19 November 2013
African Development Bank Holds Discussions on How to Accelerate Green Growth in Africa
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The African Development Bank (AfDB) presented an event, titled ‘Accelerating Green Growth in Africa: Role of the AfDB and Regional Institutions.' The event was moderated by Anthony Nyong, AfDB, who highlighted green growth as a tool for sustainable development in the face of climate change.

He stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and best practices.

accelerating-green-growth-in-africa18 November 2013: The African Development Bank (AfDB) organized an event, titled ‘Accelerating Green Growth in Africa: Role of the AfDB and Regional Institutions,’ which took place on the sidelines of the Warsaw Climate Change Conference.

The event was moderated by Anthony Nyong, AfDB, who highlighted green growth as a tool for sustainable development in the face of climate change. He stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and best practices.

Ana Paulo Chichava, Vice-Minister, Ministry for the Coordination of Environmental Affairs, Mozambique, identified steps in the green growth transition, highlighting integration of principles and objectives into national planning by 2014 and implementation through planning and budgeting instruments and periodic assessments between 2015 and 2030.

Frank Sperling, AfDB, characterized green growth as “sustainable development reloaded,” saying it is about shifting from business-as-usual towards growing economies while maintaining or increasing environmental and social assets.

Anthony Nyong, AfDB, said the AfDB is committed to helping African countries use their natural resources, while minimizing vulnerability and achieving sustainable development.

Chichava described the launch of their green growth roadmap at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) in 2012.

Feng Zhao, AfDB, discussed building human capital for green growth and introduced AfDB’s strategic approach to interventions in this area. Samantha Smith, WWF International, emphasized the importance of natural capital and social justice, noting the need for inclusive development.

Pedro Conceicao, UNDP African Bureau, said there is an imperative to change the nature of growth in Africa, and that green growth is fundamental to this transformation. He said numbers demonstrate that wellbeing would be improved if economic growth was combined with structural transformation.

Peter Carter, European Investment Bank (EIB), said EIB is mandated to provide long-term finance including for development in Africa. He highlighted that the “risk-reward ratio” must be worked on if private investment is to be attracted, such as through mainstreaming of payment for ecosystem services (PES) and helping the private sector measure and manage risks.

Eric Usher, UNEP, noted results including that 12 countries in Africa have policies in place to encourage renewable energy investment, saying it is one of the most exciting markets globally in this sector. [IISD RS ENBOTS coverage of side event on green growth in Africa] [IISD RS video coverage of side event on green growth in Africa]


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