Clim-A-Net is intended to extend and intensify the collaboration between the University of Oldenburg and its partner institutions in Africa (Tanzania and Republic of South Africa) in the field of environmental and sustainability sciences to focus on climate impact and climate adaptation research, teaching and training. One essential momentum of the common strategic goal is to have a strong partnership of the Universities´ well reputed topical institutes and to further develop their disciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise to provide excellent study programmes and research in the area of interest. Already existing high profile climate research projects and study programmes at the partnering institutions serve as a basis for the collaborative action that meets the need for excellently trained leaders and managers in charge of shaping their regions’ responses to and dealing with climate change.

Against the background of the challenges of climate change, Clim-A-Net follows the main conviction that efficient strategies to tackle climate change can only be achieved through the intensive exchange of knowledge and techniques and through common training of scientists and future leaders. Hence Clim-A-Net is based on intense exchange of scientists from all involved universities to link the knowledge, expertise and networks of all involved partners towards a strong research community, addressing the adaptation of climate change and sustainable development.

Clim-A-Net comprises the three lines of activities -  education, research and networking - with the focus of pressing research, teaching and management topics of climate and climate impact research and integrated coastal management while simultaneously addressing the societal needs of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.

Focal research areas are the Pangani River Basin in Tanzania reaching from the Kilimanjaro mountain to the Indian Ocean, the Keiskamma River Catchment in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.