Areas of Programming
Climate-Health Nexus & Air Quality
Generating evidence to tackle the public health crises caused by carbon-intensive energy use and pollution
Our Research Focus
Where Climate Science Meets Evidence-Based Policy
We generate critical research to tackle the severe public health crises caused by carbon-intensive energy use and pollution. A major focus of our work is providing the evidence base to scale institutional clean cooking transitions, replacing polluting biomass to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent severe respiratory diseases caused by indoor air pollution.
Our research evaluates the environmental health impacts of hospital waste management and urban air pollution, supporting sustainable approaches to mitigate toxic emissions and protect vulnerable populations.
Commission Research
Field Site
Early Warning System — Kampala
Field Site
Early Warning System — Tororo
Key Focus Areas
Our Research Pillars
🫁
Indoor Air Pollution & Clean Cooking
Generating the evidence base to scale institutional clean cooking transitions in schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities — replacing polluting biomass fuels.
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Hospital Waste Management
Evaluating the environmental health impacts of medical waste management practices across urban facilities and designing safer, sustainable approaches.
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Urban Air Quality Diagnostics
Conducting leading-edge research identifying priority emission sources and evaluating the efficacy of urban climate actions to protect respiratory health.
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Climate-Health Surveillance
Developing early warning systems and climate-health monitoring frameworks that link meteorological data to disease burden and public health outcomes.
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Epidemiological Research
Generating rigorous epidemiological data on the health burden of climate-related hazards — including heat stress, flooding, and vector-borne diseases.
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GHG Emissions Tracking
Tracking greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from health and energy sectors, providing the data needed for government accountability and climate finance.
Case Study
Integrated Climate-Health Research: Thika
ARC LTD has deployed integrated climate-health research frameworks across multiple Kenyan communities, linking environmental monitoring with health surveillance systems to produce actionable, real-time data for policymakers.
Our field teams work alongside local health facilities, deploying Digital MRV systems and behavioral science diagnostics to understand how climate pressures translate into community health outcomes.
Digital MRV
Health Surveillance
GIS Mapping
Community Engagement
Measuring Real-World Climate-Health Outcomes
Our research networks span multiple East African counties, combining air quality monitoring, health data surveillance, and behavioral diagnostics to generate actionable evidence for national health and climate ministries.
1000+
Households Monitored
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Areas of Programming
Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & REDD+
Unlocking the capital required for Africa's green transition through rigorous financial analytics
Our Research Focus
Mobilising Climate Capital for Africa
We provide the analytical foundation to help governments and the private sector unlock the massive capital required for the green transition. ARC LTD researches and designs national climate finance strategies, supporting local institutions to become investment-ready for funds like the GCF and GEF.
Our experts lead the development of Carbon Market Activation Plans, National REDD+ Strategies, and environmental safeguards (SIS), enabling countries to effectively track, protect, and monetize natural capital and GHG reductions.
Request Advisory Services
Key Focus Areas
Our Finance & Markets Research
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GCF & Adaptation Fund Readiness
Developing bankable Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund concept notes and full proposals — structuring projects to meet international investment-readiness standards.
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National REDD+ Strategies
Designing National REDD+ Strategies, Safeguards Information Systems (SIS), and Investment Plans that enable countries to monetize forest protection and GHG reductions.
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Carbon Market Activation Plans
Leading the development of Carbon Market Activation Plans that connect African governments and project developers to Article 6 voluntary and compliance markets.
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Climate Finance Diagnostics
Conducting foundational economic research to map the climate financing gap, identify investment barriers, and design blended finance solutions that de-risk green projects.
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Article 6 Mechanism Integration
Modeling carbon finance integration via Article 6 mechanisms to monetize GHG emission reductions and connect African nations to global carbon markets.
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ESG & Environmental Safeguards
Designing robust environmental and social governance (ESG) frameworks and safeguards information systems that ensure climate investments deliver equitable, sustainable outcomes.
Our Approach
From Research to Bankable Projects
ARC LTD's climate finance team bridges the gap between national policy ambition and project-level investment readiness. We conduct the foundational economic research required to design interventions that attract multilateral, DFI, and private sector capital.
Our process covers the full project lifecycle — from NDC alignment and institutional capacity assessment, through financial modeling and GCF concept development, to DMRV system design and carbon credit issuance support.
NDC Alignment & National Climate Strategies GCF / GEF Concept & Full Proposal Development REDD+ Strategy & Safeguards Design Carbon Credit Verification & DMRV Systems Blended Finance Structuring
Unlocking Green Finance Across Africa
ARC LTD has supported governments and DFIs across Africa to access and structure climate finance — from GCF readiness programmes to national carbon market activation.
19
GCF Projects Supported
250M+
USD Finance Mobilised
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Areas of Programming
Clean Energy Access & Institutional Clean Cooking
Pioneering research to end the continent's reliance on polluting biomass fuels
Our Research Focus
Scaling Clean Energy in Africa's Public Institutions
We lead pioneering research to address the severe climate, environmental, and public health crises driven by the continent's reliance on polluting biomass fuels (firewood and charcoal). ARC LTD conducts baseline consumption modeling, institutional readiness assessments, and human systems diagnostics.
We scale the transition of large public institutions — specifically schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities — to highly efficient clean energy, generating rigorous data on high-impact technologies such as centralized steam systems, solar-electric pressure cookers, and advanced biofuels.
Explore Partnership
Key Focus Areas
Institutional Clean Energy Research
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Schools & Education Facilities
Transitioning boarding schools from biomass to clean energy — halting deforestation and eliminating indoor air pollution for students and staff across the continent.
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Hospitals & Health Facilities
Providing the evidence base to transition hospitals from charcoal and firewood to clean cooking systems, protecting patient and healthcare worker health.
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Renewable Energy Systems Design
Deploying advanced geospatial intelligence (Energy Access Explorer, LEAP, OnSSET) to map energy demand and design optimal decentralized renewable energy systems.
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Blended Finance & Carbon Markets
Structuring data-driven transition roadmaps and blended finance models that leverage DMRV systems to de-risk and accelerate institutional clean cooking investments.
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Deforestation & Emission Reduction
Generating the rigorous baseline data required to quantify emission reductions and deforestation halted — unlocking carbon market investments for clean cooking projects.
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Productive Use of Renewable Energy
Providing the empirical foundation to scale the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) in agriculture and healthcare, maximizing clean energy's development impact.
Health & Environment Impact
Clean Energy as a Public Health Intervention
The evidence is clear: transitioning from biomass to clean energy in schools and health facilities is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available to African governments. ARC LTD's research quantifies this dual dividend — measuring both the health outcomes and the climate finance value of these transitions.
Our field research teams conduct behavioral diagnostics and human systems analyses to identify and resolve the institutional barriers that slow clean energy adoption in the public sector.
Respiratory Health
Carbon Finance
Deforestation Halt
GHG Reduction
Transitioning Africa's Institutions to Clean Energy
Our clean energy research has supported governments and development partners to design and finance clean cooking transitions at scale — creating blueprints for nationwide rollout.
500+
Institutions Assessed
40%
Avg Emission Reduction
10M+
USD Finance Unlocked
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Areas of Programming
Low-Carbon Transport & E-Mobility
Empirical research on vehicle electrification policy and sustainable urban mobility across Africa
Our Research Focus
Driving Africa's Low-Carbon Transport Transition
The transport sector is a leading emitter of greenhouse gases and urban air pollutants across Africa. ARC LTD leads empirical research on national e-mobility policy development and resolves the complex fiscal paradoxes of the energy transition — including the revenue implications of fuel tax loss for national treasuries.
We model the macroeconomic impact of vehicle electrification, design alternative climate-aligned financing frameworks, and develop empirical projects for the electrification of 2- and 3-wheelers (boda bodas) to reduce urban emissions and improve livelihoods.
Explore Our Research
Key Focus Areas
Our E-Mobility Research Pillars
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2- & 3-Wheeler Electrification
Developing empirical projects for the electrification of boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) and tuk-tuks — the backbone of urban mobility across East and West Africa.
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Macro-Fiscal Modeling
Utilizing advanced data science to model the fiscal implications of e-mobility adoption — including fuel tax revenue loss, infrastructure investment costs, and macroeconomic multipliers.
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EV Infrastructure Planning
Providing geospatial analysis and investment planning for charging infrastructure deployment, identifying optimal locations for maximum impact and viability.
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Urban Air Quality Benefits
Quantifying the public health benefits of vehicle electrification through air quality modeling and health impact assessments that make the case for policy action.
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Climate-Aligned Financing
Designing alternative climate-aligned financing frameworks — including green bonds, carbon credits, and DFI lending facilities — to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles.
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National E-Mobility Policy
Supporting governments to develop evidence-based national e-mobility policies, regulatory frameworks, and NDC transportation targets aligned with Paris Agreement goals.
The Fiscal Paradox
Resolving the Energy Transition Fiscal Paradox
A key barrier to e-mobility adoption in Africa is the fiscal paradox: governments that depend heavily on fuel taxes fear that vehicle electrification will erode a critical revenue stream. ARC LTD's macro-fiscal research directly addresses this challenge.
We model multiple revenue scenarios, design alternative tax and financing frameworks, and provide governments with the empirical evidence needed to make bold, informed decisions on transport electrification — ensuring the transition is both climate-aligned and fiscally sustainable.
Fiscal Modeling
Revenue Policy
NDC Alignment
EV Policy Design
Transforming Urban Mobility Across Africa
Our e-mobility research is informing transport ministries and development partners across East Africa — providing the empirical basis for policies that can simultaneously reduce emissions and protect fiscal revenues.
35%
Urban Emission Reduction Potential
4
Policy Frameworks Developed
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Areas of Programming
Climate-Resilient Food Systems & Circular Economy
Building climate-adaptive food systems to protect livelihoods across the energy-water-food nexus
Our Research Focus
Protecting Africa's Food Security in a Changing Climate
African agriculture is highly vulnerable to intensifying climate shocks — from prolonged droughts and flooding to rising temperatures that reduce crop yields and accelerate livestock mortality. ARC LTD conducts transdisciplinary research to build climate-adaptive food systems by addressing the energy-water-food nexus.
Our work includes developing frameworks for Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) to protect livestock from extreme droughts, generating empirical data to design circular economy projects that reduce food loss and waste (FLW), and evaluating the integration of climate-resilient "orphan crops" to combat malnutrition.
Explore Our Research
Key Focus Areas
Our Food Systems Research Pillars
🌾
RAFFS — Resilient Feed & Fodder
Developing frameworks for Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) to protect livestock from extreme droughts and climate shocks — safeguarding pastoralist livelihoods.
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Circular Economy & Food Waste
Generating empirical data to design circular economy projects that reduce food loss and waste (FLW) across agricultural value chains, unlocking both climate and economic value.
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Orphan Crops & Nutrition Security
Evaluating the integration of climate-resilient 'orphan crops' — underutilized indigenous species — into food systems to combat malnutrition and diversify dietary supply.
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Energy-Water-Food Nexus
Conducting interdisciplinary research on the complex interactions between energy access, water security, and food production — designing integrated solutions for vulnerable communities.
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Agricultural Climate Finance
Structuring climate finance for smallholder agriculture and agri-food systems — connecting farmers and cooperatives to GCF, GEF, and impact investment mechanisms.
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GIS & Remote Sensing for Agriculture
Deploying geospatial analysis and remote sensing to monitor land degradation, soil moisture, and crop health — informing adaptive management and early warning systems.
GESI & Just Transitions
Women, Youth & Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Women make up the majority of smallholder farmers across Africa, yet face disproportionate climate vulnerability and limited access to finance and technology. ARC LTD's food systems research integrates Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) into every research design and policy recommendation.
We generate evidence to ensure that climate finance mechanisms, resilient seed systems, and agricultural value chain improvements equitably benefit women, youth, and marginalized communities — making Just Transitions a measurable outcome of our work.
GESI Integration
Women Farmers
Smallholder Finance
Youth Employment
Research for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods
Our food systems research spans East and West Africa — generating the evidence needed to protect smallholder farmers from climate shocks while unlocking new markets and finance mechanisms.
12
Countries with Food Research
8M
Farmers in Study Areas
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Areas of Programming
Ecosystem Adaptation & Nature-Based Solutions
Protecting natural capital and vulnerable communities through locally-led climate adaptation
Our Research Focus
Harnessing Nature to Build Climate Resilience
We conduct Vulnerability and Impact Assessments (VIA) to protect natural capital and vulnerable communities from climate extremes. Our research supports locally-led adaptation, sustainable landscape and forest restoration, and the integration of nature-based solutions into urban planning.
This includes designing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and green infrastructure solutions to mitigate risks like biodiversity loss and climate-induced flooding — particularly in rapidly urbanizing African cities facing extreme weather events.
Commission a VIA Study
Key Focus Areas
Our Ecosystem Research Pillars
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Vulnerability & Impact Assessments
Conducting rigorous VIA studies that quantify the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of ecosystems and communities to climate extremes — providing the evidence base for targeted adaptation investment.
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Forest Landscape Restoration
Supporting sustainable landscape and forest restoration programmes — designing locally-led approaches that sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and protect community livelihoods.
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Urban Flood Risk & SUDS
Designing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and nature-based flood management solutions for rapidly urbanizing African cities facing intensifying rainfall and flooding events.
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Biodiversity Conservation Finance
Structuring nature-based financial instruments — including biodiversity credits, REDD+ offsets, and payment for ecosystem services — that monetize conservation while protecting critical habitats.
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GIS & Remote Sensing Monitoring
Deploying satellite-based remote sensing and GIS analysis to monitor land use change, forest cover, and ecosystem health — providing real-time data for adaptive management decisions.
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Community-Led Adaptation
Designing and evaluating locally-led adaptation programs that integrate indigenous knowledge with scientific research — ensuring nature-based solutions are culturally resonant and community-owned.
Nature-Based Solutions in Practice
From Research to Locally-Led Ecosystem Restoration
Nature-based solutions represent one of the most cost-effective strategies for climate adaptation in Africa — but their success depends on rigorous evidence and genuine community ownership. ARC LTD's ecosystem research bridges the gap between scientific assessment and on-the-ground implementation.
Our teams work alongside communities, local governments, and development partners to design restoration programmes that deliver measurable climate, biodiversity, and livelihood outcomes — while generating the carbon and biodiversity credit data needed to attract international climate finance.
Nature-Based Finance
Community Ownership
Carbon Credits
Biodiversity Credits
Protecting Africa's Natural Capital
Our ecosystem research is informing national adaptation plans and international climate finance frameworks — providing the evidence that nature-based solutions can simultaneously deliver climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and community wellbeing.
50K ha
Forest Under Study
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