Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Africa

  • Inspiring Victory Against Big Ag and the GMO Giants

    Soil carbon loss is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, with over 100 Gt released annually. Implementing regenerative agriculture practices can help reverse climate change by capturing CO2 in the soil and enhancing soil organic matter. This can be achieved by stopping ecosystem destruction, restoring forests and pastures, and discontinuing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The Mexican Senate recently approved a constitutional reform to ban GMOs, prioritizing the protection of biodiversity and food sovereignty. Traditional grains like finger millet and sorghum are proving to be more resilient and sustainable in the face of climate variability. The FAO emphasizes the importance of diversifying staple crops in Southern Africa, particularly transitioning from maize to traditional grains like finger millet and sorghum. The impact of the 2024 El Niño on Zimbabwe and Southern Africa led to severe food insecurity, livestock deaths, and the worst hunger crisis in 4 decades. Mexico has banned the planting of genetically modified corn seeds to protect its native corn varieties. The section discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture and organic farming in addressing climate change, highlighting the efforts of organizations like IFOAM Organics International and Regeneration International in promoting sustainable farming practices. The article also mentions the need for African governments to implement agroecology policies to support smallholder food producers and address environmental issues. Overall, the focus is on empowering farmers and communities to take control of their local food systems for a more sustainable future. Stakeholders in Africa are urging states to prioritize agroecology to support farmers and sustainable food production. Glaciers are losing ice mass rapidly, with regional losses ranging from 2% to 39%. The climate crisis is already impacting smallholder farmers, leading to food insecurity and hunger. Industrial agriculture, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is unsustainable. Indigenous reserves in the Peruvian Amazon are facing setbacks, putting uncontacted tribes at risk. Supporting monarch populations by planting nectar-rich flowers and milkweed is crucial for their survival. Regeneration International is calling for support to build an international alliance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in soils, regenerate ecosystems, eliminate rural poverty, and revitalize communities. They emphasize the importance of regenerative agriculture in restoring farmer independence, promoting social justice, fair trade, and ecological health. The organization aims to build a global network to promote regenerative agriculture practices that provide abundant food, revitalize economies, restore soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions while sequestering carbon in the soil.

    https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=372973

  • Investors pour capital into Africa’s fast-growing e-mobility market

    Electric vehicle transport financing is on the rise in Africa, with Spiro securing $50 million to expand its battery-swapping network, along with other e-mobility firms like Arc Ride and Gogo Electric receiving funding for clean transport solutions. Spiro intends to use the capital to extend its battery-swapping stations and advance technology for a greener future in Africa. Development financiers view electric mobility as both a climate solution and an industrialization opportunity on the continent, highlighting the potential for sustainable growth and reduced emissions in the region.

    https://apnews.com/article/spiro-electric-bikes-battery-swapping-emobility-africa-e91ff820907dd8329d15a9f2ed1e2b20

  • 30 New Community‐Led Climate Adaptation Projects Across the Global South

    The Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) and SouthSouthNorth (SSN) have announced a new cohort of 30 awardees from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America & the Caribbean, each receiving funding to implement projects helping communities adapt to climate change impacts. The ARA, launched at COP26, focuses on action-oriented, equitable, and user-driven research to deliver real solutions for those most affected by climate change. The awardees are working on projects such as community-centered early-warning systems, nature-based solutions, and knowledge-sharing to strengthen resilience, guided by the Adaptation Research for Impact Principles. This collaborative effort brings together various stakeholders to shape climate-resilient futures and ensure that research is driven by user needs, co-produced with local experts, and equitable in practice.

    https://southsouthnorth.org/30-new-community%E2%80%91led-climate-adaptation-projects-across-the-global-south/

  • Power Isn’t Enough: Why Electricity Alone Won’t Deliver Africa’s Energy Promise

    Efficient appliances, such as refrigerators and water pumps, are essential for women in Africa to save time, effort, and money, allowing them to reinvest in their families and businesses. Access to these tools through initiatives like the Productive Use Financing Facility has led to a 94 percent increase in average incomes for women. Investing in smart appliances can deliver 20 percent of the energy savings needed to double global efficiency by 2030, advancing energy, climate, and economic goals simultaneously. Efficient appliances serve as a bridge between energy access and economic opportunity, playing a crucial role in Africa's energy transition and local economies. Grants, subsidies, and energy performance standards are key to promoting energy-efficient appliances in African markets, creating a $50 billion market and lowering the burden of climate change.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/electricity-access-affordable-appliances-equity-africa/

  • Africa records fastest-ever solar growth in 2025

    In 2025, installations of solar power in Africa increased by 54%, with around 4.5 GW of new solar PV capacity installed. Utility-scale projects accounted for 56% of installations, while distributed solar made up 44%. The report highlighted the under-reporting of rooftop, commercial, and distributed capacity due to limited data. The need for greater investment in battery storage, grids, and power system flexibility was emphasized to improve reliability of supply and support rising energy demand. The top 10 solar markets in Africa led the capacity additions, but solar deployment is spreading to a wider group of countries, with several mid-sized and emerging markets making significant gains. Despite the rapid growth of distributed solar in Africa, financing models have not kept pace, with most clean energy finance still coming from public and development sources geared towards large projects. Private investment in clean energy has increased, but funding for smaller solar systems used by homes and businesses remains limited. Leaders in the industry estimate that up to $46 billion will be needed by 2030 to meet electrification targets in African countries. The Global Solar Council warns that misalignment between funding and market needs could slow deployment of solar energy, but aligning finance, planning, and regulation with market realities could lead to significant growth in solar capacity and economic benefits.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/02/04/africa-records-fastest-ever-solar-growth-as-installations-jump-in-2025/

  • Energy Transition and Critical Minerals in Morocco – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance

    The United Nations Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals is addressing the projected increase in demand for these minerals by 2030 and 2040. The workshop in Morocco focused on fair policies for mineral extraction and renewable energy to mitigate negative impacts. The African Energy Chamber predicts a rise in renewables in Africa's power generation mix, with North Africa potentially exporting electricity and green hydrogen to Europe. Participants discussed guidelines for strengthening governance, financing, and regulation of value chains to promote low-carbon industrial development and emphasized the importance of Just Energy Transition and Responsible Governance. Key proposals included creating synergies between energy, mobility, and hydrogen storage through public-private partnerships and innovation to promote sustainable development.

    https://pacja.org/energy-transition-and-critical-minerals-in-morocco/

  • Climate and Economic Justice Campaign Implementation Framework 2025-2026 – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance

    The Climate and Economic Justice Campaign in Africa is working to address global inequality, climate injustices, and economic exploitation by demanding climate reparations, debt justice, and economic transformation. With a focus on Global Equity, Climate and the Environment, and Economic Justice, the campaign calls for systemic changes in international financial systems, climate finance, debt cancellation, and fairer trade systems to support African development and sovereignty. Rooted in African communities' experiences and policy struggles, the campaign is poised to take advantage of key global opportunities in 2025 that align with its goals.

    https://pacja.org/climate-and-economic-justice-campaign-implementation-framework-2025-2026/

  • Scatec secures PPA for Africa’s largest solar-plus-storage project

    Norwegian renewables developer Scatec ASA has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company for a 1.95 GW solar and 3.9 GWh battery energy storage project in Egypt. This project, Scatec's largest investment to date, will provide sustainable, around-the-clock power and grid stabilizing services, supporting Egypt's energy transition and economic development. The integrated solar-plus-storage system is expected to deliver 6 TWh of energy annually, making it the largest solar and battery energy storage installation in Africa. Scatec plans to act as the lead developer and is seeking additional equity partners for the project, which is anticipated to reach financial close in the second half of the year.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/12/scatec-secures-ppa-for-africas-largest-solar-plus-storage-project/

  • 10 Years of Regeneration and Beyond

    Regeneration International celebrated a decade of collective action and growth in their partner network, reaching over 700 organizations. They held their 5th Annual People's Food Summit, reaching 10 million people worldwide to discuss reshaping food systems. The movement expanded initiatives in Africa and Latin America, promoting healthy soils and food sovereignty. The PELUM Network in Southern and Eastern Africa marked 30 years of transformative work in agroecology and indigenous knowledge. Regeneration International also announced a Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Agriculture in partnership with South Seas University. The Regeneration International Standard offers two certification pathways for farmers to transition to regenerative practices, focusing on principles, guidance, and continuous improvement. It prohibits synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, and other harmful inputs. By supporting farmers through practical transition pathways, the standard aims to drive a global shift towards agriculture that regenerates soils, ecosystems, and communities. This is crucial in a world facing climate crises and soil degradation, where soil health is becoming an urgent priority for sustainable food production and rural economies.

    https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=434990

  • Africa mulls gap in climate adaptation finance for agriculture

    African stakeholders are advocating for increased adaptation funding for smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector who are highly vulnerable to climate shocks. Despite international funding pledges, there is a significant gap of approximately $365 billion through 2035, with skepticism that other countries will fill the shortfall. Climate finance is concentrated in a few countries, leaving farmers with limited access to funds for climate-smart practices. Stakeholders are calling for public financing, better early-warning systems, loss-and-damage support, and the implementation of climate-smart agriculture to address the underfunding of agricultural adaptation in Africa. Efforts to redirect harmful subsidies, reform finance institutions, and create a fairer global tax system are suggested to fill the gap in finance flows to small-scale agriculture in Africa. Additionally, concerns about the lack of progress in implementing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) at the climate conference and the need for quadrupling Africa's climate finance flows annually until 2030 to meet investment needs for emissions reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement are highlighted.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/africa-mulls-gap-in-climate-adaptation-finance-for-agriculture/