Green Insights

Climate change continues to ravage with observable impacts across the globe. Today, the frequency of climate change linked disasters such as droughts, cyclones, floods and mudslides especially in developing countries has increased. While the impacts of climate change disasters are felt globally, they have fallen heavily on groups of people that are more vulnerable.  Women, especially those living in Africa’s remote areas are one of the groups that have been mostly affected by climate change. According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, women and girls in Africa are 14 times more likely than men and boys to die as a result of a natural disaster. At the same time, they mainly rely on natural resources such as land, forests, lakes and rivers to generate income through agriculture and household work like firewood and water collection. Consequently, such climate change gendered effects have also exacerbated already existing gender inequalities.  Even though there has been a commendable effort in enacting climate change response policies and action globally, many of these have ignored the gender dynamics that are intricately linked to climate change. For example, despite the potential of many just transition projects to yield “just” outcomes that benefit everyone, their gender equality outcomes are often not made clear. Similarly, according to research studies, climate finance directed to the acceleration of the just transition has in most cases missed out on projects with explicit impact outcomes for gender equality. This suggests an evident gap in knowledge on the importance and relevance of climate finance flows that are gender responsive and support gender outcomes in climate action.We hosted a chill and talk session under the theme “Gender Lens Investing for a Just Transition”. This conversation marked the start of our gender and just transition series which will be followed by a publication. Dr. Mao Amis (Executive Director), Olga Mapanje ( Reserch Fellow) and other discussants engage on the subject matter. Sit back, relax and listen to the conversation. 

There is no doubt that Africa is already being negatively impacted by climate change, with increasing incidences of extreme events such as flooding, droughts and wildfires. Africa is already warming faster than the global average, a clear indication that the worst impacts of climate change are yet to be felt. As a youthful continent, what are young people’s expectations? Can COP26 unlock opportunities for young people to address the systemic challenges of unemployment on the continent?I hosted a webinar entitled ” Beyond rhetoric: How can COP26 deliver real climate action on the ground for young people in Africa?”  to unpack the upcoming climate change conference of parties (COP), and Africa's expectations. Speakers: Dr Martha Melesse  -  Senior program officer with IDRC's Globalization, Growth, and Poverty (GGP) programMs Karishma Ansaram - YOUNGO Finance & Market Working Group Contact PointMs Natalie Mangondo, Researcher, Climate Activist & COP26 youth delegateMs Rose Kobusingye - Climate ActivistMs Elizabeth  Gulugulu - Programs Manager · African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Zimbabwe 

BackgroundThe transition to low carbon development is gaining traction in many developing countries, including South Africa. Despite pressesing socio-economic challenges, there is increasing recognition of the need to avoid being located into a carbon intensive development pathway. Undertaking climate action, while retaining economic competitiveness and commitments to poverty alleviation is critical to building an inclusive economy.  The recent violent riots and looting in South Africa are a stark reminder of the precarious foundation under which South Africa’s economy is built. It’s clear that the current economic model is dysfunctional, leaving millions disenfranchised and unable to provide their basic needs, a situation that was exacerbated by the pandemic. It's important to note that, South Africa is not only faced by socioeconomic challenges, but also a looming climate crisis. The riots and looting that took place have many parallels with the potential outcomes of the climate crisis. Characterized by extreme events such as droughts and flooding, the impact of climate change on the poor and the most vulnerable in society will be devastating. The events of the last couple of weeks have clearly demonstrated that, faced with a major climate crisis, South Africa is likely to also have a lacklustre response, if proactive measures are not implemented.  What is the pathway to a new economy?South Africa needs to rethink how it can rebuild its economy to be more inclusive and resilient. The country requires a 'new economy', that is focused on creating opportunities for vulnerable communities. Key to this new economy transition, is the need for frameworks that support effective participation of vulnerable communities, catalysing local investments and creating an enabling policy environment for low carbon development.Moderator: Dr Sepo Hachigonta- Director of Strategic Partnerships, National Research Foundation & Non-Executive Director, African Centre for a Green EconomySpeakers: H.E. Chris Cooter, Acting Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa Ms Makoma Lekalakala, Director, Earthlife Africa, JohannesburgMs Lauren Hermanus, Founder, Urban Just TransitionsDr Mao Amis, Executive Director, African Centre for a Green Economy

To Kickstart season II of the Green Insights Podcast, I share my personal story of how I got into a career in the green economy sector.  A few weeks ago I was honoured to be interviewed by my friend and colleague, Andre Mader for his podcast the case for conservation, which I'm sharing here. In that podcase we discussed a wide range of issues, ranging from my personal journey to how consevation  could be made more effective in developing  countries. 

Lack of energy access remains one of the most important challenges to poverty alleviation in Africa. It is estimated that 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity, and more than 35% of still languish in extreme poverty. Off-grid energy solutions such as PV solar and clean cooking stove, play a crucial role in meeting the energy needs of some of the most vulnerable. Despite significant progress, the wide uptake of solar power still remains a challenge for millions of Africa. Despite the significant drop in the cost of solar energy solutions, they are still unaffordable to Africa's most vulnerable populations. Dr John Fay, founded Vitalite Group in Zambia in 2013, and now operates in 3 countries. He has a great understanding of how to overcome the hurdles of scaling up off-grid energy solutions. In this wide-ranging podcast, about his experience in the sector and how to make the sector more inclusive for African entrepreneurs. Please tune-inMore info about what we do at the African Centre for a Green Economy can be found here: www.africancentre.orgThe contact details of Vitalite Group are here: https://www.vitalitegroup.com/Follow us on twitter on these handles:@greeningbiz@afrigreen_@maoamis

In this wide-ranging discussion, we chat about the role of the gender dimension in sustainable development, more specifically food supply and in response to COVID19. Women are currently at the forefront in the response to COVID19 as frontline workers, whether in the healthcare or retail sector. What do we need to do ensure that responding to the COVID response is gender-sensitive, to ensure that those at the forefront of the crisis are supported. Access to more info about our work at the African Centre for a Green Economy is here: www.africancentre.orgFollow us on twitter on these handles:@greenbiz@afrigreen_@maoamis

In this 3rd and final segment with the African Development Bank (AfDB), we chat to Dr James Kinyangi, Head of ClimDev Special Fund about climate data. The ClimDev is investing 36 million Euros to modernize Africa's climate and weather observation networks. We chat to him about the importance of evidence-based decision making and why investing in state of the art data-centres is critical for Africa. We also chat about how the Fund can be accessed by none-state actors including independent project developers and researchers.More information about the ClimDev Special Fund can be accessed here: ClimDevAccess to more info about our work at the African Centre for a Green Economy is here: www.africancentre.orgFollow us on twitter on these handles:@greenbiz@afrigreen_@maoamis

The Covid19 pandemic is wreaking economic havoc across Africa, and as countries prepare to salvage jobs and prepare to re-ignite their economies, we should not lose focus of our long term commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Part II of our chat with Mr Gareth Phillips, Manager of Environment and Climate Change at the African Development Bank (AfDB), we discuss the progress African countries have made to mobilise climate finance. We also delve into some details, around the barriers faced, and what measures are in place to overcome those barriers. Access to more info about our work at the African Centre for a Green Economy is here: www.africancentre.orgFollow us on twitter on these handles:@greenbiz@afrigreen_@maoamis

In this podcast I chat to Mr Gareth Philips, Manager for Environment and Climate Finance at the African Development Bank (AfDB). The AfDB is a multilateral development finance institution. Its mission is to fight poverty in Africa and to improve the living conditions of its people, by investing in programmes that catalyse economic development. In this 2 part series, I chat to Gareth to find out how entrepreneurs and project developers can access funding for green economy projects, and how the AfDB is responding to the COVID19 Pandemic. Access to more info about our work at the African Centre for a Green Economy is here: www.africancentre.orgFollow us on twitter on these handles:@greenbiz@afrigreen_@maoamis

In this episode, I interview Ms Anuradha Rao, author of the book entitled "One Earth: People of Color Protecting the Planet". Anu is extremely passionate about amplifying the voices of indigenous communities in environmental conservation. This podcast focuses on what inspired her to write this book, and how she thinks the environmental movement could be more inclusive. She argues that we need to provide more platforms to changemakers on the ground, who are doing incredible work, but not often provided the opportunities to amplify their voices. Access to more info about our work at the African Centre for a Green Economy is here: www.africancentre.orgFollow us on twitter on these handles:@greenbiz@afrigreen_@maoamis