SACCN

Southern Africa Climate Change Network

Climate Action for a Just Africa

Bridging science, traditional knowledge, and community leadership to build a climate-resilient Southern Africa.

"Rooted in Justice, Led by Communities, Anchored in Nature"

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16+ SADC Countries
2014 Year Founded
13 Strategic Pillars
55M+ People in Focus

Our Purpose

Driving Transformative Climate Action Across SADC

Founded in 2014, SACCN is a regional, multi-stakeholder NGO headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana, dedicated to advancing climate resilience, ecosystem integrity, and inclusive development across all 16 SADC nations.

Southern Africa faces some of the world's most severe climate impacts despite contributing less than 2% of global emissions. SACCN bridges the gap between scientific knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, and community-led action — championing the rights of women, youth, indigenous peoples, and the rural poor.

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I am because we are

Ubuntu Philosophy — SACCN's Guiding Spirit

SACCN operates on the fundamental principle that climate action must be integrated, anticipatory, and just — addressing not only ecological and technical dimensions but also the social, economic, environmental, and governance structures that shape vulnerability and resilience.

Climate Justice
Ecological Integrity
Community Leadership
Knowledge Co-Creation

Our Regional Impact

The Scale of SACCN's Mission

16+
SADC Nations Served
55M
Food-Insecure People in Focus
13
Strategic Pillars
10+
Years of Climate Action

Strategic Framework

13 Pillars of Climate Action

SACCN's work is organized across 13 interconnected strategic pillars spanning agrifood systems, ecosystem restoration, climate justice, energy transitions, and community resilience.

View all 13 Pillars

Regenerative Agrifood Systems & Seed Sovereignty

Agrifood & Seed Sovereignty

Securing farmers' inalienable right to save, exchange, and own seeds while building climate-resilient, farmer-controlled value chains powered by renewable energy.

Climate Action and Resilience

Climate Action & Resilience

Driving integrated, anticipatory climate action that addresses ecological, social, economic, and governance dimensions shaping vulnerability across SADC.

Ecosystem Restoration and Regeneration

Ecosystem Restoration

Protecting and restoring ecosystems as the biological infrastructure upon which all climate resilience depends — combating deforestation of 2.8M hectares per year.

Community-led Anticipatory Action & Early Warning Systems

Early Warning Systems

Integrating traditional forecasting knowledge with scientific meteorology to protect lives and livelihoods before climate shocks occur.

Climate Justice, Human Rights & Just Transition

Climate Justice & Rights

Centering climate justice as the non-negotiable foundation for all action — ensuring those least responsible for the climate crisis bear no further burdens.

Inclusive Renewable Energy Transitions

Renewable Energy Transitions

Facilitating equitable, farmer-centered transitions from fossil fuels to decentralized, renewable energy solutions that power climate-resilient agriculture.

Explore All 13 Pillars

Frameworks & Partners We Engage

UNFCCC
SADC
African Union
AMCEN
AM-COMET
AM-COW
GCOS
AGN
CAADP
Agenda 2063
Paris Agreement
Sendai Framework

Latest Updates

News & Insights from SACCN

All News
Smallholder farmers tending crops in Southern Africa Advocacy

SACCN Advocates for Indigenous Seeds at SADC Climate Forum

SACCN delegates presented compelling evidence for seed sovereignty protections at the SADC ministerial climate forum, calling for policy frameworks that protect farmers' inalienable rights to save, exchange, and own traditional seed varieties.

Mr B. Guvava | SACCN Research Team
Community members participating in a climate resilience workshop Community

Community-Led Early Warning Systems Transform Rural Resilience in Zimbabwe

A new SACCN-supported community anticipatory action program in rural Zimbabwe has demonstrated remarkable results, with participating villages experiencing significantly reduced livestock and crop losses during the 2023–2025 El Niño period.

Mr Zvaita | SACCN Secretariat
Dry cracked earth illustrating severe drought conditions in Southern Africa Climate

Southern Africa's Driest Season: SACCN's Response to the El Niño Crisis

As the 2023–2025 El Niño event devastated agriculture across Southern Africa, SACCN mobilized its regional network to coordinate emergency agrifood support, water security interventions, and psychosocial assistance to affected farming communities.

Mr B. Guvava | SACCN Research Team

Get Involved

Ready to Build a Climate-Just Southern Africa?

Join a growing network of civil society organisations, communities, researchers, and advocates driving systemic climate change across the SADC region. Together, we are stronger.

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