By: NECJOGHA Reporter
NAIROBI – The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) has issued a continental call to action, seeking to build a robust database of African experts in methane emissions. The initiative aims to address a significant knowledge gap on the continent and strengthen Africa’s capacity to combat climate change.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, with a warming potential approximately 85 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. While often overshadowed by CO₂, its short atmospheric lifespan means that reducing methane emissions can have a rapid and substantial impact on slowing the rate of global warming.
In Africa, key sources of methane emissions include livestock and agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, as well as landfills and the energy sector. Despite these significant sources, the continent has a limited pool of specialists dedicated to methane research, policy, and technical work. AGNES, a not-for-profit think tank that provides evidence-based knowledge to the African Group of Negotiators in climate change discussions, is spearheading this effort to fill the void.
The “Database of African Experts in Methane” is designed to create a comprehensive network of professionals from all five of Africa’s sub-regions: North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. This network will serve as a resource for policymakers, researchers, and climate practitioners, helping to inform and shape Africa’s response to methane emissions at national, regional, and international levels.
The call is open to experts with a strong background in methane-related disciplines. Successful applicants are expected to possess postgraduate qualifications, proven experience in research or technical work, and a track record of strong writing and peer-review skills. A key requirement is a commitment to academic integrity and the ability to meet deadlines.
This initiative is part of a broader global push to tackle methane. The Global Methane Pledge, for example, commits over 150 countries to collectively cut global anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030. By building a strong, homegrown pool of experts, Africa can ensure its voice and unique challenges are represented in these global efforts.
The deadline for applications is Friday, August 31, 2025. Interested experts can apply via a Google Form link provided by AGNES. Apply via this Google Form:https://lnkd.in/eMpQ-fKb
About AGNES:
The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) was established in 2015 to provide scientific and technical expertise to the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), which represents the continent’s interests in global climate change talks. AGNES plays a critical role in developing common African positions based on scientific evidence, particularly within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
