This week marks the two-year anniversary of the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Adopted in 2010 and entering into force on 12 October 2014, the Nagoya Protocol aims to create…
How new loan scheme is transforming Rwandan women
A new loan scheme in Rwanda is helping women farmers escape the poverty trap. The loan giving Scheme that known as Babacoop operates just like a bank and is legally registered by the Rwandan government. Mostof the loans that it has provided since its inception have been for purchasing solar equipment, mostly panels. Since its…
Land clean-up awareness rising among SA firms
South African business is waking up to the challenges of soil and water contamination, creating potential for much broader corporate action to identify risks and manage contaminated land. This positive perspective comes from Jan Rasmussen, Partner within the contaminated site management practice at the African operations of ERM, the global sustainability consultancy. Rasmussen says established…
Kenyans to match against cancer
By Henry Opondo All gather in Nairobi on Sunday morning as the Kenya Chapter of Globe-athon 2016 organises a match against cancer. The walk will cover between 3.5 to 10 kilometres. The event, that is happening simultaneously in 80 countries and 200 cities will seek seeks to improve awareness, early screening and detection of cancers…
CITES move to stump out wildlife Cybercrime
Delegates at the CoP17 of CITES have today in South Africa ratified the commitment to stamp out illegal online wildlife trade. The Decision by the 183 State Parties requires all Parties to take a raft of measures to ensure that cybercrime is stopped, bring together governments, enforcers and online tech companies, in a common mission…
CITES’ COP17 gives African elephants poachers a lifeline
By Duncan Khosa Amid dramatic scenes, Divisions between African Parties failed elephant populations today, denying them the CITES Appendix I listing which would offer them the greatest possible protection from poaching and illegal trade. As a result, the proposal – supported by Botswana (a country that at previous CoPs opposed any attempt that would restrict…
The World takes stand against ageism
By Brian Opondo On the International Day of Older Persons Older, activists from more than 45 countries across the world will join the United Nation’s call for “a stand against ageism”—said by the World Health Organisation to negatively affect older people’s physical and mental health. “In Ethiopia, people say we don’t have any value. I…
3rd International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference opens in Nairobi to drive off-grid deployment worldwide
More than 500 participants gathered in Nairobi today for the opening of the third International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC). Organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the conference aims to boost electricity access through the development of off-grid renewables. Today, roughly 15 per cent of the world’s population lives without electricity, but off-grid…