WASCAL RESEARCH ACTION PLAN (WRAP) 2.0

The WASCAL Research Action Plan (WRAP 2.0) is the current working agenda of the Competence Center and is geared toward making the center a full-service provision center by delivering key demand-driven climate and environmental services to be taken up by policymakers and other stakeholders, including smallholders.

Specifically, WRAP 2.0 seeks to (i) formulate and carry out demand-driven research for development-oriented outcomes as prioritized by WASCAL member states, and to establish WASCAL as a front-line West African climate service center; (ii) generate sound, evidence-based knowledge and information, and devise tools, including software to support decision-making; and (iii) provide policy information and support for developing climate and environmental risk management, building resilient socio-ecological landscapes, and attaining sustainable agricultural production and food security.

WRAP 2.0 is based on five (5) interrelated Priority Research Themes (PRTs) of regional relevance in West Africa: land use and land degradation (PRT 1), risk and vulnerability to climate extremes (PRT 2), rural-urban and cross-border migration (PRT 3), sustainable agriculture and climate smart landscapes (PRT 4), and renewable energy (PRT 5). This interrelationship is founded on the WASCAL Multidisciplinary Observation Networks and multi-stakeholder innovation platforms across West Africa. These PRTs, besides supporting ECOWAS’ priority programs in environment and agriculture, will deploy necessary actions that contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 1 (End poverty), SDG 2 (End hunger), SDG 13 (Climate action), SDG 15 (Life on land).

The objective of this priority research theme is to generate an updated and higher resolution West African time variant Land Use Land Cover (LULC) database (land units, plant functional types) along with their thermal and physical parameters to improve the representation of surface conditions in climate models and ultimately contribute to the development of a tailored dynamical vegetation model for the West African region.

Under this PRT, two research projects, which acronyms are CONCERT and LANDSURF, are being implemented in the framework of WASCAL Research and Actions Plan 2 (WRAP 2.0). These projects are conceived in line with the objectives and the expected deliverables of the PRT as stated above. More details on these two projects are given below.

A. CONCERT Project (Greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options under climate and land use change in West Africa: A concerted regional modeling and observation assessment).

The aim of CONCERT is to identify emission mitigation options for the major greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), in parallel with improving food security. This will be tackled through (a) the extension of WASCAL’s current flux observation network, b) estimation and projection of GHG emission budgets for the region, using a fully coupled regional climate-hydrology-dynamic vegetation model (Earth System Model, ESM), specifically adapted to the WASCAL region, and c) identification of LU options suitable for mitigating GHG emissions, increasing soil C stocks and improving food security for the West African Sudan savanna. This will be achieved by a unique concerted and intertwined observation and modeling strategy in CONCERT. The results will be jointly developed and iterated with stakeholders and communicated to policymakers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for implementation.

The CONCERT project is being led by Professor Dr. Harald Kunstmann and Dr. Sina Berger from the Institute of Geography (IG) of the University of Augsburg (UoA) in Germany with support from the following experts:

  1. Ursula Gessner and Dr. Sarah Asam – German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany.
  2. Harry Vereecken and Dr. Roland Baatz – Institute of Bio- and Geosciences- Agrosphere, Germany.
  3. Gerald Forkuor – United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), Accra, Ghana.
  4. Leonard K. Amekudzi and Dr. Emmanuel Quansah– Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
  5. Babatunde Rabiu and Dr. Christiana F. Olusegun – Centre for Atmospheric Research, National Space and Development Agency (CARNASRDA), Abuja, Nigeria
  6. Sanoussi Atta and Dr. Moussa Waongo– AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Niger.

 

B. LANDSURF Project (Land surface processes as a determinant of climate change in Africa – scenarios, high-resolution modeling and development of a stakeholder data portal)

The goal of this research project is to develop a high regional resolution Earth System model for West Africa (WESM) coupled to an ocean model and including a new fully interactive and surface scheme. The LANDSURF project is being led by Prof. Dr. Heiko Paeth from the Institute of Geography and Geology of the University of Würzburg in Germany with support from the following experts.

  1. Michael Thiel – Institute of Geography and Geology, University of Würzburg (UNIWUE-R)
  2. Torsten Weber and Dr. María Máñez Costa – Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Climate Service Center Germany, Hamburg (HZG-GERICS)
  3. Dr. Christopher Conrad – Institute of Geosciences and Geography, University of Halle-Wittenberg (UNIHAL)
  4. Benewinde Jean-Bosco Zoungrana – University Ouagadougou 1 Prof. Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UNIOUA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
  5. Gerald Forkuor – United Nations University (UNU), Accra, Ghana
  6. Imoleayo Ezekiel Gbode- Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Akure, Nigeria
  7. Dr Vincent Ayayi – Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Akure, Nigeria
  8. Seydou B. Traore – AGRHYMET, Niamey, Niger

 

Regional Thematic Coordinator, Dr. Oble Neya (Email: neya.o@wascal.org)

The objective of this priority research theme is to harmonize and mainstream information on climate extreme events (with a focus on flood), vulnerability, potential risks as well as strategies to alleviate their effects. Specifically, we intend to develop tools and metrics to understand, quantify and mitigate present-day and future flood risks associated to intense precipitation events. Under this PRT, one research project, FURIFLOOD, is being executed.

 

A. FURIFLOOD Project (Current and future risks of urban and rural flooding in West Africa – An integrated analysis and eco-system-based solutions)

The overarching goal of FURIFLOOD is an improved quantification of current and future extreme precipitation and flood risk in West Africa to underpin science-based decision making. FURIFLOOD will further internationalize the WASCAL graduate schools, establish WASCAL as a leading climate and environmental science-based service center, and support the WASCAL countries in implementing and monitoring the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The FURIFLOOD Project is being led by Prof. Andreas H. Fink from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)’s Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK) in Germany with support from the following experts:

  1. H. Kunstmann, Dr J. Bliefernicht, Institute of Geography (IG), University of Augsburg (UoA)
  2. Markus Disse, Dr. Alexander Gerner, Chair of Hydrology and River Basin Management (HFM), Technical University of Munich (TUM)
  3. Yvonne Walz, Institute for Environment and Human Security (EHS), United Nations University (UNU),
  4. K. Kokou, Faculty of Sciences (FoS), University of Lomé (UoL-FoS)
  5. L. K. Amekudzi, Dr. Thompson Annor (former WASCAL student) Department of Physics (DoP), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
  6. Samuel Nii Odai, Dr. Kwaku Amaning Adjei, Department of Civil Engineering (DoCE), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
  7. Dr Aristide Barthélémy Akpo and Dr Kossi François Guedje, Department of Physics (DoP), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC)
  8. Dr. Julien Adounkpè, Laboratory of Applied Ecology (LAE), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC)
  9. Arsene T. Kobea, Dr. Evelyne N. Toure (former WASCAL student), Dr. K Kouadio, Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère et de Mécanique des Fluides (LAPA-MF), Université Félix Houphouet-Boigny (UFHB)
  10. Vami Hermann N’guessan Bi, Centre Universitaire de Recherche et D’application en Télédétection (CURAT), Université De Felix Houphouet Boigny (UFHB),
  11. Saïdou Moustapha Sall, Dr. Diarra Deng (former WASCAL student, current affiliation IMK-IFU), Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphere et de l’Ocean-Simeon Fongang (LPAO-SF), University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD).

 

 

Regional Thematic Coordinator, Dr. Seyni Salack (Email: salack.s@wascal.org)

This priority research theme aims to obtain more insight into the unprecedented and unregulated rural exodus especially towards major urban agglomerations and across national borders. It specifically investigates the direction of causation in the link between population growth, land degradation, livelihood opportunities, climate change/climate variability and migration. Under this PRT, two research projects, MIGRAWARE and MiTra-Wa.

A. MIGRAWARE Project (Rural-urban and cross-border MIGRATION in West-Africa – an integrated assessment framework of drivers, processes and sustainable Responses)

The goal of MIGRAWARE is to deliver a scientific-technological framework for assessing the processes, drivers, and factors of rural-urban and cross-border migration in West Africa. MI-GRAWARE will suggest governance instruments suitable to alleviate migration needs, improve local livelihoods, and sustain human-environmental interactions. The project intends to reveal the typical pathways and (hi)stories of migration that include the movement from poor hinterlands to urban conglomerations and other places so that governance instruments can be tailored for the local, national, and intergovernmental (cross-boundary) level.

The MIGRAWARE Project is jointly implemented by the following experts.

  1. Christine Fürst (lead expert) and Prof. Christopher Conrad – Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Germany
  2. CoKnow Consulting (Micro-SME; sub-contractor)
  3. Michael Thiel – Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg
  4. Hannes Taubenböck – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Germany
  5. Frank Pietzsch – PiSolution GmbH, Germany
  6. Mahamadou Belem – University Nazi Boni, Burkina Faso
  7. Benjamin Kofi Nyarko – Cape Coast University, Ghana
  8. John Kanburi Bidzakin – CSIR Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana
  9. Stephen Kankam – Hen Mpoano (NGO), Ghana
  10. Mairo Muhammed – Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria
  11. Appollonia Okhimamhe – WASCAL Doctoral Research Programme on Climate Change and Human Habitat, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria

 

 

B. MiTra-WA Project (Migration and Translocality in West Africa)

The overall goal of this project is to contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of West African rural migration towards urban agglomerations and across national borders, and in particular to focus on the interlinkages between population dynamics, environmental change and translocal livelihoods.

The MiTra-WA Project is jointly implemented by the following experts under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Malte Steinbrink.

  1. Malte Steinbrink – Lehrstuhl für Anthropogeographie, Universität Passau, Germany
  2. Stefan Greiving – Institut für Raumplanung, Technische Universität Dortmund (TUDO), Germany
  3. Joseph Teye – Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  4. Georges Campaore – Institut Superieur des Science de la Population (ISSP), Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
  5. Michael Poku-Boansi – Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  6. Olajide O. Adeola – Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria

 

Regional Thematic Coordinator, Dr. Safietou Sanfo (Email: sanfo.s@wascal.org)

 

The overall objective of this priority research theme is to improve food and nutrition security and livelihoods through sustainable intensification of agriculture while contributing to GHG mitigation efforts.

Under this PRT, one research project, GreenGaDe, is being executed.

A. GreenGaDe Project (Greenhouse Gas Determination in West Africa’s Agricultural Landscapes

The project GreenGaDe ‘‘Greenhouse Gas Determination in West Africa’s Agricultural Landscapes” aims to provide baseline data and predict the evolution of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon stocks in the agricultural sector in West Africa. A consortium including four West African and three German institutions with specialists in agronomy, forestry, modelling, environmental chemistry, sociology and GHG inventories will use a multidisciplinary approach to build a consistent database at the local and regional level.

The GreenGaDe Project is jointly implemented by a consortium of experts under the coordination of Dr. Anja Linstädter from the Institute for Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Germany.

  1. Dr Oumarou Ouédraogo (PI), Dr Loyapin Bondé (Co-PI) UJKZ – Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou/ Burkina Faso,
  2. Dr Reginald Tang Guuroh (PI), Dr Stephen Adu-Bredu (Co-PI) FRI – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, KNUST, Kumasi/ Ghana
  3. Dr Eveline Sawadogo-Compaore (PI), Dr Alimata A. Bandaogo (Co-PI), INERA – Institute for Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou/ Burkina Faso (INERA)
  4. Dr Mounkaila Mohamed (PI), UAM – Radio-Isotopes Research Institute, Department of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, University Abdou Moumouni, Niamey/ Niger

 

Regional Thematic Coordinator: Dr. Jesse Naab (Email: naab.j@wascal.org)

The objective of this priority research theme is to provide a wide range of research and services portfolio in areas of energy efficiency, hydrogen energy, waste-to-energy, solar, wind, hydropower energy and their mixes. It provides science-based solutions to increase the adoption of renewable energy and innovative technologies under a changing climate. Under this PRT, several projects are being executed.  

A. H2-ATLAS AFRICA Project

The aim of this project is to support sustainable and economic development through a viable hydrogen economy with a high potential to make Africa an exporter of green hydrogen, hence gaining even more relevance in international energy markets. H2 ATLAS-AFRICA project is the first phase of a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and African partners in the Sub-Saharan region (SADC and ECOWAS countries) to explore the potentials of green hydrogen production from the enormous renewable energy sources within the sub-regions.

B. WASTE2 ENERGY Project

The overall aim of the project is to through research and development and capacity development, develop concepts for waste segregation and the conversion of various fractions into energy by using biogas, pyrolysis and solar PV plants. This project is implemented in Ghana, and is expected to:

  • Improve sanitation by converting the ever-increasing municipal solid waste into energy for productive uses and contribute to sustainable industrial development.
  • Train high-level local experts in waste management and waste treatment technologies,
  • Transfer proven waste treatment technologies in use in Germany to Ghana and West Africa countries.
  • Build capacity of local experts to design, construct, and maintain a hybrid waste to energy facility.
  • Improve sanitation by converting the ever-increasing municipal solid waste into energy for productive uses and contribute to sustainable industrial development.
  • Train high-level local experts in waste management and waste treatment technologies,
  • Transfer proven waste treatment technologies in use in Germany to Ghana.
  • Build capacity of local experts to design, construct, and maintain a hybrid waste to energy facility
  • Install a novel hybrid waste to energy treatment facility in Ghana that combines solar PV, biogas, and pyrolysis technologies to treat municipal solid waste and generate power.
  • Provide a blueprint for the propagation of 10 additional waste to energy facilities in Ghana
  • Contribute to Ghana’s climate change mitigation strategy.
  • Contribute to the inclusion of renewable energy in Ghana’s electricity generation mix

 

The H2-ATLAS AFRICA and the WASTE2 ENERGY Projects are jointly implemented by a consortium of experts from the following institutions:

  1. Solomon Agbo Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße | 52428 Jülich ;Tel.: +49 246 1611666; Email: s.agbo@fz-juelich.de
  2. Kerstin Annassi; Project Management Juelich (PTJ) Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße | 52428 JülichTel.: +49 246 1611983; Email: annassi@fz-juelich.de
  3. Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße | 52428 Jülich Tel.: +49 246 1611666; Email: agbo@fz-juelich.de
  4. Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (lead German partner and project coordinator), Germany
  5. West African Science Service Centre on Climate change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL), Accra Ghana,
  6. Southern Africa Science Service Centre for Climate change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), Windhoek Namibia,
  7. Other associate partners include relevant German industries, the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).

 

 

  Regional Thematic Coordinator, Dr. Bruno KORGO, (Email: Korgo.b@wascal.org)