NEMA commends MUBS Climate Finance and Sustainability Center.

KAMPALA - In a momentous occasion marking the official closure of the Climate Finance Conference held from September 18th to 19th 2023, at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Uganda, expressed his appreciation for the launch of the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Climate Finance and Sustainability Center. With great enthusiasm, Dr. Akankwasah hailed this center as a significant milestone in Uganda's journey towards resilience and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Akankwasah underscored the pivotal role that the newly established center for green finance holds in the transformation of Uganda into a beacon of sustainability and climate resilience. The center's creation is not just an achievement for MUBS but represents a collective stride towards a greener future for the entire nation. The executive director emphasized the urgent need for such initiatives given the acute challenges posed by climate change to Uganda, Africa, and the world at large.

As we are well aware, climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. Its devastating impacts are felt across our communities, ecosystems, and economies. Dr. Akankwasah highlighted the alarming nature of extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels, all of which have profound consequences on Uganda's way of life. Farmers grapple with the unpredictability of rainy seasons, affecting food security and livelihoods.

The Climate Finance Conference hosted by MUBS in 2023, organized under the theme, "Financing a just transition and climate resilience. Overcoming barriers, harnessing opportunities ahead of COP28," assumes great significance in the context of these challenges. It serves as a crucial platform for discussions on climate finance, with a particular focus on Uganda's role in addressing climate-related issues.

Dr. Akankwasah applauded the collaboration between MUBS, Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development's Climate Finance Unit, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), and Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE). This collaborative effort has brought together experts, policymakers, practitioners, and private sector representatives, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to climate finance and sustainability.

One of the standout features of the conference was the launch of the Sustainability and Climate Finance Center at MUBS. Dr. Akankwasah commended this initiative, recognizing its pivotal role as a hub for training and capacity-building. He highlighted that the center is designed to empower various stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the private sector, with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex landscape of climate finance effectively.

The urgency of addressing climate change cannot be overstated. Dr. Akankwasah's remarks echoed the sentiments of many environmentalists, policymakers, and concerned citizens around the world. Climate change is no longer an abstract concept; its impacts are being felt today, and they are profoundly affecting the well-being of communities, the stability of ecosystems, and the resilience of economies.

The establishment of the Sustainability and Climate Finance Center at MUBS is a commendable step toward mitigating these impacts and securing a sustainable future for Uganda. By equipping individuals and organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to engage with climate finance effectively, this center is poised to make a significant contribution to Uganda's ability to address climate change challenges.

Dr. Akankwasah's closing remarks at the Climate Finance Conference not only acknowledged the importance of the event but also reinforced the message that climate action is a collective responsibility. It is a commitment to safeguarding our environment, securing our future, and ensuring that the generations to come inherit a world that is not only resilient but also sustainable.

The launch of the MUBS Climate Finance and Sustainability Center represents a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change. As Uganda and the world grapple with the consequences of a warming planet, initiatives like these remind us that there is a path forward—a path towards a greener, more resilient future for all.