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For the world to be effective in combating climate change, bridging the gap between science and policymaking is crucial – and Africa is at the forefront of this challenge – warned Mauritian scientist and former president Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
Sending to RFI at a conference on sustainable development at ESCP in Paris, where she delivered the keynote address, Gurib-Fakim said the world needed real policies to communicate science well – adding that decisive action was needed for development planning to include solutions to climate change. .
"By 2035, Africa will be the best provider of human talent and capital in the world," she said. "The continent has all the resources needed to make progress in sustainable development … and we need to think about how Africa can meet its challenges through its human capital."
Women, marginalized communities and – not least – young people are identified as being at the heart of human capital.
In April, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa said that climate change could seriously undermine Africa's goal of achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – agreed in 2015 – tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, prosperity and peace. .
Call for funding institutions
While time is running out to take the necessary steps to limit global warming to 1.5 ° C above pre-industrial levels, as agreed in the Paris climate agreement, Gurib-Fakim wants to see more money poured into institutions capable of financing innovation projects It is certain that researchers have the opportunity to concretise their ideas.
Beyond that, it is time to forge global alliances. "National governments can no longer combat the warming and increasing acidification of the oceans; this must be done through a collaboration that includes the big players, "said Gurib-Fakim.
"This is where we are talking about a transition to more intense participation from the big countries that still have the capacity, the potential and the means to lead."
The concept of circular economy has become a new buzzword for sustainable growth. It involves recycling, repairing and reusing goods, and essentially finding valuable use for waste.
However, a recent study by London think tank Chatham House revealed that while Europe and China have adopted long-term circular economy strategies as part of their efforts to become carbon-neutral , Africa is being left behind because of a lack of investment.
This is because Africa needs to be higher in its program, said Gurib-Fakim. "In world leaders' speeches, we do not see Africa as a sufficiently signalized country – and yet Africa will remain at the epicenter of many of these challenges," he said. she adds.
"We need to engage with Africa – and African leaders must cooperate with their own institutions and their own citizens so that the circular economy, which has considerable potential for development, becomes the key. "
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