Pradeep Monga Ph.D

New Interim Forest Stewardship Standard validates responsible forest management in Ghana Read more: https://buff.ly/3V0H72V Forest Stewardship Council #Africa #Ghana #ForestManagement #Environment #Economy #Sustainability

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The latest issue of Climate Resilience and Sustainability is now available to read online, featuring: 👩‍🌾 Drivers of adaptive capacity of rural women farmers: The role of climate action and information mediums in rural Ghana (Mrs Amma Birago K. Gyimah (PhD), WASCAL et al.) 💦 Barriers and opportunities for improved UK water resource climate change assessments using the enhanced Future Flows and Groundwater climate service products (Mason Durant, HR Wallingford et al.) 🎓 Climate change and ecological sustainability in Zimbabwe: Interrogating the role of Higher Education Institutions in disaster management (MAVIS THOKOZILE MACHEKA, National University of Lesotho) 🤝 Mind the gap: The fissure between aspirations and actions in climate change governance at a local government level: A study of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (Siyaxola Ernest Gadu, University of the Witwatersrand et al.) Read the latest issue at https://lnkd.in/eC-AM7-k. #rmetsjournals #sciencecommunication #climatology #openaccess

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Publication alert - 2nd publication of 2024. This paper examines capacity building from the perspective of business growth and success in small-scale agro-processing enterprises. Our analytical approach was underpinned by the inability of small-scale agri-enterprises to grow and succeed despite the South African government's support for capacity building through the economic empowerment programme initiative in the past three decades. The study was conducted in five of nine selected South African provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, North-West, Free State, and Mpumalanga). This study was essential for developing an effective strategy for enhancing agri-business growth and success in South Africa. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was used, and data from 503 small-scale agro-processors was analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis techniques. The results revealed that capacity building (β = 0.274, p = 0.000) significantly influences the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors. Furthermore, the study showed that mentorship and technical and financial skills are critical types of capacity building that influence the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors in South Africa. It is recommended that all government or private stakeholders, including agricultural extension advisory services, invest in capacity-building programmes for small-scale agro-processors to achieve economic empowerment. Economically empowered small-scale agro-processors will significantly contribute to employment creation and better income distribution.

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IFB Leaders, Franziska Schrodt and Richard Field,  are contributors to the newly released "Framework for High-Integrity Biodiversity Credit Markets", published by the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) at #COP16. This Framework marks a key step in aligning #biodiversityfinancing with meaningful #conservationoutcomes and ethical market practices. It underscores the importance of #biodiversitycredits that ensure verified outcomes for nature, uphold equity and fairness, and foster #goodgovernance in #creditmarkets and provides guidelines for achieving this ambition. #infinbio #biodiversity #finance https://lnkd.in/edQ_s2kS

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#RES_Focus Title：Opportunities to strengthen Africa’s efforts to track national-level climate adaptation Authors：Andreea Nowak, Lucy Njuguna, Julian Ramirez-Villegas Pytrik Reidsma, Krystal Crumpler & Todd Rosenstock Abstract： Tracking progress towards the Global Goal on Adaptation requires documentation of countries’ intentions, against which future progress can be measured. The extent to which existing national policy documents provide adequate baselines is unclear. We evaluated the adequacy of African Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) (N = 53) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) (N = 15) against three criteria—coverage, consistency and robustness—mapped to the adaptation cycle. Fifty-three percent of NAPs and 8% of NDCs cover all elements needed for providing sufficient baselines for tracking adaptation progress. Only 40% and 9% of the NAPs and NDCs, respectively, provide consistent links between climate risk assessment, planning, implementation and tracking. No document provided fully robust indicators to operationalize tracking. Notable efforts towards adequacy exist, especially in NAPs. The findings illustrate continental-scale advances and shortcomings for tracking progress, and emphasize opportunities in upcoming NDC revisions and NAP processes to enhance their coverage, consistency and robustness for future adaptation tracking.   Source：Nature Climate Change DOI：https://lnkd.in/dUrnJwCC #Africa #national #climate #climatechange #adaptation #opportunities #NDC #NAP

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#MondaySensitization In Africa, it is estimated that ecosystem services account for between 50% and 90% of the total livelihoods of poor households living in rural and forest areas (UNECA, 2022).🍃✧. Forest and wood resources contribute an average of 6% to GDP in sub-Saharan Africa, and provide up to 80% of energy in some countries. What's more, over 60% of Africa's population is directly dependent on ecosystem services to meet their food, water, energy, health and livelihood needs (UNECA, 2022).♻️ ----- #conservation #Amps #Rampao #Ecosytem #localcommunities

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The Minister of Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) published the draft National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill (the Biodiversity Bill) for public comment: https://lnkd.in/dQqEmqiR #UnitedNations Definition of #IndigenousPeoples/Communities: Understanding the term “indigenous” Considering the diversity of indigenous peoples, an official definition of “indigenous” has not been adopted by any UN-system body. Instead the system has developed a modern understanding of this term based on the following: • Self- identification as indigenous peoples at the individual level and accepted by the community as their member. • Historical continuity with pre-colonial and/or pre-settler societies • Strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources • Distinct social, economic or political systems • Distinct language, culture and beliefs • Form non-dominant groups of society • Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive peoples and communities https://lnkd.in/d2EktwhG South African Definition of #IndigenousCommunities: ‘‘indigenous community’’ means any recognisable community of people— (a) developing from, or historically settled in a geographic area or areas located within the borders of the Republic; (b) characterised by social, cultural and economic conditions, which distinguish them from other sections of the national community; and (c) who identify themselves as a distinct collective; ‘‘indigenous cultural expression’’ means expressions that have a cultural content that developed within indigenous communities and have assimilated into their cultural and social identity, including but not limited to— (a) phonetic or verbal expressions; (b) musical or sound expressions; (c) expressions by action; and (d) action tangible expressions; ‘‘indigenous knowledge’’ means knowledge which has been developed within an indigenous community and has been assimilated into the cultural and social identity of that community, and includes— (a) knowledge of a functional nature; (b) knowledge of natural resources; and (c) indigenous cultural expressions; https://lnkd.in/dMuJi3RB...

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With 70% of livestock emissions coming from non OECD countries it is vital that these collaborations continue. Listen to my conversation with Aimable UWIZEYE, PhD on the work FAO is doing globally to reduce emissions here: https://lnkd.in/gDRdckHx Listen to my conversation with Bernard Kimoro, Claudia Arndt, and Susan Kahumbu Stephanou about the work being done in East Africa to improve livestock sustainability and food security here: https://lnkd.in/eZTfjCZ3

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Announcement: Launch of the Seed Lab’s first Call For Applications The Seed Lab is a key initiative to support #agriSMEs under the African Development Bank Group’s Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism’s (ACFM) Technical Assistance Window, delivered through Open Capital’s Agri-SME Support Program. The deadline for the first Call for Applications is Monday, 5th of August at 6pm GMT; applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Unlock your Agri-SME's potential with the Seed Lab, a comprehensive, cohort-based capacity building initiative crafted by the African Development Bank and Open Capital. Leveraging decades of experience supporting Agri-SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa, this exclusive ~3-month program is designed to propel your business forward. Join over 140 agri-SMEs from 20+ countries as we dive deep into your business model, refine growth strategies, and prepare you to access finance and have deeper impact in your markets. Led by industry leaders, the Seed Lab equips you with essential skills in strategic planning, financial management, business operations, and leadership, to support sustainable growth and measurable impact. To be eligible for the Seed Lab, your business must meet the following criteria: ➡ Geographic location: Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, or Nigeria ➡ Sector: Agribusinesses operating in food system value chains, and supporting ecosystem players, e.g., agricultural producers, input & equipment providers, processors, marketplaces, Ag-tech businesses, etc... ➡ 2023 annual revenues: US $100,000-$500,000 ➡ Number of full-time employees: 5-50 ➡ Capital raise target: US $50,000-$750,000 ➡ Gender and climate integration: Prioritization will be given to SMEs with integrated gender-inclusive and climate-resilient practices For more information visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dUd9PSUT #AfDB #OpenCapital #ACFM #ACFMSL #AgriSMEs #Africa

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NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS: IUCN global standards for NbS - IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa IUCN Academy Criterion 1: NbS effectively addresses societal challenges. The NbS should be designed as a response to a societal challenge(s) that has been identified as a priority by rights holders and beneficiaries directly affected by the challenge(s). Criterion 2: The design of NbS is informed by scale. Scale applies to biophysical or geographic perspectives and the influence of economic systems, policy frameworks and the importance of cultural perspectives. NbS design will be informed by what stakeholders know about the interactions between different aspects of a land/seascape using a three-scale framework that considers the parts within the land/seascape; the land/seascape itself; and the wider environment around the land/seascape. Criterion 3: NbS results in a net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. NbS design and implementation must avoid undermining the integrity of the system and instead, proactively seek to enhance the functionality and connectivity of the ecosystem to ensure the long-term resilience and durability of the NbS. Criterion 4: NbS are economically viable. For NbS to be sustainable, there must be strong consideration of the economic aspects as, most likely, long-term gains must be balanced against short-term costs, with short-term actions developed within the context of long-term (over generations) goals and plans. Criterion 5: NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes. NbS must adhere to and align with the prevailing legal and regulatory provisions, being clear on where legal responsibilities and liabilities lie. complement basic compliance with ancillary mechanisms that actively engage and empower local communities and other affected stakeholders. Criterion 6: NbS equitably balances trade-offs between the achievement of their primary goal(s) and the continued provision of multiple benefits. Critically, it is important to recognize that trade-offs have social and ecological limits beyond which point certain values or benefits can be lost in perpetuity. This means that safeguards will be necessary to ensure, inter alia, that the integrity of ecosystems and the long-term stabilizing properties of ecosystem services are not exceeded. Criterion 7: NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidence. Proactively adopting adaptive management approaches, leads to continued Nbs relevance through the lifecycle of the intervention and the risk of redundancy and stranded investments is minimized. Criterion 8: NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional context. Audiences to consider include individuals (e.g. the public, academics), institutions (e.g. national government, start-ups, businesses, and organizations) and global networks (e.g. Paris Agreement). To learn more link below:

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Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (COP-16) burning midnight candle in Cali, Colombia to conclude negotiations with tough turning points on fulfilling the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) mandate with commitments on resource mobilisation; Digital Sequencing Information (DSI); application of Traditional Knowledge in conservation of biodiversity; Modification of description of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas and description of new marine areas. Of interest to me is how to mainstream and integrate livestock management into GBF to enhance conservation of biodiversity. Some argue as a point of conflict and anarchy, while I see a potential opportunity to enhance conservation of biodiversity as long as the local communities dependent on livestock are recognised, acknowledged and engaged on a participatory manner respecting livestock as part of their lives and livelihoods. Livestock and conservation have coexisted over a long time and communities have adjusted, resisted and adapted to effects of climate change caused by drought, inadequate pasture. I tried to emphasise of the key points at the following Press Conference: https://lnkd.in/d8gqGuif

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📢 Calling agricultural and climate change stakeholders: Join ICED and the Science for Africa Foundation for a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation on May 2, 2024, from 9am to 2pm GMT. Come join us and contribute your perspectives on adaptive interventions, focus areas, economic and non-economic outcomes, and other relevant aspects of the sector. With funding from SFA Foundation, ICED is developing an Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) on Climate Change Adaptation that will enable the production and design of Evidence-Based Decision-Making Products (EBDMPs) and tools. The expectation is that the products and tools can promote high use of evidence for SFA's climate change department, policy makers and, to a larger extent, the academia and research community. Register to join us in this consultative session: https://lnkd.in/d8GSj7CD

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UNDP BIOFIN and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) with the support of the Global Environment Facility, have released a briefing note on how the NBSAP review can successfully engage public and private finance simultaneously. This will help prepare financial institutions to play their role in contributing to the goals and targets of the NBSAP in their respective countries. The briefing paper will help policymakers identify the private financial sector actors committed to nature and methods to unlock domestic private finance. The briefing also discusses the potential future of public-private collaboration in biodiversity finance. 🌱  Let us empower financial institutions to contribute meaningfully to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 📥  Download the publication: https://lnkd.in/dyRhXRUQ

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In addition to playing an important role in international dialogues, fostering partnerships and developing action plans that combine adaptation and mitigation, addressing key areas such as #climate finance and participation from all levels could help shape India’s approach to #ClimateChange. Read the full article: https://okt.to/l7KGJI

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To urgently address the adverse effects of climate change on children in vulnerable populations, a multi-faceted approach focused on increasing financing and fostering innovation is critical and imperative at this year’s Bonn Climate Conference. By integrating these financial strategies, we can create resilient systems that protect children from adverse effects of climate change and ensure a safer and healthier future. #JuneClimateMeetings #AdaptationInFocus

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IFC and the Italian Climate Fund partner with Eni to support biofuel production in Kenya IFC and the Italian Climate Fund have announced a $210 million investment in Eni S.p.A.'s Kenya subsidiary to expand the production and processing of advanced biofuels, supporting the decarbonization of the global transport industry and the livelihoods of up to 200,000 small-scale Kenyan oilseed farmers. The investment consists of $135 million from IFC and $75 million mobilized from the Italian Climate Fund, as part of the implementation of the Italian Government's Mattei Plan in Kenya. It will help Eni increase both the production of advanced biofuel feedstock grown in Kenya and processing capacity through the construction of new processing plants. Production of oilseeds, which is the primary feedstock, is expected to increase from 44,000 tons to 500,000 tons per year. "This project marks the dawn of a new industry for Kenya, an industry where Kenya could become a world leader," said Makhtar Diop, IFC Managing Director. "Producing biofuels will not only help decarbonize our transportation system, it will also generate income for farmers and create jobs along the value chain. We're proud to partner with a company like Eni, which is leading the efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the transport industry." "By partnering with IFC and the Italian Climate Fund, Eni further enhances its agrifeed stock projects in Kenya, expanding its reach to up to 200,000 small-scale Kenyan farmers over the next five years, and strengthens the country's integration in the biofuels value chain," said Claudio Descalzi, Eni CEO. "This cooperation fits with Eni's model to leverage public-private partnerships to support communities, generate long-term value, and create virtuous, lasting alliances with African countries." All of ENI biofuel feedstock will receive International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). ISCC is a globally recognized scheme for biofuels with rigorous environmental, social, and economic sustainability standards, audited across the entire supply chain. The success of the project can open up opportunities for replication elsewhere in Africa. The Italian Climate Fund's loan is provided through Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the manager of the Fund. The Italian Government's climate fund (Fondo Italiano per il Clima) is aimed at financing public and private projects in emerging and developing countries that contribute to the achievement of climate and environmental targets, in line with Italian international climate commitments. https://lnkd.in/dG-Ng85c #biofuel #biodiesel

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The benefits of partnership The growing list of AOCS volunteers is bringing quantifiable value to larger processors in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through the Processor-to-Processor (P2P) program and Soy 360° short courses. These initiatives are a result of the partnership between Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an implementor of USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer program in Southern Africa; the American Oil Chemist’s Society (AOCS), a scientific society for oilseeds, alternative proteins, and surfactants; and the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL). P2P and Soy 360° bring industry expert volunteers to work with processors and help them enhance efficiency and, thus, food security and farmer livelihoods. For example, processors at the Soy 360° course in Kampala this year purchased the annual soybean yield equivalent of over 56,000 smallholder farmers across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. As processors gain efficiencies, they buy more grain from farmers and can deliver nutrient-dense, lower-cost food and feed to the market. Volunteers are also learning a great deal from SSA processors on the challenges facing the industry in the region. For example, shifting climate patterns are squeezing an already constrained market for oilseeds, forcing many processors to run their plants below capacity. Volunteers tell us that the experience working with SSA processors has been positive and “amazing.” Several of our volunteers are signing up for additional assignments. We think this is a win-win situation for all! Are you interested in sharing your oilseed processing industry expertise with processors in Sub-Saharan Africa? Contact [email protected]. #Agriculture #Partnerships #FoodSecurity #SustainableFarming #Soybeans #VolunteerWork #Sustainability #Impact

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