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Understanding Non-Economic Loss and Damage in Africa synthesis team

Climate Justice, Policy and Livelihoods

Understanding Non-Economic Loss and Damage in Africa | ASCEND Synthesis Team

This project aims to synthesize data on non-economic loss and damage (NELD) over the past decade, identifying key risks, and informing policy responses.

Overview

About this synthesis team

This project aims to synthesize data on non-economic loss and damage (NELD) over the past decade, identifying key risks, and informing policy responses.

The Challenge

Global loss and damage negotiations rely heavily on monetised estimates, which systematically undercount what communities say they have lost: heritage sites, burial grounds, languages, mental health, and social cohesion. Evidence on these losses exists in qualitative studies that rarely reach negotiators.

Our Approach

The team synthesises qualitative and mixed-method studies from across Africa alongside community loss registers, building valuation frameworks that negotiators, national planners, and community organisations can use in global climate negotiations.

Expected Outputs

  • Non-economic valuation guidelines
  • Policy briefing for global climate negotiations (COP)
  • Community loss registers

People

Team members

Researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers contributing to this synthesis team.

Project leads

4 members
  • Edmond Totin

    École de Sociologie Rurale et de Vulgarisation Agricole, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, Benin

  • Joyce Kimutai

    Kenya Meteorological Department

  • Emily Boyd

    Lund University

  • Andrew Emmanuel Okem

    Deltares & University of KwaZulu-Natal

Project members

12 members
  • Denboy Kudejira

    University of Cape Town

  • Mark New

    University of Cape Town

  • Petra Tschakert

    National University of Singapore

  • Delphine Deryng (European Centre for

  • Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)

  • Rachel Bezner Kerr

    Cornell University

  • Rodrigue Idohou

    Université Nationale d’Agriculture

  • Portia Adade Williams

    Science and Technology Policy Research Institute

  • Alice Bonou

    Université Nationale d’Agriculture

  • Charity Osei-Amponsah

    International Water Management Institute

  • Bhim Adhikari

    International Development Research Centre

  • Nfamara K Dampha

    University of Minnesota

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