A intergenerational network of African and European scientists
The official COP24 Business and Industry Day is hosted and organised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Throughout the day, high-level government representatives, climate change champions and business leaders from across different sectors and jurisdictions will share their stories and ideas on the leadership and change required to enhance the ambition of making zero emissions development a reality.
As part of this event, BNP Paribas is hosting a panel session to discuss the One Planet Fellowship Programme and its work and innovative approach to fighting climate change in Africa. The session will be moderated by Sébastien Soleille, Head of Energy Transition and Environment, and speakers include Wanjiru Kamau-Rudenberg, Director of the African Women in Agriculture Research and Development Programme, Gareth Phillips, Manager of Climate Change and Environment Finance Division, African Development Bank, Côté d'Ivoire, Dr Tony Simons, Director General, World Agroforestry and Jean-Jacques Goron, Director of the BNP Paribas Foundation.
Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change and it is expected that the main damage will be on agriculture. Reductions in yield are projected to reach 50% by 2050, and as such will mean that agricultural production will provide only for 13% of the population’s needs. Through building a vibrant, intergenerational network of African and European scientists, the One Planet Fellowship Programme hopes to deliver gender responsive climate adaptation solutions for African smallholder farmers.
Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change.
Supporting research on climate adaptation in Africa
Announced at the end of 2017 by the BNP Paribas Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, under the patronage of the French Republic, the One Planet Fellowship is a programme leveraging French, African and European expertise to support research on climate adaptation in Africa.
This $15million 5-year philanthropic programme is funded on an equal basis by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the BNP Paribas Foundation with the objective of supporting 600 African and European researchers working to help Africa adapt to climate change. It also aims to bolster the African and European scientific community working in this field.
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