On Monday, 14 June, the UNU Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) and the Brookings Institution will co-host the webinar Bolstering Africa’s Green Transitions: The Role of an African-European Partnership. The event will take place at 09:00–10:30 (EDT) / 13:00–14:30 (GMT).
Global shocks such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are laying bare the fragility and vulnerability of social and economic systems across the world, reinforcing the need to prepare for future shocks. Such events are timely reminders that Africa must create more resilient economies and societies. One important policy choice is the acceleration of a green transition that combines opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and improvements in livelihoods. However, as with any transition, risks and cost implications create barriers to adoption.
Africa is the most-exposed region to the adverse effects of climate change despite contributing the least to the problem. Increasingly, numerous climate-related disasters — including droughts, cyclones, floods, and food insecurity — are compelling examples that growth must shift to a low-carbon, resilient trajectory. Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution and already European leaders, under the European Green Deal, are implementing policies to curb carbon contributions. Now is the right time for those policymakers to share their lessons to support Africa’s green transition while also bolstering commercial and diplomatic ties between the regions.
The webinar will launch two key publications, the discussion paper Bridges of Opportunity: Partnering for Africa–Europe Green Development, and the briefing note Building Forward Better Towards Africa’s Green Transformation: Prospects for Africa-Europe Collaboration. The discussion will explore the challenges of pursuing a green transition for Africa and opportunities to encourage such a transition under a strengthened African-European partnership. Panelists will offer insights on regional trends and discuss the publications' recommendations for national governments, regional organisations, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and civil society actors as the African continent tackles climate change. The event, coinciding with Africa Climate week, will be the first of a series of events on Africa’s green transition and opportunities for a renewed Africa-Europe partnership.
Register for the event at: https://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-watch-africa-green-transitions-african-european-partnership
Participants can submit questions for panelists by emailing events@brookings.edu or via Twitter @BrookingsGlobal and @UNUINRA by using the hashtags #GreenTransitions and #GREATPathways
Watch the event and download the transcript here.
