One of the highlights of the workshops on implementing projects for a just climate transition was the presentation of a socio-economic impact assessment model for the informal sector in Uganda.
In East Africa, and particularly in Uganda, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Climate Investment Funds have been implementing projects for a just climate transition for some time. Two weeks ago, they organized a workshop in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, to ensure that the transition to a clean economy does not leave vulnerable communities behind.
“Uganda is at the forefront of climate action, which will inevitably have both positive and negative impacts. This project aims to help the government better understand the risks and opportunities associated with mitigating climate change in the transport sector,” said
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, AfDB Country Director for Uganda, at the June 19-20 meeting.
The key sectors identified for just transition planning include agriculture and forestry, energy and minerals, transport, cities and urban planning, and green industrialization.
One of the highlights of the workshops was the presentation of a socio-economic impact assessment model developed by Neyen Consulting.
It focuses on Kampala, where 50 per cent of Uganda’s vehicles are concentrated, with special attention to the informal sector, according to a press statement made available to APA on Tuesday..
Some participants suggested replacing 60 per cent of the “boda boda” (motorcycle taxi) fleet with electric vehicles by 2035, while others advocated increase in the ratio of minibus taxis to boda bodas through the rapid introduction of electric minibuses by 2035.
These measures, according to the statement, are in line with Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Meanwhile, Uganda, with support from the Climate Investment Funds and AfDB, has begun to prepare its National Just Transition Framework. It will help define a development path that reduces vulnerability, poverty and inequality as the country transitions to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy, the pan-African financial institution said.
Moses Masiga, a climate finance expert and advisor to the Climate Investment Funds and the World Bank, noted that “workshop participants demonstrated their understanding of the current strategies for transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient path that are being pursued in various national development plans.”
He points out that “key recommendations were aimed at ensuring synergies between just transition strategies in different sectors, demonstrating the benefits and costs of just transition, and building on existing national and sectoral strategies.”
The workshops was built on national kick-off meetings held in early April and attended by more than 50 representatives of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
“Analyzing climate action from a sectoral perspective is essential to unpack sectoral priorities while ensuring synergies and coherence at the national level,” said Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan.
ODL/te/lb/GIK/APA