WRI Africa’s Post

WRI’s annual Multi-Partner Meeting, which was hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD), brought together WRI’s strategic government partners including Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Norway, France, UK, to take stock of progress in implementing the institute’s Strategic Plan 2023-27. These governments are important donors and thought partners of our institute and key allies for “Getting the Transition Right for People, Nature and Climate”. This year’s meeting emphasized the importance of using Official Development Assistance strategically in support of country transitions that benefit People, Climate and Nature, and discussed WRI’s key results in Africa and in the area of data (Data Lab), as well as key priorities ahead with our work on Climate, Economics and Finance (incl. adaptation to climate change). Explore our Strategic Plan and learn more about our collaborative efforts to ensure a sustainable future: https://lnkd.in/eu-mz_EP   Thanks to French development agency Agence Française de Développement for hosting this great meeting Ani Dasgupta Stientje van Veldhoven Gabriella Ribeiro Caroline Lesser Caroline de Bruin Lelde Bernharde

I attended a regional workshop on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (Cooperative Mechanisms) from May 14-16, 2024, in Victoria Falls organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. During our discussions, it became clear that Article 6 was not originally intended as a source of finance, but rather to reduce emissions. In this context, my session focused on the topic 'Beyond Carbon Markets: Financing Development and Climate Actions in Africa'. While examining the complex climate finance landscape, it emerged that there is strong interest in influencing OECD-DAC rules, which aligns with some of the work done by our Global Hub at Development Initiatives.

New Report from GCC 🌍 "Unlocking Equitable Access to Grants: Options for Federal Policymakers to Improve Matching Fund Requirements." In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Georgetown Climate Center delve into the challenges facing communities navigating federal grant applications. Discover six recommendations to alleviate barriers and promote fairness. Learn more now: https://buff.ly/4bvzk2l

At the Global South High-level Forum in São Paulo, Brazil, Yasiru Ranaraja of BRISL addressed critical issues for developing countries, highlighting the BRICS Contingency Reserve Arrangement as a financial safeguard, the CBDR principle of the Paris Agreement which insists on differentiated responsibilities for climate action based on economic development, and the revival of the Non-Alignment Movement's ethos to encourage autonomy and cooperation among Global South nations, aiming to strengthen their collective stance on the global stage. https://lnkd.in/ec7c3iZu

https://lnkd.in/dTQ4ezQd We often hear that spending money on international cooperation for development is a nice to have… that the current situation requires other priorities… BUT I totally agree with the following… witnessed over and over during my 20 years working in that field in various regions, on various topics : “The stalling, or even reversal, of progress on sustainable development – in areas such as poverty, hunger, education, economic growth, climate and biodiversity, and peace – is a major cause of the deteriorating global security situation. “

Oceans are a cornerstone of global economics and environmental health, yet they remain underfunded. ADB’s new initiative plans to bridge the finance gap and boost investments in ocean health by 2030: https://ow.ly/mQfx50TPqHE

On a panel discussing how to respond to ongoing and pending climate-related conflicts https://lnkd.in/gci_c-Wh

Today United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) with the Federal government, some federal member states and BRA/Mogadishu have conducted a validation workshop on the design of the UNCDF LoCAL mechanism in Somalia. Local is a standard, internationally recognized mechanism designed and managed by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). Local helps local government authorities in the least developed countries to access climate finance, capacity building and technical support to respond and adapt to climate change...

Yesterday I was lucky to attend an event at Grantham Institute - Climate Change and Environment at Imperial College of London, where Neil Hirst (ex-director of IEA) discussed his new book “Six energy policies to save the world”. My main takeaways: - Government and regulation should make the energy transition profitable. - Developed countries should continue to provide climate support for developing countries, also because many emissions are coming from those countries. - Just transition is possible, and it is not just a matter of opening the floodgates. Because economic development and poverty relief is a top priority for many developing countries, climate efforts are only welcome if it aids to the poverty problem. Climate aid and development aid are very close, and it is also linked to the debt crisis. As the energy transition was a main focus of my PhD studies, I was excited to learn about the new book and discuss it with the author and people from the audience.

As climate change impacts our livelihoods, resilient housing infrastructures must be included in climate mitigation and adaptation. We're beyond proud that Olivia Nielsen will provide insights into this matter. #AUHF24 #auhfconference2024