30 September 2014: The African Development Bank (AfDB) has released its Green Growth Framework, which will serve as a basis for its future work on green growth. The framework, titled ‘Entry points for action for transition to Green Growth in Africa,’ aims to provide Bank staff with a common understanding on the principles and practice of green growth and on entry points for engaging with member countries in transitioning towards green growth.

The AfDB’s Green Growth Framework describes: the rationale for green growth in Africa development context; and approaches, entry points, methodologies and tools, financing instruments and indicators for tracking progress on mainstreaming green growth into development.

The Framework identifies integrating green growth into upstream development planning as the best entry point for promoting the transition, and points to mainstreaming green growth into project design, helping to achieve efficiency gains, reducing adverse environmental impacts and improving resilience of development outcomes as other points of entry. It also stresses the importance of information, knowledge and diagnostics.

The framework: was developed in preparation for and follow-up to the AfDB’s 2013-2022 strategy, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and a transition to green growth; and builds on the Bank’s initial knowledge products and publications developed on the issue of green growth.

Development of the Framework was preceded by three regional training workshops in 2013, and reflects knowledge gathered during pilot country activities in Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Kenya. An annex on green growth sector-specific guidance accompanies the framework, specifically addressing water, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, human development and transport.

AfDB defines green growth as the “promotion of economic growth through building resilience, managing natural assets efficiently and sustainably including enhanced agricultural productivity, and promoting sustainable infrastructure and urbanization, while minimizing pollution and waste.” It also adheres to the idea that green growth must be undertaken gradually and be tailored to national circumstances. [AfDB Press Release] [Publication: Transitioning towards Green Growth: A Framework for the African Development Bank] [Annex: Green Growth Sector Guidance Notes]