The NABA COP27 Podcast: Honest conversations about Africa’s climate challenge

Throughout November and December NABA hosted a podcast series around the UN Climate Change Summit - COP27 - which took place in Sharm El-Sheikh from November 6 - 18. Billed as ‘Africa’s COP’, the gathering was seen as an opportunity for the continent to put its needs and priorities at the centre of the global climate agenda.

Indeed the Summit did put more emphasis on climate action in emerging markets, ending in a landmark agreement to establish a loss and damage fund to catalyze finance for mitigation and adaptation in regions such as Africa.

In a series of conversations with investors and climate experts, the podcast delved into some of the key issues shaping Africa’s climate challenge, and what can and is being done to address it.

This includes discussions with:

Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec - a leading renewable energy investor in Africa - who discussed the prospects for the continent’s energy transition, and how to accelerate investment.

Carlijn Nouwen and James Mwangi, founders of the Climate Action Platform - Africa, which is dedicated to changing the narrative about the continent and climate change, and to promote climate-friendly growth and investment.

Bertrand Piccard, renowned explorer and Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, which is driving commercially sustainable solutions to climate change. He argues that the world already has the means to tackle climate change, but that a change in mindset is needed among business and policymakers to accelerate impact.

Bilha Ndirangu, co-founder of the grassroots climate action initiative Jacob’s Ladder Africa, who discussed what African economies can and must do to make sure that the global climate agenda prioritizes the continent’s needs and goals.

Mallé Fofana, Director for Africa and Head of Programs at the Global Green Growth Institute, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of building green pathways to growth and development.

Felix Ndi-Obiosa, of Counsel with law firm DLA Piper, who focuses on energy projects, and argued that efforts to drive the energy transition must be tempered by a realistic understanding of the development challenges African economies face.

In case you missed the series, you can listen to all of the episodes here, and gain insight from the experts about how Africa can rise to the challenge of climate change, and become a global leader in driving action.