Africa's Green Economy Summit

🚨📽️AGES 2025 Opening Video 🚨📽️ 📢Will you join us? A bright highlight at Africa's Green Economy Summit 2025, was definitely the Opening Video played at the start of the event! This year, we decided to revamp our style and introduced a stimulating dialogue to our video 🗣️ With the phenomenal talents from Zandile Ndhlovu and John Roome, we were able to create a thought-provoking conversation about the future of the blue and green economies in Africa. Touching on current challenges, community-based solutions and investment opportunities, this video urges us to reflect on the role we play in developing a sustainable green economy in Africa. 🌍 💡It takes bold collaboration and daring ideas.... 🤝Will you join us? Find out more about AGES here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewiKPVe5 #ages2025 #blueeconomy #greeneconomy #openingvideo #calltoaction

💼 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬: 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 🌍🔋 As the global shift towards clean energy accelerates, certain minerals have become indispensable due to their role in renewable technologies. Here are five essential insights about these "green minerals": ✅ Critical Components: Materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper are vital for clean energy technologies, including solar panels, batteries, hydrogen electrolysers, and wind turbines. ✅ Rising Demand: The transition to renewable energy sources has led to a significant increase in the need for these minerals, underscoring their importance in achieving global decarbonization goals. UNSW Sites ✅ Sustainable Mining: To support environmental objectives, it's crucial to adopt low-carbon methods in extracting and processing these minerals, ensuring that clean energy solutions do not inadvertently contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. ✅ Technological Innovation: Advancements in geology and artificial intelligence are enhancing our ability to locate and extract these minerals more efficiently, as demonstrated by virtual models tracking Earth's tectonic plate evolution to uncover copper deposits. ✅ Educational Opportunities: Institutions like UNSW's School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering offer programs focused on mining and petroleum engineering, preparing professionals to navigate the evolving landscape of energy resources. Embracing these insights is pivotal for fostering a sustainable and resilient energy future. 🌱✨ 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d3jrNe3s

On Sunday 30th March, we celebrated Zero Waste Day, a global reminder of the urgent need to reduce, reuse, and recycle to protect our planet. Waste pollution affects our environment, wildlife, and climate—so every small step toward sustainability makes a difference! ✅ Reduce Waste & Pollution – Be mindful of what we consume to prevent excess waste ending up in landfills. ✅ Reuse to Extend Product Lifespan – Repurposing and repairing items reduces the demand for new resources. ✅ Recycle to Conserve Natural Resources – Properly sorting recyclables helps turn old materials into new products, reducing energy use and emissions. ✅ Protect Wildlife & Ecosystems – Less waste means cleaner oceans, forests, and habitats for animals. ✅ Support a Circular Economy – Sustainable practices create jobs and reduce reliance on raw materials. Go Green Africa Emmanuelle Nicholls Julian Yeates Iain Banner

💼 South Africa Approves Renewable Energy Masterplan 🌍⚡ South Africa has officially approved the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), aiming to drive investment and development in the renewable energy sector. Key highlights include: ✅ Focus on Key Technologies: SAREM emphasizes the development of solar and wind energy, as well as battery storage solutions utilizing lithium-ion and vanadium technologies. ✅ Industrialization and Localization: The plan seeks to leverage the growing demand for renewable energy to promote industrialization and local manufacturing of key components, fostering economic growth and job creation. ✅ Green Hydrogen Development: SAREM includes directives to incorporate the development of green hydrogen fuel, aiming to meet international standards of a 5% blended fuel in aviation and maritime sectors by 2030. This strategic initiative positions South Africa as a key player in the global renewable energy landscape, promoting sustainability and economic advancement. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dXhGQ68m

🌿 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 🍎 The fresh produce industry plays a pivotal role in delivering nutritious fruits and vegetables to consumers worldwide. A recent analysis sheds light on the economic and environmental challenges faced by this sector. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ✅ Consumer Pricing vs. Grower Profits: Between 2015 and 2024, U.S. food prices rose by 33.6%, while fresh fruit and vegetable prices increased by only 16.7% and 18.4%, respectively. Despite consumers paying more, farm-level prices have either declined or grown slowly, leading to a projected 6.3% decrease in net farm income for 2024. This highlights the financial pressures on producers despite higher retail prices. ✅ Impact of Extreme Weather: In 2024, the U.S. experienced widespread droughts, and Europe faced both severe droughts and unusual rainfall. These extreme weather events disrupted production, affecting yields, quality, and prices. Addressing these challenges requires significant investments in irrigation, protective infrastructure, and the development of resilient crop varieties. ✅ Rising Input Costs: A 2024 survey by the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce revealed that over 80% of industry operators faced increasing input costs. Notably, construction materials saw a 56% rise, with fertilizers, fuel, and machinery also experiencing substantial cost increases. These escalating expenses add to the financial strain on growers and the broader supply chain. Navigating these economic and environmental challenges is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the fresh produce value chain. Read more: https://lnkd.in/diXkU-p8

🌿 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐞: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 🌍 Innovative Carbon Capture Surfaces (CCS) are emerging as a scalable and cost-effective solution for atmospheric CO₂ removal. Developed by Reactive Surfaces Ltd., these surfaces utilize specially designed substrates coated with proprietary bio-based functional coatings to optimize algae growth for carbon sequestration. Key Insights: ✅ Scalable Carbon Removal: CCS technology employs thin substrates within modular units to cultivate algae, which efficiently captures atmospheric CO₂. This approach offers a promising avenue to achieve the gigaton-scale carbon removal necessary to meet climate targets. ✅ Cost-Effective Solution: By leveraging the natural photosynthetic capabilities of algae, CCS presents an economically viable method for direct air capture, addressing the urgent need for affordable carbon dioxide removal technologies. Open Access Government ✅ Climate Mitigation Potential: Integrating CCS into global carbon reduction strategies could significantly contribute to limiting global warming, aligning with the goals outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Embracing such innovative technologies is crucial in our collective effort to combat climate change and achieve a sustainable future. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d-dDnfUy

🌿 South Africa Advances Green Finance with New Taxonomy Report 💰 South Africa has released a comprehensive technical report assessing the international interoperability and usability of its Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT). This initiative aims to enhance the country's environmental finance strategies and align them with global standards. Key Insights: ✅ Framework Definition: The SA GFT provides a clear classification system for "green" investments, offering clarity and certainty for investors. ✅ International Alignment: The taxonomy aligns well with global standards, encompassing broad environmental objectives and key economic sectors, particularly in climate change mitigation. ✅ Investment Mobilization: South Africa requires a significant increase in climate finance to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The SA GFT is expected to facilitate capital flows towards sustainable projects by enhancing transparency and reducing greenwashing. By refining its Green Finance Taxonomy, South Africa aims to attract sustainable investments and effectively drive its energy transition. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dWAiGNet

𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 Africa presents significant opportunities for carbon project development, but unlocking its full potential requires accelerating investment. Despite strong demand, perceived risks continue to constrain capital flow. BeZero Carbon, a leading carbon ratings agency, provides independent assessments that enhance transparency and investor confidence. By offering robust risk analysis, our ratings help de-risk investments, facilitating the capital needed to scale high-integrity carbon projects. The financial resources exist, and the demand is clear. Strengthening trust and market confidence will be key to mobilizing investment and driving a sustainable future for Africa. #CarbonMarkets #SustainableInvestment #ClimateFinance #GreenEconomy #BeZeroCarbon BeZero Carbon Charlotte Chesterman Jaco Olivier, PhD Elodie Delagneau Emmanuelle Nicholls Lauren Rose-Innes Charlotte Durup de Baleine Phillip Mkorongo

Surge in Clean Energy Investments Reshapes Australia's M&A Landscape 🔋 Australia is witnessing unprecedented investments in the clean energy sector, driven by both government initiatives and private sector commitments. A recent analysis by Lander & Rogers explores the implications of this influx on the nation's energy transition and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market. Key Highlights: ✅ Government Initiatives: The Australian Government has set ambitious targets, including achieving 82% renewable energy generation by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. To support these goals, an additional $2 billion has been allocated to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation's General Portfolio, aiming to accelerate the shift to renewable energy. ✅ Private Sector Engagement: Institutions like Macquarie Group's Green Investment Group and UniSuper are actively investing in renewable energy projects. For instance, UniSuper committed up to USD $400 million to Macquarie's Green Energy and Climate Opportunities Fund, reflecting a strategic move towards sustainable investments. Landers ✅ M&A Market Dynamics: The surge in clean energy investments is fostering confidence in the energy transition M&A market. This trend is expected to create diverse opportunities, bolstering stability and certainty within the clean energy economy. Collective efforts from both the public and private sectors are pivotal in driving Australia's clean energy transition, with significant implications for the M&A landscape. Landers 📖 Read the full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/d9GYTXe3

💧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 🌍 In light of escalating global water challenges, the emphasis on responsible water management has reached unprecedented levels. An article from Utilities Middle East underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable water practices to ensure a resilient future. Key Insights: ✅ Global Water Challenges: The increasing scarcity of water resources necessitates immediate and effective management strategies to address both current and future demands. Financial Times ✅ Sustainable Vision in the UAE: The United Arab Emirates is actively driving a sustainable vision, emphasizing the importance of responsible water management in its national agenda. ✅ Role of Utility Providers: Eng. Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water & Electricity, highlights the evolving role of utility providers from mere energy suppliers to integral community partners, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainability. Implementing responsible water management practices is essential for safeguarding water resources and promoting environmental sustainability. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dhzAkqhs