Frequently in the developing world, when one thinks of climate change,
the picture that comes into mind is non-state actors and governments at the
fore front of climate action be it through diverse interventions or at the
annual multilateral climate change talks. That the private sector in most
African countries has found itself in total neglect in development matters
(save for their Corporate Social Responsibility activities) is not further from
the truth. Recent research in the form of a paper, Engaging
the Private Sector in Adaptation to Climate Change in Developing Countries:
Importance, Status, and Challenges, has found that engaging the private sector
in identifying climate risks and their governance interventions in the global
south needs to be a greater priority.
All too often, African countries’ responses to climate change are shaped
and driven by international initiatives and narratives. The paper points out
the significance of the private sector in climate action is evidenced by the
increasing empirical evidence including best practices from climate funds
supported adaptation projects. Most climate funds so far have been sources from
cash-strapped public sources or from those which do not seek significant
returns on investment. In recognizing this fact, this year’s World Economic
Forum in Davos published a report, Climate
Adaptation: Seizing the Challenge, pointing out that research findings indicate the deficit of funding in
adaptation projects must be met by the private sector. This will require
creation of a return on investment for those investors as well as the public
sector providing a regulation for enabling private climate investments the
report adds.
Africa is at a critical juncture where investments in long-lived capital
are in high gear and the private sector can drive the investment in climate
resilient infrastructure and services in the core development sectors. At the
moment, the private sector is actively involved in the fight against climate
change fight through resource efficiency (especially energy in manufacturing).
Bolder action in Africa such as use of a lower carbon footprint coating
material for use especially in beverage and food packaging is needed as other
regions of the world move towards this direction.
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