A new report has indicated that one-third of tropical timber traded globally comes from illegal deforestation. The significant number stems from an increase of timber traded on domestic markets, which are less regulated and strict than international, export-oriented markets. More than 40 renowned scientists from around the world, including scientists from the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), produced the ...

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Botswana, Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, highlights five focal points she will emphasise at the African Union Commission Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Botswana and candidate for the Chairperson of the African Union, on Thursday, 26 January 2017 in Gaborone, highlighted five major reforms she would introduce if elected as the Chairperson ...

Dr. Robin Buruchara, Director of the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), imagine what a world without beans would be like. PABRA, a network of researchers from 30 countries in Africa, supports national bean programmes and other members to enhance delivery of improved beans for Africa I, like millions of others in Africa, can’t imagine what it would be like to live without beans. Venture ...

In a recent interview, Ambassador Dr Amina Mohamed sets out her case in her candidacy for the position of African Union Chairperson that will be decided at the forthcoming AU Summit at the end of this month. “I am a tough, but fair, negotiator and what I enjoy doing most is building consensus, unifying people and sticking on message to obtain optimum ...

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has said that it will stick to its target of investing around $100 billion in climate action over the next five years, the largest climate finance contribution of any single multilateral institution, and is already exceeding its own targets for climate finance. EIB President, Werner Hoyer, made the disclosure while presenting the EIB Group annual results at a ...

In the latest demonstration of institutional asset owners’ commitment to climate action, New York State Common Retirement Fund (CRF), the third largest public pension fund in the US with $184.5 billion in assets, has joined the Portfolio Decarbonication Coalition (PDC). The CRF is the first major US pension fund to join the Coalition’s 28 members, who between them control over ...

The Benue State Government has been asked to expedite action on completing the Cancer Screening Centre under construction at the Pauline Makka Women Centre, Makurdi in order to harness its health and economic benefits. The Benue State House of Assembly, which made the call on Tuesday, 24 January 2017 during plenary in resolutions after debate on the report of the ...

France has issued its first “green bonds” with a record seven billion euro ($7.5 billion) sale, paving the way for the establishment of a genuine market in renewable energy bonds. Proceeds from Tuesday’s (24 January, 2017) sale of the 22-year bonds will be used to finance projects to address climate change. Credit Agricole-CIB, which was one of the banks handling ...

Thirteen global car and energy companies have teamed up to promote hydrogen as a clean fuel, which can power the world toward its goal of decarbonising its energy supply. Hydrogen technology is well understood but for it to work on the global stage it can’t be enacted piecemeal, according to the Hydrogen Council, which was launched this week at the ...

A massive oil spill arising from two (underwater and surface) crude oil leakages from pipelines along the Nembe South, Nembe Local Government Council Area of Bayelsa State is raising food security concerns in the locality. This is because the indigenes of the affected five communities and fishing settlements are increasingly unable to eke out a living as fishing and farming ...