BCG Launches New Centre to Address Climate Change Impact

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A platform aimed to address the impact of climate change and accelerate progress toward net-zero has been launched by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The organisation said the Centre for Climate & Just Transition in Africa is part of its global focus on helping companies and governments accelerate their climate and sustainability journeys.

Africa is disproportionately exposed to the risks posed by climate change. Increased climate volatility, rising water scarcity and the occurrence of extreme events such as droughts and floods will have a devastating effect on local livelihoods and regional food systems.

The devastating impact of climate change on farmers’ productivity and recent floods in Lagos, Nigeria bear testament to this.

BCG said the centre has already more than 50 core members across Africa and is led by a passionate team, with responsibilities across countries and topics.

The leadership team is all based in Africa and the vast majority are Africans, consistently with its ambition to unlock the full potential of Africa.

“Both Climate and Africa are priorities for BCG globally, and that is why we are launching our Centre for Climate & Just Transition in Africa, with the purpose of unlocking the full potential of Africa to advance climate action and a Just Transition,” said Lucas Chaumontet, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, Johannesburg.

“Nigeria’s economic development has been impeded by the poor power supply for many years due to several factors, not least the degradation and under-capacity of the power infrastructure in the country.

“However, the passage of the Nigerian Electricity Bill 2022, which empowers states to generate electricity and licence investors to install mini-grids, renewables and power plants, is a key ingredient for a just transition to net zero whilst addressing the urgent need for energy access,” said Oluseun Solanke-Ebhojie, Partner and Associate Director, BCG Nigeria.

“We believe that when the electricity bill becomes law and is properly implemented, it will go a long way in strengthening the power sector and accelerating access to electricity for all Nigerians.”

“Through the Centre, global and local experts from the public and private sectors and across the sustainability spectrum will engage, share knowledge and be able to access a vast library of relevant tools to achieve these aims.

“By bringing together a full suite of mitigation, adaptation and just transition capabilities to a broad set of industries and governments across the continent we will be able to accelerate impact in the climate space,” said Chaumontet.