upgrades, their policy relevance, the value of regional collaboration through AfCAP Livestock CoP and insights from the Zimbabwean government.  

“One of the first lessons is that it’s about people, we now have a group of people in each country who are now able to engage in a more informed way on livestock GHG inventories, low-emission development policies, investment and practice.” – Andreas Wilkes (Independent Consultant, Values for development Ltd.)

The session was moderated by Dr Sinead Leahy, the Livestock Research Group Cochair of the Global Research Alliance (GRA), and featured speakers including: 

  • Andreas Wilkes (Independent consultant, Values for development Ltd), who presented on NZ CSA inventory improvement approach and impact across 10 countries 
  • Walter Svinurai (University of Zimbabwe, LRG Co-chair, GRA) who presented on Zimbabwe’s progress, policy relevance and regional connections 
  • Sega Ndao (Director of ISRA/CRZ de Dahra – AfCAP/Livestock CoP) Regional Inventory improvement and bilateral exchanges in West Africa 
  • Roy Bouwer (Programme Lead, SouthSouthNorth) Regional collaboration in Southern and Eastern Africa and the AfCAP Livestock CoP 

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Soil Organic Carbon as the Foundation of Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Soil Organic Carbon as the Foundation of Climate-Resilient Food Systems 848 244 Jamie

Soil Organic Carbon as the Foundation of Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Turning Evidence on Regenerative Agriculture into Policy Action 

Soil organic carbon is increasingly recognised as a critical component of climate-resilient food systems. Although strong scientific evidence exists on sustainable agriculture and soil restoration, this knowledge is not always reflected in policies, investments, or land‑use planning. As a result, soil health remains undervalued in national food security and climate strategies. 

The African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) launched its online webinar series, From Soil Health to Climate Action: Unlocking the Power of Soil Organic Carbon, through the Soil Organic Carbon Community of Practice (SOC-COP). 

Held on the 9th of June 2026, the first session focused on “Soil Organic Carbon as the Foundation of Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Turning Evidence on Regenerative Agriculture into Policy Action”.  

The webinar explored how evidence on soil health and regenerative agriculture can be translated into policy-relevant messages, measurable targets, and compelling investment cases. During the webinar, participants gained practical insights into its role in strengthening food security and learned why it should be more deliberately integrated into national policy frameworks. The session was organised in two parts: Why Soil Health Matters and From Evidence to Policy Action.  

The webinar set the stage for continued dialogue on how soil organic carbon can inform more effective agricultural and climate policies. It also highlighted the value of collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in advancing sustainable food systems. 

The session was moderated by Nina Pretorius, Junior Project Manager for the African Climate Action Partnership, and the featured speakers including: 

  • Dr. Leigh Ann Winowiecki, Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH), who presented on, Why soil and regenerative agriculture evidence often fails to shape policy and how this can lead to Co-creation between researchers and policymakers  

Dr. Guillermo Peralta drew examples from the RECSOIL project to illustrate the importance of soil and agriculture in climate resilience and food systems. Building on this foundation, Dr. Leigh Ann Winowiecki examined the policy and financial dimensions of soil, reinforcing the need to connect scientific evidence with policy action and investment priorities. 

Watch the recording to discover how evidence on soil health and regenerative agriculture can be translated into policy-relevant messages:
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Pathways for Implementing Livestock NDC commitment in Africa 
Pathways for Implementing Livestock NDC commitment in Africa  848 244 Jamie

Pathways for Implementing Livestock NDC commitment in Africa 

Strengthening the alignment between NDC commitments and robust livestock GHG inventory methodologies is essential for transparent reporting, accessing climate finance, and informing effective mitigation planning. 

Held on the 28th of May 2026, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), co-convened a session on “Pathways for Implementing Livestock NDC Commitment in Africa”.  

This session provided an overview of the current state of livestock‑specific targets in African countries’ latest NDCs and examined how many countries include mitigation and adaptation measures, the types of measures being prioritised, and where critical gaps and opportunities remain. The session concluded by outlining practical ways countries can translate enhanced inventories into credible NDC targets that unlock new pathways for climate action and implementation. 

“We need credible NDC targets but we also need strong MRVs. This is very important and this can be achieved through coordination, what we call institutional arrangement, but also through engaging many countries on this as most countries tend not to commit because they cannot analyse. It makes sense because you cannot reduce what you cannot measure.” – Aimable Uwizeye (FAO)  

The session was moderated Sihle Poyo, Project Manager for the African Climate Action Partnership and featured speakers including: 

  • Aimable Uwizeye (FAO) who presented on how national policy frameworks can support effective NDC implementation 
  • Roy Bouwer (Programme Lead, African Climate Action Partnership) who presented on the status of livestock measures in African NDCs 

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Livestock and Climate Action in Africa’s NDCs
Livestock and Climate Action in Africa’s NDCs 1600 900 Jamie

Livestock and Climate Action in Africa’s NDCs

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, the urgency of global climate action continues to grow. Countries are being called upon to raise their ambition to both mitigate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to the impacts of a warming climate. For many African countries, however, the central challenge is not ambition alone, but the need for evidence-based actions with clear implementation pathways and viable financing models.

For the livestock sector, evidence based climate action is particularly critical. Global climate discourse has often portrayed livestock as a major contributor to climate change due to its emissions profile. While some stakeholders advocate for reducing cattle numbers, such approaches are neither feasible nor appropriate in most African contexts. Livestock plays a vital economic, social, and cultural role across the continent, supporting livelihoods, food security, and poverty reduction. In a region already facing significant development challenges, climate action in the livestock sector must therefore focus on improving efficiency and resilience, rather than reducing herd sizes.

Through improved feed and feeding practices, better animal genetics, and expanded access to veterinary services, it is possible to reduce emissions intensity while simultaneously increasing productivity and resilience. These climate smart livestock interventions can deliver adaptation and mitigation benefits alongside broader development outcomes.

This brief provides an overview of the climate ambitions outlined by African countries for the livestock sector within their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Drawing on a review of NDC submissions up to April 2026, the brief highlights progress made in integrating livestock into national climate commitments, as well as key gaps in mitigation target setting, implementation pathways, and financing.

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