Green Economy and Climate Mitigation: Topics of Relevance to Africa

Foreword

Green Economy and Climate Mitigation vii Foreword In recent years, with the increasing focus on issues of sustainability, climate change and the environment, the colour green has taken on new meanings. How often have we read, heard or spoken about green buildings, green financing, green jobs, greenwashing, green accounting, green schools, green agriculture, green tourism, green politics, green procurement, green business and green cars? Since the global financial meltdown of 2008, the world has moved swiftly in embracing yet another term linked to ‘green’, namely the green economy. Although a universally accepted definition of this concept has not yet emerged, there is a rapidly growing understanding of the green economy and how it is inextricably linked to issues relating to global sustainable development and, concomitantly, poverty eradication. This book marks the hosting of the 17th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP17) by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will take place in Durban, South Africa, in November and December 2011. The importance of the subject is also highlighted in that the green economy has been identified as one of the twin themes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2012 – the ‘Rio+20’. The present study is essentially an interdisciplinary reflection and record of the pertinent issues, and it sees the light of day at a most opportune moment, given the promising synergies of key global development agendas and policy frameworks. In the main, it covers the following areas: discourses on sustainable development; discussions of the Millennium Development Goals; advocacy for good governance; key global environment concerns, such as climate change, energy provision, food security, loss of biodiversity and water scarcity; and the reality of the economic crises. These are issues to which no individual or government can be immune. At the heart of the discourse on the green economy is the subject of climate change and the need for a transition to low-carbon-driven viii Green Economy and Climate Mitigation Foreword economies. The climate change dialogue seeks to address five thematic areas, namely mitigation (the reduction of greenhouse gases that cause global warming leading to climate change); adaptation (living with the changing climate); research and development (which include technological development, diffusion and transfer); finance and capacity development; and awareness raising. This book focuses on climate mitigation, which has been gaining prominence in Africa. The growing focus on climate mitigation has occurred despite sometimes being overshadowed by the more fundamental need for the continent to adapt to climate change. The authors believe that this timely contribution will add to the burgeoning literature and discussion on the green economy and climate mitigation. The book focuses on several aspects that relate to the risks and opportunities presented by the green economy in the African context. It also seeks to address ways in which governments can make a smooth transition to low-carbon-driven economies. The book addresses thought-provoking questions: Is the green economy a new paradigm or sustainable development repackaged? How does the green economy relate to green economic stimulus packages? What is Africa doing to harness the new green growth path? What is carbon accounting, and why should Africa engage with this concept within the green economy context? What impacts does a contested global climate-negotiating regime have on the green economy and a carbon-pricing future? What is the role of multilateral development banks in climate and carbon asset financing? In the context of forestation in Africa, how can African governments engage with reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation? How can we initiate and implement effective policies and modalities to ensure that Africans are paid for the environmental services they perform? How does the green economy affect African trade and economic growth? What role should carbon taxation play in a green economy in Africa? The authors of this book share a clear vision of a healthier and sustainable global environment. Their contribution will certainly help us address the concerns and challenges of the complex subject of sustainable development and climate change mitigation. The interdisciplinary nature of the author team brings together many years of research, teaching and community-engagement practices associated with institutions of higher learning. The authors and associated publishing partners of this remarkable project deserve our sincere congratulations for this profound and transformative piece of work in a very important area of Green...