Charles Michael Akol is an Environmental Affairs Officer in the Green Economy and Blue Economy Section in the Technology, Climate Change & Natural Resource Management Division of ECA. His main areas of expertise and interest include sustainable development; green growth/economy; forestry, environment and natural resources management; climate change and sustainable livelihoods; disaster risk reduction and management; and programme planning and management. Prior to joining ECA, he worked as Director in the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and Senior Environmental Officer in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Uganda. He has close to 30 years of experience in conducting policy research, analysis, advocacy and consensus-building, training/capacity development; programme development and management; and in institutional development to promote green growth and sustainable development including the integration of environmental considerations into the formulation and implementation of development and sectoral policies, strategies and programmes at regional, national and sub-national levels. He is associated with the Africa Forest Forum and the Uganda Forestry Association. Recent publications address topics such as green economy policies, greening Africa's industrialization, and sustainable development in Africa. Mr. Akol holds a Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources management; a BSc in Forestry; a Postgraduate Diploma in Environment Management, specializing in land degradation, desertification, and biological diversity conservation; and a Diploma in Environmental Health Management, Institute of Housing and Urban Development Studies.