how PSA is Empowering African Journalists on Adaptation reporting

Power Shift Africa held the third annual Africa Journalists Climate Training (AJCT), in Mombasa, Kenya from 29th to 30th July 2024. The training brought together over 30 journalists drawn from 15 countries across the continent. The training focused on Adaptation focused on Adaptation reporting, but the journalists were trained on different topical issues such as the UNFCCC Processes, Data Journalism & AI, Storytelling and how to get funding for stories. 

PSA Director Mohamed Adow opened the training, and explained the need for such a training on the continent, noting that although Africa is the least responsible for climate change, it remains the most vulnerable continent and its people are the least informed when it comes to climate reporting, hence why it is a top priority for PSA to ensure journalists are empowered to drive the narrative of Africa and change the status quo. 

The training aimed to shine a light on Adaptation issues that Africa is grappling with but often disregarded on the global stage. 

Adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change and minimization of the induced losses and damages remains a key priority for the continent. 

Despite the continent's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, many stories and narratives that depict the devasting impacts pacts to drive awareness and enhance ambitious action are either underreported or entirely overlooked. However, the media's current coverage of Adaptation from an African perspective is limited thus presenting more room for improvement. This coverage gap is more than just a missed opportunity; it is a disservice to the communities on the continent living with the harsh realities of climate change each day. 

This initiative aimed to ensure that climate stories are given the priority they deserve. The ultimate objective of this initiative is to elevate the position of adaptation as a priority for the continent, showcase the devastating impacts of climate change, amplify the voices of vulnerable communities on the global stage to drive ambitious actions, and stress the need for Africa to pursue a climate resilient and compatible development pathway. 

The Challenge of Climate Adaptation Reporting in Africa 

Journalists serve as the ears, eyes and mouthpiece of any society; trained to question, investigate, and report with accuracy. This is why it is crucial for adaptation climate reporting in Africa to be amplified. Journalists at the Africa Journalists Climate Training (AJCT) agreed that they must captivate their audiences and share climate stories as substantial to the well-being of the continent and not meaningless chatter.  

During the AJCT training, the attendees also pointed out that journalists often focus on climate change stories only after a disaster has occurred. For instance, the flooding in East Africa earlier this year got more coverage due to the damage that was caused. Currently Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa are going through a drought period, and despite the cry for help from these countries, the media still hasn't picked up on these with the urgency deserved. 

This reactive style of reporting overlooks the ongoing challenges that communities in Africa face as they wrestle with the devasting impacts of climate change. By only highlighting the issue during crises, the media fails to communicate the continuous and pressing nature of climate change, leading to a distorted public perception. 

External Interests 

The media's role in shaping public perception cannot be overstated. However, external vested interests often dilute the climate stories being told from Africa. These political, corporate, or otherwise interests influence how climate narratives are reported. Consequently, they lead to watered-down narratives that lack the urgency and importance these stories deserve. 

Journalists pointed out that in newsrooms, the pressure to produce stories that will sell also plays a significant role in the underreporting of climate change. Journalists are often faced with the challenge of making climate stories compelling enough to capture the audience's attention. 

Collaboration and Amplification 

The AJCT Training advocated for the need for the media to work collaboratively with local voices to amplify the message of climate change adaptation. By centering the voices of those directly impacted, the media can help change the narrative and drive meaningful action. 

Adaptation: Africa's Most Pressing Climate Priority 

Kulthoum Omari, the lead negotiator for the African Group of Negotiation (AGN) on adaptation took journalists through the role of adaptation in Africa as a response to climate change. She particularly spotlighted their critical role within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Further, she emphasized Africa's unity, as the largest negotiating bloc with 54 countries. Kulthoum emphasized that African countries speak with a unified voice on adaptation. 

Ms Omari argued that if Africa had adapted more effectively, its economies would be in a stronger position today. Agriculture, though accounting for about 35% of Africa’s gross domestic product, is the most affected sector. The vulnerability is even worsened by low rainfall since 95% of crops grown under rainfed systems. This makes the continent's economies vulnerable, suffering a 36% impact due to climate change.  

The AGN Coordinator also cited the ongoing challenges within the UNFCCC process, particularly regarding the imbalance between mitigation and adaptation in both ambition and action as the current climate finance architecture favors the mitigation outcomes. 

She highlighted some positive progress made within the UNFCCC process such as inclusion of adaptation and resilience building as one of the goals of the Paris Agreement and the development of the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) as an implementation measure.  

Ms. Omari, however, noted that most developing countries are faced with the challenges of finances to implement the NAPs while most LDCs lack the funds to even formulate and develop the NAPs. While noting the positive strides made with the establishment of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) meant to assess, measure and track progress towards achievement of the adaptation goal of the Paris Agreement, she raised concern on the limited technical discussion around the finance provisions required for the successful implementation of the GGA. 

As the international community prepares for the upcoming COP29 deemed as a ‘finance COP’ in Baku, Azerbaijan, Omari emphasized that Adaptation remains a crucial priority for the continent to enhance Africa’s adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to climate change. Furthermore, delivery of the much-needed level of grant-based climate finance for concrete adaptation actions in Africa is poised as a top priority including adequate and reliable finance for the development and implementation of the NAPs. 

Ms. Omari also stressed the need to agree on mapping and compilation of the new indicators for the GGA, and a clear way forward on the critical means of implementation necessary to turn adaptation plans into concrete actions. Ms. Omari also underscored that COP29 being a finance COP is expected to design a new climate finance goal and stressed that these deliberations must put into consideration the increasing level of adaptation finances required for successful climate actions by the African countries. 

Adaptation is particularly crucial for Africa. The continent's unique challenges require tailored solutions, and the media has a vital role in bringing these stories to the forefront. 

The Power Shift Africa's training was hailed by all stakeholders as a step in the right direction, but there is much more to be done. The key takeaways from the training were: the need for the media to continue evolving, shedding outdated paradigms and embracing a more collaborative and community-focused approach to climate journalism. Only then can the stories that matter most—those of resilience, adaptation, and survival—be given the attention they deserve.