Irish envoy calls for innovation to mitigate climate change

Oct 08, 2019

The envoy told the audience that there are several commitments made globally to address climate change which the country should embrace.

CLIMATE CHANGE

KAMPALA-Innovation is key in tackling climate change effects, the ambassador of Ireland embassy, William Carlos has said.

"Innovation is key in mitigating climate change effects and therefore government and other stakeholders should prioritise it," Carlos said adding that the Government of Ireland is willing to support the government of Uganda and organizations to combat climate change.

Carlos was speaking during the meeting on climate launchpad competition organized by Renewable Energy Business Incubator (REBI) in Kampala.

The envoy told the audience that there are several commitments made globally to address climate change which the country should embrace.

He welcomed the climate launchpad competition being the first of its kind in the country and encouraged the youth to come up with innovative technologies to combat climate change.

Carlos said the embassy is ready to provide funds to support start-ups as they will create employment and business opportunities for the economic development of the country.

According to Claire Kagga, the managing director of REBI, climate change launchpad aims at selecting the best innovation ideas on how to address climate change effects.

Kagga informed participants that 60 applications were received for the climate launchpad competition and seven applicants were selected to compete and win a prize of Euros 17,500 for the top three.

 

(Left to right)  ambassador of Ireland William Carlos, the managing director of Renewable Energy Business Incubator (REBI) Claire Kagga and Mona Muguma Ssebuliba the board chairperson during the launch of climate final competition.

 

Kagga explained that the selection criteria would be based on the quality of the pitch, the strength of the management team, innovation or technology potential, job potential, and social impact as well as business and market potential.

A panel of judges was to pick three best climate change start-ups among the seven youth teams which included Wet Technik, Waworo Kacel, Vepox Filter, Eco-Plastic, Kukiriza Yea Limited and C-Africa Foods.

Mona Muguma Ssebuliba, the board chairperson of REBI noted that climate change has caused devastating effects such as floods hence the destruction of crops and livestock, epidemic outbreaks like cholera and losses to the farmers during the dry spell.

She said the impact of climate change has contributed to hunger and poverty.

She said the effects of climate change needs to be addressed through innovation and technological advancement and the use of renewable energy among others.

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