Browsing: Scotland

• US, EU pledge to cut global methane and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 per cent by 2030.
• 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) states have recorded 36 per cent of all weather-related disasters in Africa.
• China, the world’s largest emitter of methane, India and Russia are not part of a pledge to cut down emissions.

The 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) has demonstrated to the world action towards climate change is possible.

As heads of state converge and pledge crucial issues including, the US and European Union announced a global methane pledge, cutting emissions of greenhouse gas by at least 30 per cent by 2030.

The conference, which is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has been drawing international attention as climate change impacts the global economy, especially developing economies across the world.

In that context, Africa as a region …

Africa’s largest multinational companies are following the global trend that is in vogue – that of making ambitious goals and undertakings to reduce carbon emissions ahead of this month’s climate change conference to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Leading the pack is Africa’s largest lender by assets, the Standard Bank Group, which in October held a 2-day climate summit that was streamed online and ran under the theme ‘Africa’s Journey to Net Zero’. The summit was hosted in partnership with the Institute of International Finance (IIF) a global financial think tank which partners with financial services firms worldwide including the Standard Bank Group.  

More specifically the Institute of International Finance is the global association of the financial industry, with over 400 members from more than 70 countries. Its mission is to support the financial industry in the prudent management of risks; to develop sound industry practices; and to advocate for …

The report indicates that major cereal crops which are grown across Africa will be adversely impacted by the first half of this century.

In the worst case climate change scenario, West and Central Africa will register a reduction of yields by 13 per cent, 11 per cent in North Africa while East and Southern Africa will see an 8 per cent drop.

Millet and sorghum, which are not grown by majority of smallholder farmers who make up more than 70 per cent of the agricultural output in Africa, remain resilient and will only incur yield losses of just 5 per cent and 8 per cent respectively by 2050. Wheat and rice, which also happen to be staples, will be the most affected crops losing 12 per cent and 21 per cent respectively in yields by 2050. …

The world today is at a crossroads dealing with numerous crises including the decades-long climate crisis which has led to unprecedented biodiversity loss and rising inequalities among other challenges. 

In 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic struck knocking everything off balance. 

It is against this backdrop that the UN climate change conference (COP26) is taking place in Glasgow, Scotland. 

As the world is resurging from the negative economic effects of the pandemic, the COP was a good place, and in good time, to help the world reset when it comes to matters climate change. One of the biggest casualties of the pandemic was transport which badly affected value chains as logistics became impossible. 

Making non-motorised transport chic 

Globally, transport is one of the biggest contributors to pollution. To address this challenge, the world has slowly been making positive steps towards making non-motorised transport chic in a bid to cut down …