The presentation of a socio-economic impact assessment model relating to the informal sector was one of the highlights of the workshop initiated in Uganda on the transition to a clean economy, centred on transport.
In East Africa, particularly in Uganda, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Climate Investment Funds have been implementing projects for a just climate transition for some time. Two weeks ago, they launched a workshop in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, to ensure that the transition to a clean economy does not leave vulnerable communities behind.
“Uganda is at the forefront of climate action that will inevitably bring both positive and negative impacts. This project aims to help the government better understand the risks and opportunities associated with climate change mitigation measures in the transport sector,” said Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Country Manager for Uganda at the AfDB, during the meeting held on 19-20 June 2024.
Key sectors identified for just transition planning include agriculture and forestry, energy and minerals, transport, cities and urban planning, and green industrialization.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the presentation of a socio-economic impact assessment model developed by Neyen Consulting. It focuses on Kampala, where 50% of vehicles in Uganda are concentrated, with particular attention to the informal sector, explains a statement received Tuesday by APA.
Participants proposed replacing 60% of the boda boda (motorcycle taxi) fleet with electric vehicles by 2035 while others preferred increasing the ratio of minibus taxis to boda bodas through the rapid introduction of electric minibuses by 2035. These measures are aligned with Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the AfDB said.
Meanwhile, Uganda has begun preparing its National Just Transition Framework with support from the Climate Investment Funds and the AfDB. It will help set a development trajectory that will reduce vulnerability, poverty and inequality as the country transitions to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, the pan-African financial institution noted.
Moses Masiga, a climate finance expert and consultant to the Climate Investment Funds and the World Bank, said that “workshop participants demonstrated their understanding of current strategies for transitioning to a low-carbon and climate-resilient pathway pursued in various national development plans.”
He highlights that “the most important recommendations aimed to ensure synergies between just transition strategies in different sectors, to demonstrate the benefits versus costs of just transition and to develop existing national and sectoral strategies.”
The workshop builds on the national launch sessions that took place in early April and were attended by over 50 representatives from government and non-government stakeholders. “Analyzing climate actions from a sectoral perspective is essential to unpack sectoral priorities while ensuring synergies and coherence at the national level,” noted Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan.
ODL/te/Sf/APA
