Background
The world faces a triple and interconnected crisis: a climate emergency, rapid biodiversity destruction and entrenched poverty. The next ten years are crucial to prepare, adapt and transform our societies, economies and ecosystems. The financial sector plays a defining role in both mitigating the potential damages brought by a carbon-intensive, ‘business as usual’ global economy, as well as in finding new, innovative, and catalytic approaches for adapting to a changed climate. The economic models show the cost of meeting the Paris agreement will be far less than the cost of damages incurred as we move beyond 2°C. Businesses must engage now, to operate effectively in the future.
Programme purpose
The aim of the programme is to build the knowledge and capabilities of leaders in policy, government and financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, to support a climate-resilient economy. It will equip national and local leaders with the knowledge and capabilities required to redirect capital flows in such a way as to mitigate the economic, social and environmental impact of a changing climate. Decision makers will gain an understanding of the prospects and processes for unlocking private sector capital through international climate funds, focussing on the opportunities public climate finance can provide in reducing the barriers for mobilizing private climate finance for action on climate change.
Who should attend?
This programme is designed for regional policymakers, regulators, academia, industry and financial market participants, to create a new class of African leadership and financial capability. National and sub-national decision makers will also benefit.
Who delivers the programme?
This is a partnership between FSD Africa, the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), the Eastern & Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). The programme will be delivered by small teams of expert trainers and facilitators, all of whom will have deep experience of working with senior leaders from business, the finance sector and government.
The process
Plenary sessions will expose delegates to cutting-edge thinking and practice from Faculty and Guest Contributors. Delegates will also spend valuable time in small group discussions to deepen their understanding of what is required and how they can use their roles and spheres of influence to effect change. Expert guest speakers will add value to sessions, with an additional specialist deep-dive into the opportunities and processes for unlocking private sector capital through international climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) – the world’s largest international public fund.
Each delegate is allocated to a Syndicate Group for the duration of the programme. This group is facilitated by a Faculty member and this is where focused reflection on ideas that emerge from the workshop session will take place. Finally, a post-programme check-in will provide delegates with an opportunity to regroup and share outcomes and progress at the end of the programme. Certificates of completion are awarded based on a combination of delegates’ attendance, participation and project submissions.
The Africa Climate Finance Course: Unlocking public climate finance for sustainable business transformation, will be delivered by IIED.
Programme overview
1. Preparatory work – delegates are required to engage in pre-reading and watching prescribed video material, before the programme begins.
2. The CISL virtual sessions take place over 5 days in total:
• 4.5 days for all delegates, combining full plenary sessions and sessions split across disciplines where appropriate
• Includes various assignments and submissions
• A half-day post-programme check-in
3. Specific 5-day practical module delivered by IIED on pathways to Accessing Climate Finance
The full programme includes a focus on the following issues:
• The global context
Learn about our changing context: climate science, system conditions and trends in the regional, national and global context, and the economic and social implications of these pressures and • The global context
Learn about our changing context: climate science, system conditions and trends in the regional, national and global context, and the economic and social implications of these pressures and changes.changes.
• Climate finance
Develop a common understanding and narrative around the implications on policy, regulation and financial products and services, to achieve a climate resilient economy.
• Overcoming barriers
Learn more about how international public climate finance can be used to address the barriers facing private sector investment in climate change, and how to access it.
• Innovative thinking for adapting to climate change
Explore how private financial flows can be engaged by the public sector to help governments adapt and deliver national plans to tackle climate change.
• Regenerating our thinking for the Africa we want
Develop your skills for innovation and working with others; influencing and leading change; sharing personal learning and committing to action.
• Climate Finance Course: Unlocking public climate finance for sustainable business transformation
This is a stand-alone 5-day training course to provide participants with an understanding of the opportunities and processes for unlocking private sector capital through international climate funds, such as the world’s largest international public fund – the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
It is relevant for both public and private sector actors seeking to increase the flow and allocation of private capital towards climate resilient action. Participants will be taken through the key steps needed to develop bankable funding proposals for the main climate funds, and the avenues and processes through which bankable funding proposals are financed.
The training will cover the main policies, procedures and tools that interested public and private sector actors will require to access these climate funds. This will include special sessions covering gender, Environmental and Social Safeguards, as well as accreditation fiduciary criteria.
To apply for the programme, please complete the online application form here. Closing date for applications: Friday 21st January 2022.
The Admission team is available to answer any queries you might have, so please do let us know how we can help you on mobile +255 762 928 728 or email: marketing@esami-africa.org
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