This policy brief is the third in a series of six briefs drawn from the fifth edition of the Sustainable Development Report on Africa.
It is a joint publication of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the United Nations Development Programme on the theme “achieving sustainable development in Africa through inclusive green growth”. The brief highlights the role of ecosystem goods and services in promoting inclusive green growth in the region.
Ecosystem goods and services are the benefits that people obtain from both natural and modified ecosystems. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment groups these goods and services into four categories: namely provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting ecosystem services. From disaster risk reduction to energy generation to water security, Africa has ample opportunity to seize the benefits of ecosystems goods and services for inclusive green growth. The provisioning and regulating services provided by ecosystems directly and indirectly link to every aspect of inclusive green growth that is socially inclusive and environmentally conscious economic growth. Harnessing ecosystems services, therefore, would spur spur inclusive green growth and lead to sustainable development. This policy brief provides potential and trends as well as challenges and opportunities in implementing ecosystems goods and services for inclusive green growth.