Article Author: David Njagi

Africa Great Green Wall Initiative Seeks to Overcome Policy and Funding Gaps

The African Union has re-affirmed its commitment to the Great Green Wall initiative. More than a reforestation project, it has high ambitions to alleviate food insecurity while boosting biodiversity, but it must overcome fragmentation, funding gaps and achieve extra-ordinary levels of government coordination to deliver on one of the continent’s largest climate response projects.
  • African Climate Policy

Gridlock as Riyadh COP16 Fails to Deliver Drought Protocol Deal

The recent desertification COP in Riyadh under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification failed to deliver what African countries wanted most: a legally binding protocol on drought, marking another disappointing outcome from the Rio Conventions this year. 
  • Adaptation

Africa Gen Z Battle Harsh Seed Laws

Some African countries are criminalising the use of native “uncertified” seeds, which many believe are more resilient to climate change. Governments believe certified seeds boost productivity, but rights groups claim they undermine traditional food systems while protecting industrial plant breeders’ rights. Youth groups are seeking to turn the tide by pushing governments to include food sovereignty, security and agroecology issues within national policies.
  • African Climate Policy

What to expect from African leaders at the Biodiversity COP

Ahead of COP16, African countries are looking to push for a global biodiversity fund under the direct control of the COP, meaningful indicators to measure the achievement of the global biodiversity targets, and obligatory payments for the use of digitally sequenced genetic information.
  • Adaptation

Water Insurance Rescues Climate Troubled Communities

Loss and damage discussions have continuously pointed to the need for insurance to fill the gap. Water insurance is becoming an increasingly popular mechanism in Africa, but does it have the enabling environment and financial backing to operate at scale?
  • African Climate Policy