Decarbonising the global economy by 2050: the necessary support towards just transitions

In Colombia, an E2050 strategy: 48 activities and 200 “ambition markers”

Taking the example of Colombia, it determines short and medium-term actions in a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). They will serve to trigger the profound transformations which will achieve its long-term vision, itself set out in its E2050 strategy.
Two levels, two tempos, the same ambition: Colombia wants to become a climate-resilient country. In other words, a society with a carbon neutral economy, with an extensive capacity for adaptation in both its urban and rural areas, which are among the richest in the world in terms of biodiversity.
To write this E2050 strategy, which identifies, guides and directs the profound changes and transformations the country will go through to build its climate, social and ecological resilience, Colombia has received financial and technical assistance from the French Government via its cooperation agencies, AFD and Expertise France.
This E2050 strategy was validated after 19 months of work, with over 2,100 people questioned during 300 participatory workshops, supported by a committee of 13 high-level experts, and following public consultation.
48 activities will be implemented, as well as some 200 “ambition markers”, which correspond to the minimum changes required by 2050 for Colombia to build a climate-resilient future.

They are all set out in several main thematic areas (a total of nine), such as climate knowledge and governance and comprehensive diversity management. They also include the necessary sustainable production and consumption and adapting education and vocational training provision to the new needs of Colombia’s labour market, while promoting the creation of green jobs.
By adopting this long-term climate strategy, Colombia’s ambition is very clear. The objective is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to the levels reached in 2015, reduce the vulnerability of municipalities and departments to the damage and losses caused by climate change, with a comprehensive territorial and multisectoral approach, and help populations succeed in a just environmental transition, in particular through appropriate job retraining and basic training programmes.

In Algeria, an ambitious and proactive project to develop the blue economy

Green jobs on one side, blue economy on the other. This time in Algeria. The country is located in a region the IPCC considers as one of the 24 hotspots the most vulnerable to climate change. There was a need to react and take action. The challenge for Algeria thereby lies in providing a response by launching a vast project for the development of its blue economy.
Today, the blue economy in Algeria provides some 300,000 direct jobs and over 450,000 indirect jobs. This amounts to 20% of its GDP. And with 43% of its population living on the coast, maritime issues are crucial for the country. The Government sees this Blue Economy project as a real opportunity to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, while strengthening its economic and social resilience, its food security and sovereignty, as well as preserving its resources. The Government obviously also sees it as a potential source of future professional opportunities for Algerian youth and for women.
Three objectives have been set for the work started with Expertise France.

The first: the creation of jobs, value (for example, evaluation of pescatourism or deployment of pilot farms to demonstrate aquaculture and support its development…), as well as investment opportunities on the coast.
It will not be possible to achieve this first objective without appropriate training provision and without reinforcing the innovation component, for example, by creating an incubator or supporting scientific research programmes, in particular on biotechnologies. It will also be necessary to develop the diversification and especially the planning, which is essential, of maritime areas.

The second is equally essential as it aims to improve the incomes and working conditions of small-scale fishermen. This will involve strengthening existing professional bodies and creating women’s professional organisations (cooperatives of women fish merchants and fish and shellfish processors).

Finally, the monitoring, control and management of fishing and resources will also need to be strengthened through the operational capacity of the administration.

The programme is being implemented in the 14 coastal wilayas. Three regional offices have been opened in the east (Annaba), in the centre (Boumerdès) and in the west (Tlemcen). There are already 30 employees who will be working there until 2025, with assistance from Expertise France. Algeria is thereby banking on its blue economy making a contribution to the sustainable growth of its economy.
Algeria aims to be a reference country for the sustainable management of marine environments and the blue economy by 2030. This multifaceted ambition is characterised by a responsible fisheries sector and a development of green tourism, which offers a real opportunity for employment and attractiveness in a strategic but vulnerable natural environment.