By Nomatter Mubhawu (29) My name is Nomatter Mubhawu. I am 29 years old and I’m from Chinyika village in Gutu district in Masvingo province. Farming is something I have always enjoyed from a tender age. When I completed my studies I stayed home to farm. I didn’t chase other dreams or leave my home…
By Mutuso Dhliwayo (ZELA Executive Director) 22 December 2022 Dear Partners, Stakeholders, and Donors RE: Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Executive Director’s End-of-Year Message As 2022 comes to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support. The success of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is based…
By Baboloki Semele It is no doubt, the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate change have all hampered Africa’s progress toward meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reports indicate that with 2030 less than 8 years away, most African countries are struggling to meet the SDG targets, and without renewed efforts, nearly 492…
The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is currently underway in Montreal Quebec, Canada. This is an international meeting bringing together governments from around the world focusing on protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss around the world. The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Hon Nqobizitha…
The African Development Bank (www.AFDB.org) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), have launched a regional report on the performance of African countries under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (https://bit.ly/3Wi56by). The report highlights the important role that multilateral development banks can play in meeting biodiversity targets by providing advisory services, capacity building, market research, and linkages with…
Central to achieving climate change mitigation and adaptation is the issue of access to climate finance from the private sector, stakeholders at the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) meeting reckon. The sentiments came to the fore today during the COMESA Regional Meeting on Private Sector Climate Finance Investment Mobilization in Harare today….
The Sprout Women Empowerment Trust (SWET) hosted a successful Food, Seed, and Cultural Fair with the support of the Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre on Monday. Caroline Mutimbanyoka, the Director of SWET told Spiked Online Media that the seed fair had many benefits for women who constitute the majority of the labour force in the agricultural sector….
The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) is implementing 5 Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) pilot projects in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Madagascar, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zimbabwe with funding from the European Union (EU) under the Intra-ACP (Organisation of Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States) and the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+)…
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Fund), a Joint Programme by the Government of Zimbabwe and the UN Country Team, launched in Harare today, is meant to accelerate investments in climate change mitigation and sustainable energy projects. In his official address during the launch, Hon Zhemu Soda, the Minister of Energy and Power Development…
The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira was one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural “Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Economic Forum” organised by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) and hosted by the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco. The gathering was held on 7 and 8…
On December 3rd, 2022 in Agadir, the 6th edition of the African Forum of Territorial Managers and Training Institutes targeting Local Governments (FAMI6_2022) came to an end. Download document: https://bit.ly/3HbJidl The Forum was held over 6 days, from November 28th to December 03rd, 2022 at the Training Center of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Ibn…
Ecoethics Global Movement, a non-governmental organization founded by US-based young climate activist, Madhvi Chittoor, on Saturday spearheaded an awareness tree planting programme that incorporated persons with disabilities. The International Day for Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on the 3rd of December on annual basis and this merely coincides with Tree Planting Day which is commemorated…
By Tafadzwa Muranganwa There are calls to amend the Seeds Act to promote community seed systems that are resilient to climate change. This was heard recently at an agroecology media training organised by Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe, recently. A community seed company, Champion Farmer Seeds, has revealed that there are many hurdles…
By Nhau Mangirazi in Cape Town, South Africa Shehzad Joomun, a journalist from Mauritius is suffering from emotional pressure affecting communities against the effects of climate change that has resulted in property damages, food insecurity, and health challenges in his home country. Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometers off…
The MultiChoice Group, an official African media broadcast partner for The Earthshot Prize, will air the prestigious competition’s annual awards ceremony which will be filmed on Friday, 2 December at the MGM Music Hall in Boston, United States. Award-winning broadcaster, podcaster, and television presenter Clara Amfo returns for a second year to co-host the awards alongside actor, producer…
By David Kamau and Peiman Milani The world is facing a global food crisis like none other, with food prices at historic highs, supply chains disrupted by war and disease, and climate change threatening harvests in virtually all geographies. Global food insecurity is rising so rapidly that hunger pushes one child per minute into severe malnutrition and in 2021, up to 828…
As Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) joins the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), it expressed concern over the increase in the vice within the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. The annual campaign begins on 25 November and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December. ZELA…
David Thomas, Editor, African Business Magazine The Cop27 climate summit at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt closed earlier this week with a flagship agreement among richer countries to fund a “loss and damage” fund for vulnerable nations hit by climate change. The announcement is an important victory for Africa, as Mohamed Adow, executive director at climate action organisation Power…
The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 closed on 20 November with a breakthrough agreement to provide “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters. “This outcome moves us forward,” said Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary. “We have determined a way forward on a decades-long conversation on funding for…
Parties agree to historic loss and damage fund at COP27 to support developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change Paris Agreement remains intact – no backsliding or backtracking as commitments reaffirmed and strengthened despite global headwinds Progress achieved across the board at climate change talks and 1.5°C goal still…
Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his speech at the conclusion of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh urged stakeholders to play their various roles in addressing the climate change crisis. He thanked the Egyptian government and COP27 President Sameh Shoukry – for their hospitality and recognized Simon Stiell and the United Nations…
The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions took stock of the contribution of non-State actors at COP27 with their closing event – COP27 Action Agenda: Progress & Priorities – wrapping-up a two week programme of over 50 events. This included the launch of the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, a number of major African-led initiatives to cut emissions and build…
Zimbabwe is making its voice heard as it is aligned with the African Group position led by Zambia on calling for the recognition of Africa’s special circumstances and needs. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry for Zimbabwe, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, said that Africa is a continent plagued by complex overlapping challenges…
The Egypt COP27 Presidency launched four solution-centered initiatives on the last day of COP27s’ thematic day. The initiatives launched in relation to climate solutions, provide complimentary pathways to enhance global climate action and ensure that countries are able to fulfill their NDCs and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Friends of Greening National Investment…
Research organisations based in Kenya are fast-tracking a joint deal to introduce new technologies that would produce maize varieties that are tolerant to the spread of the Fall Army Worm (FAW). Leveraging the knowledge of the Mexico-based International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CiMMYT), scientists argue that the initiatives will boost food security in Kenya…
In an important injection of support to countries facing the worst effects of climate change, seven donor governments pledged new funding for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) during the COP27 climate summit and several others backed the funds’ ambitious goals for meeting the most urgent adaptation needs. Announcing a total of $105.6…
Germany has committed €40 million to the African Development Bank Group’s (http://www.AfDB.org) Climate Action Window (http://bit.ly/3TJVww8), German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Jochen Flasbarth has announced. The contribution is to support climate adaptation in fragile African states. Flasbarth made the announcement during a ministerial panel for climate-vulnerable countries and champions of adaptation finance…
The Minister of Environment Climate Tourism and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu is lobbying for the inclusion of local communities as an important part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) decision-making processes. He revealed this at the 19th meeting of the Conference of the…
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has reiterated its commitment to work with civil society organisations to promote the continent’s climate change agenda and call for climate Justice for the citizens of Africa. This was the message delivered by H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP, during the Civil Society Event organised under the auspices of…
Egypt’s COP27 Presidency, in partnership with World Meteorological Organization (WMO), launched AWARe (Action on Water Adaptation or Resilience), an initiative that will champion inclusive cooperation to address water-related challenges and solutions across climate change adaptation. AWARe aims at contributing to a successful outcome at the 2023 UN Conference on Water and it brings together the…
Women remain underrepresented in climate governance and debates, and the COP27 Gender Thematic Day brought together women leading climate at national, regional, and the global community level, to discuss matters of gender within the climate agenda. Women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the adverse impacts created by climate change. It was highlighted that…
The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira attended an African Union (AU) High-Level Ministerial Dinner on the implementation of the Green Recovery Action Plan (AU GRAP) 2021-2027, adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2022. The event took place on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th annual Conference…
Egypt’s COP27 Presidency and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation or FAST, at COP27 yesterday. The new initiative will increase climate finance contributions for agriculture and food systems to support the most vulnerable communities. FAST will reimagine agrifood systems to deliver triple wins for people, climate action, and nature….
COP27’s thematic day dedicated to Decarbonization called for urgent action to reduce emissions across the industry with a specific focus on the most carbon-intensive sectors including steel, oil, gas, and fertilizers. The agenda featured several sessions that launched initiatives including the Sharm El Sheikh Methane Reduction Roadmap and East Mediterranean Gas Forum decarbonization initiative. “The…
Sowell Chikwari A leading energy and power development firm, Power Giants Southern and East Africa has received yet another feather in its cap after clinching a prestigious accolade – The best Innovative Electrical Engineering Company in Renewable Energy and Electrical Engineering at The Annual National Iconic Entrepreneurs Awards held in Harare yesterday. The vibrant and…
On 8 November 2022, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and 1Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre launched the first phase of a project to establish a major green hydrogen plant in Egypt’s Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea. President El-Sisi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre launched on Tuesday the first phase of a project…
During the ongoing COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt yesterday, Zimbabwe launched the Climate Change Gender Action Plan as parties have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes. Speaking during the launch, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium…
The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Department of State Office of Global Partnerships partnered to scale up and support access to finance for small businesses in developing countries working towards the low-carbon transition. Small businesses make up 90% of companies worldwide and account for the bulk of emissions along the supply chains of big…
Yesterday, the first ever Children and Youth Pavilion in the history of climate conferences opened at COP27, contributing to further visibility, engagement, and empowerment of voices of children and youth networks, and fostering their inclusion in the global climate conversation and policy making. Attendees included: Dr. Omnia El Omrani, COP27 Presidency’s Youth Envoy, Kate Hampton,…
Global leaders on Tuesday rallied around climate adaptation for Africa. They attended the Africa Adaptation Leaders’ Event, convened by African Union Chair President Macky Sall of Senegal, Global Center on Adaptation CEO Patrick Verkooijen, and African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina. The event took place at the global climate summit (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh,…
AFC Holdings, partnered with a consortium of insurance companies and the Government of Zimbabwe to run a pilot project on Area Yield Index Insurance for farmers who received Pfumvudza inputs in the 2021/2022 Season in Rushinga and Mwenezi districts. The project was monitored and evaluated through the assistance of PULA, a technical advisor on Area…
Carbon markets offer an incredible opportunity to unlock billions for the climate finance needs of African economies while expanding energy access, creating jobs, protecting biodiversity, and driving climate action. However, Africa currently produces only a tiny percentage of its carbon credit potential. Led by a thirteen-member steering committee of African leaders, CEOs, and carbon credit…
The availability of early warning systems saves vulnerable communities from climate disasters, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has said. He delivered the remarks at the launch of the Early Warnings for All Executive Action Plan Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. As it stands, he said vulnerable communities in climate hotspots are being…
As Planet Earth is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned stakeholders including world leaders against putting the phenomenon on the back burner. He made the remarks today at the high-level opening of the COP27 Climate Implementation Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The Secretary-General said…
By Nhau Mangirazi The government has been challenged to consult widely communities most affected by human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) before the endorsement of funding compensation announced by the cabinet last week. Members of Parliament whose constituencies are affected called for community input before endorsement of the funding. Mbire Member of Parliament Douglas Karoro said his constituency…
