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AfDB and WWF to launch Africa Ecological Footprint Report

04.06.2012

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and global conservation group WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) have launched today a joint report on the state of Africa’s environment. The Africa Ecological Footprint Report takes stock of the health of Africa’s ecosystems, as well as trends in resources use patterns. It also lays out recommendations on implementing green development pathways for Africa. The Africa Ecological Footprint Report 2012 outlines two alarming trends, which if not addressed by policy-makers and investors are likely to lead to important social and economic impacts. First, by tracking the changes in wildlife populations as a proxy for ecosystem health, the Africa Living Planet Index shows a decline of nearly 40 percent in biodiversity in the last four decades. Then, rapid population growth and increasing prosperity are changing consumption patterns, as a result of which, Africa’s ecological footprint (the area needed to generate the resources consumed by the people who live here) has been growing steadily. The good news is that Africa is in an advantageous position to act. It is endowed with tremendous natural resources, which, if managed properly, will be able to meet the needs of a growing population.

Photo (c) Artem / Flickr