Africa: Climate Change Forces

Africa: Climate Change Forces Move to Green Economies

24 May 2011 - The adverse effects of climate change on environmental sustainability and human wellbeing is forcing most countries to move away from the "brown" or traditional economy to the "green" economy - a viable option for sustainable development.

The concept has been described by environmentalists as a powerful new paradigm in the 21st century offering creative solutions to multiple global challenges by linking people, the planet and prosperity.

Green economy is considered as one that results in "improved wellbeing and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities."

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), green economy comes against the backdrop of serious crises in climate, biodiversity, food, fuel and water, and more recently, the financial crises which has all been characterized by gross misallocation of capital while being exacerbated by existing polices and market incentives.

A recent report by UNEP titled "Towards a Green Economy" states that sustainable development can only be achieved if there is an economic transformation that promotes resource and energy efficiency and reduces environmental degradation.

"It is time to catalyze and embed the green economy transition across the globe from the international level down to the local community. {continued}