The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working with the Government of the Congo to identify and develop climate change projects that would qualify for financing by the Green Climate Fund, an international financing mechanism that strengthens the fight for climate change mitigation and the reduction of greenhouse gases.
On 1 August, the Congolese Government, along with various partners from the UN system, organized a workshop that attracted 80 participants from government, and the private sector and civil society. With the goal of consolidating the list of potential projects, the framework for submitting a project was discussed before reviewing the list of submissions. Selected projects were formally presented, including a project to promote renewable energy in rural areas, and another that explored community agroforestry management practices.
At the end of the exercise, participants acknowledged the pressing need to continue exploring sustainable projects. Ms. Rosalie Motondo, the Congolese Minister of Forestry, Sustainable Development and Environment, said that the workshop was “an opportunity to launch a call for mitigation and adaptation projects that could be submitted to the Green Climate Fund”.
Mr. Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah, United Nations Resident Coordinator, spoke about “the possibility to reverse trends and make the issue of climate change an opportunity for sustainable development for the well-being of our population and future generations”. He also reiterated that the workshop allowed the Congo to reinforce the notion that “the transition towards a lower carbon economy wouldn’t happen without it.”
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 to advance the goal of keeping the temperature increase on Earth below two degrees Celsius and help adapt vulnerable societies to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. (Link: http://www.greenclimate.fund/home)