Climate
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JICA promoting agriculture development in Africa
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA’s policy for agriculture development in Africa is transforming the continent in the promotion of food and nutrition security. In his address during a plenary session at the ongoing 14th Africa Day on Food and Nutrition Security and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP…
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Empowering Farmers: A Step Towards Sustainable Agriculture in Mutoko District
Own Correspondent In the heart of Zimbabwe’s Mutoko District, a group of dedicated farmers is revolutionising the agricultural landscape. Through their hard work and determination, members of the Dorowera Irrigation Scheme in Ward 6 have found a sustainable livelihood and avoided urban vices. Tinotenda Musowenyama (27) is one such young man, along with his wife…
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Fusion developer hits world-first independently verified generation milestone
Fusion energy specialist, ENG8, has demonstrated an electrical energy output five times greater than the energy used in this ground-breaking, independent validation at Culham Innovation Centre in Oxfordshire, one of the top five leading fusion centres in the world, and home to the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority. During each of the three tests, lasting approximately…
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Regulations and yields threaten global arable profitability
Global arable farm profits have reached record levels over the last year, but European performance is being impacted by new regulations, while there is also a worrying decline in African yields meaning the continent must expand its farmland if it is to feed its growing population. These were some of the findings from the Agri…
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Indian-based horticulture seed manufacturing company to set base in Mashonaland West
Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – An international agriculture company has been attracted to the country by Zimbabwe’s favourable climatic conditions and investment environment. Right Seeds, an Indian-based horticulture seed manufacturing company intends to set a base in the country. This was revealed by Right Seeds Company Indian Director, Annirudha Tinali, when he led local and…
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Fossil fuel, mining, and extractive industry expansion threaten remaining tropical forests
Indigenous and civil society organizations hold press conference calling on world leaders gathering at the Summit of the Three Basins this week to commit to protecting tropical forests in these critical basins and to scale up rights-based legal protections We are at a critical juncture in the nature crisis: the science is unambiguous about the…
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Sir John Kennedy Primary School’s environmental club bears fruits
Writes Chimeno Azriel The introduction of Environmental Clubs is benefitting educational institutions like Kadoma-based Sir John Kennedy Primary which joined the Head of State and Government, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa during the 2023 edition of the Harare Agricultural Show where it scooped the best stand award for the schools category. The impacts of climate…
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Communication and advocacy spurs uptake of genome editing
MOMBASA, KENYA – Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) director for programme development and commercialization has urged proper communication and advocacy to influence the adoption of biotechnology and complementary innovative technologies like genome editing so as to catalyse productivity transformation and improve food system resilience in Africa. He made the remarks in…
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Scientists call for Africa to adopt gene editing for success of agriculture
MOMBASA, KENYA – Scientists attending the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) strategic meeting on gene editing in Mombasa, Kenya have called for muti-stakeholder collaboration to ensure the success of the biotechnology meant to ensure food and nutrition security in Africa. In her presentation, Dr. Florence Wambugu, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Harvest, said gene…
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Zimbabwe to host SDGs Conference with Vision 2030 under the spotlight
All is set for Zimbabwe’s first Annual SDGs Conference, signaling the start of a 7-year sprint to national, continental, and global acceleration of the delivery of the country’s blueprint (NDS1), sustainable development goals, and the Agenda 2063 as well as Vision 2030. This first annual event conference is to show a significant milestone in which…
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New digital tool being built to help farmers do better forecasts
A team of researchers have embarked on a new study in which they will develop a digital tool to help farmers conduct forecasts to enable them to make informed decisions on when to plant and make other decisions on the farm. The researchers who are led by scientists at the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)…
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Why African farming communities are fed up with African politics
Writes Charles Dhewa Partisan politics has made it difficult for African countries to unlock value from natural resources such as land, water, and favorable climate. Otherwise, farming communities would be living more fulfilling lives than urban dwellers. In spite of resources being spent on sending children to school, African politics does not provide space for…
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Multi-stakeholder collaboration ensured effective Idai disaster risk reduction
Multi-stakeholder collaboration ensured the success of the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Programme, a senior United Nations official has said. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallons made the remarks virtually that were delivered at the end of the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Programme Event held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. He reiterated UN partnerships…
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African Renaissance Sustainable Development publication to spotlight green economy
Renowned philanthropist, and avid student of environmental issues focusing on climate change resilience, Nehemiah Chipato is set to launch a second publication on the green economy ahead of COP28 to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Chipato, who is the founder of African Renaissance Sustainable Development has organised annual climate change events around the…
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Grain Swap project launched
Staff Reporter Mola, Kariba District – As the climate change-induced weather patterns threaten to affect food security, the government has put in place measures to ensure that communities in drought-prone areas have adequate food. Mashonaland West Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo today launched the Grain Swap Program at…
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Stakeholders call for gender-sensitive approaches to disaster risk reduction
Stakeholders are calling for gender-sensitive approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery strategies, and natural disaster assistance in pursuit of sustainable development. This came to the fore today during a workshop titled ‘Gender and Disaster Risk Management’ a topical subject since the climate is changing and affecting everyone worldwide. Addressing delegates, Hon Monica Mutsvangwa, the…
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National Seed Fair breathes life into long-lost millet varieties
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By Lloyd Rabaya As the Green Stars traditional dance group was dishing out their transcendent performance of the Mbakumba dance, the unmitigated crowd’s cheerful plaudits with the golden dust going straight to the skies marked the permanent return of a lost hope. Since time immemorial in Zimbabwe, different occasions called for different dances, which vary…
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Africa, global south should act now on disaster risks reduction
Dr. Tendai Mhizha, the Secretary-General of the Health Harm Reduction Conference has urged the Global South, with a particular focus on the African continent, to take appropriate action to address challenges hindering sustainable development. She made the remarks during the second edition of the African and first edition of the South-South Health Harm Reduction Conference…
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Food security a top priority for Morocco, Africa’s future
Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, has said food and health security and sovereignty are at the heart of Morocco’s political and economic concerns with a continental vision. The importance of the orientation of the food systems and their agri-food value chains that Morocco is developing towards…
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Estimating emissions accurately essential for effective mitigation and management strategies
Writes Baboloki Semele Methane emissions contribute to climate change and air pollution and are thus a major environmental concern. This was revealed by programme manager of solid waste management and circular economy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in India, Richa Singh during a live discussion on CSE’s new report named ‘Methane Emissions…
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Carbon credits are a hoax: Climate Activists
By Lloyd Rabaya The government of Zimbabwe in May introduced a national carbon credit framework that is allegedly meant to oversee carbon trading as the much-hyped global initiative helps in mitigating the effects of climate change. Last month, the government also put in place Statutory Instrument (SI) 150 of 2023, which is meant to regulate…
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Disaster preparedness key in addressing health emergencies
Healthcare systems should prepare proactively in cases of natural disasters, Dr. Katlego Mothudi, the Managing Director at the Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa (BHF) has said. He made the remarks today during the second edition of the African Conference on Risk Reduction that is taking place from September 27 to 29, 2023, in…
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Agriculture insurance a wake up call as climate change takes toll
Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – The agriculture sector is facing a huge challenge due to the ever-changing weather patterns as a result of climate change. Zimbabwean farmers involved in various agriculture sectors have not been spared from the effects of climate change with threats of another poor rainy season due to the expected El-Nino weather…
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Government intensifies climate-smart agriculture as El-Nino looms
Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – The government has put in place mechanisms to counter the effect of the predicted El-Nino weather phenomenon that is expected to affect the 2023-24 agriculture season. The government has intensified the climate-smart agriculture program, Pfumvudza/Intwasa by deploying senior government officials to the country’s districts. This was revealed by Professor Obert…
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Parliamentarians have a mammoth task of contributing to climate action
The recent Africa Climate Summit, through the Parliamentarians Dialogue that was held on 4 and 6 September 2023 revealed the role and potential contribution of parliaments to climate action. It also served as a platform for parliamentarians to discuss various implementation pathways from the perspective of legislatures for the delivery of the commitments made during…
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National Biodiversity Economy report launched
The National Biodiversity Economy report was launched in Harare today. The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry with support from the African Wildlife Foundation commissioned a National Biodiversity Economy study on the 15th of June 2021 to provide insight into the contribution of biodiversity to the economy of Zimbabwe and inform a planning…
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More sorghum varieties developed to resist climate change
Below the slopes of Nandi Hills in Kibos are fields richly covered with sugarcane, maize and sorghum and other crops. Thirty farmers are walking around a sorghum field with different accessions or groups of sorghum and filling out forms. From one section of the field to the other, the farmers observe the sorghum plants and…
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How Can We Use AI to Address Global Challenges Like Climate Change?
Writes Bernard Marr As climate change continues to pose an enormous threat to our planet, we must explore innovative solutions that can help mitigate its impact. One of the most promising tools in our arsenal is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to revolutionize our approach to addressing global challenges. Let’s take a look…
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Initiatives to use biotechnology for adaptation: Climate change in Zimbabwe
Writes Dr. Deckster Tony Savadye, CEO and Registrar of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, like any other country in the world, has experienced climate change. The country has been experiencing frequent droughts, the emergence of new diseases and pests, and also increase in temperatures. The adverse effects of climate change have therefore affected…
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Nairobi Declaration seals Africa Climate Summit: Leaders pursuing green and inclusive growth
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: After three days of extensive deliberations around the devastating impacts of Climate Change across the continent and globally, African political and business leaders in Kenya have adopted the Nairobi Declaration to raise US$23 billion for green growth, mitigation and adaptation to address climate challenges in Africa. The declaration was announced…
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COP28 President-Designate urges real and actionable commitments to address climate change
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has called on leaders from both the public and private sectors to go to COP28 with real and actionable commitments to address climate change. Speaking on the margins of Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya, Al Jaber noted that the globe needs to rapidly…
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Nearly US$3 trillion needed to implement Africa’s NDCs
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: Nearly US$3 trillion is needed to implement Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This figure was discussed at the eleventh Conference on Climate Change and African Development (CCDA11) during a session on climate finance, moderated by Harsen Nyambe of the African Union Commission. There is a substantial financial gap in climate…
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Africa urged to accelerate climate action and ensure a just transition
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: 07 September 2023: The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Acting Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro has challenged African leaders to accelerate climate action through effective strategies to ensure a just transition. Mr. Pedro said this in his closing remarks during the three-day 11th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa…
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Africa missed opportunity to turn tables on climate crisis: ActionAid
Africa has lost an opportunity to call out climate injustice and stop fossil fuel pollution, says ActionAid International as the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi ended. As governments, multilateral organisations, private sector players, and civil society from across Africa end their meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, for the 2023 Africa Climate Week and the summit, ActionAid…
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COMESA Climate Change Programme holds GEF-CBIT Project Steering Committee for ETF
The COMESA Climate Change Programme held its inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Capacity Building Initiative for enhanced Transparency (COMESA-CBIT) Project that is supporting 4 COMESA Member States (Eritrea, Comoros, Seychelles and Zambia) capacity for enhanced transparency in climate change Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) as defined in…
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New maps show EACOP fossil fuel mega-project has a far larger footprint than previously estimated
East African Civil Society Organizations challenge the proposed project at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi this week NAIROBI (September 5, 2023) — As the Africa Climate Summit concludes tomorrow, plans for the largest new oil infrastructure projects on the continent continue unabated, despite alarms from civil society, global observers, and investors alike. The East Africa…
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Africa Climate Summit: “Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy” a catalyst for industrialisation
Nairobi, Kenya — September 5, 2023 — The African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Open Society Foundation, has successfully concluded a high-level dialogue session at the Africa Climate Summit 2023. This significant event, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together…
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Scale up private capital aligned to SDGs, Paris Agreement: French minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou
French minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, in her address to the media at the Africa Climate Week, emphasised the need to scale up private capital aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. She said there is a need to maintain the strong political momentum for climate action and global financial system reform.…
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Africa Climate Week commences, Charting a Fresh Course for Climate Action
Writes Baboloki Semele 06 August 2023, Nairobi, Kenya: The urgency of climate change is undeniable, and the stakes have never been higher. Against this backdrop, Africa Climate Week 2023 emerged as a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, from the 4th to the 8th of September 2023, the Africa Climate…
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Africa Climate Summit Launches Official Event App
The inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) secretariat has launched the official Africa Climate Summit App ahead of the events from the 4th – 6th September this year. The app is designed to provide an immersive experience for attendees and the general public alike before, during, and after the summit. The App, available for download on…
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Africa’s climate leadership, a welcome battering ram
Wanjira Mathai – Managing Director for Global Partnerships and Africa, World Resources Institute This is the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, we are coming together to chart a common narrative and pathway of our position on the climate crisis, which must be grounded in justice for our people. We must seize our chance to transform people’s…
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ACS23 ready to tackle Africa’s climate issues
Writes Marlvin Ngiza The Africa Climate Summit 2023 (ACS23) preparations are at an advanced stage with emphasis placed on collective climate action to find common global solutions. This year’s summit is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, running from 4 September until 6 September focusing on driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and…