Recognizing the critical importance of addressing climate change for sustainable development and economic growth, the International Growth Centre (IGC) recently hosted a Climate Change Workshop at the Sheraton Hotel. The aim is to explore the interplay between climate change and environmental damage, identify the pathway to achieving a net zero economy, the role of natural resources management, and the implications for workers and firms, focusing on Uganda and the East African region.
Rehema Kahunde of Economic Research Policy (EPRC) told the participants that agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, providing livelihoods for a significant portion of its population.
“Unfortunately, the sector faces challenges exacerbated by climate change and deforestation. There is a rapid agricultural expansion, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and disrupting local weather patterns, leading to erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts as seen in the cattle corridor, Bududa and Karamoja,” revealed Kahunde. “This, in turn, negatively impacts agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and vulnerability. We can enhance resilience and protect natural ecosystems by promoting climate-smart agricultural techniques, agroforestry, and sustainable land management practices.”
Adding that, there is a need to come up with innovative strategies and policy interventions that integrate agriculture and forest conservation to mitigate climate change effects while fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.
It was observed that, contrary to expectations Uganda’s volume of export of coffee has shot up as the quality registers improvement in the global market.
“Uganda is among the top 10 coffee exporters worldwide, and second in Africa. The total export amounted to 301,366 tons of “green” coffee in 2021, forming the second-largest commodity export, and contributing about 12.4% to Uganda’s total formal exports,” noted Mohamed Abouaziz a research fellow from the UK. “Lately, the country’s overall performance over time remains unclear given the fluctuations in production and export prices.”
He noted that, lately global transformations have reshaped the way people live, consume, and work, with technological advancements driving innovation and resilience.
“Unfortunately, inhabitants of middle- and low-income countries face the risk of being excluded from these benefits, remaining particularly vulnerable to economic, political, and environmental shocks,” cautioned Ameek. “
The two-day event brought together a diverse group of international and local experts, researchers, and policymakers to discuss innovative research and policy solutions.
In a keynote address, Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), emphasized that, like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change presents numerous opportunities that citizens should seize.
“It is time to stop blaming colonialists and past leaders. The challenge is upon us to change our lifestyles and utilize the natural resources available to us. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro-power offer clean, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions,” stressed Barirega. “These can create jobs, provide a good environment, enhance energy security, and drive economic development.”
However, Barirega also lamented the current state of environmental degradation in Uganda, attributing it to high fertility rates and the resulting population surge, which has increased pressure on natural resources.
“Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in Uganda today. In just one century of industrial development, human civilization has altered the chemistry of the atmosphere, swamps, and lakes, with devastating consequences. Business organizations play a central role in this challenge; they contribute to escalating greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and encroachment on swamps but also have the potential to offer innovative ways to decarbonize our economies,” he remarked. “That is why we have solar-powered buses, vehicles, and motorbikes. All it takes is framing, localizing, and normalizing.”
Participants concluded by challenging the business sector to develop a grounded model that integrates the grand challenge of climate change into everyday business concerns. They emphasized that criticism is a major driver of the development process, continuously revealing the tensions between the demands of the grand challenge and business imperatives. More specifically, they highlighted the policy limitations of relying solely on business and market responses to the climate crisis.
This workshop comes at a time when numerous initiatives are being proposed to address human-induced climate change. The majority of these initiatives is market-based and relies on treating carbon as a commodity that can be exchanged or traded through permits or credits designed to offset carbon emissions.
