Up
to half a million people could be lifted out of poverty and 30,000 new
jobs created in Senegal, with a switch to a Green Economy, according to a
new report released today by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP). The Green Economy Scoping Study for Senegal (Rapport
exploratoire sur l'économie verte) was presented at a high-profile event
to launch the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a United
Nations initiative that will assist the implementation of green economy
policies in Senegal. "The findings of this study show the enormous
opportunity that a green economy transition represents, and that
investing further in the environment can support Senegal's development
process, without jeopardizing our future growth," said Mr. Abdoulaye Balde, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development in Senegal.
Huge potential for job creation and poverty reduction
– The report was prepared by UNEP in collaboration with the Ministry of
Environment and Sustainable Development and the Centre of Policy
Studies for Development under the Ministry of Economy and Finances of
Senegal. It finds that increased investment will lead to higher growth,
more jobs, and better environmental outcomes than similar investments
into business-as-usual (BAU) sectors. In the report, GDP is estimated to
be 11 per cent higher under a green economy scenario by 2035, compared
to a BAU scenario. This increased growth leads to a substantial
reduction in poverty, with less than 20 per cent of the population in
poverty by 2035, compared to 24 per cent in the BAU scenario. This is
the equivalent of lifting 500,000 people out of poverty.
In Senegal,
agriculture employs 56.7 per cent of the total population. Improvements
in production in this sector will, therefore, have a large effect on the
economy. Green investments in sustainable agriculture technologies and
techniques will prevent soil degradation and lead to an increase in
agricultural production 0.5-1.25 per cent higher than BAU by 2035. In
other sectors, such as energy, green investments are expected to bring
about an increase in employment. In the renewable energy sector,
increased investment could create up to 30,000 new jobs. A green economy
transition also has positive environmental impacts. In terms of CO2,
emissions are anticipated to be about 9 per cent lower in green economy
scenarios than under BAU (26.7 million tonnes). In addition,
improvements are expected in water quality, reduced soil pollution and
improved waste management.
Senegal joins PAGE – The
event in Dakar also marks the start of the PAGE initiative in Senegal.
The initiative unites the expertise of UNEP, International Labour
Organization, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, United
Nations Industrial Development Organization and United Nations
Development Programme, and will promote green industry, trade and jobs,
as well as research and institutional capacity building on the green
economy. "The Partnership of Action for Green Economy is a model
example of the United Nations System 'delivering as one' to support
countries' move to greener development paths. With five UN organizations
working together, the government of Senegal is receiving a coordinated
and complementary service, leveraging the expertise of these different
agencies," said Mrs Bintou Djibo, UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal.