Climate
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COP28 has marked a pivotal turn in the global climate narrative
The final agreement at COP28 signals what many are calling the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era. It lays the groundwork for a swift, just, and equitable transition that is underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.
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Link between mental health and green spaces: Go Green
Proponents of environmental sustainability, Go Green, on 9 December 2023 made use of a sports tournament held at the First Capital Bank Sports Club in Harare to raise awareness of the benefits of planting trees. Speaking at the tree planting event, Tinotenda Warambwa, the Chairman of the Go Green Association of Zimbabwe paid tribute to…
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Kadoma-based churches partner Forestry Commission in planting trees
Writes Chimeno Azriel With the climate change, Churches in Kadoma came together to commemorate tree planting. Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe partnered with the Forestry Commission and Environmental Management Agency ( EMA) in mobilising of plantation of trees on Church properties. EFZ Mashonaland West leadership descended in Kadoma last Tuesday to witness the handing over tree…
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Pioneer Biochar Project Set Up in Rushinga
Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa An innovative carbon credit initiative involving the production of biochar has been established in Rushinga, Zimbabwe, marking a strategic entry into the carbon trading markets. This pioneering artisanal biochar project is a collaborative effort between HempConnect, a local carbon removal company, and the Organic Farming Academy (OFA), focusing on utilizing baobab shells…
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Grain Industry Insights in Africa
The grain industry is a cornerstone of food security in Africa, serving as a staple for millions across the continent. With a burgeoning population and socioeconomic transformations, understanding the volume of grain production and consumption is pivotal for ensuring the resilience of food systems in Africa. The data obtained from IndexBox shows that the largest countries in…
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ZHRC commemorates 2023 International Human Rights Day
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) joined the Government of Zimbabwe and the rest of the world in commemorating International Human Rights Day which is observed on the 10th of December each year. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone…
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AI-Powered Solutions for Agriculture in Africa
In this rapidly modernizing World, the slow blending of technology with AI Development is painting a new reality that is quite unimaginable. Apart from this collaboration, AI is catching up with agriculture too much and taking it to the next level. Regions like Africa, where agriculture is the cornerstone, face the scope of development. In…
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Clean energy critical for adapting and mitigating against climate change
The Government of Zimbabwe has put in place Policy frameworks which have created a conducive environment for clean energy infrastructure to be put in place in response especially to clean energy and adapting and mitigating against climate change. Tariro Chipepera, the Director for Community Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium…
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ITC signs partnerships on climate finance, clean energy, coffee value chains, land restoration: COP28
(Dubai) – The UN small business agency, the International Trade Centre (ITC), is creating and strengthening partnerships at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, to ensure the perspectives of small businesses of developing countries are included in climate discussions. Small businesses make up 90% of all companies and two-thirds of jobs worldwide, yet…
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The Climate Crisis is an Education Crisis
By The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown and Yasmine Sherif In the lead-up to the COP28 Climate Talks in Dubai, Education Cannot Wait Calls on Donors to Urgently Mobilize More Resources to Scale Up Life-Saving Access to Quality Education for Crisis-Impacted Children “The one international language the world understands,” wrote Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the…
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Global youth accelerator programme launched by UN small business, UN land restoration agencies: COP28
Dubai) – Green-minded young entrepreneurs are set to benefit from the launch of a global accelerator programme launched by the UN small business agency, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the G20 Global Land Initiative, on the first-ever Trade Day of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.…
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Amplifying the church voice on waste management
Writes Rebecca Munetsi Everyone generates waste. Be it at home. Be it at church. Be it at work. Be it in the streets. What you do with the waste is very important. Do you eat a banana, throw the peels on the streets, and walk away? Do you tear papers in class and throw them…
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Report: Protected areas worldwide remain unprotected from fossil fuel expansion
New research maps fossil fuel threats to vital strongholds for biodiversity with huge climate implications Protected areas remain one of the best tools currently available for protecting biodiversity, storing natural carbon, and providing human communities in surrounding landscapes with innumerable ecosystem services. It would seem obvious that protected areas are, in fact, protected. However, a…
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Re-Gain: Green Climate Fund and AGRA partner to transform Africa’s food systems
By AGRA Content Hub Despite the challenges posed by the climate crisis, Africa holds tremendous potential to become the world’s breadbasket. The opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s food systems are immense. The continent possesses 60 per cent of the world’s unused arable land and has the potential to accelerate agricultural productivity by 2 or 3…
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Republic of Türkiye plants trees to symbolise strong ties with Zimbabwe
On 29 October 2023, to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, the Turkish Embassy in Zimbabwe marked the special occasion by planting 100 trees on the national tree planting day. H.E. Ambassador Berna Kasnaklı Versteden, the Republic of Türkiye’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe said the tree planting initiative was to emphasize the strong friendship between…
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Tangible climate action addresses global existential crisis: President Ruto
President William Ruto of Kenya will be at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the United Arab Emirates where he is expected to reiterate the need for tangible climate action to confront the global existential crisis. At COP27 in November 2022, in…
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Drought claiming livestock in Matebeleland South
Own Correspondent Rural communities in Matabeleland South have raised calls of despondency following the depletion of water sources and grazing plains which has resulted in the death of livestock which include cattle and donkeys. The prevailing harsh climatic conditions have precipitated an erratic start to the 2023/2024 rainy season currently being experienced in most parts…
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From COP27 to COP28 – key factors for Africa ahead of 2023 Climate Change Conference
Writes Tshepo Ntsane The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) represents an important international forum for countries to gather to discuss and address global climate change issues. However, to date, these conferences have tended to be high-level and process-based, and COP 27 was no exception –…
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Zimbabwe to pitch regenerative agriculture at COP28
Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa As Zimbabwe gears for COP28 in Dubai where nations will deliberate on various strategies to avert the climate crisis, it has emerged that the country is going to pitch on regenerative agriculture to combat climate change. Speaking ahead of the climate summit during a pre-COP 28 media sensitization workshop on Wednesday in…
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Researchers predict climate change-driven reduction in beneficial plant microbes
Bacteria that benefit plants are thought to be a critical contributor to crops and other ecosystems, but climate change may reduce their numbers, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. They published their findings in Nature Food. The collaboration, including Francisco Dini-Andreote, professor of plant science at Penn State, characterized the abundances…
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Takura’s Katundu Katurikwa passes clean environment message to the future
Writes Tinashe Muchuri Tawanda Takura’s A Gathering: Katundu Katurikwa solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe that premiered on the 5th of October passes the clean environment message to the future. The title of the exhibition is a combination of two Shona words, which are katundu for luggage, baggage, or burden and katurikwa referring…
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Netone-sponsored fitness marathon promotes environmental protection, tourism development
Leading mobile telephony company, NetOne, has demonstrated its deep commitment to sustainability, and responsible governance by sponsoring a fitness marathon. Addressing journalists in the capital city yesterday, Mr. Learnmore Musunda, the company’s General Manager, speaking on behalf of Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raphael Mushanawani, said NetOne recognizes the vital importance of achieving the goals…
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Beekeeping renews forests
Writes Nhau Mangirazi Beekeeping is renewing forests in Zimbabwe as part of biodiversity aimed at community development, an official said last week. Zimbabwe Forestry Commission assistant entomologist, Leon Tshuma, made the remarks last week on Friday during a meeting facilitated by the Africa Wildlife Foundation on Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy report dialogue series on Opportunities for…
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Care Zimbabwe and partners deploy automated weather station in Manicaland
In a collaborative endeavor to enhance disaster preparedness, CARE International in Zimbabwe and Caritas Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) of Zimbabwe, have successfully deployed an automated weather station at Cloudland in Ward 33, situated within the Vumba area of Mutare District. This initiative which was spearheaded through the Strengthening Disaster Preparedness…
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2023 Ashden Awards – African climate solutions lead the way in clean energy, nature protection and farming
Africa was centre stage in the 2023 Ashden Awards with four of the five global South winners being African low carbon innovators and one receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award. Three more were from the UK. Winners from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Cameroon were celebrated for driving radical progress in tackling the biggest climate challenges –…
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Digital tool to increase farm profitability, sustainability
A western Australia-based project aims to develop a scientifically rigorous decision-support tool to help farmers and their advisors increase profitability and optimise risk management. Dubbed the Agri-analytics Hub, the $4-million project will help producers analyse variability in crop performance and profitability on an in-paddock scale. The project involves the Food Agility Co-operative Research Centre, NGIS,…
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Securico 25th Anniversary: Excellent service delivery, putting people first
A leading security service provider, Securico Security Services (Pvt) (Ltd) has had a 25-year journey underpinned by quality and excellence in pursuit of customer satisfaction. Speaking during the company’s silver jubilee celebration in Bindura today, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula, the Founder and Managing Director of Securico said she was motivated to form the company by…
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Increasing the capacity of communities to process information and knowledge
By Charles Dhewa One of the reasons why democracy has taken so long to germinate in African countries is that ordinary rural people lack the capacity to process information from within their own communities as well as information from government sources, from members of parliament, from development agencies, and from mainstream media. Given that higher-quality…
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Rising El Niño Intensity Sparks Global Food Security Concerns
Global climate shifts this year are likely to disrupt food production throughout the world, straining food security worldwide. A report published this month by scientists associated with Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) explained that El Niño is going to bring too much rain to some parts of the world, and too little to others. This…
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Wildlife plays a significant role in Zimbabwe’s biodiversity economy
Prof Prosper Matondi, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife has said wildlife plays a significant role in Zimbabwe’s biodiversity economy. He made the remarks while officially opening a workshop on wildlife economy in Harare yesterday. This year, the Government of Zimbabwe launched its first Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Report. The report…
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Baobab Collection throws a lifeline to communities in drier parts of Manicaland
Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa A visit to a son-in-law in Birchenough a few years ago is all that led Aaron Chenjerai Mazorere of Chiadzwa to start the collection of the baobab fruit. He prides himself on initiating the project in his home area which has attracted a lot of interest from fellow villagers. “Some years back…
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Great optimism for African agriculture if continent embraces right strategies
The 14th African Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) painted a bright future if the right strategies are embraced to ensure the continent’s food and nutrition security. In his address, while pulling the curtain down to the meeting, Mr. Patrick K. Kangwa,…
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COP28 Presidency calls for urgent climate action
Writes Baboloki Semele COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber delivered a resounding call to action during the closing address at the Pre-COP conference. He implored ministers and delegations from across the globe to expedite the progress achieved in negotiations during the conference, stressing that there is no room for further delays in climate action. Over…
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CAADP Commitment: African Youth Consortium in Agriculture and Climate Change Network launched
BABOLOKI SEMELE AND BYRON MUTINGWENDE LUSAKA, ZAMBIA: “We can do so much, we have so much, and yet we seem to be not doing that so much, the much that we want,” these powerful words resonated with hope and determination as Vice President of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, delivered her keynote address at the launch of…
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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)…