This booklet summarizes the green investment opportunities within Sierra Leone’s recently launched 2013-2018 Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, known as the Agenda for Prosperity. A number of the Agenda’s planned green interventions are currently unfunded: the overall cost of implementing the plan is an estimated US $5.75 billion with a funding gap of US $2.1 billion. In light of this, the AfDB has created this booklet to help the government attract investment for its green growth activities.
Released to mark the African launch of the 2012 UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, this report is based on a survey of 38 mostly private sector institutions involved in energy infrastructure finance in developing countries. It outlines the current obstacles to sustainable energy solutions in Africa, including the cost of electricity and difficult grid access. It highlights the need for an estimated 7,000 megawatts (MW) of new generation capacity annually to meet the continent’s growing energy demands, and argues that Africa has a wealth of untapped domestic resources. The report underscores the opportunities to improve energy security and to establish regional energy markets.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
Africa has a huge untapped potential for generating clean energy, including enough hydroelectric power from its seven major river systems to serve the whole continent’s energy needs, as well as great potential for solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy etc. Although major hurdles exist also in the distribution of energy, this paper argues that there is potential for Africa to leapfrog existing fossil fuel energy sources and exploit clean energy from the outset to meet its developing needs. The report focuses on the patent landscape for clean energy technologies (CET) in the continent, as a specific geographical area which could greatly benefit from their use and technology transfer in this area. The study provides facts and evidence to evaluate the actual situation concerning patenting of CET in Africa. It helps to understand how the global and African patent systems can best be used and further developed to support and facilitate the technology transfer of CETs in Africa.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
This discussion paper (report) sets out a concept for a “Green Urban Economy”, as well as the possible courses for action by cities and communities which can aid and drive a transition towards green urban economies. The report is guided by the following core questions:
- What form can a Green Urban Economy take within a sustainability perspective?
- What role can city actors play in the transition?
- What are the factors for success and what challenges emerge?
This discussion paper demonstrates that although greening the economy is relevant on all levels and includes all spheres of government, the local level plays an especially crucial role.
Part of a series of four entitled Urban Patterns for a Green Economy, this guide argues that strategic investment in physical infrastructure with the diversification of economies allows cities to play a specialised role in polycentric urban development. Furthermore, it suggests that green economic development can be achieved through the development of green clusters and green jobs. Finally, this guide argues that a number of green economy outcomes may be reached through efficiencies and shared infrastructure, rather than duplication.
The guide contains case studies from Barcelona, Newcastle, Gauteng, Delhi, Zurich, Dezhou, Randstad, and Kitakyushu.