Energy access and natural resource management are key issues for sustainable development in Africa. Energy is a fundamental prerequisite for economic growth, improving quality of life and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN. However, many African regions face numerous challenges in guaranteeing reliable, fair, and sustainable energy access.
Attracting global funding for climate change can be a challenge, but it is certainly an opportunity. Green investments are a capital allocation strategy that must prioritise projects and companies with environmentally responsible practices, allowing them to increase productivity, contribute to economic growth, promote innovation, achieve sustainable industrialization and attract foreign investment.
And Europe, as the first continent to invest seriously in the green transition, is for sure an unavoidable partner in this context. The expertise and the renewable energies that European countries already produce are key elements to the fight against global warming and the progressive climatic changes. Setting an ambitious agenda between Africa and Europe is essential to reach those goals. Africa will benefit from this alliance but also Europe because the answers to global challenges are more efficient if we all work together.
Thus, the African Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) is important to scale up voluntary carbon markets across the African continent. The main challenges are supply and standardisation, intermediation and financing, and the demands that these projects entail. The African continent has significant natural wealth, including minerals, ploughing and water resources.
Mining is also a significant economic activity that plays a key role in many countries on the continent. Poor governance and a lack of transparency can be serious problems in the mining industry, leading to corruption, conflicts, and human rights violations.
Europe can be a strategic partner for African countries. The green transition should be faster but needs to be mostly fair, so it does not increase social inequalities or insufficiencies.
Panel Members:
Ana Fontoura Gouveia Head of Sustainability, Bank of Portugal & Former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate of Portugal
António Ribeiro, CEO Africa, Proef, Portugal
Rui Barros, Founder and CEO, Gen Alpha & Advisory Board Member, ThirdWay Partners, Portugal
Moderator: Miguel Prado, Journalist, Expresso, Portugal
31 июл 2024
