Event

How can we unlock the Power of Nature on the African continent

DI and WWF are happy to invite you to a seminar on how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) on the African continent can ensure positive environmental, climate, and development impact to the benefit of people, planet, and businesses. Healthy ecosystems will be vital not only for only for climate resilience and biodiversity but also for business opportunities on the African continent.

The African continent faces significant challenges due to climate change, with rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and an increasing frequency of extreme weather events. This, combined with limited access to financial and technological resources, threatens key economic sectors such as agriculture, impacting food security and livelihoods.

However, the African continent also holds vast opportunities for global climate solutions. The continent is home to some of the world’s largest carbon sinks, such as forests and savannahs, which are critical for both biodiversity and climate mitigation. Africa’s natural resources, including renewable energy potential and essential minerals for the global green transition, position the continent as a central player in the future green economy. Investing in the sustainable management of these ecosystems and entering partnerships with private sector offers a path to both climate resilience and economic growth.

The seminar invites a broad range of stakeholder to explore the opportunities and challenges for a greener Danish engagement across the African continent. Participants will hear from representatives of the private sector, foundations, research institutions, and NGOs as they share insights and recommendations drawn from their experiences working with Nature-based Solutions across the African continent.

Agenda:
 
8:30     Arrival and registration

9:00     Welcome
                  Marie Gad, Deputy Director, Danish Industry & Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO, WWF Denmark
 
9:15     Setting the scene:
                  Karin Poulsen, Head of Climate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
 
9:30     Keynote: Melissa De Kock, Deputy Director UNEP WCMC
 
10:15     Company presentations
                  Lars Aaen Thøgersen, Chief Executive Officer, GrowGrounds
                  Petra Postolache, Sustainability and Compliance, Global Timber
 
10:45   Panel debate: What are the business opportunities and challenges for investing in Nature-based
                    Solutions in Africa?
                     Casper Thulstrup, Head of Biodiversity Partnerships at Hempel Foundation, Lisbeth Zacho,
                     Founder and Managing Partner at Nordic Impact Funds & Marie Gad, Deputy Director, Danish Industry
 
11:30   Closing remarks followed by lunch