The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) signed its first cooperation agreement with the EMEA division of Invesco focused on an investment strategy in the climate adaptation space. The agreement, expected to become fully operational at COP27, is specifically targeted at exploring a blended finance strategy that aims to increase adaptation investment in developing markets. The…
High-level European and African energy stakeholders united to discuss the potential of Africa’s hydrocarbon and renewable resources to help attain global energy security As the European Union (EU) restructures its plans for energy security in light of shifting geopolitical realities, the Africa-Europe Roundtable – organized on the first day of African Energy Week 2022…
By Nhau Mangirazi There is a need for sound communication as it remains key to climate change mitigation and disaster management on environmental issues affecting communities. According to National Environment Action Plan, (NEAP), the impacts of pending disasters can be significantly reduced if there are sound communication platforms. The 72-page document that is under scrutiny…
“This funding will help ACRA address resistance to change with regards to the implementation of environmentally sustainable natural refrigerants, support the academy in becoming a centre of excellence in Africa as well as further develop food security by maintaining the cold chain,” Mr. Grant Laidlaw, ACRA Managing Director at the project launch on 14 October…
By Nhau Mangirazi Hurungwe – National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) must recognize wetlands as the mainstay of water bodies, helping communities and biodiversity. Karoi Residents Trust (Karest) director, Travo Chiwanga said there is a need for local authorities to protect the wetlands in rural, towns, municipalities, and cities in the country. Of late, a majority of…
Hon. Mangaliso Ndhlovu, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has called on stakeholders to address the challenge of biodiversity that is presently being lost at unprecedented rates largely due to human-driven activities and the impact of climate change. He made the call during a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the Convention on Biological…
By Hillary Munedzi The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has underscored the critical importance of mainstreaming biodiversity across agriculture sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There were calls to place emphasis on SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, SDG 13 on climate change,…
By Zachary Makanya Many of us have been cautioning Kenyans not to embrace GMOs for a long time and we thought our reasons were clear to all. We were very happy that the Government of His Excellency Hon Mwai Kibaki listened and respected the wishes of the Kenyan farmers and consumers to ban the commercialization…
Zimbabwe is making substantial achievements in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) treaty whose three main objectives are the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. This was revealed…
By Sowell Chikwari Industry and agriculture sectors have been urged to optimise resources by adopting clean energy solutions as a panacea to the power crisis which has paralyzed large-scale industrial operations and commercial farming. In an agro-based economy experiencing acute power challenges, renewable energy-powered irrigation infrastructure is crucial for agricultural productivity. Zimbabwe has average solar…
Distributed Power Africa (DPA), a subsidiary of Cassava Technologies, and a French multinational power utility firm Électricité de France (EDF), have clinched a deal to construct a 4 megawatt (MW) solar plant in Kenya. The two companies, which co-own DPA Kenya, on Thursday signed an agreement with the Devki Group to provide renewable energy solutions…
By Nhau Mangirazi Illegal farm brick moulding is affecting the environment and water bodies which will have a great impact on sustainable development and water management. These were some key issues submitted during National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) consultative meeting in Hurungwe. Hurungwe rural district official, Obey Makupo, suggested that brick moulding is affecting the…
The Ministers responsible for coordinating matters of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area ( KAZA TFCA) from Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and Botswana met in Katima Mulilo, Namibia yesterday the 13th of October 2022. The Zimbabwean Minister Hon Ngobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu was represented by his Deputy Minister Hon Barbara Rwodzi. They met to reflect on how…
By Nhau Mangirazi HURUNGWE – Zimbabwe must have modalities for protecting the environment from harmful chemical spillage along the Harare-Chirundu highway. This came out during the National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) consultative meeting in Hurungwe where participants said the chemicals are dangerous to humans, wildlife, and the environment. Albert Sande from Kariba Redd (Carbon Green…
The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry for Zimbabwe, Hon. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu today officiated at two tree-planting events on the sidelines of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which were hosted by Insukamini and Hugh Beadle Primary Schools in Bulawayo. “My coming here at Insukamini highlights the importance of planting trees. Even though…
Caroline O’Doherty A cocktail of conflict, climate change and Covid has brought “catastrophic” food shortages to 44 countries. Almost one billion people across the world are going hungry, at levels categorised as “alarming” in nine countries and “serious” in 34 others. Experts are warning the situation could “significantly worsen” next year if current pressures continue….
Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their habitats. As part of the world’s ecosystems, wildlife provides balance and stability to natural processes. Zimbabwe is at the heart of conserving wildlife. Yesterday there was a meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (COSO) for Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA…
By Hillary Munedzi Zimbabwe’s forests are arguably the mainstay of tourism, especially in protected areas, which would in turn create jobs in rural areas, diversify and produce finished products that will improve environmental resilience in the face of climate change. Speaking during the COMESA’s all-stakeholder climate meeting, Mr. Abedinigo Marufu, the Forestry Commission Zimbabwe director-general,…
By International Crisis Group Climate change is increasing the risk of conflict across the Horn of Africa. Intensified droughts and floods render land unusable, force people from their homes and compel them to compete for resources. They also raise the stakes in transboundary water disputes. The climate-conflict link is evident in Kenya, where four consecutive…
Amid calls to preserve the natural ecosystem and ensure safety measures against veld fires to avoid the loss of lives and valuables, Firefight Trust (NGO) Director, Willson Chimwedzi, has said there is a need to train farmers in fire management. “In recent years, agriculture in Zimbabwe has been adversely affected by poor tillage due to…
Climate justice organizations and groups in Africa have launched a platform dubbed “Africa Vuka #Road2COP” (https://bit.ly/3TgpmZG) to highlight climate stories, campaigns, and calls for climate solutions on the road to COP 27 in Egypt. The platform will showcase a variety of campaigns from across the continent advocating for real climate justice and a fossil-free Africa…
By Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Integrative and inclusive investment project planning at the transboundary and regional levels is critical in the response to challenges and catalysing development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This was one of the key issues raised at the transboundary water management session convened by the Lesotho ICM…
By Hillary Munedzi As developed countries fail to meet their pledges in relation to climate and development finance, women in Africa have suffered more and have been forced to invest more time in meeting family needs. The continent relies heavily on natural resources and rain-fed agriculture. This calls for urgency in meeting commitments to climate…
President of the African Development Bank Group (http://www.AfDB.org) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina says civil society organizations are essential partners in the Bank’s effort to build the continent’s resilience to climate change. Addressing the opening plenary of the 2022 Civil Society Forum on Thursday in the Ivorian economic capital, Abidjan, Adesina highlighted the African Development Fund’s Climate…
The AFC Insurance Company has now accelerated the provision of various short-term insurance products through a rapid expansion strategy across the country. The recently licensed entity has already made significant headway towards ensuring that insurance cover is made available to millions of households across the country, with a deliberate focus on agriculture insurance, in a…
While African countries strongly support global climate ambitions, the question of who must bear the social and economic costs associated with the world’s energy transition is of global significance, Mr. Nesbert Samu, the Chief Director of Parliamentary Programmes in the Parliament of Zimbabwe has said. Mr. Samu made the remarks during the Common Market for…
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is holding a Regional Preparatory Workshop of the Twenty-Seventh Conference of Parties (COP27) to be held in Egypt. Held in Zimbabwe, the regional meeting is deliberating on the key issues related to the upcoming COP27. In his welcome remarks, Hon Mangaliso Ndhovu, the Minister of Environment,…
By Emily Barone The African continent is no stranger to famine. In the 1970s and ‘80s, countries across the Sahel plunged into a drought-induced food crisis. In the mid-80s, an estimated one million people died from food shortages in Ethiopia. Somalia faced widespread famine in the ‘90s. Both those countries, along with neighboring East African…
By Dr. Richard Munang The world is on a red alert, and the planetary emergencies are getting worse. #climateChange, #biodiversity loss and #pollution and #waste are weighing down on us. # Africa’s contribution to the #climate stability of the world needs to be fronted. We must change the narrative from #Africa being victims of #climatechange requiring help to Africa alone to now front the truth, which is…
Lilian Gakuhi, an environmentalist from Kenya joined other champions in a roadshow to demand climate reparations, loss, and damage finance as an advocacy for climate justice. “As environmentalists, climate activists, and climate champions we can use our voices to speak for climate justice, nature, and communities existing with nature. I had a great opportunity to…
Stakeholders today gathered for a Preparatory Workshop for the Twenty-Seventh Conference of Parties (COP27) which is organised almost every year by the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) that will take place in Sharm El Sheikh in the Republic of Egypt from the 6th to the 18th of November 2022. Hon Mangaliso Ndhovu, the…
By Dr. Richard Munang What we see is that globally, while regulatory compliance/mandatory carbon markets are estimated to be worth about $261billion, the voluntary market is estimated at $400million. We see from the onset that the “voluntary” nature of the voluntary market makes it a “hard sell” globally, not just in Africa. Furthermore, for Africa, which…
By Elvis Dumba Raffingora – Irrigation equipment worth US39 000 and 45 hectares of ready-to-harvest wheat were destroyed as a result of a runaway veld fire at Dalston Farm near Raffingora. The fire also rendered some Zvimba families homeless and without food after destroying homes. A man in Zvimba North Constituency who was clearing his…
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), the Joint Management Board met on 30 September 2022 to discuss various issues related to the collaborative management of this important cross-border conservation area. The in-person meeting was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, and attended by Ms. Celmira da Silva, the…
By Baboloki Semele Egypt’s COP27 Presidency set out its vision for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place in Egypt’s coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh from November 7th to the 18th. The aim is to make COP27 an implementation COP by urging action across prior agreements through all areas of climate change need…
Irrigated land has accounted for 85 percent of the increase in global cropping area over the past decade, according to Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Dr. Qu said droughts and associated water shortages around the world this year have underscored the importance of finding solutions to…
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity on the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2022 held on 27 September 2022 has said tourism stands in a unique position to significantly contribute to the reversal of biodiversity loss. “The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “rethinking tourism”, and…
By Alliance for Food Security in Africa (AFSA) Africa’s small-scale farmers risk being disregarded and shut out at international climate negotiations (COP27) in Egypt this November, warns Africa’s largest civil society movement, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa. AFSA represents over 200 million small-scale farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, and indigenous peoples. The warning comes after…
Zimbabwe launched the My Food is African campaign at the National Seed Fair which was graced by the Guest of Honour, Dr. George Kembo, the Director-General of the Government’s Food and Nutrition Council (FNC). Zimbabwe’s National Seed Fair is hosted by the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP), which the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe…
The Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) has demonstrated its commitment to providing renewable energy and implementing green initiatives when it installed a 300 KVA solar plant at the Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre. The solar plant generates 0.3 MW of solar power for the hotel and has become the main souce of power ahead of the…
By Baboloki Semele Gaborone, Botswana – The warning lights are flashing on high: armed conflict, climate-related emergencies, economic hardship and political obstacles are leading to a growing wave of hunger in countries around the world. The misery for millions will deepen without immediate urgent action, warns the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent…
The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu has said the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) blueprint prioritizes a sustainable environment, tourism, and climate resilience, which anchor and underpin economic revival growth. He made the remarks at Leopard Rock Hotel in Vumba during the ministry’s strategic planning workshop meant to enhance…
The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2022, third year in running, hosted over 100 ranger organisations from more than 20 African countries for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 21km half marathon on 17 September, including elite field rangers from Zimbabwe. The Conservative and Wildlife Fund (CWF) and Painted Dog Conservation joined rangers around the pan-African Wildlife Ranger…
The Joshua Generation International Network (TJGIN) is embracing joint-venture partnerships in its programming in order to guard against shortcomings associated with dealing with individuals in its quest to promote youth empowerment and economic development for young people globally. This was revealed in Zimbabwe’s eastern border town of Chipinge yesterday by Pastor Xavier Mzembi, one of…
By Nhau Mangirazi KAROI – Some Karoi officials from Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services have raised their concerns over toxic smoke from a nearby dumpsite that is choking Ward 5 residents. It is affecting the officers and inmates. Air pollution is a health hazard concern according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Speaking in an…
