The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has launched a groundbreaking project to enhance climate resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative, known as the "Advancing Knowledge for Long-Term Benefits and Climate Adaptation Through Holistic Climate Services and Nature-based Solutions" (ALBATROSS) project, began on March 1, 2024, and will continue for 42 months.

ALBATROSS is designed to address the escalating impacts of climate change in the region through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. The project aims to develop tools and strategies to help African countries adopt sustainable, need-based climate adaptation policies and programs.

According to Prof. Michael Poku-Boansi, the principal investigator at KNUST, the project will focus on creating climate services that assess the positive and negative cascading effects of climate change on ecosystem health, food security, and socio-economic vulnerability. It will tackle natural hazards such as droughts and floods, emphasising agriculture and other sectoral adaptation needs.

The project also emphasises using nature-based solutions (NBS) as a critical strategy for climate adaptation. "By leveraging participatory approaches and cutting-edge research grounded in the latest observational data and modelling techniques, ALBATROSS aims to provide robust, science-based evidence on the effectiveness of NBS as a multifunctional adaptation strategy," said Prof. Poku-Boansi. "This approach is expected to mitigate forced migration, biodiversity loss, and hydrometeorological risks across Sub-Saharan Africa."

The ALBATROSS project will be validated in various countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, with key stakeholders involved in co-creating and co-evaluating adaptation options and plans. Through this collaboration, KNUST and its 16 partners aim to contribute significantly to climate resilience efforts in the region, ultimately supporting sustainable development and protecting vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change.

During the project's kick-off session, the Provost of the College of Science, Prof. Leonard Amekudzi, emphasised the initiative's importance, stating, "The ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of communities, government agencies, and NGOs to adapt to climate change and promote sustainable development."

The ALBATROSS project represents a significant step forward in addressing climate challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, combining research and practical solutions to create a more resilient and sustainable future for the region.