WGEO to Help 11 African Cities Achieve Carbon Neutrality

The World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) has pledged to support 11 African cities in their journey towards carbon neutrality. This initiative is part of the Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative, a collaboration between WGEO and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-Africa).

The announcement was made during a keynote speech by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of WGEO, at the WGEO Pavilion in the Blue Zone of Baku Stadium.

Tackling the Climate Crisis

Al Tayer described the initiative as more than just a program. He called it “a transformative movement” aimed at helping African cities lead the fight against climate change. He emphasized that cities, which contribute over 70% of global CO2 emissions, play a crucial role in building a sustainable future.

“Climate change is not a future threat—it’s a reality impacting millions, especially in vulnerable communities in Africa. The Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative is our response to this urgent need,” said Al Tayer.

A Six-Step Approach

WGEO outlined a six-step strategy to support the cities:

1. Quantifying Emissions: Developing detailed city profiles.
2. Monitoring Progress: Regular updates on emission reductions.
3. Data Collection: Building comprehensive databases.
4. Setting Goals: Aligning with international climate frameworks.
5. Policy Support: Providing tools for climate-smart decisions.
6. Investment Facilitation: Helping cities fund green projects.

The program will also offer technical guidance in green urban planning, energy efficiency, low-carbon infrastructure, and green mobility.

The Selected Cities

The first cities to benefit from this initiative are:

• Chefchaouen (Morocco)
• Nouakchott (Mauritania)
• Cotonou (Benin)
• Ndiop (Senegal)
• Brazzaville (Republic of Congo)
• Bangangté (Cameroon)
• Bangui (Central African Republic)
• Blantyre (Malawi)
• Quelimane (Mozambique)
• Homa Bay (Kenya)
• Jinja (Uganda)

Each city will receive tailored support, including a scientific platform to help create effective, data-driven carbon neutrality strategies.

Building Partnerships

Al Tayer thanked UCLG-Africa for their collaboration and announced upcoming projects, such as the Regional Green Economy Summit on Carbon Neutral Cities next year and the 10th Africities Summit in Cairo in 2025.

He concluded by calling on global partners and investors to join this initiative, highlighting Africa’s potential to lead the green development movement.

“Together, we can transform African cities into hubs of sustainability and resilience, setting an example for the rest of the world,” Al Tayer said.