The Portuguese NGDO Platform organizes “The role of the private sector in the transition to a green, fair and sustainable economy” Webinar, on the 28th of April 2021 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm (GMT+1).
Climate change, accelerated by economic models based on the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources and the use of fossil fuel produced energy, is increasingly threatening biodiversity and, thus, the capacity of Earth to sustain life. Although the dimension of the ecological emergency under way is well known, the political inertia has so far prevented efforts to properly address the issue. In recent years, however, the growing social mobilization and greater media coverage around the topic have contributed to an increase in pressure to integrate environmental concerns at the center of political agendas.
The assertion that climate action cannot be set aside from broader discussions on social justice is essential to address the structural effects of the crisis we are facing. Considering the transformations that need to be made, any approach that proposes to respond to the environmental problem will invariably have to be able to address issues such as poverty, inequalities, and the distribution of wealth.
Considering the priority of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency to strengthen the dialogue with the private sector for mobilizing green investment on the framework of EU-Africa relations, there is a clear opportunity to discuss the appropriate approaches to responding to the ecological crisis. With this in mind, the Portuguese NGDO Platform, organizes the webinar “The role of the private sector in the transition to a green, fair and sustainable economy” within the framework of the Presidency Project and in collaboration with the Project “Coerência na Presidência” implemented by IMVF and FEC.
The event will take place online on the 28th of April at 10:00 am (GMT+1), and will have simultaneous Portuguese-English and English-Portuguese interpretation. Participation is free, but subject to registration. Upon registration, you will receive the link through which you can attend the session the day before via e-mail.
Register for the webinar here until the 26th of April.
Agenda :
10h00 Welcome
10h10 Remarks by Portuguese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Francisco André, and by the European Investment Bank’s Vice-President, Ricardo Mourinho Félix
10h25 Presentation of key findings of the Platform’s paper
10h40 Debate: The role of the private sector in the transition to a green, fair and sustainable economy
– Maria Shaw Barragan, Director of the Department in the European Investment Bank (EIB) that handles the lending operations in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific, Asia and Latin America
– Batchi Baldeh, Director of Power System Department — African Development Bank
– Elina Mikola, Finnish Development NGOs – Fingo
– Erika Mendes – Justiça Ambiental / Friends of the Earth Mozambique
– Erinch Sahan, Chief Executive — World Fair Trade Organization
Moderation: Claire Bright, Assistant Professor NOVA School of Law, Lisbon
12h15 Closing remarks