In Kigali, young students attending kindergartens and primary schools face a heightened threat from air pollution, primarily stemming from their parents’ cars and the older buses that transport them.
Dr. Egide Kalisa, a researcher affiliated with the University of Rwanda and the University of Toronto in Canada, conducted a comprehensive study into this issue.
Dr. Kalisa’s year-long research in Kigali schools exposes the peril children face during their daily commutes to and from school. Startlingly, he notes that stationary cars emit more harmful fumes than those in motion.
Mornings and evenings witness numerous cars idling in front of schools, discharging noxious fumes that seep into the educational institutions, jeopardizing the air children breathe.
Furthermore, many schools in Kigali are located in proximity to highways, intensifying the levels of air pollution children are subjected to.
Dr. Kalisa, along with colleagues from the University of Toronto, indicated that children in kindergarten and primary schools inhale exhaust fumes from their parents’ vehicles, with the concentration tripling during drop-off and pick-up times.
An alarming comparison emerged from their research, equating the amount of air children inhale at school to smoking over 600 cigarettes in a year.
The escalation of air pollution affecting children can be attributed to the inadequate ventilation systems in many schools, permitting polluted air to infiltrate learning environments. This grim scenario adversely impacts children’s health, rendering them more susceptible to respiratory diseases, lung cancer, asthma, and diminishing their academic performance.
Dr. Kalisa underscores the necessity of implementing sustainable measures to curb air pollution, especially in school settings.
These measures include relocating parked cars away from school premises, encouraging parents to switch off their engines during drop-off and pick-up times, planting more trees near schools and roads, sensitizing children and parents about the perils of air pollution, advocating for cleaner school buses, and promoting walking or high-quality bus transport for school commutes.
Furthermore, Dr. Kalisa recommends constructing schools in areas isolated from public roads and industrial zones to minimize exposure to contaminated air. Installing air filtration systems within schools to purify the indoor environment is another vital step.
He also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive awareness campaigns targeting parents, children, and school administrators to mitigate the effects of air pollution in and around schools.
Dr. Kalisa suggests the government establish dedicated bus routes for transporting children to school, thus reducing their exposure to emissions during their commute.
In pursuit of a solution, Dr. Kalisa has initiated a collaborative campaign with students from Kigali schools to encourage parents to switch off their cars while parked at school and to educate them about the dangers and effects of air pollution.
The endeavor seeks to safeguard the well-being of our most precious assets – our children.
Climate justice requires that climate action is consistent with existing human rights agreements, obligations, standards and principles. Those who have contributed the least to climate change unjustly and disproportionately suffer its harms. They must be meaningful participants in and primary beneficiaries of climate action, and they must have access to effective remedies.
At the half-time point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to tackle hunger, poverty and ill-health, improve access to clean water and energy and many other aspects of sustainable development, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track, says the United in Science report, which makes a systematic examination of the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the goals.
It illustrates how weather, climate and water-related sciences can advance aims such as food and water security, clean energy, better health, sustainable oceans and resilient cities.
As per Fifth Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate change is caused by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses. Among other impacts, climate change negatively affects people’s rights to health, housing, water and food.
These negative impacts will increase exponentially according to the degree of climate change that ultimately takes place and will disproportionately affect individuals, groups and peoples in vulnerable situations including, women, children, older persons, indigenous peoples, minorities, migrants, rural workers, persons with disabilities and the poor.
Therefore, states are urged to act to limit anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses (e.g. mitigate climate change), including through regulatory measures, in order to prevent to the greatest extent possible the current and future negative human rights impacts of climate change.
{{States obligation on climate change }}
To mitigate climate change and to prevent its negative human rights impact; states have an obligation to respect, protect, fulfill and promote all human rights for all persons without discrimination. Failure to take affirmative measures to prevent human rights harms caused by climate change, including foreseeable long-term harms, breaches this obligation.
States must build adaptive capacities in vulnerable communities, including by recognizing the manner in which factors such as discrimination, and disparities in education and health affect climate vulnerability, and by devoting adequate resources to the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights of all persons, particularly those facing the greatest risks.
To ensure that all persons have the necessary capacity to adapt to climate change; states must ensure that appropriate adaptation measures are taken to protect and fulfill the rights of all persons, particularly those most endangered by the negative impacts of climate change such as those living in vulnerable areas (e.g. small islands, riparian and low-lying coastal zones, arid regions, and the poles).
{{International cooperation:}} The UN Charter, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and other human rights instruments impose upon States the duty to cooperate to ensure the realization of all human rights. Climate change is a human rights threat with causes and consequences that cross borders; thus, it requires a global response, underpinned by international solidarity. States should share resources, knowledge and technology in order to address climate change.
International assistance for climate change mitigation and adaptation should be additional to existing ODA commitments. Pursuant to relevant human rights principles, climate assistance should be adequate, effective and transparent, it should be administered through participatory, accountable and nondiscriminatory processes, and it should be targeted toward persons, groups, and peoples most in need. States should engage in cooperative efforts to respond to climate-related displacement and migration and to address climate-related conflicts and security risks.
{{Ensuring equity in climate action:}} The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and ‘The Future We Want’ all call for the right to development, which is articulated in the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, to be fulfilled so as to meet equitably the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change calls for states to protect future generations and to take action on climate change ‘on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities’.
While climate change affects people everywhere, those who have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions (i.e. the poor, children, and future generations) are those most affected.
Equity in climate action requires that efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change should benefit people in developing countries, indigenous peoples, people in vulnerable situations, and future generations.
According to the Rwanda Meteorology Agency Report, Rwanda has decided to pursue a green growth approach to development. The availability of regional and local scale climate change scenarios is critical for assessing climate change impacts and vulnerability in various socio-economic sectors and developing appropriate adaptation strategies.
Therefore, there is a need for standardized climate projections for Rwanda specific to its different agro-ecological zones and biophysical conditions or for guidance on which external climate information sources to use and how to use them.
A bat’s wing is similar to a human hand except the thumb is small and claw-like, while the remaining digits (fingers) are long and there is skin stretched between them. There is a large area of wing membrane between the bat’s fifth finger and its body/leg.
Surprisingly, bats are also related to the Primates, the mammal taxon that includes lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans; and to the Scandentia, the Asian tropical tree shrews. All these mammals are sometimes classified together in one large taxon, the Archonta.
Bats are beneficial. They eat insects and pollinate plants and play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy and in balance. Many myths are associated with bats, such as the saying “blind as a bat.” This isn’t true. Bats can see quite well. Another myth is that bats get caught in people’s hair. They don’t. Nor are bats destructive pests like rats and mice. In fact, a colony of bats could cut down on unwanted mosquitoes around
{{Bat reproduction}}
Male and female bats tend to remain separate in summer. Mating occurs in early fall. However, in a process known as delayed fertilization, sperm is stored in the females’ reproductive system until the following spring when ovulation occurs and embryonic development begins. The young bats, known as pups, are born in spring. The newborn bats are blind and hairless and are nursed by their mother until they are 6 weeks old. Young bats begin to fly by the time they are a month old.
{{Here are some interesting facts about bats}}
Bats are unique animals. There are nearly 1,000 species of bats in the world. However, bats are basically tropical animals and only about 40 kinds of bats live in North America. · Bats have been around a long time, since the age of dinosaurs. Ancient bats resembled those living today. Except for the most extreme desert and polar regions, bats today live in almost every kind of habitat worldwide.
Bats have some amazing abilities: Mexican free-tailed bats can fly 10,000 feet high. Townsend’s-big eared bats can pluck insects from foliage. Hibernating little brown bats can stop breathing for almost an hour during hibernation to reduce their energy needs. Fishing bats have an echolocation system so sophisticated they can detect a minnow’s fin as fine as a human hair.
Did you know that there exists The Honduran white bat, a colorful snow-white bat with yellow nose and ears, cuts large leaves to make “tents” to protect its small colonies from drenching jungle rains. Bats eat a variety of foods from flower nectar to fish, small mammals, and insects. Bats also come in an array of colors and sizes and shapes.
Sometimes the nature depends on bats. For example, agricultural plants from bananas to cashews, dates, and figs rely on bats for pollination and seed dispersal. Despite bats’ many benefits including pollination and insect control, their populations are declining nearly everywhere.
A bat really is like humans, bats are mammals. Bats are the only mammals that actually fly, flapping their wings to propel them in flight. Some mammals, such as flying squirrels, only glide rather than fly. Because bats are unique they are classified in their own special order of mammals, called Chiroptera. Chiroptera means “hand-wing,” referring to how the finger bones of a bat support its wings. The wings of a bat are actually thin membranes of skin that stretch between the fingers of the front leg and extend to the hind legs and tail.
{{Bat features }}
Bats have elongated finger bones that serve a purpose similar to struts on an airplane wing, providing support and maneuverability during flight. When a bat rests, it folds its wings alongside its body to protect the delicate finger bones and wing membranes. Most North American bats are insectivorous. Insect-eating bats capture their prey by foraging on the wing, catching flying insects from a perch, or collecting insects from plants.
Did you know that some bats seize insects with their mouths. Other bats use their wings or tail membrane to trap prey. Bats may disable large insects with a quick bite, then envelop the insect meal in a basket formed by the bat’s wings and tail, and carry the insect to a perch for eating. Bats have sharp teeth to chew their food into tiny, digestible pieces. A bat may consume nearly 50 percent of its body weight in insects during just one night.
Other kinds of bats have patterns so bright they are called butterfly bats. Some bats have long angora-like fur varying in color from red to black and white. The bumblebee bat of Thailand weighs less than a penny. Some of the large bats known as flying foxes such as those living in Indonesia have wingspans up to 6 feet. Flying foxes live only in tropical and subtropical areas including Australia and eat primarily fruit and nectar. Other species of bats are carnivorous, preying on fish, frogs, mice, and birds.
Sometimes it is important to dive a bit further into creatures that surround us mostly leaving creatures, for they are like us in one way or the other. I believe learning about these creatures is very essential.
In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of lions, their unique characteristics, their conservation status, and the various challenges they face in the modern world.
{{The lion’s physical attributes}}
Lions possess a robust physique, characterized by a broad chest, a rounded head, and tufted ears. One of the lion’s most distinctive features is its magnificent mane, which is more pronounced in adult males. Male lions are larger than their female counterparts, with the mane serving both as a symbol of their maturity and as a means of appearing more intimidating to potential rivals.
Though there are mane less lions, one of the most notable characteristics of a lion is its mane. A lion’s mane typically begins to grow around its neck at about 1 year of age, and by the time it reaches 3 to 4 years old. It’s important to mention that the growth of a lion’s mane is influenced by the environment it is growing from.
{{Social structure: The pride}}
Lions have been recognised to be one of the most social creatures on the wildlife list of big cat family. These animals live in groups when compared to other big cats which live in solicit .A lion’s group also referred to as a pride consists of ten to fifteen lions and they are led by a dominant male lion who is responsible for protecting the group. The pride formation is also a mechanism for survival.
{{Habitat and behavior}}
Lions inhabit diverse environments, including grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. They are typically diurnal, but when faced with threats, they adapt to nocturnal activity. Lions have a rich history, dating back to the Neolithic period when they roamed across Africa and Eurasia. However, due to habitat loss and conflicts with humans, their populations have dwindled and are now primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and a small population in western India. The other behavior of a lion is that the lioness tends to hide its pregnancy or birth of the cub, and distincts itself from the pride.
{{Cultural significance}}
Lions hold a special place in human culture and history. They are widely recognized and revered, often depicted in sculptures, paintings, national flags, and contemporary media. Ancient civilizations, including Ancient Egypt, prominently featured lions in their art and mythology, reflecting the enduring fascination with these majestic creatures.
{{Subspecies: African and Asiatic lions}}
In the wild, two subspecies of lions exist: the African lion and the Asiatic lion. The latter is found in India’s Gir Forest. While they share many similarities, male Asiatic lions tend to have shorter, darker manes than their African counterparts, and both male and female Asiatic lions are generally smaller in size.
{{Diet and hunting}}
Lions are formidable hunters, capable of consuming up to 7 kg of prey in a single meal for the males and 5 kg for the females. Lionesses take on the role of hunting due to their lighter and faster nature.
They don’t engage in chewing their food but instead rely on their long canine teeth to seize and kill prey, using sharp rear teeth to tear it into manageable chunks. Lions are renowned for their strategic hunting behavior, as they often rely on scavengers and watchful vultures to guide them to a carcass.
They frequently choose to hunt at night or during storms to exploit their prey’s reduced sensory awareness, given their nocturnal nature. Not only do lionesses participate in hunting, but they also keep a vigilant eye on the lion while it eats, as the lion may be unable to protect the pride if it falls ill.
{{Roaring and communication}}
Lions are unique among the cat species in their ability to roar, which they use to protect their territory and deter rivals. Lion cubs may also join in with their attempts at roaring as they grow older. These roars can be heard from considerable distances, with volumes reaching up to 114 decibels.
{{Conservation status and threats}}
Despite their enduring popularity, lions face a grim reality in the wild. They are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with African lion populations declining by approximately 43% since the early 1990s. The primary threats to their survival include poaching, habitat loss, and fragmentation, as well as the impacts of climate change and diminishing prey availability. Trophy hunting and canned hunting also contribute to the decline of lion populations.
The lion, with its regal appearance and rich cultural significance, is a symbol of strength and majesty. However, these magnificent creatures are facing significant challenges in the wild.
Conservation efforts are essential to protect their dwindling populations and ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at the king of beasts in all its glory. It is our responsibility to raise awareness and take action to safeguard these iconic animals for generations to come.
In the vast tapestry of the animal kingdom, few creatures boast the unique blend of features that define the ostrich. This magnificent flightless bird, the largest on Earth, has captured the imagination of humans for millennia with its extraordinary characteristics and behaviors. From its sprinting prowess to its enigmatic mating rituals, and even its peculiar choice of attire, the Ostrich is a captivating marvel of nature.
One of the most astonishing traits of the Ostrich is its remarkable speed. These birds are the Usain Bolts of the avian world, sprinting at astonishing speeds of over 70 kilometers per hour.
Imagine a creature with the size of a small car racing across the savannah at such a breakneck pace. A single stride can cover up to 5 meters, thanks to their unique two-toed feet that resemble hooves. Their rapid legs, however, are not just for running; they can also serve as formidable weapons against potential threats.
Ostriches are not just showstoppers when it comes to their physical attributes and behaviors; they also lay claim to the title of having the largest bird eggs globally. These colossal eggs measure 15 centimeters long and can weigh as much as two dozen chicken eggs, despite being the smallest relative to the adult bird’s size. The dominant female incubates the eggs during the day, while the male takes the night shift. Their distinct coloring helps them evade potential threats and predators during incubation.
Ostriches in Human Culture ,fascination with ostriches extends deep into human history. These incredible birds have inspired cultures and civilizations for over 5,000 years, with mentions in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Today, in some African countries, people race on the backs of Ostriches, showcasing the unique bond between humans and these magnificent creatures.
Ostriches have the fastest land speed of any bird.The strength of these birds has enabled it to be part of things that bring joy to human beings as it attracts a lot of tourism and is used for racing
Ostrich Racing is a sport where people race each other on the backs of ostriches. They can also be ridden similarly as horses with wagons, special saddles, reins and bits. This contest is said to be harder to manage than horses.
While the ostrich may not be known for its aerial abilities, its wings serve a multitude of purposes. These large wings, with a wingspan of approximately 2 meters, are used in various aspects of their lives. They come into play during mesmerizing mating displays, as shade for their chicks, for heat conservation, and even as “rudders” to help them navigate while running at astonishing speeds.
Ostrich Racing is common in South Africa and in the United States particularly in Chandler, Arizona. In Jacksonville, Florida, an ostrich farm was opened as a tourist attraction in 1892 and became one of the most visited and known attractions in the state. Ostrich racing also takes place in Virginia City in Nevada, Fairgrounds in New Orleans, Canterbury Park in Minnesota, Ellis Park in Kentucky and Prairie Meadows in Iowa.
Before the race starts, ostrich jockeys stretch and examine the birds in their pens which is similar to a horse race pen. Jockeys only wear helmets as their protective gear. It’s not uncommon for some of the riders to topple to the ground together with their wagon or if the bird gets too uncomfortable that it tries to wiggle its way out of the jockey’s grip.
Ostriches are not just fast; they are also experts in the art of romance which is named Dance of Love. Their mating ritual is a complex and mesmerizing affair. The male Ostrich, or cock, entices a mate with alternating wing beats. Once paired, they embark on a synchronized dance. The cock flaps its wings, pokes the ground with its bill, and spirals its head in excitement. The hen, in response, runs circles around him, ultimately leading to the moment of copulation. This intricate dance is a testament to nature’s artistry.
And when it comes to its Survival Myths and Realities Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand when danger approaches. This myth likely stems from their defensive strategy of lying low and pressing their long necks to the ground, blending seamlessly with their sandy surroundings. It’s a testament to their ability to adapt to their environment and remain elusive.
Sadly, the wild ostrich population has seen a drastic decline in the last two centuries. Most of these captivating birds now find refuge in game parks or on farms, where they are sometimes raised for their decorative feathers, meat, and leather products. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure their survival in the wild.
The MoU outlines their joint commitment to address threats to biodiversity, including climate change, food production systems, poverty, and weak governance. Both parties pledge to cooperate and collaborate to advance these goals and support African State Parties in negotiating and implementing a successful post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
The announcement was made during the Society for Conservation Biology’s (SCB) 31st International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2023) taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, July 23-27, 2023. The theme of the Congress: ‘The Future is Now: Sustaining Biodiversity for Today and Tomorrow’, reiterates and reinforces the urgency of collective action in protecting our natural resources.
The congress is the premier global meeting for conservation scientists and professionals, including researchers, students, agency personnel, environmental educators, practitioners, and other conservation stakeholders to address conservation challenges and present new research in conservation science and practice.
The Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) is a multi-institutional association that brings together cross-sectoral expertise to achieve greater impact than any one individual organization.
Speaking at the event, ABCG Director Rubina James lauded the partnership terming it a milestone for conservationists in the region as the collaboration will benefit its members through sharing of information and access to technical and scientific data, advancing the development implementation of conservation programs, advocacy and influencing activities that enhance achievement of sustainable development and transformative policy shifts, among other benefits.
“By accessing the wide-ranging expertise and extensive networks of ABCG members throughout sub-Saharan Africa, ABCG is in a unique position to address critical conservation issues by developing, testing, and promoting innovative conservation approaches,” she noted.
The Society for Conservation Biology is a global community of conservation professionals, students and non-profits dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving biodiversity. This new collaboration will support to mobilize assistance, resources, and strategic support for the purpose of strengthening SCBA’s capacity.
“We are excited as SCBA to collaborate with ABCG in advocacy and influencing activities that enhance our shared vision on conservation and work towards transformative policy shifts at government and the continent’s leadership levels. With our collective efforts as scientists and conservationists we can make big strides in the conservation of our planet,” Badru Mugerwa, President of the SCBA
The 31st ICCB conference provides a platform for sharing latest science and insights in biodiversity conservations with topics in genetics, ecology, biogeography, anthropology, history, psychology, economics, conservation marketing, and religion.
ABCG will present findings on a study titled, ‘Assessing Community Responses to Climate Change and Impacts on Biodiversity: A 3-year study in sub-Saharan Africa’. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between climate change coping strategies and their potential impact on biodiversity, providing valuable insights for developing nature-based actions to improve the resilience of people and nature to climate change.
The consortium will also share their progress in engaging stakeholders to develop and mainstream land use planning in Africa towards climate-smart sustainable development.
{{About ABCG}}
ABCG is a coalition of seven international conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with field-based programming in sub-Saharan Africa: African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Conservation International (CI), the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Resources Institute (WRI), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
{{About SCBA}}
The Society for Conservation Biology is global community of conservation professionals, students and non-profits dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving biodiversity.
ACV will catalyse the carbon asset class in Africa by building innovative businesses focused on solving our generation’s greatest challenge and at the same time capturing a significant share of global carbon markets in Africa.
The venture represents a series of “firsts” in Africa: from its entirely Africa-based founder team and its permanent capital structure based in Kigali International Financial Centre, to its exclusive focus on carbon mitigation, capture and removal, the continent’s fastest evolving sector.
ACV represents a historic evolution in Africa’s carbon ecosystem and will contribute directly to capital mobilisation in climate action. Indeed, by 2030 ACV aims to eliminate one million tonnes of carbon every year while improving the lives of 50 million Africans and creating at least 5,000 jobs on the continent.
The venture builder features a peerless bench of experienced Africa-based founders with a record of pioneering innovation on the continent and championing disruptive enterprises.
James Mwangi is a 2022 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner and the founder of the Climate Action Platform for Africa, a non-profit organization that aims to help Africa achieve broad-based economic growth through climate action leadership.
Mwangi is best known as a co-founder of Dalberg Advisors, the firm’s first elected Global Managing Partner and then Dalberg Group’s Executive Director. Mohamed Cassim is a South African investor best known as an angel investor, the Chair of MFS Africa Board, and the Founder of Abacus Advisory. CJ Fonzi was also a Partner at Dalberg Advisors, with the firm for over a decade. He served as the Group Director of Innovation and then founded Dalberg’s Rwanda business in 2017.
This team is working to build a portfolio of climate positive businesses across Africa, with the ultimate aim of launching and scaling 15 ventures in the next four years. ACV is seeking to build this portfolio by investing to bring proven global climate technology to Africa, accelerate and de-risk the continental expansion of technologies and business models that have gained traction in one or a few African market(s), and add carbon revenue streams to existing African businesses with the potential to scale climate positive solutions.
ACV has adopted a structure more in-line with a global north venture studio in which the vehicle is structured as a permanent capital vehicle which sells equity rather than securing fund management mandates. This has allowed ACV to begin building ventures in parallel with fund raising, which the founders believe is paramount given the urgency of climate change, and the need for Africa to quickly establish itself as part of the solution.
There are already two ventures in the portfolio: KOKO Networks Rwanda, a co-venture between ACV and KOKO Networks which already provides sustainable bioethanol cooking fuel to over 900,000 Kenyan families and aims to reach a million Rwandan families by 2027, and Great Carbon Valley, a Kenya based developer of direct-use clean energy applications currently focused on developing a direct air capture and permanent carbon storage site in Kenya.
ACV’s pipeline of further opportunities demonstrates the breadth and versatility of the venture builder. They range from biochar and enhanced rock weathering technologies, to biodigester and e-mobility businesses, to harvesting carbon revenue for green growth across the portfolio of a well-established continental private equity fund. These are businesses and technologies which have the capacity to transform African economies and make a meaningful difference in climate change but they require risk capital and hands on venture builders to scale, attract further investment, and reach their potential.
FSDAi’s investment in ACV takes the form of a convertible loan of £1 million to support the venture builder’s formalisation and build additional ventures as demonstrations to attract investment from larger funds. On top of this investment, FSD Africa will provide £75,000 in grant funding to support the development of premium carbon credits and the marketing of portfolio and pipeline companies. Moving forward, FSDAi has secured the right to invest up to £8 million in ACV’s planned 2024 close.
FSDAi is the investment arm of specialist financial development agency FSD Africa which receives funding from the UK government and provides tools and resources to drive large-scale change in financial markets and support sustainable economic development. ACV is the latest in a series of investments by FSDAi in innovative green investment vehicles including Persistent Energy, a leader and pioneer investor in the off-grid energy and e-mobility sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Nithio, which invests in renewable off-grid energy.
FSDAi has committed to support ACV on the basis that its activities will actively contribute to Africa’s transition to net-zero, the promotion and acceleration of the continent’s green sector, and the creation of quality, skilled jobs (around 600 will be created via this initial £1 million investment) in a strategically vital sector. Ultimately, FSD Africa believes that ACV can help the continent’s businesses participate in global carbon markets and capitalise on the continent’s unrivalled capacity for profitable climate-smart businesses. Moreover, FSDAi’s investment aligns with the emerging priorities of African policymakers who will gather in Kenya in September at the Africa Climate Summit to co-ordinate a unified, collective pan-African approach to the discussions at the next COP in Dubai.
Commenting on the development; Anne-Marie Chidzero, CIO of FSD Africa Investments, said: “In backing the ACV partners, FSDAi sees a tremendous opportunity to galvanise global investment and finance to promote Africa’s status as the pre-eminent climate investment destination.’’
James Mwangi, CEO of Africa Climate Ventures, said: “We are thrilled that FSDAi has joined us in building ACV. The involvement of FSDAi has already been invaluable in refining the ACV model. As we work towards ambitious objectives, we believe FSDAi will be a key partner in ensuring our success.”
Rachel Turner, Director, International Finance, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, said: “We are excited to be supporting this enterprising partnership between FSD Africa and ACV. The need to mobilise climate finance for Africa has never been greater, and this can’t happen without innovations that can build the pipeline of opportunities to absorb and deploy capital into productive, sustainable and inclusive uses. Tapping into the developing carbon market ecosystem represents a significant opportunity for Africa to raise capital at affordable terms whilst contributing directly to the climate challenge. This partnership with an impressive African team is pioneering in its approach.”
{{About FSD Africa Investments}}
FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) is the investing arm of FSD Africa, a UK International Development funded regional programme operating in more than 30 countries from its Kenya base, to make finance work for Africa’s future. While FSD Africa supports market development through advocacy, thought leadership, and capacity support, FSDAi makes investments in support of these policy objectives in novel financial instruments, facilities and intermediaries that can accelerate the role of finance in Africa’s green economic growth. As a private company limited by shares, FSDAi’s shareholders include both FSD Africa and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FSDAi uses a range of equity, debt and guarantee-like investment instruments specifically designed to accommodate early-stage commercial risk, drive high market development impact, and generate acceptable risk-adjusted financial returns on investment. Across its portfolio it has invested alongside private capital strengthening Africa’s financial systems to deliver better-quality jobs and economic opportunities, equitable access to basic services, reduction of human vulnerability and inequity, and environmental benefits.
With a mandate to take significant investment risk, FSDAi fills an important funding gap by assuming the commercial risk of novel financial solutions that neither development finance institutions nor private investors are prepared to take. In this way, FSDAi assumes the investment risk necessary to drive structural change in Africa’s financial markets.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Environment in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, featured discussions about the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by countries last December as part of efforts to halt and reverse nature loss.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said the country’s development agenda recognizes the central role that biodiversity plays in terms of supporting national economic growth. “We cannot develop our nation unless we put the environment at the heart of everything we do.”
The minister warned against cutting down trees. “We need to reverse this trend, and educate future generations to understand the importance of biodiversity in everything we do for a brighter future,” she said.
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) highlighted that Rwanda’s biodiversity plays a critical role in ecosystem services such as ensuring water provision, air for breathing, controlling soil erosion and flooding, as well as climate change mitigation.
“Biodiversity is part of our lives. Growing up, I was surrounded by nature and this helped build my passion for protecting the environment and understand the importance of biodiversity. I encourage us all to reconnect with nature and prioritize biodiversity,” Juliet Kabera, director general of REMA, told an audience of stakeholders of Rwanda’s climate, environment and natural resources sectors.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated this year under the theme “From agreement to action: Build Back Biodiversity” to remind nations that biodiversity is essential to ecosystem function and services delivery.
Next week, the 3rd Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum will bring together senior government officials, private sector actors, industry experts and youth delegates. They will review energy transition progress in the Commonwealth and discuss ways to achieve ambitious goals with action on the ground.
Energy access is essential for sustainable development, with nearly 774 million people across the world still without access to electricity. More than half of them live in Commonwealth countries.
Globally, nations are working to pivot towards low-carbon energy systems, in response to climate change, energy security needs and the falling cost of renewable energy technologies.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, highlighted the importance of the upcoming discussions, stating that Commonwealth countries are working together to fast-track an inclusive, just, and equitable transition to low-carbon energy systems through the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Agenda.
“While the transition pathways may differ, the move to clean energy systems is a common goal, and all member countries recognise of the nexus between climate change, energy access and sustainable development,” she said.
A number of milestones and new initiatives will be announced at the event. These will be implemented under the CSET Agenda – a platform for all member countries to work together to accelerate the global transition to clean energy through collective action, knowledge sharing and technical support.
The Sustainable Energy Forum is also seen as an opportunity to discuss the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, to be held in Dubai, UAE, in November.
In particular, the event will have a strong intergenerational approach, recognising that young people are essential stakeholders in creating the solutions for the energy transition.
The UNOCHA said in its latest Horn of Africa drought situation update that the situation could worsen further amid deteriorating weather conditions across the affected countries.
“Communities in the Horn of Africa are in the midst of a likely fifth consecutive failed rainy season — with the October to December 2022 rains beginning poorly and forecasts indicating they are likely to underperform — and may face a sixth failed season in March to May 2023,” the UNOCHA said.
The October-December 2020, March-May 2021, October-December 2021, and March-May 2022 seasons were all marred by below-average rainfall, leaving large swathes of Somalia, southern and southeastern Ethiopia, and northern and eastern Kenya facing the most prolonged drought in recent history, while the March-May 2022 rainy season was the driest on record in the last 70 years, it said.
It said the 2020-2022 drought has now surpassed the horrific droughts in 2010-2011 and 2016-2017 in both duration and severity and will continue to deepen in the months ahead, with catastrophic consequences.
The UNOCHA further warned that the ongoing drought situation is ravaging affected communities, with needs spiraling.
Across the Horn of Africa, at least 36.4 million people will be affected by the most prolonged and severe drought in recent history in the last months of 2022, including 24.1 million in Ethiopia, 7.8 million in Somalia, and 4.5 million in Kenya, according to the figures from the UNOCHA.
