UCT launches the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI)

On 5 November 2011 the University of Cape Town introduced its new African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) and its director and pro vice-chancellor for climate change, Professor Mark New, to the media. The ACDI is envisioned as a "multi-disciplinary, cross-university research, teaching and outreach programme that will address the challenges that climate change presents for Africa's economic, political, social and natural environment", New explained. The event took place just hours prior to the arrival of the Prince of Wales at UCT, and also just weeks ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban.