By Mao Amis
The podcast currently has 22 episodes available.
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) program
Ms Karishma Ansaram - YOUNGO Finance & Market Working Group Contact Point
Ms Natalie Mangondo, Researcher, Climate Activist & COP26 youth delegate
Ms Rose Kobusingye - Climate Activist
Ms Elizabeth Gulugulu - Programs Manager · African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Zimbabwe
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) program
Ms Karishma Ansaram - YOUNGO Finance & Market Working Group Contact Point
Ms Natalie Mangondo, Researcher, Climate Activist & COP26 youth delegate
Ms Rose Kobusingye - Climate Activist
Ms Elizabeth Gulugulu - Programs Manager · African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Zimbabwe
Background
The 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 Economy
Speakers:
H.E. Chris Cooter, Acting Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa
Ms Makoma Lekalakala, Director, Earthlife Africa, Johannesburg
Ms Lauren Hermanus, Founder, Urban Just Transitions
Dr Mao Amis, Executive Director, African Centre for a Green Economy
Background
The 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 Economy
Speakers:
H.E. Chris Cooter, Acting Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa
Ms Makoma Lekalakala, Director, Earthlife Africa, Johannesburg
Ms Lauren Hermanus, Founder, Urban Just Transitions
Dr 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.
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-in
Follow us on twitter on these handles:
@greeningbiz
@afrigreen_
@maoamis
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-in
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.org
Follow us on twitter on these handles:
@greenbiz
@afrigreen_
@maoamis
The podcast currently has 22 episodes available.