Online engagement in the global South

The document examines the digital divide's impact on climate practitioners in Africa, Asia, and South America, identifying barriers such as unreliable electricity and high data costs while highlighting the benefits of increased accessibility and reduced travel costs. It provides specific lessons from IPCC meetings and national processes in Kenya and Peru to improve inclusivity in virtual spaces.

• The 'digital divide' significantly hinders online participation in the global South, characterized by high internet costs, unreliable connectivity, and limited access to hardware. In 2019, internet usage was 77.2% in the Americas, 48.4% in the Asia-Pacific, and 28.2% in Africa.
• A CDKN survey of 30 respondents found that 87% identified access to reliable internet as the primary requirement for adequate online engagement, while 37% cited the cost of data as a major issue.
• Zoom is the preferred platform among practitioners due to its user-friendly interface, functionality in low-bandwidth environments, and features like breakout rooms and screen sharing.
• Virtual engagement has provided benefits including reduced travel costs, increased flexibility, and broader access for introverted participants or those with English as a second language who prefer using chat functions.
• An analysis of an IPCC Working Group III virtual meeting showed that 36% of participants from developing countries felt unable to fully participate, compared to 25% from developed countries, with time zone differences and connectivity being primary barriers.
• In Peru, the Ministry of Environment improved inclusivity in climate policy processes by providing data bundles, conducting pre-event technology training, and scheduling meetings to accommodate the domestic duties of women and the preferences of indigenous groups.
• Online training for Kenyan County Government officers demonstrated that providing data bundles and employing a dedicated technical support team via WhatsApp were critical for maintaining connectivity and engagement.

APA

Scodanibbio, L., & McNamara, L. (2021). Online engagement in the global South. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Southern-perspective-on-online-spaces-WEB.pdf

Chicago

Scodanibbio, Lucia, and Lisa McNamara. Online engagement in the global South. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2021. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Southern-perspective-on-online-spaces-WEB.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Scodanibbio |first1=Lucia |last2=McNamara |first2=Lisa |title=Online engagement in the global South |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=April 2021 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Southern-perspective-on-online-spaces-WEB.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{scodanibbio2021online, author = {Scodanibbio, Lucia and McNamara, Lisa}, title = {{Online engagement in the global South}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Southern-perspective-on-online-spaces-WEB.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }