This page contains information on the work being done under NEPAD's Environment Initiative as well as information on progress to date.
Aims and goals
The Environment Initiative is driven by an action plan aimed at addressing the region's environmental challenges to ensure sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
The initiative includes eight sub-themes: combating desertification, wetland conservation, invasive alien species, coastal management, global warming, cross-border conservation areas, environmental governance and financing.
The objective of the Environment Action Plan is to complement other African processes, including the programme of the revitalised African Ministers Conference on Environment (AMCEN), and improve environmental conditions in Africa and contribute to economic growth and poverty eradication. The initiative also aims to assist African countries to implement regional and international environmental agreements.
What's happening in the Programme?
Work within the programme is focused on these key areas:
- Implementing the Environment Initiative; - Promoting sustainable use of Africa's natural resources; - Strengthening public and political support for sub-regional and regional environmental initiatives; - Supporting countries in implementing their commitments under global and regional environmental conventions; - Promote the integration of environmental issues into poverty reduction strategies; - Foster regional and sub-regional cooperation; - Establishment of a network of regional centres of excellence in environmental science and management; - Enhancing African input contributions to intergovernmental decision-making; - Improving framework for regional environmental governance; and - Providing a framework for establishing partnerships between African countries as well as with bilateral and multilateral partners.
What progress has been made so far?
Current projects being worked on within in the programme include:
- Congo Basin Convergence Plan on Forests. - Genetic Resources (GR) and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP). - Africa Wide Human and Resource Capacity Building Program for Adaptation and Mitigation. - Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDevAfrica). - Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative. - Disaster Risk Reduction Programme.