By Reginald Tapfumaneyi in Antananarivo African Union Commission Youth Envoy, H.E. Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba is on a whirlwind trip to the African Island of the Indian Ocean, Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. Mpemba is set to make the most of her maiden tour. Killing two birds with one stone, she is hosting both a listening tour…
His Excellency William S. Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, visited the floating headquarters of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Rotterdam yesterday to participate in a Strategic Dialogue at the Africa Climate Action Summit. The Africa Climate Action Summit is being co-hosted by the Government of Kenya and the African Union Commission…
Agriculture has been a fundamental aspect of human civilization since ancient times, playing a critical role in providing food and other essential resources necessary for human survival. The sector has been a driver of economic growth, food security and employment for many people, particularly in developing countries, where a significant portion of the population relies…
The Pan-African Parliament will host the 3rd African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity scheduled to take place on May 16 – 17 on the sidelines of the Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). The Session is scheduled to hold from 15 May to 02 June 2023 at…
The President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. William Ruto has called on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to be the continent’s standard-bearer on issues affecting African citizens. These include issues related to intra-African trade, climate change, democracy, and good governance. The call was made during an audience accorded to the President of the Pan-African Parliament,…
By Charles Dhewa The relationship between climate change and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) can be understood better if discussed from a historical perspective. This approach can show pathways and trends through which indigenous knowledge was an integral driver of how African communities dealt with a changing climate using their knowledge, values, intuitions, and experiences. Historical…
By Elvis Dumba Banket – Climate change has affected weather patterns around the world, thereby affecting many sectors, which include agriculture. Tropical cyclones and other climate change-induced weather patterns have contributed to droughts due to lack of rain and excessive rains in different areas with catastrophic consequences in some places where the loss of property…
Recognising climate change as a serious threat to social and economic development, Zimbabwe has been prioritizing adaptation in recent years. In 2015, a National Climate Change Response Strategy was passed. Two years later, the country’s first National Climate Policy was adopted, providing an overarching framework for climate action programming. With UNDP support, a comprehensive National Adaptation…
By Elvis Dumba Mt Darwin – As the country celebrates 43 years of independence, the government has made tremendous strides towards economic development in various sectors such as health, mining, education, and agriculture. President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the country’s own people are responsible for nation-building through peaceful hard work. Speaking during the 43rd Independence celebrations…
The Role of African Central Banks in Promoting Sustainable Financing for Youth Climate Action By Dr. Richard Munang As the global community faces the urgent need to mitigate climate change and its impacts, green finance and sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly important. By leveraging financial services, we can develop and implement innovative solutions that promote…
By Elvis Dumba Banket – Various businesses have partnered with the government in the success stories in the agriculture sector with climate-proof agricultural practices – The Pfumvudza/Intwasa geared to improve household food security. The Pfumvudza/Intwasa program has seen the country able to export maize for humanitarian purposes after tonnes of grain were donated to Malawi…
By Wallace Mawire Touched by the devastating Tropical Cyclone Freddy which ravaged Malawi and killed many nationals of the Southern African country, including maiming many, Zimbabwe’s business sector is joining the rest of the global well-wishers to offer help and support to the troubled communities of the country. According to authorities as of 21 March…
Elizabeth Njoroge recounts her poverty-stricken upbringing in Ting’ang’a village in the Central part of Kenya, growing up on a diet heavy on Amaranth and pumpkin. The 45-year-old speaks about the shame of neighbours finding out the frequency with which her family consumed foods associated with poor and extremely food-insecure households. “Terere (Amaranth) grew just like weed….
A climate change expert has said COP 27 was unable to agree on the inclusion on the special needs and circumstances of Africa with the main challenge being that other developing nations are arguing on similarly being recognized for their special needs and priorities, mostly from Latin America. These were the sentiments of Dr. Mithika…
By John Wilson I am writing this on World Water Day, March 22nd. The UN’s tagline for the day is ‘Be the change. Every drop counts.’ This is very true. If we are going to return water cycles everywhere to what they used to be, then it will start with each one of us understanding…
By Patrice Talla – FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Lesotho This year we are celebrating the International Year of Millets. The year was endorsed by Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its Governing Bodies and declared at the 75th Session…
Climate change is impacting biodiversity and threatening the development of traditional medicine, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance has said. He was addressing a sitting of committees of the Pan-African Parliament at the precinct of the African Union’s lawmaking organ in Midrand South Africa that ran from the 6th…
The Pan African Parliament (PAP)’s Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment yesterday held deliberations on contributions from stakeholders on coming up with a model law on soil management. Hon Didier Molisho Sadi led the deliberations at the PAP Precincts in Midrand, South Africa where the legislative body is holding its Permanent Committee…
Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry yesterday met with the Secretary of State in the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection, Mr. Stefan Tidow at his offices in Berlin as part of the engagement and re-engagement drive. The Minister was accompanied by the…
By Aaron Charungwa Moyo Climate change has proved to be a hazard to animal health in Zimbabwe, Director of Veterinary Field Services, Dr. Jairus Machakwa has said. “Climate change is distorting the epidemiological picture of January disease as this disease used to be confined to high rainfall regions”, This sentiment is a testament to the…
Scientists at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Research and Extension Center seek to develop rice that is more resilient in the face of climate change and usable water depletion. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists Nick Bateman, associate professor and extension entomologist, and Stan De Guzman, assistant professor and rice breeder, have…
The biennial conference will convene African stakeholders in health, climate, and development to foster regional collaboration and create a unified position on climate action and health system resilience ahead of UNGA 78 and COP 28. When stakeholders in health, development, and climate convene in Kigali, Rwanda, for the fifth edition of The Africa Health Agenda…
By Elvis Dumba The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Hon Nomangiliso Ndlovu has called for the reduction of land pollution through sustainable waste management strategies Minister Ndlovu made the remarks during a press briefing on the commemoration of Africa Environment Day in Harare. “As Africa, we stand united, in an endeavour to…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Energy offer investor forum has roared to life in Harare today with stakeholders from various stakeholders converging to discuss the important issue. In his keynote address, while officially opening the forum, Hon Zhemu Soda, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, said the event gives is a platform where…
By Nhau Mangirazi Sometime in March last year, a climate change advocacy group set foot in the rural outskirts of Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge within Manicaland province. The refugee camp is situated about 420 km southeast of the capital Harare and was established in 1984. All for Climate Action, an organization that promotes action…
By Elvis Dumba Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Zimbabwe is completing the development of its national carbon credit framework which is expected to guide businesses, benefit communities and protect investors who wish to establish businesses in the country. Zimbabwe has vast opportunities for carbon trading in the energy sector through investments in solar, wind, mini-hydro, and…
Zimbabwe is committed to cooperation under the United Nations System, and to the adoption of international good practices and standards on road safety, Hon Felix Mhona, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development has said. He made the remarks on the occasion of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) Forum for Road Safety High-Level Event held…
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has taken note of the warnings issued by the Met Department and the Government’s Civil Protection Unit in relation to Cyclone Freddy, expected to hit the country today, and is warning authorities to evacuate students in risky areas. Although the cyclone has currently been downgraded to an overland…
As strong winds due to Severe Tropical Storm Freddy are anticipated in Chipinge and Chimanimani before spreading to Chiredzi, Bikita, Mwenezi as well as Beitbridge beginning this morning, the Zimbabwe Electricity and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is giving some precautionary measures to the public. Reports from the Meteorological Officer suggest that the weather will get progressively…
By Wallace Mawire CARE International has launched its partnership with the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Analysis Network (FANRPAN), in collaboration with its Zimbabwe Country Node Hosting Institution, the Agriculture Research Council (ARC), to implement activities under the Takunda program. Takunda seeks to promote sustainable, equitable, and resilient food, nutrition, and income security for the…
The regional conference bringing African leaders together in Zimbabwe for the first FAO regional workshop on National Water Roadmaps is meant to proffer solutions to the challenges of water availability and access. In his address read on his behalf by Dr. Anxious Masuku, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, President Emmerson…
In response to the earthquake disaster, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)’s Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, who is in Ankara, came together with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on 9 February 2023. Following the meeting, a joint press conference was held. Emphasizing that the devastation and suffering are above all considerations, Ertuğruloğlu said, “We are…
Political leaders, policymakers, civil society, health, and climate leaders convene in Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss health policies for Africa against a backdrop of global challenges, including climate change, food insecurity, conflict, and economic recession Stakeholders in health and development from all over the world will, from 5-8 March, assemble in Kigali, Rwanda, for the fifth…
By Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – Threats emanating from global warming are affecting weather patterns across the globe as they are being exacerbated by environmental polluters. Modernisation and technology have also contributed to environmental damage through pollution with vehicles being among the most pollution drivers. In its quest to ensure that vehicles on the country’s roads…
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Acting Deputy Executive Director, and Director of Corporate Services Ms. Sonja Leighton-Kone will visit Zimbabwe from 06 to 11 February 2023. During her visit, Ms. Leighton-Kone will meet with His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa; and other senior Government officials including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Minister of…
A handover of vehicles to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development by the European Union (EU) under the Zimbabwe Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Services (ZAKIS) project will bridge mobility gaps in the sector. In his speech, read today by Chief Director for Irrigation for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water…
By Charles Dhewa That Climate Change and Food Sovereignty are defining issues of our time is no longer debatable. It follows wherever elections are done across the world, from local councilor to President, leaders should be voted on the basis of their plans to tackle climate change and food sovereignty. It is good that climate…
Climate change is making it harder to grow enough nutritious food, but a unique programme is training African scientists in harnessing cutting-edge breeding tools to adapt agriculture to new threats. The African Plant Breeding Academy, a programme for top plant breeders to upgrade their skills in advanced crop breeding, is training 11 doctorate-level scientists from…
Carbon offsetting is a popular strategy for individuals and companies looking to offset their carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change. One way to do this is through planting forests or trees. While this approach has its benefits, it also has its drawbacks Forest carbon offsets and REDD+ can help reduce deforestation and…
By NJ Ayukn (Executive Director, African Energy Chamber) The renewable energy company that Al Jaber leads, Masdar, is a model of the important role the petroleum industry can take in moving the world closer to widespread renewable energy usage The backlash in recent days about the selection of Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the…
Entries are open for the 2023 Ashden Awards. The eight awards announced today will supercharge climate innovation creating a fairer future, particularly widening access to clean energy. The awards are seeking trailblazing, empowering initiatives in low-income countries and the UK. There are five awards open to African organisations, with one focused purely on solutions from the…
Nestlé has unveiled the Nescafé́ Plan 2030 to help drive regenerative agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve farmer livelihoods. Every year, Nescafé supports around 100,000 coffee farmers and buys more than 800,000 metric tons of green coffee – that’s more than 13 million bags from more than 20 countries. This carefully measured feat would…
The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize to discover, accelerate, and scale ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet, has begun its 2023 search for breakthrough solutions to solve the globe’s biggest environmental challenges. MultiChoice (www.MultiChoice.com), the official African broadcast partner and member of The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance, is issuing a call for…
The outgoing United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe Resident Representative Ms Mia Seppo yesterday bade farewell to the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu in Harare. The Minister appreciated the support that the UNDP Zimbabwe country office gave during the time of Ms Mia Seppo on various national development…
By Elvis Dumba Nyabira, Zvimba – The First Lady, Dr. Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has called for investment in waste management to ensure a cleaner environment. The First Lady, who is the country’s patron for the environment, was in Nyabira for the monthly national clean-up day where she led a waste cleaning and tree planting exercise….
