The Role of Green Economy in Nature Based Solutions

BACKGROUND

Climate change is arguably the most pressing challenge of our time and there is growing urgency to deliver a just transition to a net-zero economy. The focus of discussion within the business community often centers around technological solutions around decarbonization pathways without full consideration of the human impacts of decisions and interventions. Climate justice recognizes that climate change is a human made crisis that has primarily been brought about by those with economic power and privilege, while the effects of climate change have a disproportionately negative impact on the marginalized and vulnerable groups in society including low-income groups, people of color and women. As an example, according to UNDP, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women and they are 14 times more likely to die during environmental disasters.

That being said, addressing climate change and its effects with the lenses of nature-based solutions—natural systems or processes used to help achieve societal goals— and climate justice can contribute mightily to meet the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting global warming holistically.

AIM

This session aims to address climate-related challenges in the context of the MENA region, such as air, water and soil pollution and the adoption of inclusive and holistic lenses to climate change through nature-based solutions and climate justice. The session will furthermore emphasize the importance of international partnerships, social innovation, and private sector engagement to provide an essential solution for the development of nature-based solutions.