(i) the risks posed by climate variability and change in relation to land resource dependent livelihoods in SSA;

(ii) the impact of land use practices on carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions; and

(iii) to provide practical guidance and tools about sustainable land management (SLM) approaches and practices that are best suited to meet development objectives while also addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation concerns.

This analytical work is divided into three main pillars which can be summarized as follows:

(i) under Pillar One, climate change and variability as well as land management data will be collected and presented in one integrated information system at a regional level with some specific sub-regional focuses;

(ii) under Pillar Two, case studies will provide context specific and operational recommendations; and

(iii) under Pillar Three, the information and knowledge collected and generated will be presented in a format designed for broad dissemination. The case studies will draw upon the information generated under Pillar One, combined with specific information collected in selected case study sites to draw practical, context-specific lessons and recommendations for SLM approaches and practices to improve adaptation to and mitigation of climate variability and change.

The overall objective of the case studies is to generate practical, context specific recommendations of sustainable land management approaches and practices which are suited to improve food security and economic prospects while reducing climate related risks and greenhouse gas emissions. The case studies are expected to answer the following questions:

• What types, modalities and conditions of SLM investments are the most relevant in terms of adaptation to current variability and future climate change?

• What context specific actions can improve the contribution of SLM investments to adaptation and mitigation, considering improved information, institutions, and policy, program and regulatory instruments?

• What are the best synergies between water and land resource management to generate mitigation and adaptation benefits?