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Strengthening Africa's Role in Global Climate Responses Through Collaborative SRM
Research
The African Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) Research Community is a collaborative network of Africa’s leading transdisciplinary researchers.
Our purpose is to build a well-connected and resourceful community of African SRM researchers, enabling Africa to play a leading role in global SRM discourse and decision-making.
We focus on building capacity in climate science, strengthening partnerships across the continent, and tailoring research to address Africa’s unique climate challenges. By fostering collaboration and empowering stakeholders, we aim to ensure that Africa’s perspectives are front and center in shaping global climate strategies.
AFRICAN-LED RESEARCH IS CRITICAL
Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting agricultural patterns pose significant threats to livelihoods and economic stability within Africa. With Africa's population projected to grow rapidly in the coming decades, the need for sustainable solutions to combat these challenges has never been more urgent.
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​Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) has emerged as a potential climate intervention to offset some of the worst impacts of climate change, which involves techniques like injecting reflective particles into the atmosphere or brightening marine clouds to reduce global warming. Given Africa's heightened vulnerability to climate change, understanding the implications of SRM for the continent is vital. However, despite these pressing needs, African voices remain significantly underrepresented in global SRM research and decision-making processes.
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Although there are promising SRM research initiatives within Africa, much of the research remains fragmented and under-resourced. Without a coordinated effort to bring African perspectives into focus, the continent risks being sidelined in global discussions, with SRM strategies potentially driven by interests that do not align with Africa's needs.
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Climate change disproportionately impacts Africa, leaving the continent particularly vulnerable to its adverse effects.
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As the impacts of surpassing the 1.5°C global warming threshold become more severe, SRM will increasingly feature in political discussions and decision-making. It is essential to ensure that African perspectives are central to these conversations, influencing how SRM is researched, developed, and if deemed necessary, implemented worldwide.
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In response to these challenges, more than sixteen leading African SRM researchers and representatives from seven African universities, one national meteorological service, three African research coordination bodies, and two non-governmental organizations convened in March 2024 and one outcome was the formation of the African SRM Research Community. By establishing research structures, growing the community, and advocating for African-informed SRM strategies, we aim to position Africa as a leader in shaping the global SRM discourse.
OUR APPROACH
The African SRM Research Community was established to address the need for Africa’s active role in shaping SRM strategies.
We focus on three key areas to drive meaningful change:
Building a Research Community with Regional Relevance
We are developing a cross-disciplinary network of African SRM researchers to foster collaboration both within the continent and with global researchers. By tailoring our research to address Africa’s specific climate challenges, we ensure that the continent’s unique vulnerabilities are central to the global climate discussion.
Empowering Stakeholders for Informed Decision-Making
Collaboration with policymakers and other key stakeholders is essential to our approach. We work to equip them with the knowledge and data necessary for informed decision-making, helping to deepen their understanding of SRM’s potential risks and benefits. This ensures that Africa can actively participate in shaping global SRM strategies.
Strengthening Local
Research Capacity
We aim to enhance Africa's scientific capacity in SRM and related climate science fields. By bringing together a diverse group of African experts, we promote a holistic understanding of SRM. This approach builds a robust network of African researchers capable of leading and influencing global SRM discussions, ensuring that Africa is not left behind.
THEORY OF
CHANGE
The African SRM Research Community envisions African-led research as a key driver in shaping global strategies to address the adverse effects of climate change, ensuring that Africa's leadership and perspectives are central to global climate change discussions. Our mission is to grow and strengthen a research network that integrates SRM knowledge relevant to Africa, empowering the African community in climate negotiations.
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To achieve this, we focus on coordinating Africa-centric SRM research, enhancing decision-making for policymakers, and strengthening local research capacity. By fostering collaboration within Africa and with global partners, we empower African researchers and policymakers to lead in SRM negotiations and shape future climate interventions.
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OUR VISION
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Ensuring Africa's leadership and perspectives are central to global climate change discussions, including SRM through African-led research as a key driver in shaping global strategies to address the adverse effects of climate change
GET IN 
TOUCH
Interested in knowing more about us?
Send us a message!​
We envision Africa's leadership and perspectives are central to global climate change discussions including SRM through African-led research as a key driver in shaping global strategies to address the adverse effects of climate change.
MEET THE TEAM
The team currently leading the SRM Research Community has extensive experience in climate sciences and leading multinational teams.
Dr Chris Lennard
Climate System Analysis Group, University of Cape Town; Co-Chair, World Climate Research Programme Academy.
Although now a climatologist, I am a lapsed zoologist who has also dabbled in the dark art of oceanography. I served as a Lead Author for the IPCC AR6 WGII Africa chapter (Chapter 9) and also contributed as a Lead Author for Chapter 2 of the IPCC Special Report on Land and Climate. I am a co-chair of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Academy whose role is to build capacity for climate research, especially in the Global South.
Prof. Babatunde Abiodun
SARChi Chair in Ocean and Atmospheric Modeling, University of Cape Town
I am a Professor at the University of Cape Town, where I coordinate the atmospheric science program and lead atmospheric modelling initiatives. I also hold the SARChi Chair in Ocean and Atmospheric Modeling. My expertise is in climate model developments and applications. I was a lead author in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 5th Assessment Report and the Global Environment Outlook's 6th Assessment Report.
Dr Romaric Odoulami
Researcher, African Climate & Development Initiative, University of Cape Town.
I'm part of a multidisciplinary project team from the University of Cape Town and the University of Oxford, which is interested in climate, hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic sciences. I also have experience in climate modelling and climate change analysis.
The African SRM Research Community
