Afrika Nå

Join us for a discussion on Africa’s critical role in the fight against climate change! Although Africa is not a driver of the climate crisis, it bears a huge burden of the consequences. Simultaneously, Africa's wealth of natural resources, expansive forests, and abundant renewable energy potential, position Africa as a vital player in the fight against climate change. New strategies to achieve “net zero” emissions are emerging rapidly. Many of these strategies involve compensating for emissions through various carbon offset schemes, often implemented in “the global South” by “the West.” However, these projects have raised concerns about land grabbing, damage, and displacement of local communities. Africa now stands at the forefront of this movement. This seminar will build on two case studies from South-Eastern Africa and Western Sahara to demonstrate practices in land conservation and renewable energy projects. These cases will help unpack key equity issues within the political economy of climate change.