The Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice is a regional learning and knowledge platform that brings together professionals from governments institutions, nongovernmental organizations and academia that are interested in or working on Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) in Africa. It was initiated in November 2019, following the first Africa Forum on Natural Capital Accounting in Kampala, Uganda. Attended by representatives from 18 African countries, participants expressed unanimous support for the creation of a community of practice on NCA in Africa. Responding to this demand, the Global Program on Sustainability, the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa, the United Nations Statistics Division, and the United Nations Environment Programme, committed to provide technical support to this community over the coming years.
Objective
The Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice aims to build momentum and mainstream NCA into statistical production and policy in all African countries by supporting best practices through capacity building and knowledge sharing. To that end, and over the next few years, the community of practice intends to hold regular forums at regional and international fora; share information through a newsletter; produce joint communications including case studies; share experiences through south-south exchanges and joint training activities; and build technical expertise through themed working groups, among other activities. An interim volunteer working group has been convened to coordinate the development of a work plan to guide the implementation of these activities. It will also coordinate the appointment of focal points in countries across Africa who will be responsible for connecting their colleagues in government to the activities of the community of practice.
Purpose
Activities
The Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice will build momentum and mainstream natural capital accounting in statistical production and policy across Africa through capacity building and knowledge sharing between government institutions, nongovernmental organizations and academia. This is an essential next step in unifying stakeholders around a shared ambition and in driving tangible commitments and actions to accelerate the uptake of the natural capital approach.
The community of practice intends to hold regular meetings at regional and international fora; promote best practice; produce joint communications including case studies; share experiences through south-south exchanges and joint trainings; and build technical expertise through themed working groups, among other activities like a moderated WhatsApp group and monthly webinar series. Anyone with an interest in natural capital accounting in Africa is welcome to sign up to the community of practice. In June 2020, over 300 people from 39 different African countries had already signed up. The Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice also welcomes new partnerships that align with ongoing initiatives both in Africa and at the global level.
Membership and Partnership
Individual Membership
The community of practice is open to all individuals interested in natural capital accounting in Africa, though its activities are geared primarily to supporting individuals working on accounts within governments. Individuals can sign up to join the Community of Practice to participate in the dialogue.
Institutional Membership
The Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice welcomes new partnerships that align with ongoing initiatives both in Africa and at the global level. Institutions interested in sharing information, sponsoring activities, or collaborating with us, can get in touch using this contact form .
Government membership
The community of practice is open for all governments in Africa. For information, please contact the NCA-CoP coordinator, Peter Katanisa, Pkatanisa@worldbank.org.
New Partnerships
The Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice welcomes new partnerships that align with ongoing initiatives both in Africa and at the global level. Institutions interested in sharing information, sponsoring activities, or collaborating with us, can get in touch using this contact form.
Focal Points
The community of practice welcomes the participation of institutions and governments through the nomination of Focal Points, who act as a liaison with the Community of Practice. Institutions and governments interested in nominating Focal Points can contact us through the contact form.
Governance Structure of the Community
