Current situation Actions conducive to an inclusive green
economy Challenges and prospects
Political, legal and fiscal/incentive framework: existence of specific
”inclu-sive green economy” measures (Huge difficulty for the State in
applying these policies in view of the central role of forest resources in the economy and in household life, inadequate monitoring and evaluation system)
- Include in the exploration of fi-nancial tools and mechanisms for an inclusive green economy the question of forest management to counterbalance efforts to se-cure customary rights to related resources
- Further involve civil society in policy discussions and implemen-tation
- Support communes in the appli-cation of forest policy
Legal and political framework
consistent with an inclusive green eco-nomy
The question of financial mechanisms ensuring forest resource management is taken into account
A forest investment programme (PIF)
a subprogramme, targeted ac-tions and specific indicators in the PNSR*
Operational tools: existence and level of implementation For forest policy implementation, there
exist numerous operational tools (GGF*, PIF*)
A forest investment programme (PIF)
Consensus: Level of empowerment and engagement of stakeholders - subsidiarity level
Subsidiarity principle to village level (GGF, CGF)
Forestry trends still give concern throughout the country
A forest investment programme (PIF)
Source: Author, on the basis of policy papers.
Note: (*) National rural sector programme (PNSR); Forest management group (CGF); Fire management committee (CGF).
ture to emerge is that all the related policies to some extent take into account the principles of an inclusive green economy. In the agricultural field, for instance, we see a sectoral engagement and the adoption of a clear position in favour of the sustainable management of natural re-sources. Policies and strategies defined in the sector take largely into account the following:
• Sustainable land management;
• Sustainable water management;
• Promotion of security of land tenure;
• Improvement of productivity;
• Environmental and sustainable develop-ment governance;
• Specific emphasis on better sharing of the fruits of agricultural growth, etc.
The same picture emerges from the mining sec-tor. Mining policies are predicated on principles of environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management. Various mechanisms have accordingly been put in place:
• Fund for environmental restoration;
• Application of CFE (water tax);
• Project in support of mining development (PADSEM);
• Polluter-pays or user-pays principle;
• Chambers of Mines.
In other sectors of the economy, the same conclusions can be drawn, with the exception of the manufacturing industry and trade, for which the principles laid down need to be more clearly spelt out.
At the social level as in the case of the econo-mic sphere, the study notes that the policies pursued are based on various inclusive green economy principles. In education, for example, curricula from pre-school level have an envi-ronmental education component. Through the education-for-all concept (EFA), the question of equity and inclusion is largely addressed. With regard to food policy, efforts to achieve security are based on the principle of sustainable land
management. In the health field, the treatment of waste produced by health services is relatively well regulated.
Lastly, in the environmental field, the same picture emerges. Water policies such as the integrated water resource management policy (GIRE) imple-mented through the action plan for integrated water resource management (PAGIRE) are based on inclusive green economy principles. In the en-ergy field, there is a particular concern with the question of inclusion. Access to low-cost electri-city for all is a key principle of the current energy policy, for which the study notes:
• A sectoral engagement based on environ-mental protection since 1973;
• Institutional reorganization and new market segmentation under the aegis of the electri-city subsector regulation authority (ARSE); re-centring of the national electricity company (SONABEL); conditions conducive to the mo-bilization of private investment; distribution through service delegation by communes to private operators;
• Diversification of production and demons-tration of the potential competitiveness of photovoltaic energy production;
• A clearer policy on energy savings and re-newable energy, etc.
In the field of forest management as in other fields, the study also notes approaches that are fairly consistent with inclusive green economy principles. Forest management policy, for exa-mple, is implemented on a participatory basis, involving local communities, like the forest ma-nagement groups (GGF), just as water policies are implemented with the support of local water committees (CLE). Also, in the field of water and forest management, the polluter-pays principle is recognized and to some extent put into effect.
It should be noted, however, that despite the si-tuation and the substantial progress achieved in all the sectors considered here, the current data suggest that more effective strategies need to be sought.
All in all, from an analysis of the current context of public policy, socioeconomic and environmen-tal data, it can be concluded that there exists an auspicious framework (as is shown also by the following chart) for the promotion of an inclusive green economy.
While this situation bodes well for an inclusive green economy, it presents problems. As can be seen, the principles seem scattered over the
vari-ous sectors without any real synergies. A reading of policy papers does not reveal any mechanisms for integrating those principles or any clear mech-anisms for achieving synergy. In this context, the coordination of actions becomes a challenge and a major defect of governance. In such circum-stances, it is difficult to attain a common goal without introducing a unifying strategy.
Chart 1: Receptiveness of the Burkina Faso macroeconomic context to inclusive green economy principles and State engagement
Unfavourable Favourable Very favourable Slight Substantial Very substantial
Receptiveness of the macroeconomic context to
inclusive green economy principles Engagement of State and its divisions in relation
to green economy principles
9%
55%
36%
27.27%
72.73%
0.00%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Source: Authors, study data