The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe impacts on African economies and livelihoods. These impacts are being exacerbated by climate change and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which is threatening food and energy security. However, Africa has a wealth of natural capital and potential nature-based solutions (NbS) to enhance the natural capital stock, providing a strengthened and sustained foundation for a green economic recovery from COVID-19.
This policy brief provides an overview of key concepts relating to natural capital and NbS to better inform the practical implementation of a green recovery in Africa, targeting its policymakers and a wider audience. It introduces key entry points for NbS in activating green recovery, as set out in the African Union’s Green Recovery Action Plan.
The brief also outlines successful NbS case studies for Africa to build awareness of the role NbS can play in green recovery, and proposes key actions that can be implemented to deliver on the potential of NbS to activate green recovery in Africa.