Rebecca Espitalier-Noël

In Chapter 16 of the upcoming book for #southafrican #sustainability professionals, we explore a model where multi-capitals that are not a core part of the organisation are outsourced to bioregions. Here is an extract of the chapter, with a link below to the full chapter: "... This vision of corporations enabling holistic progress through community-led initiatives represents a profound shift from the increasingly obsolete paradigm of carbon #offsetting and #greenwashed volunteerism. Rather than transactional compensation schemes meant to absolve industrial harms, these partnerships embody an ethos of organic reciprocity and mutual custodianship. The core premise is one of symbiotic capital cultivation—corporations focusing their considerable resources on optimising Financial and Manufactured capitals, in support of rural communities that are uniquely positioned to steward the revitalisation of Natural, Social, Cultural, and Spiritual capitals. Unlike offsetting which perpetuates extractive and externalising dynamics, the holistic model recognises each sector's differentiated competencies while actualising an interdependent value web. Just as corporations have outsourced many non-core business functions to specialised providers, this approach advocates redirecting sustainability efforts towards empowering communities as sovereign asset managers over their rightful capital endowments. Corporations contribute technical capabilities, investment pathways, and infrastructure—but ultimately play a supporting role in unleashing grassroots leaders as the primary revitalisers of bioregional abundance. The end result is a mutually reinforcing upward spiral benefiting all stakeholders. Corporations demonstrate authentic leadership by enabling comprehensive prosperity across all integral capital spheres. Rural villages access unprecedented resources to uphold ancestral Earth custodianship roles. Surrounding ecosystems and cultural artisanship rebound, improving standards of living. Overall, the entire region becomes #antifragile by design—a resilient meshwork of distributed autonomies, rather than a centralised control economy susceptible to systemic shocks. This synergistic approach aligns incentives towards shared concrete outcomes—measurable holistic progress captured through grounded narratives. Not just token box-checking but the catalysation of a genuinely restorative planetary renaissance. One sculpted from the interwoven threads of indigenous wisdom, natural systems intelligence, and humanity's regenerative economic genius." Read the full chapter: https://lnkd.in/d6H6JJzv

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𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚: 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭? A few weeks ago, I was asked a thought-provoking question: Can a company sell all or substantially all of its assets if some shareholders do not support/approve the sale? This question sparked the idea that it might be of interest to many, to explore the nuances of corporate decision-making within the Rwandan context. In my latest article in The New Times (Rwanda), I attempt to respond to the following questions: 1. Given that a company is an abstract entity with no inherent ability to think or feel, how are its decisions made? 2. Who is involved in the corporate decision-making? Is it the people in the C-Suite (the CEO and other senior executives), the board of directors, or perhaps the shareholders? 3. When it is required that a certain decision receive shareholder approval of at least 50% +1 or 75%, is this based on the total of all shareholders of the company? 4. Does every corporate decision need to be unanimous, or can it still be implemented even if some members of the relevant decision-making body oppose it? If the latter is true, do dissenters have any remedy? Check out the full article #here:

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🌟 Day 193 - Grant Number 179 - Grant Alert: 🌟 🚀 Announcing RAIIn: Rural Access to Impact Innovations Program 🌾 #ClimateSmartAgriculture #InnovationForImpact 🌱 Calling All Market-Ready Startups in Climate-Smart Agriculture! 🌱 Are you ready to scale your innovation and make a significant impact in the agriculture sector? RAIIn is your gateway to transforming the agricultural landscape with your groundbreaking solutions. We're here to support your journey from market-ready to market dominance! 🎯 What We Offer: 1. Demo Power: Conduct field pilots and activation events across our extensive demo centres to boost your sales and visibility. 2. Vast Network Access: Tap into our distribution network accessing over 600,000 customers. 3. Financing Solutions: Unlock end-user financing options for your customers to facilitate purchases and increase adoption. 4. Technical Assistance: Avail up to INR 4 Lakhs in support for 5 startups to refine and strengthen business models. 🌍 Focus Areas: - #Agriculture - #ClimateAction - #CleanEnergy - #AgriInputs - #CropAdvisory - #PostHarvestSolutions - #RenewableEnergy - #AgriProcessing 🔍 Eligibility Criteria: - Startups at the commercial pilot stage within the specified focus areas. 🌟 We believe that real change begins in the field, and with RAIIn, your innovations can reach the corners of rural markets, transforming lives and landscapes. 📅 Apply Now to take your startup to the next level and help us drive sustainable and impactful growth in rural and underserved communities. 👉 Click for more information: https://lnkd.in/gvigHKVk #RAIInInnovation #SustainableDevelopment #AgriTech #StartupGrowth #ImpactInvesting

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Chapter 13 of the upcoming book for #southafrican #sustainability further explores a watershed resilience strategy—not as a solution to ecological challenges—but as an experiment in large-scale, citizen-led organising and collaboration. Here's an extract, and there's a link to the full chapter below: "... Bioregional resilience therefore represents a proactive strategy to cultivate local capacity and self-reliance from the ground up. By investing in the revitalisation of our watersheds over the next two decades, we can catalyse a broad-based renewal that empowers communities to thrive independently. This decentralised approach focuses on building robust local ecosystems of abundance and collaboration, creating a strong foundation for preserving democracy, cultural heritage, and regional autonomy. Prioritising the vitality of our watersheds enables us to foster resilient, self-sustaining communities that can navigate challenges with greater adaptability and resourcefulness. This is the path forward for authentic sustainability leadership. Not hollow global frameworks, but grounded initiatives elevating communities as co-creators of holistic, place-sourced abundance. By wielding our might to unlock rural resilience through solidarity with traditional Earth stewards, we can midwife the civilisational rebirth our world desperately needs. The seeds of a regenerative future lie in the strategic decisions we pursue. By partnering with rural communities to rehabilitate our watersheds, we reposition industry as a catalyst for comprehensive societal healing. Together we can chart a course beyond collapse, navigating by the ancient stewardship wisdom of this land..." Read the full chapter here: https://lnkd.in/dR9dR9-z

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We will have the opportunity to participate in the second regional conference of the Urban Transitions Mission Centre (UTMCentre) targeting African cities will be held in parallel with the twelfth World Urban Forum Congress (WUF12). The UTMCentre supports the Urban Transitions Mission with a global knowledge exchange platform, enabling cities around the world to shape their own transition with a solid knowledge base and a strong community of support and exchange for net zero emissions. https://lnkd.in/d-4xNUYJ The Urban Transitions Mission (UTM) was launched at COP26 with the aim of increasing the capacity of cities around the world. Its goal is to provide solutions, approaches and knowledge for net zero emissions transitions at every stage of a city’s climate action journey. https://lnkd.in/dEYVZwMF WUF12 was created to address one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, policies and climate. The event brings together representatives from national, regional and local governments, city representatives, academics, business leaders, community leaders, urban planners and civil society. https://lnkd.in/d572rx2h WUF12 represents an important opportunity for the UTM Centre to leverage the large number of participants to disseminate the results of its project and promote its activities. The main objective is to raise awareness and encourage greater involvement of African cities in the UTM Cities Cohort. Objectives: Advocacy for sustainable urban transitions: Promote a global movement of local actions towards net-zero, people-centered and resilient urban transitions by showcasing successful initiatives and strategies from African regions; Explore funding and financing opportunities for Urban Transition Mission (UTM) cities and work to engage funding agencies and financiers by addressing key questions such as: How can existing financing programs be adapted to support cities? What does it take to create sustainable financing dedicated or earmarked for urban actors? What does effective blended finance look like, combining public and private sources for city-scale projects? How can innovative and alternative financing systems, such as systemic innovation, support long-term urban planning and financing? Present best practices and case studies showcasing examples of successful financing models and strategies, including: Green and sustainable financing of urban infrastructure, mobility and basic services such as water supply, sanitation and waste management; Participatory budgeting practices; Facilitate knowledge exchange: share experiences and targeted solutions.

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What can we learn from the Development Bank of Rwanda’s sustainability-linked bond? This is the focus of the latest Sustainable Views article, co-authored by the BRD’s @Kampeta Sayinzoga and the OECD’s Pilar Garrido. The Development Bank of Rwanda’s SLB was the first of its kind in many areas, and groundbreaking in many ways. It is a textbook example of how relatively small amounts of development finance can leverage significantly larger amounts of private finance, and has a strong demonstration effect for other potential issuers. The article focuses on what we can learn from the issuance, and the role which Donors can play in supporting the SLB market more broadly. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_etMpgg

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Read the Article here - https://bit.ly/3W6oHy1 Narrative Review on the Factors Affecting Fast Food Consumption among Adults University of Mauritius #Adults #ChronicDiseases #Culturalidentities #EnergyDensity #FastFood #globalisation #industrialisation #morbidity #mortality #Nutrition #FoodSciences #foodprocessing #ClinicalNutrition #EatingDisorders #PublicHealth #FoodMicrobiology #FoodHygiene #FoodProcessing #Metabolism #SportsNutrition #Malnutrition #weightloss

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As Mauritius goes to the polls (on Sunday), DiA brings you another piece that looks at the some of the key "red flags" about the country's electoral process. "As the country goes to the polls, one should be cognisant that the latest IIAG index indicates that the holding of ‘democratic elections’ in Mauritius has known a -22.6 % drop in the last ten years and is currently ranked 14th out of 53 countries. The African Insights 2024 Report points in a similar direction where in the last decade there has been a drop from 83 % to 53% of Mauritian respondents who believe that elections held in that time frame were “completely free and fair/free and fair with minor problems”." We will be keeping our eyes peeled ... will you? 👀 https://lnkd.in/e2NTnwAM

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As #COP29 wraps up, the world is buzzing about #ClimateFinance and the need for innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change, but talk alone won’t move us forward—action will! We are proud to present the ‘Zimbabwe Private Sector Climate Fund Initiative’ - a groundbreaking white paper that seeks to address Zimbabwe’s pressing environmental challenges and provide a roadmap for mobilising global climate finance investment. The paper delves into critical issues, such as alarming deforestation rates driven by reliance on wood fuel for cooking by 61% of the population and outlines innovative solutions to create a structured Climate Fund for initiatives such as: #Clean Cooking Solutions #Climate Smart Agriculture #Biodiversity Conservation #Reforestation This is an opportunity for both public and private sectors to take real, impactful steps toward a greener, more sustainable future. 📲 Scan the QR code or click on the link below to download the white paper and explore scalable solutions, innovative funding mechanisms, and exciting opportunities for collaboration. 🔗: https://qr.codes/EKB72g Together, let’s transform #ambition into tangible #action and build a resilient Zimbabwe. #Cicada #CicadaCarbon #ClimateFinance #Sustainability #Zimbabwe #Innovation #GreenFuture #COP29 #GrowingBetter

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Here is an extract from Chapter 8 of the upcoming book for #southafrican #sustainability professionals, with a link to the full chapter below: "...In his 1926 book "Holism and Evolution," South African statesman Jan Smuts first coined the term "holism" to describe the fundamental synergy and interconnectedness between all dimensions of reality. His philosophy was a prescient call to embrace a more integrated understanding of the universe—one that is more urgently needed today than ever before. Cultivating this integral awareness demands that we as leaders develop the humility to look beyond profit-centric myopia and reconnect with the values and stakeholders that imbue our organisations with authentic vitality. To actualise this vision will require a radical commitment to what facilitator Adam Kahane — a key player in our country's transition from apartheid — has termed "Stretch Collaboration." By fostering genuine dialogue and extending empathy across divides, Kahane helped birth a seemingly impossible peaceful resolution during the turbulent pre-1994 negotiations. Now, we must summon this spirit of Stretch Collaboration again—this time between the corporate world and the grassroots communities with whom our fates are entwined. Our companies must become catalysts for holistic value creation, embracing our sacred duty to safeguard the resilience and regenerative capacities of all life..." Read the full chapter: https://lnkd.in/dZftCjFg

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Our global financial system is broken, and we urgently need more climate finance to flow to climate-impacted countries and communities. Day 2 at COP29 saw the launch of a new Coalition of 16 countries calling for "Solidarity Levies", the principles that polluting industries and practices (shipping, aviation and fossil fuel extraction) must pay a fee to help cover the cost of climate action. This builds a political coalition supporting the global solidarity levies task force launched at COP28 by Barbados, France, and Kenya. The coalition was launched at COP29 by Barbados PM Mia Mottley, Spain PM Sanchez and Marshall Islands PM Hilda Heine. It now has 16 members: Barbados, France, Kenya, Antigua & Barbuda, Colombia, Marshall Islands, Senegal, Spain, Denmark, the African Union, and the European Commission, Djibouti, Fiji, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Zambia. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres in his remarks at COP pointed to solidarity levies as an important part of the solution: "Tapping innovative sources, particularly levies on shipping, aviation, and fossil fuel extraction based on the principle that polluters must pay” is “critical for success.” Learn more about the ideas behind solidarity levies for carbon pollution here:

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#Mauritius is an island of breathtaking oceans, green forests, and natural beauty. It’s is a gem - a rare gem that needs to respected and looked after. It is not just a fun tourism destination, a lucrative business opportunity, or an island for property investment - its my home. It is also home to many other wonderful people and communities and exquisite wildlife. Whether you’re a local resident, a tourist, an investor, a government official, or a businessperson, I urge you to do your part in taking care of the island’s environment and its resources for long-term sustainability, and in turn, lengthening the life of Mauritius and its magnificence. #Sustainability #Environment #Communities #ClimateAction

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Hakainde Hichilema And here they are, still getting scammed by the "Little Sheikh of the UAE." So, when will people wake up from this collective coma? In Rwanda, someone with only a secondary school certificate is managing a multibillion-dollar carbon offset scheme. It’s time to stop selling off our land and resources before you are completely sidelined. .https://lnkd.in/gCKjWKbA Zambians, Liberians, and Zimbabweans are still willing to let the "Sheikh of Mameluk"—or perhaps the "Sheikh of Camels," whichever suits—to manage their carbon credits for mere pennies on the dollar. This acceptance reflects a culture of low expectations regarding the true value of these environmental assets. In Saudi Arabia, the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Co. (RVCMC) is auctioning over 2.5 million tons of carbon credits to fund climate projects in the Global South and help the kingdom reach its net-zero targets. Supporters of carbon markets claim they mobilize billions in financing by allowing companies to offset emissions through credit purchases. However, demand has waned, partly due to accusations of greenwashing. The RVCMC platform follows guidelines from the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, with CEO Riham ElGizy emphasizing rigorous due diligence. To protect buyers, only credits verified by Sylvera or BeZero are accepted, and certain projects, like renewable energy, are excluded from trading. RVCMC aspires to be a leading carbon market by 2030, with credits initially sourced from countries including Bangladesh, Brazil, and Ethiopia. Unlike Abu Dhabi’s now-defunct exchange, RVCMC's efforts appear set for the long term, though no regional mandates require companies to offset emissions yet.

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Chapter 12 of the upcoming book for #southafrican #sustainability professionals unpacks H3Uni's Three Horizon Model, a well-known framework in the business transformation space. Specifically, we look at South African case studies. Here's an extract, and there's a link to the full chapter below: "...Consider the case of South African Airways in 2016 and their landmark flight powered by biofuel produced from a nicotine-free tobacco plant called Solaris. Far from a token sustainability gesture, this represented an H3 breakthrough with the potential to fundamentally disrupt the industrial paradigm. Rather than perpetuating the endless cycle of extracting and burning hydrocarbons, Solaris points to a radically different future—one where our energy is renewably cultivated from the nourishing soils and vibrant ecosystems that surround us. It's a shift from a hydrocarbon to a carbohydrate-based energy model—an elegant alignment of human industry with Nature's intelligence rather than its subjugation. Crucially, it showcases how South African innovators can blaze the trail towards the technologies that will enable civilisation's transition from depletion to regeneration when we free ourselves from the shackles of H1 orthodoxies. The same resilient spirit that allowed previous generations to overcome adversity against all odds can now light the way for all of humanity. For pioneering leaders truly committed to ushering in the H3 paradigm, a pragmatic "dual transformation" strategy offers a roadmap. It recognises that established corporations cannot abruptly abandon their existing H1 obligations and operating models. Too drastic a pivot risks undermining the very asset base needed to drive meaningful H3 solutions over the long run. Instead, this approach advocates sustaining H1 value creation to meet current market expectations, while simultaneously dedicating focused resources towards incubating the H3 models and unconventional partnerships that can ultimately render the decaying status quo obsolete. We see powerful examples of this dual strategy unfolding in the rural communities and watersheds of South Africa's Eastern Cape. Here, coalitions of forward-thinking organisations are revitalising regional ecosystems through holistic landscape regeneration methodologies. Guided by frameworks like the Four Returns model, the Baviaanskloof Devco collaboration strategically engages existing H1 agricultural stakeholders by providing diversified revenue streams linked to restorative practices, like the Indigenous honeybush tea and rosemary industries..." Read the full chapter: https://lnkd.in/d8zXd442

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🌍 “Mauritius, one of two of the most ecologically devastated islands in the world, has lost much of its natural forest cover, with less than 1.3% of indigenous forest remaining.” In this week’s article, authors Xavier Koenig and Prakash Deenapanray from UNIVERSITÉ DES MASCAREIGNES, explain how Mauritius is struggling to tackle environmental degradation due to weak land use governance and a focus on economic growth over sustainability. Now is the time to prioritize the environment alongside development for a more sustainable future. 🌱 #Sustainability #Mauritius #EnvironmentalGovernance #ClimateAction

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The affirmative action act of Ghana sets specific targets for gender representation, aiming for 30% by 2026, 35% by 2028, and 50% by 2030. These quotas apply to appointments in public offices, governance positions, decision-making roles, and leadership positions across various sectors, including ministerial roles, the Council of State, independent constitutional bodies, and the Public Service. These targets can only be achieved if GBV is addressed in our institutions and political systems. Join us discuss how collectively we can end GBV in politics and public administration

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For the final meeting with my mentor Nana Minta Asiedu Ampadu-Minta we discussed, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). Although often grouped together, these are distinct tasks: >#Monitoring involves regularly checking a project's progress against its goals, objectives, and plans. It occurs continuously at set intervals. >#Evaluation, on the other hand, answers key questions about the project's effectiveness and whether it is achieving its intended goals. Evaluations typically take place at midpoints and at the end of a project cycle. Four Reasons Why Monitoring and Evaluation Are Important: 1. Effectiveness Assessment: M&E demonstrates the effectiveness of a project and identifies areas needing improvement. 2. Accountability: It ensures accountability regarding project finances, human resources, and time management. 3.Evidence-Based Decision Making: M&E informs decision-making based on data collected throughout the project. 4.Continuous Learning: It fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement. In the final stretch of my mentorship we were tasked to film a 60 second video answering why we do what we do. This was really introspective for me but ended up speaking out and really put myself out there. ( whilst also brushing out the editing skills Thank you CapCut!) Check out the Video here on Instagram and don't forget to follow Friends of Nature Network on their Instagram platform. https://lnkd.in/dEv9kBZ4

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So the return of the Chagos archipelago of islands to Mauritius presupposes the peoples of Chagos are Mauritians. There are outstanding problems with that assumption that could open the door to future racism against the Chagosians. I therefore encourage the resettlement of the Chagosians on the archipelago, and the renegotiation of the Diego Garcia lease with the rightful owners of the archipelago (the Chagosians). India's participation in this return of the archipelago to Mauritius has not been lost on me, but we must be circumspect to prevent further racism and recolonization of the Chagosians by ANY Nation. If we do not do that, Britain and Northern Ireland, and the US will continue to be culprits in any future crimes against humanity. https://lnkd.in/eUGrjH2S

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