Sign In
  • Africa
  • African
  • Trump
  • Guardian
  • Mail
  • South
logo
  • Home
  • Ghana
  • Africa
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
Reading: SMI Africa Council Launches ‘Natural Capital on Balance Sheets’ Initiative at COP16
Share
African News HeraldAfrican News Herald
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Ghana
  • Africa
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 africanewsherald.com – All Rights Reserved.
African News Herald > Blog > Africa > SMI Africa Council Launches ‘Natural Capital on Balance Sheets’ Initiative at COP16
Africa

SMI Africa Council Launches ‘Natural Capital on Balance Sheets’ Initiative at COP16

ANH Team
Last updated: October 29, 2024 7:32 pm
ANH Team
Share
SHARE

The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Africa Council (SMIAC) has unveiled the ‘Natural Capital on African Governments’ Balance Sheets’ initiative at COP16 in Colombia. This groundbreaking project aims to align natural capital with national economic frameworks, opening up investment opportunities and advancing the African Union’s Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Green Growth.

This ambitious endeavor was first introduced during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and is designed to position Africa’s natural resources as a strategic asset that drives sustainable economic growth and global climate solutions. Aligned with the Nairobi Declaration, which was launched by African Heads of State at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in September 2023, the initiative focuses on revaluing Africa’s GDP by integrating ecosystem services into national accounts.

Recognizing Nature as Wealth

The Nairobi Declaration emphasized the need to revalue Africa’s GDP by fully incorporating the continent’s forests, wetlands, and biodiversity into economic models. The new SMI initiative aims to achieve this by integrating natural resource accounting into national balance sheets, thereby elevating nature to the status of an investable asset class.

Dr. Hubert Danso, Co-Chair of the SMI Africa Council, highlighted the importance of Africa’s natural capital, stating that it forms the backbone of economies and supports global industries. Through investor-public partnerships with governments, sustainable returns can be unlocked to benefit people, the planet, and nature, while also delivering value to investors.

Overcoming Barriers and Closing the Investment Gap

Africa’s ecosystems, often referred to as the “Global Commons,” are crucial for global sustainability. However, many African countries struggle to balance economic development with environmental conservation. Current investments in nature-based solutions fall short by $800 billion annually, with institutional investors facing challenges such as the lack of standardized valuation frameworks for natural capital and limited market mechanisms to align returns with ecosystem preservation.

See also  Dutch charter airline resumes flights to East Africa

The SMI initiative aims to bridge this gap by leveraging new technologies, frameworks, and institutional investor-public partnerships. These collaborations will drive private sector investments at scale, enhance sovereign credit ratings, and reduce the cost of capital for African nations.

Strategic Support for Africa’s Natural Capital

H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that by integrating nature into the balance sheet, Africa’s natural wealth becomes a strategic asset for the continent and the world. The Terra Carta, the guiding framework of the SMI, reinforces the idea that nature is the engine of a sustainable economy. His Majesty King Charles III, founder of the SMI, stressed the importance of mainstreaming sustainability across all sectors of the economy.

Key Areas of Focus

The ‘Natural Capital on African Governments’ Balance Sheets’ initiative will concentrate on developing high-quality natural capital projects across African landscapes using advanced technology and innovative investment frameworks. It will also support African governments in attracting private investments into natural capital initiatives and collaborate with the international community to create market mechanisms that scale natural capital asset classes globally. This initiative aims to make Africa’s natural wealth a core component of national economic planning, assisting governments in unlocking investments while safeguarding critical ecosystems.

A Global Coalition for Action

The SMI is assembling a global coalition of investors, philanthropists, private sector leaders, NGOs, and project developers to co-create solutions for Africa’s natural capital. The initiative will engage partners at the 2025 Africa Climate Summit to announce concrete commitments for regenerating African landscapes, ensuring that conservation, economic growth, and portfolio resilience are aligned.

See also  From Aid to Investment: Africa Investment Forum Builds $225B Momentum in Making Continent Bankable

Join the Movement

Supported by leading organizations such as the African Union Commission (AUC), Africa Investor (Ai) Group, The Great Green Wall Foundation, AUDA-NEPAD, The Landbanking Group, and Mishcon de Reya LLP, this initiative offers Africa a transformative opportunity to become a central player in the global green investment economy.

For more information or to support this initiative, contact: 📧 africa@sustainable-markets.org

About the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI)

Established by His Majesty King Charles III, the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) is a CEO-led organization that promotes private sector leadership in the transition to a sustainable global economy. Learn more at www.sustainable-markets.org

About the SMI Africa Council

Founded in November 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, the SMI Africa Council (SMIAC) fosters collaboration among business leaders, governments, and investors to align sustainable development goals with Africa’s economic frameworks. The Council works closely with African leaders to implement the Nairobi Declaration and scale solutions that benefit people, the planet, and nature.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

I have read and agree to the terms & conditions
TAGGED:AfricaBalancecapitalCOP16CouncilInitiativeLaunchesNaturalSheetsSMI
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Face-conforming LED mask shows 340% improved efficacy in deep skin elasticity
Next Article CAF Announces Dates for Super Eagles Final Matches
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Editor's Pick

Best Phone 2024: Top 10 Mobile Phones Today

Need a new phone? The constant influx of new handsets can make it challenging to keep track of what's worth…

November 12, 2024 3 Min Read
14 best trading platforms in Nigeria 

Avatrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC in Australia,…

20 Min Read
The fall of Ghana’s NPP and the resurgence of the NDC in the 2024

The 2024 general elections in Ghana marked a seismic shift in the…

8 Min Read

Lifestyle

Mobile network operators grilled by MP’s over data costs

Mobile network operators (MNO) Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, and…

June 15, 2025

A R70K pen or a R50K lamp? Five extravagant Father’s Day gifts

Father's Day is just around the…

June 14, 2025

Nzimande signs letter of intent in China to boost AI in SA

In October of last year, Communications…

June 14, 2025

Egg baked mushroom medley traybake

If you're looking for a quick…

June 13, 2025

Father’s Day: A guide to buying dad a gift that has meaning

Father's Day is a special time…

June 13, 2025

You Might Also Like

BOAD reaffirms commitment to energy transition and sustainable agriculture in West Africa
Ghana

BOAD reaffirms commitment to energy transition and sustainable agriculture in West Africa

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting energy transition and sustainable agriculture in the region.…

3 Min Read
Africa

Burundi’s Ruling Party Takes All Parliament Seats in Latest Election

Burundi's ruling CNDD-FDD party has swept all 100 seats in the country’s latest parliamentary elections, according to official results, sparking…

2 Min Read
Africa

Nigeria Records Trade Surplus as Exports Surge in Q1 2025

Nigeria's Exports Reach $13.44 Billion in Q1 2025 Nigeria has experienced a significant surge in exports, reaching $13.44 billion in…

2 Min Read
Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa to See Modest Growth in 2025, Says World Bank

The World Bank has recently projected a modest uptick in sub-Saharan Africa's economic growth, with an expected rise from 3.5%…

2 Min Read
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US

Stay informed with the latest news from Africa and around the world. Covering global politics, sports, and technology, our site delivers in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive insights to keep you connected with the stories that matter most.

Top Categories
  • Africa
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
Usefull Links
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2024 africanewsherald.com –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?