#WorldEnvironmentDay: Reprioritizing economic investments is key to fighting climate change

Murchison Falls

Yesterday was World Environment Day and we joined networks around the world to call for collective action to protect our planet. Representing sector leaders from across Uganda and East Africa, the Inclusive Green Economy Network-East Africa (IGEN-EA) sees creating a truly inclusive economy that is geared for long-term growth as key to environmental sustainability. 

Our environment and economy are interdependent. As climate change accelerates, it’s never been more urgent to reform Uganda’s economy in ways that can best protect Ugandans from current and future threats. 

Let’s start with our land - one of the most important resources we have and central to all areas of our economy. Yet, across the region communities are losing access to their land due to land grabbing. As we work together to strengthen the guidelines of the Parish Development Model we need to focus on incorporating environmental conservation and human protections within land management.

We also need to reprioritize our investments. Uganda has cut funding for the agriculture sector when it is actually one of our greatest economic assets. If we invested in the sector and workers with a focus on equity and sustainability, we could grow the sector’s economic contribution to our nation and our region, while retaining the environmental, societal and health benefits it provides to communities. 

Without a thriving and healthy environment, we also risk losing another sector that is critical to our economy -tourism. As Ugandans plan for the future of our economy, especially in the face of climate change, we must invest in our tourism industry and in the conversation of our natural and cultural biodiversity—and divest from dirty industries that threaten our future.

We need to stop looking for short term solutions without understanding the long term impact. 

That’s why we call on leaders to invest in and grow the existing green Ugandan industries that already offer sustainable economic livelihoods to communities. From tourism to organic agriculture, there are existing and thriving industries that offer real opportunities to employ Ugandans and stimulate economic growth.

We also see an important opportunity to lead the region in the transition to renewable energy. This will expand access to energy for every household—further catalyzing our economic development, providing better education to our youth, and building healthier, safer communities.

It is our collective responsibility to protect our environment and our economy. Join us in our efforts to uplift economic development opportunities that create thriving livelihoods for all Ugandans while remaining resilient to climate change, protecting human rights, and conserving our natural environment