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CoM SSA Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) course

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  1. MODULE 1: Setting the scene
  2. Lesson 1.1: Introduction to the CoM SSA initiative
    2 Topics
  3. Lesson 1.2: Introduction to the SEACAP
    3 Topics
  4. Lesson 1.3: Climate change and cities in Africa
    2 Topics
  5. MODULE 2: SEACAP mitigation pillar
  6. Lesson 2.1: Key concepts in climate change mitigation
    1 Topic
  7. Lesson 2.2: Introduction to the mitigation pillar
    2 Topics
  8. Lesson 2.3: The SEACAP development process for the mitigation pillar
    1 Topic
  9. Lesson 2.4: Emissions inventories: GHG emissions
    4 Topics
  10. Lesson 2.5: Developing a Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI)
    3 Topics
  11. Lesson 2.6: Tools for BEI development
    2 Topics
  12. MODULE 3: SEACAP access to energy pillar
  13. Lesson 3.1: Key concepts in access to energy
  14. Lesson 3.2: Introduction to the access to energy pillar
    2 Topics
  15. Lesson 3.3: The SEACAP development process for the access to energy pillar
  16. Lesson 3.4: Data collection
    3 Topics
  17. Lesson 3.5: Developing an Access to Energy Assessment (AEA)
    2 Topics
  18. Lesson 3.6: Setting an energy vision and targets
    3 Topics
  19. Module 3.7: Planning energy actions
    3 Topics
  20. MODULE 4: SEACAP adaptation pillar
  21. Lesson 4.1: Key Concepts in climate change adaptation
    1 Quiz
  22. Lesson 4.2: Introduction to the adaptation pillar
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  23. Lesson 4.3: The SEACAP development process for the adaptation pillar
    1 Topic
    |
    1 Quiz
  24. Lesson 4.4: Developing a Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA)
    1 Quiz
  25. Lesson 4.5: Setting an adaptation vision and sectoral targets
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  26. Lesson 4.6: Planning adaptation actions
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  27. MODULE 5: Steps to take before you implement your SEACAP
  28. Lesson 5.1: Next steps for prioritised actions
  29. Lesson 5.2: Categorising actions to access external finance
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  30. MODULE 6: Communicating your SEACAP
  31. Lesson 6.1: Designing your SEACAP
    3 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  32. Lesson 6.2: Communicating your SEACAP to key stakeholders
    1 Topic
    |
    1 Quiz
  33. MODULE 7: Reporting your SEACAP
  34. Lesson 7.1: Introduction to reporting your SEACAP
    3 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  35. Lesson 7.2: Introduction to reporting the mitigation pillar
    4 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  36. MODULE 8: Integrating your SEACAP into existing planning processes
  37. Lesson 8.1: Integrating your SEACAP actions into local level plans
    1 Topic
  38. Lesson 2.7: Setting mitigation targets
    2 Topics
  39. Lesson 2.8: Planning mitigation actions
    1 Topic
  40. Lesson 7.4: Introduction to reporting the access to energy pillar
    3 Topics
  41. Lesson 7.3: Introduction to reporting the adaptation pillar
    3 Topics

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A SEACAP is a city’s flagship climate and energy document. It provides:

  • Useful city data on the current situation
  • Context-specific targets for the city
  • Practical actions to achieve these targets

The SEACAP succinctly captures the complete, up-to-date plans, policies and future actions for creating a resilient city.

It needs to be positioned and used as such.

It is important to:

  • Get the right people to notice your SEACAP
  • Get the right people to engage with the relevant sections of a SEACAP

To do these things, you will need to turn the text-based document into a flagship publication through document design.

What is document design?

Definition and purpose

  • Document design is the process of choosing how to present the document elements so the message is clear and effective.
  • When a document is well designed, readers understand the information more quickly and easily.
  • Readers feel more positive about the topic and more accepting of its message.

(Source: University of Florida, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, 2021)

  • The responsibility of a writer to produce reader-friendly documents extends to layout, design and organisational elements surrounding the words themselves.
  • Rather than being nice-to-haves, such techniques are crucially important to how well the document is received.

(Source: Communication at Work, 2019)

Ease engagement through design

Document design techniques aid politicians, partners and funders to engage with the technical content successfully.

Well-designed graphs and tables make complex data more accessible:
Key pieces of information can be highlighted through design to draw the reader’s attention:
Defined chapters and sections help readers navigate lengthy documents:

Make it easy to extract sections

Certain partners may need to engage with specific sections of the SEACAP. Providing them with these sections as standalone files will make them more likely to engage with the content. Good design makes it possible to extract and present relevant sections.

Examples of sections that could be provided as standalone documents:

  • Executive summary
  • Mitigation
  • Adaptation
  • Access to energy
  • Baselines
  • Targets
  • Actions
The executive summary on its own provides the Mayor’s Office with a succinct overview document:
The targets and actions section provides heads of departments with a succinct overview document:

CoM SSA is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ)

Disclaimer

This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ). Its contents are the sole responsibility of Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the other co-funders.