Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Rwanda

  • Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands

    Kigali, Rwanda is undergoing a citywide effort to rebuild nature-based infrastructure by restoring wetlands, creating wildlife corridors, parks, and bike lanes, and planting trees to address flooding issues exacerbated by climate change. The city has converted a degraded swamp into a functioning wetland, with plans to reforest hillsides and restore a larger wetland system to control floods, store carbon, and enhance biodiversity. The success of the Nyandungu Eco-Park pilot project has led to the restoration of five more degraded wetlands in the city, covering 1,200 acres. The Kigali Master Plan aims to restore and protect wetlands, while also monitoring social impacts and engaging with the local community to ensure the success of wetland restoration efforts. These efforts, including the planting of 3 million trees over five years, are crucial steps in adapting to the changing climate and reducing the impact of extreme weather events in Kigali.

    https://e360.yale.edu/features/kigali-rwanda-wetland-restoration

  • Ampersand Energy Opens Its Battery Swap Network To Global Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers

    Ampersand Energy in East Africa is making significant strides in the electric motorcycle sector by partnering with Wylex Mobility and BYD to expand its battery swap network and build 40,000 electric motorcycles by 2026. This marks a major milestone for electric transport in Africa, as Ampersand becomes the first company to open its batteries and swap network to third-party vehicle manufacturers, setting the stage for interoperability in the African electric motorcycle sector. Ampersand's battery swap network, already delivering over 20,000 swaps a day, is built for speed and reliability, powering millions of kilometers of travel in Rwanda and Kenya. The partnership with BYD not only aims to electrify a large portion of Africa's commercial motorbikes but also opens the door for more quality brands to integrate into the market without building energy infrastructure from scratch, fostering growth and unlocking the full potential of the East African electric motorcycle market.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/15/ampersand-energy-opens-its-battery-swap-network-to-global-electric-motorcycle-manufacturers/

  • TriplePundit • The Blockchain Solution for the World’s Most Problematic Minerals

    The article discusses the use of blockchain traceability tools in responsible mining solutions to address the harmful social and environmental impacts of conventional mining. By creating an authentic record of documentation for every step minerals take from mine to manufacturer, blockchain technology can ensure transparency and accountability in the supply chain. This helps companies avoid supporting illegal and inhumane mining operations, such as those involving child labor, forced labor, or environmental negligence. The use of blockchain in tracking mineral transactions can also help companies meet due diligence requirements and ensure responsible management practices in the mining industry. Additionally, regulations such as the OECD due diligence guidance and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive aim to address issues related to conflict minerals and abusive practices in the supply chain. A Rwandan tin smelter has implemented blockchain traceability tools to ensure conflict-free tin production, attracting new clients and providing buyer confidence and traceability for both large-scale mines and artisanal mining operations. The Responsible Minerals Initiative emphasizes the importance of consistent data definitions and formats to ensure responsible sourcing, highlighting the goal of using technology to make due diligence easier and help avoid risks in the mineral supply chain.

    https://triplepundit.com/2025/blockchain-tin-mining-due-dilligence/