Mali national dialogue
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Green economy approaches in Mali
Bamako, March 2011
Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a Human Development Index rank that places it in the bottom ten countries. A Sahelian country, it faces an uncertain and challenging future, given the likely rise in global temperatures and consequent effects on rainfall. Mali has been committed to a national sustainable development strategy for the last 20 years, and is in a pivotal position today to take major steps towards a green economy. A national dialogue was held in Bamako in March 2011, which sought to engage national stakeholders in defining, owning and influencing a green economy policy relevant to Mali’s ecological and cultural context. This note summarises the main points discussed.
The Green Economy Coalition national dialogue workshop was hosted and organised by Mali-Folkecenter Nyetaa and IIED, in collaboration with the national Agency for Environment and Sustainable Development (AEDD). Key outcomes of the meeting were: l a working definition of a ‘green economy’ l progress in identifying areas for intervention and key components of a national position on green economy l both long and short term objectives and actions l establishing a national coalition on green economy, the Coalition Nationale pour une Economie Verte A green economy is the framework for productive investments in key ‘green’ sectors and ‘natural infrastructures’ such as forests and land. More specifically, it relates to growth in productive activities that respect the environment and the sustainability of natural resources.
Ideas, concerns and areas for intervention
The workshop looked in particular detail at the relevance of the green economy approach to four key sectors: l agriculture and forestry l water resources l energy and climate change l investment and employment
A working definition of what is meant by ‘green economy’
A green economy approach seeks a range of tools which help shift and transform patterns of investment, production and consumption towards greater sustainability. Based on the workshop and the discussions that took place, participants agreed to the following working definition:
www.greeneconomycoalition.org
Agriculture and forestry
Mali faces some big questions about how to feed its growing and urbanising population, how best to manage competing uses of the River Niger and the role of foreign investment, and how to find the right balance between investment
august 2011
in large-scale agriculture and supporting the future of smallholder farming. Secure rights to land for farmers are not as yet guaranteed and many farmers feel insecure, especially in those areas of interest to large-scale investors. The natural resource sector is hugely important to Mali’s current and future economy, with much of the population currently dependent on natural resources for livelihoods, especially agriculture and livestock keeping. Ensuring better management of these environmental assets means finding ways to improve good farming practices and build on farmers’ own knowledge to improve soil fertility management, reduce erosion, achieve higher yields with fewer inputs and maximise benefits from scarce water. Suggestions at the workshop included supporting climate change adaption by promoting new practices, for example organic farming in the southern region of Sikasso, and technical support and information on use of better irrigation equipment. Workshop discussions concluded that long-term policies and programmes should include promotion of production systems for agriculture, pastoral farming and forestry based on sustainable use. Participants highlighted the benefits of creating an environmental accounting system, constantly updated with reliable data on the state of the environment, and which should be adopted as a management tool by all levels of government. Capacity building for actors at all levels is also important, e.g. local authorities, civil society and farmer’s organisations, and the private sector.
uncertainty, and conflict management. During discussions, constraints to promoting the concept of green economy in water policies and programmes ranged from limited access to efficient technologies and information on the choice of appropriate ones, to the practices of cropping land and the complexities of a cross-sector approach to integrated water resource management. Discussions emphasised the importance of integrating consideration of environmental challenges, vulnerability to climate and economic shocks, and poverty into existing and planned policies, strategies and programmes in the area of water and sanitation. A number of entry points where a focus could facilitate the transition to a green economy included strengthening the national plan for access to drinking water, accessing technology transfer through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), capacity building for actors involved in water resource sectors, and ways to improve joint working between actors at local, regional and national levels. Effective communication strategies are also vital here, from simply disseminating technical information and user manuals in the various national languages, to the complexities of promoting river basin management. The workshop participants emphasised the importance of involving many different actors in the continuing discussions on the GE and water issues in Mali, creating frameworks for dialogue and coordination between stakeholders and water users at all levels, such as workshops and conferences, can help realise synergies between different interventions.
Water
Mali’s people and economy are highly vulnerable to rainfall variability, as shown by the damaging impact of major droughts over the last 40 years. Climate change is likely to worsen this vulnerability. The River Niger is an asset of enormous value to the country, for a wide variety of purposes including irrigation, hydro-power, water supply for Bamako and other major cities, as well as fishing, herding and tourism. Specific issues and principles discussed included greater protection of water resources, coordinated development of cities and regions, adapting to cope with climatic
august 2011
Energy and climate change
Climate change is likely to worsen existing vulnerabilities of Mali’s people and economy. Effective adaptation will require a transformation of the economy, bringing together in an iterative process the strengths and knowledge of local communities, local media and civil society organisations, with national and local government setting a framework to spur private sector investment in generating incomes and jobs. The development of National Adaptation Plans
needs to run alongside initiatives to generate investment, create incentives, and strengthen institutions which can achieve a greener, more sustainable economy and build resilience and prosperity for Mali’s peoples. Another key question is how a green economy approach can strengthen climate change adaptation programmes that are already underway. Mali’s current economic development pathway is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and its landlocked status and reliance on oil for transport means the country is very vulnerable to rising energy prices. Most rural people depend on wood and charcoal, as do poor people in cities. Promoting clean technologies in production at both national and local levels is key to generating a more diversified and resilient economy in both rural and urban areas, as is increased access to renewable energy and linking rural electrification programmes with income-generating activities. Solar panels and biogas offer great opportunities for simple, low cost systems, of particular benefit to outlying areas far from the electricity grid. The challenge of climate change demands the integration of the environment into sectoral policies and development strategies, and can therefore act as a key driver in the transition to a green economy, while the focus on green economy can be an opportunity to guide programs and policies towards energy development and climate change solutions, and also to influence future generations to be environmentally conscious. New models of energy provision are needed to meet demand in ways which are affordable and sustainable. Government and business need to anticipate growth in energy needs, support research and development of clean energy technologies, and find ways to encourage both increased investment in supply and reduced losses through inefficiencies.
room for further growth. A focus on eco-tourism could generate markets for a range of processed products stemming from the smallholder agricultural sector (such as local grains - millet and fonio, sauces – baobab, gombo and sumbala, and skin cream – shea butter). Important principles in accelerating the transition to a green economy are partnership and cooperation with institutions that are already advanced in defining and implementing the concept, strengthening scientific research in universities and research centres within Mali. Unlike other African states such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali has no tropical forest with which to attract REDD finance. Work and thought also needs to be put into ways to finance the green economy and incentivise investment, for example creating a fund to invest in renewable energy and the biofuel sector. Regulations for operators and investors in biofuels are also needed, and US and European companies operating in the country could be encouraged to assist in technology transfer to green businesses in Mali, a move which would promote the concept of corporate social responsibility. Efforts are also currently being made to integrate the concept of GE into Mali’s 2012-17 Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) for, particularly within the thematic group on ‘environment, climate change and technology transfer’.
Next steps
Mali is in a pivotal position today to take major steps towards a green economy. For the next two years, the country is leading the African Ministers Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), and in July 2011 it hosted the first Forum for Sustainable Development in Africa (FADD). Government has produced a large number of plans, laws, policies and strategies. In fact, Mali is said to be a leader in developing far-sighted texts covering new strategy and legislation. But there is a big gap when it comes to implementation. Weak administrative capacity to implement legislation is combined with over-reliance on regulation versus other forms of incentive. Government has transferred a number of responsibilities to local communes for land and water management, but often without the powers and resources needed to make this effective. The government has also established a new entity, the AEDD, which was well represented in the national dialogue workshop and is keen to work with and gain the support of civil society
www.greeneconomycoalition.org
Investment and employment
The two major areas of discussion were green jobs and technology transfer. How to protect and develop the Niger River? Which development projects to build, and foreign investors to allow, and what to refuse? And how can Mali find employment for its rising number of young people? Examples of potential for job creation include biofuel production and processing – e.g. jatropha – and ecotourism. Tourism is an important sector of the Malian economy and offers considerable
organisations and NGOs. The AEDD has oversight of environmental issues across government, and the new international focus on green economy can add energy, resources and weight to its work, particularly in the run-up to the next Earth Summit in Rio 2012. At the workshop it was agreed that Green Economy approaches had much to offer to Mali, but there remained questions about next steps for making progress in this field. An ambitious and far-sighted vision mapped out today would help Mali establish itself as a green leader within the region, and a national coalition for a green economy, bringing in all partners and sectors, could help push the government in this direction.
The Green Economy Coalition
The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) brings together environment, development, trade union, consumer and business sectors, North and South. The GEC is committed to a common cause: accelerating a transition to a new green inclusive economy. The Coalition fosters a common understanding of green economy themes, and promotes learning, creativity and innovation across sectors. With its global and local reach and credibility in environmental, social, business and economic spheres, the Coalition is placed to: l improve communication between stakeholders and among green economy initiatives l forge a coherent new development vision that works for all l encourage that best practice is scaled up l promote ways of halting bad practice l encourage innovation that explores prosperity within planetary boundaries l influence key decision makers.
Coalition Nationale pour une Economie Verte (CNEV)
Therefore, it was agreed to set up a Coalition Nationale pour une Economie Verte (CNEV), with a small core group made up of AEDD and Malifolke Center, which will consult and develop a road map for the CNEV’s work together with other interested actors, and continue to work on each of the four thematic areas of agriculture, forestry and livestock; management of water resources; climate change and energy; and investment and employment. Each of these domains contains several axes for debate and intervention – technology and investment; governance, including application of regulations/texts; capacity building; advocacy, lobbying and communications; and monitoring and follow-up of policy and strategy. There are also a number of practical examples on which further work can be built. An online platform connected to the IIED-hosted GEC website could feature illustrated examples of good practice, such as sustainable land management, rainwater harvesting, local conventions for managing resources and energy supply options. Such a learning group will provide the space to test out and share lessons in what works, in agriculture, energy and natural resource management, and also to identify what needs to happen at national level to promote good local development, by listening and feeding ideas upwards.
august 2011
Vision of the Coalition
A resilient economy that provides a better quality of life for all within the ecological limits of one planet.
Aims of the Coalition
l to mobilise and build a global coalition of organisations from different sectors for a green and inclusive economy l to provide a platform for debate on green economy issues ensuring that multi-sector perspectives and voices from the South are integrated into discussions l to organise and share knowledge on the green economy l to identify priority issues and strategic opportunities to influence the transition to a green economy l to help build consensus on priority issues, and to jointly communicate policy messages to key audiences and in strategic forums.
TheInternational GEC is supported by a secretariat hosted Institute by IIED in London. for For further information on the Environment and GEC please contact: info@greeneconomycoalition.org Development International Institute for Environment and Development, 80-86 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8NH UK www.greeneconomycoalition.org
www.greeneconomycoalition.org
Green economy approaches in Mali
Bamako, March 2011
Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a Human Development Index rank that places it in the bottom ten countries. A Sahelian country, it faces an uncertain and challenging future, given the likely rise in global temperatures and consequent effects on rainfall. Mali has been committed to a national sustainable development strategy for the last 20 years, and is in a pivotal position today to take major steps towards a green economy. A national dialogue was held in Bamako in March 2011, which sought to engage national stakeholders in defining, owning and influencing a green economy policy relevant to Mali’s ecological and cultural context. This note summarises the main points discussed.
The Green Economy Coalition national dialogue workshop was hosted and organised by Mali-Folkecenter Nyetaa and IIED, in collaboration with the national Agency for Environment and Sustainable Development (AEDD). Key outcomes of the meeting were: l a working definition of a ‘green economy’ l progress in identifying areas for intervention and key components of a national position on green economy l both long and short term objectives and actions l establishing a national coalition on green economy, the Coalition Nationale pour une Economie Verte A green economy is the framework for productive investments in key ‘green’ sectors and ‘natural infrastructures’ such as forests and land. More specifically, it relates to growth in productive activities that respect the environment and the sustainability of natural resources.
Ideas, concerns and areas for intervention
The workshop looked in particular detail at the relevance of the green economy approach to four key sectors: l agriculture and forestry l water resources l energy and climate change l investment and employment
A working definition of what is meant by ‘green economy’
A green economy approach seeks a range of tools which help shift and transform patterns of investment, production and consumption towards greater sustainability. Based on the workshop and the discussions that took place, participants agreed to the following working definition:
www.greeneconomycoalition.org
Agriculture and forestry
Mali faces some big questions about how to feed its growing and urbanising population, how best to manage competing uses of the River Niger and the role of foreign investment, and how to find the right balance between investment
august 2011
in large-scale agriculture and supporting the future of smallholder farming. Secure rights to land for farmers are not as yet guaranteed and many farmers feel insecure, especially in those areas of interest to large-scale investors. The natural resource sector is hugely important to Mali’s current and future economy, with much of the population currently dependent on natural resources for livelihoods, especially agriculture and livestock keeping. Ensuring better management of these environmental assets means finding ways to improve good farming practices and build on farmers’ own knowledge to improve soil fertility management, reduce erosion, achieve higher yields with fewer inputs and maximise benefits from scarce water. Suggestions at the workshop included supporting climate change adaption by promoting new practices, for example organic farming in the southern region of Sikasso, and technical support and information on use of better irrigation equipment. Workshop discussions concluded that long-term policies and programmes should include promotion of production systems for agriculture, pastoral farming and forestry based on sustainable use. Participants highlighted the benefits of creating an environmental accounting system, constantly updated with reliable data on the state of the environment, and which should be adopted as a management tool by all levels of government. Capacity building for actors at all levels is also important, e.g. local authorities, civil society and farmer’s organisations, and the private sector.
uncertainty, and conflict management. During discussions, constraints to promoting the concept of green economy in water policies and programmes ranged from limited access to efficient technologies and information on the choice of appropriate ones, to the practices of cropping land and the complexities of a cross-sector approach to integrated water resource management. Discussions emphasised the importance of integrating consideration of environmental challenges, vulnerability to climate and economic shocks, and poverty into existing and planned policies, strategies and programmes in the area of water and sanitation. A number of entry points where a focus could facilitate the transition to a green economy included strengthening the national plan for access to drinking water, accessing technology transfer through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), capacity building for actors involved in water resource sectors, and ways to improve joint working between actors at local, regional and national levels. Effective communication strategies are also vital here, from simply disseminating technical information and user manuals in the various national languages, to the complexities of promoting river basin management. The workshop participants emphasised the importance of involving many different actors in the continuing discussions on the GE and water issues in Mali, creating frameworks for dialogue and coordination between stakeholders and water users at all levels, such as workshops and conferences, can help realise synergies between different interventions.
Water
Mali’s people and economy are highly vulnerable to rainfall variability, as shown by the damaging impact of major droughts over the last 40 years. Climate change is likely to worsen this vulnerability. The River Niger is an asset of enormous value to the country, for a wide variety of purposes including irrigation, hydro-power, water supply for Bamako and other major cities, as well as fishing, herding and tourism. Specific issues and principles discussed included greater protection of water resources, coordinated development of cities and regions, adapting to cope with climatic
august 2011
Energy and climate change
Climate change is likely to worsen existing vulnerabilities of Mali’s people and economy. Effective adaptation will require a transformation of the economy, bringing together in an iterative process the strengths and knowledge of local communities, local media and civil society organisations, with national and local government setting a framework to spur private sector investment in generating incomes and jobs. The development of National Adaptation Plans
needs to run alongside initiatives to generate investment, create incentives, and strengthen institutions which can achieve a greener, more sustainable economy and build resilience and prosperity for Mali’s peoples. Another key question is how a green economy approach can strengthen climate change adaptation programmes that are already underway. Mali’s current economic development pathway is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and its landlocked status and reliance on oil for transport means the country is very vulnerable to rising energy prices. Most rural people depend on wood and charcoal, as do poor people in cities. Promoting clean technologies in production at both national and local levels is key to generating a more diversified and resilient economy in both rural and urban areas, as is increased access to renewable energy and linking rural electrification programmes with income-generating activities. Solar panels and biogas offer great opportunities for simple, low cost systems, of particular benefit to outlying areas far from the electricity grid. The challenge of climate change demands the integration of the environment into sectoral policies and development strategies, and can therefore act as a key driver in the transition to a green economy, while the focus on green economy can be an opportunity to guide programs and policies towards energy development and climate change solutions, and also to influence future generations to be environmentally conscious. New models of energy provision are needed to meet demand in ways which are affordable and sustainable. Government and business need to anticipate growth in energy needs, support research and development of clean energy technologies, and find ways to encourage both increased investment in supply and reduced losses through inefficiencies.
room for further growth. A focus on eco-tourism could generate markets for a range of processed products stemming from the smallholder agricultural sector (such as local grains - millet and fonio, sauces – baobab, gombo and sumbala, and skin cream – shea butter). Important principles in accelerating the transition to a green economy are partnership and cooperation with institutions that are already advanced in defining and implementing the concept, strengthening scientific research in universities and research centres within Mali. Unlike other African states such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali has no tropical forest with which to attract REDD finance. Work and thought also needs to be put into ways to finance the green economy and incentivise investment, for example creating a fund to invest in renewable energy and the biofuel sector. Regulations for operators and investors in biofuels are also needed, and US and European companies operating in the country could be encouraged to assist in technology transfer to green businesses in Mali, a move which would promote the concept of corporate social responsibility. Efforts are also currently being made to integrate the concept of GE into Mali’s 2012-17 Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) for, particularly within the thematic group on ‘environment, climate change and technology transfer’.
Next steps
Mali is in a pivotal position today to take major steps towards a green economy. For the next two years, the country is leading the African Ministers Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), and in July 2011 it hosted the first Forum for Sustainable Development in Africa (FADD). Government has produced a large number of plans, laws, policies and strategies. In fact, Mali is said to be a leader in developing far-sighted texts covering new strategy and legislation. But there is a big gap when it comes to implementation. Weak administrative capacity to implement legislation is combined with over-reliance on regulation versus other forms of incentive. Government has transferred a number of responsibilities to local communes for land and water management, but often without the powers and resources needed to make this effective. The government has also established a new entity, the AEDD, which was well represented in the national dialogue workshop and is keen to work with and gain the support of civil society
www.greeneconomycoalition.org
Investment and employment
The two major areas of discussion were green jobs and technology transfer. How to protect and develop the Niger River? Which development projects to build, and foreign investors to allow, and what to refuse? And how can Mali find employment for its rising number of young people? Examples of potential for job creation include biofuel production and processing – e.g. jatropha – and ecotourism. Tourism is an important sector of the Malian economy and offers considerable
organisations and NGOs. The AEDD has oversight of environmental issues across government, and the new international focus on green economy can add energy, resources and weight to its work, particularly in the run-up to the next Earth Summit in Rio 2012. At the workshop it was agreed that Green Economy approaches had much to offer to Mali, but there remained questions about next steps for making progress in this field. An ambitious and far-sighted vision mapped out today would help Mali establish itself as a green leader within the region, and a national coalition for a green economy, bringing in all partners and sectors, could help push the government in this direction.
The Green Economy Coalition
The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) brings together environment, development, trade union, consumer and business sectors, North and South. The GEC is committed to a common cause: accelerating a transition to a new green inclusive economy. The Coalition fosters a common understanding of green economy themes, and promotes learning, creativity and innovation across sectors. With its global and local reach and credibility in environmental, social, business and economic spheres, the Coalition is placed to: l improve communication between stakeholders and among green economy initiatives l forge a coherent new development vision that works for all l encourage that best practice is scaled up l promote ways of halting bad practice l encourage innovation that explores prosperity within planetary boundaries l influence key decision makers.
Coalition Nationale pour une Economie Verte (CNEV)
Therefore, it was agreed to set up a Coalition Nationale pour une Economie Verte (CNEV), with a small core group made up of AEDD and Malifolke Center, which will consult and develop a road map for the CNEV’s work together with other interested actors, and continue to work on each of the four thematic areas of agriculture, forestry and livestock; management of water resources; climate change and energy; and investment and employment. Each of these domains contains several axes for debate and intervention – technology and investment; governance, including application of regulations/texts; capacity building; advocacy, lobbying and communications; and monitoring and follow-up of policy and strategy. There are also a number of practical examples on which further work can be built. An online platform connected to the IIED-hosted GEC website could feature illustrated examples of good practice, such as sustainable land management, rainwater harvesting, local conventions for managing resources and energy supply options. Such a learning group will provide the space to test out and share lessons in what works, in agriculture, energy and natural resource management, and also to identify what needs to happen at national level to promote good local development, by listening and feeding ideas upwards.
august 2011
Vision of the Coalition
A resilient economy that provides a better quality of life for all within the ecological limits of one planet.
Aims of the Coalition
l to mobilise and build a global coalition of organisations from different sectors for a green and inclusive economy l to provide a platform for debate on green economy issues ensuring that multi-sector perspectives and voices from the South are integrated into discussions l to organise and share knowledge on the green economy l to identify priority issues and strategic opportunities to influence the transition to a green economy l to help build consensus on priority issues, and to jointly communicate policy messages to key audiences and in strategic forums.
TheInternational GEC is supported by a secretariat hosted Institute by IIED in London. for For further information on the Environment and GEC please contact: info@greeneconomycoalition.org Development International Institute for Environment and Development, 80-86 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8NH UK www.greeneconomycoalition.org
www.greeneconomycoalition.org
