CGIAR Climate Community of Practice Launch

On April 12, 2024, CGIAR marked a significant milestone with the official launch of its Climate Community of Practice (COP). As part of the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Impact Area Platform, this initiative brings together over 600 scientists from various CGIAR centers, forming a collaborative hub for climate-focused research and action. With the COP's inauguration, the Platform will initiate smaller thematic working groups, fostering the advancement of climate knowledge within the CGIAR network. Looking ahead, the Platform aims to broaden its reach by incorporating climate scientists from outside CGIAR, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to tackling climate challenges. Stay tuned for updates on how you can get involved.

More about the Platform and COP

The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Impact Area Platform was established in 2023, marking its official launch with the appointment of a full-time Climate Platform Director, Aditi Mukherji, in March of that year. It is designed to streamline CGIAR's efforts to integrate cutting-edge science with strategic pathways for impact.

The Climate Impact Area Platform is mandated to convene CGIAR’s climate scientists and synthesize climate research to enhance the capacity of CGIAR and its partners, amplify external visibility, engage with prominent climate voices, provide advice on portfolio-level management and strategy, and monitor the outcomes of various Initiatives. Central to its mission, the Platform has compiled a comprehensive list of all CGIAR scientists across all centers involved in climate-related work to establish a robust Community of Practice. With the formal launch of this community, the Platform will establish smaller thematic working groups, advancing climate knowledge within the CGIAR system.

At the COP launch Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR's Executive Managing Director, highlighted the urgent need for significant investments in agri-food, land, and water systems. Transforming these sectors is crucial for increasing food production, enhancing food quality, reducing greenhouse gases, and improving air quality. She added that the Community of Practice serves as a collaborative platform that allows scientists to support the narrative for improved funding and develop new research areas vital for sustainable transformation.

The Netherlands supports CGIAR and the Impact Area Platform through the NL-CGIAR Strategic Partnership. Timmo Gaasbeek, Senior Policy Officer for Food Security at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared his insights about the importance of this COP with us:

"When you look at the link between climate change and food security, the challenges ahead of us are enormous, and much of the scientific research is still in its infancy. It is slowly becoming clear that in the global food system, 'tipping points' are conceivable, which may not even be very far in the future. Think, for example, of the influence of heat tolerance on the productivity of crops and livestock, but also of drowning and salinizing deltas and the impact this has on the world rice market. Within CGIAR, hundreds of scientists are working on climate change and its relationship with food, land, and water systems. They often work on very specific topics. The newly launched Community of Practice provides these scientists with a platform to exchange knowledge beyond their own boundaries, learn from each other, and inspire one another. This can contribute to an acceleration of research and innovation that is urgently needed to address the challenges of today and tomorrow."

Event Launch Recordings
CGIAR has made available recordings of the Climate Community of Practice Launch, divided into morning and afternoon sessions. You find both recordings below.