Press
Release
Governing Inclusive Green Growth in Africa [GIGGA] Network
Abuja Workshop. Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital
Territory will host an international audience of
policy makers, practitioners and academic experts in the field of the green
economy, climate governance and low carbon development who are gathering for a
two-day workshop on ‘Governing Inclusive Green Growth Agenda in Africa
[GIGGA]. The workshop will hold at the Sandralia Hotel in the Jabi district of
Abuja, from July 27-28, 2017.
Despite some flashes of green growth initiatives in
parts of Africa, much of the continent is yet to embrace a coordinated and
strategic approach to promoting the green economy. At the same time, there are some people that
question whether Africa, given its developmental stage, should even embrace the
concept of the green economy. So far
there has been very limited academic literature and public debate about the
green economy in Africa. As a result
there are many questions that remain unanswered. For example: What are the
current greening activities taking place in Africa? What are the challenges,
synergies and trade-offs associated with greening in Africa and how do these
differ across countries? What is the impact of national green growth strategies
on inequality and poverty in Africa? What is the primary motivation for African
leaders and governments seeking to be front runners in this area; and, what are
the reasons for reluctance among the slow/non-movers? What are the environmental and social benefits
of green initiatives? What are the critical capacity needs required to achieve
scale?
In seeking answers to these unanswered questions, the
United Kingdom [UK] Research Council, under the Global Challenges Research
Fund, recently awarded a grant to help establish a Network on Governing
Inclusive Green Growth in Africa [GIGGA]. The GIGGA Project which is led by Nigerian
born Professor Chukwumerije Okereke from the University of Reading, United Kingdom
intends to explore what the green economy means for Africa and how countries in
Africa can benefit from green growth and investments in sustainable
technologies driving low carbon development. The GIGGA Abuja workshop is part
of the activities of this network and the effort to provide answers to these
questions. Already the GIGGA inception meeting already held in Ethiopia (in
March 2017). After the Abuja workshop, there will be will be two more
meetings – one in Kenya scheduled for early 2018 followed by a wrap up workshop
in Reading in June 2018.
The GIGGA Network comprises academics from four United Kingdom
universities, academics from five countries in Africa and India, national and
regional government institutions and departments, four research institutes and
policy think tanks across Africa and credible NGOs/CSOs in Africa. Some of the Nigerian members of GIGGA
network include academics from the University of Nigeria, Nigerian Chapter of the Global Legislators Forum for a
Balanced Environment [GLOBE Nigeria] and Schrodinger Greentech Limited [Abuja,
Nigeria based Corporate Climate Change and Green Economy Consultancy].
The GIGGA
Project has a three-man Advisory Board to provide strategic advice and
facilitate engagement and global uptake. These include Dr. Desta Mebrata,
former Deputy Regional Director of United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP];
Professor Paul Ekins, Director of the University College London [UCL] Institute
for Sustainable Resources and also Deputy Director of the United Kingdom [UK]
Energy Research Centre, and Professor Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate
Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank Group.
In response to the manifold opportunities presented by the GIGGA Project,
Professor Chukwumerije, GIGGA Project lead Researcher and Principal
Investigator said: “I am delighted that GIGGA
Abuja workshop will provide an excellent opportunity for intensive interaction among
Nigerian policy makers, businesses, academics and a prestigious group of international
audience, many of whom are leading experts in green growth planning and clean
technological innovation. I am very confident that the workshop will yield
insights that can help to promote sustainable green inclusive economy in
Nigeria and Africa more broadly.” In his reaction, Mr.
Stanley Igwebuike Ijeoma, GIGGA Network Nigeria Representative/Abuja Workshop
Coordinator said: “It is my honor to be hosting the GIGGA in Abuja and helping to
bring together global opinion leaders on the green economy and low carbon
development. I am very keen that Nigeria should take advantage of this Network to
effectively pursue their vision of green growth and climate resilient
development.”
Please follow the GIGGA Network
projects, programs and activities on Twitter via @GIGGANetworker
Signed
GIGGA Network Members
26th July, 2017
