2023 AWEaP Webinar Series -9- Report

AWEaP’s recent webinar’s primary objective was to address the growing need for developing and implementing climate adaptation strategies, which has become a critical global imperative. The event’s significance was underscored by the impending COP 28 conference, which will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for climate adaptation initiatives worldwide. Within this context, the attention of the webinar was firmly directed toward regions that are particularly vulnerable to the multifaceted impacts of climate change.

The webinar commenced with a significant contribution from Rockwell Automation, the event’s platinum sponsor. Their presentation provided invaluable insights into enterprises’ interconnected nature and underscored the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving climate adaptation strategies. Furthermore, Rockwell Automation delved into climatic solutions, focusing on critical areas such as waste management, water resources, and energy utilisation. This comprehensive overview illuminated the vital role played by the private sector in addressing climate adaptation challenges.

A pivotal webinar segment was dedicated to Ghana’s proactive endeavours in tackling climate change and providing substantial electricity access to a significant portion of its population. Women in Energy, Oil, and Gas Ghana’s presentation highlighted Africa’s essential role in the global climate change landscape. Africa’s vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, underscores the urgency of climate adaptation initiatives.

The chairperson representing the West African chapter of the African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) organisation directed their attention towards the opportunities inherent within the region and the evolving landscape of climate adaptation policies.

The webinar’s panel discussion pivoted around the central theme of women’s leadership within the energy sector and its potential to contribute significantly to climate resilience. Distinguished women from various West African nations articulated the transformative changes required and underscored the pressing need for empowered women to have greater access to resources. This segment emphasised women’s pivotal role in shaping the climate adaptation discourse.

Entrepreneurs from Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Senegal, and Benin provided a detailed account of the activities and initiatives undertaken by their organisations to combat climate change. They shared their invaluable experiences and discussed the challenges in their endeavours. This session highlighted entrepreneurs’ dynamic and innovative approach to contributing to climate adaptation solutions.

The culmination of the webinar underscored the pivotal role played by women entrepreneurs in West Africa’s climate adaptation efforts. Their influence extends across diverse sectors, including sustainable transport, energy solutions, manufacturing, and agriculture. This segment emphatically stressed the need to amplify women’s voices within the climate adaptation discourse, aligning with the COP 28 theme on climate adaptation.

The webinar served as a significant milestone in acknowledging and addressing the crucial role that women entrepreneurs play in driving climate adaptation solutions in West Africa.

This worked hand in hand with our theme for 2023: “Together, we can make inclusion in Africa’s energy and power sector a competitive edge.”

The event’s multifaceted discussions, encompassing diverse aspects of climate adaptation, illuminated the potential for sustainable and energy-efficient futures in the region. As the world prepares for COP 28, the lessons and insights shared in this webinar serve as valuable foundations for collaborative efforts in addressing the global climate adaptation challenge.