Sustainzim Issue 03

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{ www.sustainzim.org

@SustainZimbabwe} Think

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Energy 02 Sustainable for Children

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Unpacking the Paris Agreement Prospects

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Stay Green!

MINING

COP21

ENERGY

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How can mining become more environmentally sustainable

ENERGY

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Promoting distributed renewable energy

F E AT U R E

Water hyacinth as a source of alternative energy Page 8

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E N E RGY

NO T

{ www.sustainzim.org

@SustainZimbabwe} Think

Live

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Unpacking the Paris Agreement Prospects

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Sustainable Energy for Children

SA

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QUARTER 03 ISSUE 03 / 16

Stay Green!

MINING

COP21

ENERGY

Energy 02 Sustainable for Children

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How can mining become

environmentally 07 more sustainable

ENERGY

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Promoting distributed renewable energy

By Amy Wickham

F E AT U R E

Water hyacinth as a source of alternative energy

UNICEF Zimbabwe

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SustainZim is a tabloid newspaper promoting a green culture within Zimbabwean homes, schools, work places and everyday lives. It aims to step up the fight against Global warming and Climate Change by raising awareness about the need to reduce our carbon footprint and a push towards sustainable development.

It will showcase green initiatives already being done by government, civil society groups, companies and individuals.

PARTNERING we are available to work as implementing partners for projects in Zimbabwe. Get in touch if you would like to partner with us sustainzim@povoafrika.org PUBlISHERS POVOAfrika Trust (MA0001023/2015) ZIM - Harare +263 77 228 3186 / +263 773 456 797, 1 Verona Gardens, 70 livingstone Ave RSA - Johannesburg +27 11 7603511 / +27 726005283 210 Klein Drakenstein, 31 Snipe Street, Horizon, 1724, Roodepoort CONTRIBUTE contribute@sustainzim.org ADVERTISING A rate sheet is available on request ZIM +263 77 291 8810 / +263 77 228 3186 RSA +27 72 600 5283 / +27 11 7603511 Email: advertise@sustainzim.org limited Space Available!

KEy PERSONNEl EDITOR Archibald Mathibela PROJECT COORDINATOR Raymond Muwaniri DESIGN AND lAyOUT Baynham Goredema FINANCE DIRECTOR Rodrick longwe CARTOONIST Tafadzwa Tarumbwa DISClAIMER SustainZim is published by POVOAfrika Trust. The information, opinions and views set out in this journal are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of POVOAfrika Trust nor any of their partners.

Neither POVOAfrika Trust or nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. Neither are they responsible for siting references within articles, stated facts or credits to photos supplied, this is the responsibility of the contributor. Rights to the photographs and articles remain with the photographers and with the authors respectively.

Contact them respectively for reproduction. while all care has been taken during proofing, errors and omissions may slip through and we sincerely apologise for these.

Situation Analysis of the energy status of institutions that support children in five districts of Zimbabwe

Girl cooks on open fire

Access to energy is fundamental to improving the quality of life and is a key imperative to the development of children. Lack of access to energy services dramatically affects and undermines health, limits opportunities for education and development and can reduce a family’s potential to rise out of poverty. Access to energy for cooking is important for children’s nutrition and disease prevention and the choice of energy for cooking also determines the frequency and adequacy of meal preparation of households.

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n Zimbabwe access to electricity is low, especially in rural areas where only 19% of the population have access to electricity. Children are severely affected by shortages as 59% of primary schools and 39.5% of secondary schools lack access 1 . In Zimbabwe, 73.9% of households use solid fuels as the primary source of domestic energy to cook2. There has been an increase in incidences of school children missing classes in rural schools because of having to fetch fuel wood. This fuel wood, used by the majority of rural households is commonly used to cook in kitchens without proper ventilation and/or improved cook stoves where children may spend long hours making them vulnerable to indoor air pollution and its impacts. The choice of energy for lighting and space-heating also has a bearing on the vulnerability of children to respiratory related diseases; eye diseases as well as risks to burns.

1. IFSA, 2014, Inventory of Facilities and Social Amenities Report, UNICEF Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 2016 2. Zimbabwe Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2014, Final Report. UNICEF, ZIMSTAT.

PHOTOS: AMy WICkHAM

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Children at Shingai Primary School

These challenges can be overcome by promoting the use of alternative technologies such as solar, micro-hydro, biogas and biomass. However, the key question is how can we enable a transition to cleaner energy in urban and rural areas? and how would such modern energy interventions impact children? It is against this background that UNICEF Zimbabwe

Country Office commissioned a study aimed at understanding children’s access to energy in households where they live and in institutions which support their well-being such as schools and clinics.

The project aimed to gather evidence on energy access barriers

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Nature of the work to address the problem The following key questions were addressed in the study: What is the current energy poverty status of households, schools and clinics?

What is their energy mix and how sustainable is it?

Does the energy mix include renewable/ sustainable energy?

How does the energy status affect children?

What are the barriers/ opportunities to adoption of renewable energy?

Hurungwe

Children using laptop in school

What is the best energy mix option and how can we introduce innovative solutions to make it sustainable?

Nyanga

Tsholotsho

Gutu Gutu

and innovative energy solutions present in Zimbabwe, and to use this information to address some of these challenges through the reporting and dissemination of the findings. The study was carried out in five districts of Zimbabwe namely Chiredzi, Gutu, Hurungwe, Nyanga and Tsholotsho u si ng b o th q u a nt i t at ive a nd qualitative approaches.

Chiredzi

Questionnaires were administered to 1,547 household heads and 751 children in a school setting. The school questionnaires were specially designed for children.

Technical energy audits were carried out at 16 primary and 15 secondary schools; 18 clinics and 93 households.

The audits identified and quantified the energy mixes being used by the institutions and households; shortfalls of the energy required; resources available for alternative energy; cost of the alternatives; and ability of the institutions to invest in alternative energy.

Main findings There are high energy poverty levels among rural households that invariably affect children. Among the conclusions of this study, some of the most urgent findings related to Health,

Legend PHOTOS: AMy WICkHAM

Qualitative methods included focus group discussions with community people, mothers at health institutions, school teachers and with school children. Key informant interviews were conducted with district and community leaders and as well as staff at schools and clinics and suppliers of energy.

Sampled Districts

Micro Hydro Scheme, Gutu

Education, and Access to Information were as follows: Health Energy deprivation for cooking is leading to inadequate food preparation and limited choice of what to cook resulting in nutrition deprivation.

Women and children are disproportionately affected by the opportunity cost of time lost due to fetching wood and they also suffer the most from Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) from these dirty fuels because traditionally they are responsible for household chores.

Poor quality of lighting remains a critical issue in all rural health institutions which compromises quality of service delivery especially to delivering mothers in the maternity wards during the night.

Education Inadequate light at home to read at night leading to education deprivation.

Lighting was observed to be poor in most of the schools. Natural light provided lighting in the classrooms in schools which were not connected to the national grid, but it was not adequate for afternoon learning.

Access to Information 88% of households interviewed use firewood, paraffin, torches, solar and cell phones for lighting chosen largely due to their accessibility.

18% of households interviewed use solar to charge their phones and 4% use solar for entertainment however the quality of the systems is poor and they do not last long.

Implications and Recommendations Many root causes and barriers associated with energy access in Zimbabwe were identified which include: limited awareness; lack of technical knowhow; financial resource constraints; and lack of reliable and secure supply of power for institutions connected

Sampled Districts Selected Districts

to the grid. Opportunities and key considerations regarding the adoption of cleaner energy include the following: Over 40% of sample households were willing to change from the energy source they were currently using for lighting while approximately 65% of the fuel wood users wanted to change to using cleaner fuels for cooking.

Households were prepared to pay to change from the use of fuel wood for cooking in particular for grid electricity, liquefied petroleum gas and paraffin.

It was indicated that a market based approach to the dissemination of cleaner energy technology could gain momentum if the technologies were readily available at an affordable price and able to mimic grid electricity in terms of end user applications.

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B I OD I V E R S I T Y

A bird school in a biodiversity hotspot Papers by Dr. Mercy Manyuchi (Pr. Eng)

WILDLIFE VUMBA

Wildlife Vumba is a start-up conservation initiative. Its mandate is to “bring together conservation groups working in Zimbabwe’s Vumba mountains”.

Harare Institute Of Technology, Chemical And Process Systems Engineering, Faculty Member

Biogas Production from Saw dust using Acti-zyme as Digestion Catalyst and its Upgrading to Bio methane using Chemical Absorption Zimbabwe has one of the largest deposits of timber in Southern Africa (about 500 000 tons per annum) such that most entrepreneurs venture into timber processing.

The venture results in generation of a lot of sawdust dumps that are of no economic use if they are left lying around. There is 10000 metric tons that go to waste each year which when bio-converted can result in biogas.

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Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: Technical and Economic Feasibility Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil (WCO) is an alternative source of biofuels. WCO is a cheaper raw material compared to other sources since it’s a waste product.

Visits to food outlets in Harare indicated an average 28.9% disposal of the total oils and fats consumed.

Alkaline trans-esterification process was used for the conversion of WCO to biodiesel.

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Sewage Plants’ Potential to Produce Biogas for Electricity GenerationCase Study of the Three Zimbabwe Municipalities Treatment of municipal sewage sludge is a problem in Zimbabwe. However, if the appropriate waste to energy technologies are applied, sewage plants can generate their own electricity thus minimizing municipalities’ reliance on the already strained national grid.

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Read More Papers by Dr. Mercy Manyuchi are available online and you can get updates when she publishes new papers at https://hit-ac.academia.

edu/MercyManyuchi

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PHOTOS SOURCE: WILDLIFE VUMBA

@MercyManyuchi

n e of th e m o st re wa rd i ng collaborations has been with professional bird guide, Peter Magosvongwe.

Magosvongwe, who lives in the populous rural district of Chigodora, just west of the Vumba, runs an innovative bird school programme.

At the moment he runs bird clubs in 12 primary and secondary schools in and around the Vumba. Nearly 700 children are taught bird identification skills and about nature conser vation by the peripatetic birder, who travels between the schools each week on a motorbike funded by a local farmer.

Magosvongwe has recently expanded his lessons to include water health surveys in local rivers, using the MiniSASS method.

MiniSASS is a simple tool for assessing the range of macroinvertebrate groups in water, which can then be used to gauge water quality.

Wildlife Vumba has sourced second hand binoculars and bird books for the bird school project, assisted with funding, logistical support and publicity.

No wonder then that the Vumba is classified as an Important Birding and Biodiversity Area by Birdlife International, and why it provides an ideal training ground for the next generation of ecologists.

Vumba is a world-renowned biodiversity hotspot. Its evergreen forests are home to rarities like the Swynnerton’s robin; the white-tailed crested flycatcher and the bronze-naped pigeon.

Its forest edges and miombo woodlands harbour equally tantalising species for birders, like the Roberts’s warbler and rufousbellied tit, while its high-altitude grasslands are the breeding and foraging grounds of the endangered blue swallow, a summer migrant from central and eastern Africa.

No wonder then that the Vumba is classified as an Important Birding and Biodiversity

Area by Birdlife International, and why it provides an ideal training ground for the next generation of ecologists.

creeping threats to the area’s integrity, environmental education provides a source of hope for the future of the Vumba.

Wildlife Vumba, together with the Friends of the Vumba conservation group, recently sponsored a trip for more than 30 children from the bird club at St Werburgh’s High School in Chigodora, to the Bunga Forest – the emerald crown of the Vumba mountains.

Just sit in on a class conducted by Magosvongwe at one of the schools in Vumba, or the surrounding districts of Chigodora, Chitakatira and Burma Valley, and you will hear youngsters speak knowledgeably about bird migration, threats to bird habitat and the possible careers they can strive for in places with intact ecological systems.

Many of the children that Magosvongwe teaches in his bird clubs have never visited the Vumba, despite this natural heritage being practically on their doorsteps.

More visits are planned in the future, funds permitting.

Despite the work of small, committed conservation groups and individuals in the Vumba, the area is not immune to ecological threats. Each year bushfires sweep through its grasslands; poachers set snares for blue duikers and bushbuck in the forests, and illegal settlement has recently seen ancient evergreen trees felled at the foot of the Bunga Views – on the southern boundary of the Bunga Forest Botanical Reserve. With such

During an August school outing to the Vumba, some children in the bird school programme visited Forest Hills, a familyrun resort high in the mountains. There they saw for themselves the kind of tourism success story that can flourish in a place of undisturbed natural beauty.

Since 2014 Wildlife Vumba has been helping with and publicising the work of conservationists in the Vumba district of eastern Zimbabwe. One key area is promoting an environmental education programme run by local bird guide Peter Magosvongwe. There are plans to expand activities into research using local data collectors to enhance knowledge and inform conservation efforts.

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P OL I C Y

Unpacking the Paris Agreement Prospects

By Veronica N. Gundu-Jakarasi Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate

Zimbabwe has been influential in the Climate Change Negotiations for the past 21 years. The establishment of the Climate Change Management Department in 2013 demonstrated Government’s commitment in addressing the climate change challenges and the need to build a low carbon and climate resilient nation.

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he 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 2 1 / C M P 1 1 ) he ld f rom 3 0 November 30th to 12 December 2015 in Paris, France marked one of the global successes in the climate change talks. The Conference was crucial as it needed to adopt a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C or well below 1.5°C. All the 196 Parties to the Convention applauded the announcement of the adoption of a historic Paris Agreement. The Agreement is a legallybinding, universal, durable and balanced agreement that will become operational from the year 2020.

Main features of the Paris Agreement: Strives to contribute towards achieving the objective of the UNFCCC, which is stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change; Brings together all parties to the Agreement to address climate change, based on their historic, current and future responsibilities regarding stabilization of greenhouse gases; Will promote food security, poverty reduction, economic development, climate resilience; Is guided by, and takes into account, the principles of equity and common, but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances; Provides for differentiation between developed and developing countries in how they undertake obligations, commitments and actions on every subject, including mitigation, adaptation, intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), and the provision of finance, technology and capacity building as the means of implementation; and Respects and promotes the common concern of humankind on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities, and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity among other key elements.

Minister of Environment, France and Minister of Environment Zimbabwe having a bilateral during the Pre COP21 Informal Sessions held by the Government of France.

to participate in the Climate Change Talks to ensure that the rulebook and other operational modalities do not pose any negative implications that may arise in the future. The benefits accruing from signing and ratifying the Paris agreement far outweigh the potential negatives.

Effective implementation of the Paris Agreement will lead to accelerated sustainable economic growth and development, provision of food security, poverty reduction, and increased climate resilience. Reduction of greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere from the major sources of emissions, including agriculture, forestry, land use, energy, transport, industrial processes and waste. This will result in limitation of global surface temperature rise. All countries in the world have been encouraged to update their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for both mitigation and adaptation by the year 2018.

As Zimbabwe moves towards COP22, there are a number of questions that the negotiators need to consider, especially with regards to the implementation of the INDCs, global stocktake, transparency framework and the Registry. Some of the questions include: Should the features and information on Nationally Determined Contributions be tailored to the type of NDCs or should they be tailored on some other basis? If so what?

What lessons can be drawn in this respect from the INDCs already submitted?

Can the existing guidance on accounting under the Convention be taken into account, and if so how? How detailed or general should the guidance be and what should it address?

What are adaptation communications seeking to achieve, especially in light of linkages with other issues, for e.g. with the global stocktake? What does that mean for the scope of the guidance needed?

From left to right Director I.D. Kunene, Environment Department, Xolisa Ngwandhla, and Veronica Jakarasi deputy director climate.

How can a balance be achieved between the need for guidance for adaptation communications with the need for flexibility?

What are some of the experiences and lessons learnt from existing MRV arrangements, and how could they provide a basis for an enhanced transparency framework on action and support?

What constitutes flexibility for developing countries and how could it be applied through modalities, procedures and guidelines in a way that supports full and effective participation in the transparency framework?

How will the global stocktake be conducted, keeping in mind the need for simplicity and relevance, ownership and inclusiveness?

What key features of a mechanism to facilitate implementation and promote compliance would be appropriate in light of the provisions of the Paris Agreement?

On the other hand, Zimbabwe is currently coordinating the Gender and Climate Change Agenda Item under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation; hence, as the Parties review the two Year Lima Work Programme on Gender and Climate Change, it is important to identify the key elements and principles for the advancement of the Lima Work Programme. The social consequences of climate change are not gender neutral due to social inequalities and climate change compounded with the current economic growth trajectories deepen and widen the gender inequalities. Women a unique role in the management of natural resources and with their knowledge, they can shape

PHOTOS SOURCE: VERONICA N. GUNDU-JAkARASI

Stakeholders, including climate change experts and Legal Experts analysed and reviewed the content of the Paris Agreement, considered any implications that may arise, both positive and negative, looking at the implications on the key sectors of the economy, existing enabling mechanisms, the risk for effective implementation, and implementation modalities to enable the domestication of the key relevant articles of the Agreement.

The experts viewed the agreement as comprehensive and balanced, hence they recommended that Zimbabwe signs and ratifies the Paris Agreement and continues

Mr Zhakata-Director Climate Change; Mr Kunene- Director Environment following the proceedings of the subsidiary body for scientific and technological advice at COP21.

adaptive strategies and become effective agents of change in addressing the climate change challenges. Hence, the negotiations should look at supporting gender responsive climate policy planning and implementation at all levels of the society.

Zimbabwe should not remain behind in accessing global climate finance to assist the country to move towards low carbon and climate resilient development. The need to follow negotiations on climate finance will also form the centre stage for the Zimbabwe negotiators so as to continue tracking available financing for adaptation and mitigation and contribute to required fiduciary processes and possible quality projects that qualify for support.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate was established in 2013. The Ministry is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of policies on environment, biodiversity, water, climate and seismic issues and legislation for sustainable development. The Ministry also coordinates and mainstream ratified environmental multilateral and regional protocols, agreements and standards into our national laws and ensure the proper management of all parastatals and state agencies under the Ministry.

UPCOMING EVENTS 7 OCTOBER 2016 HARARE, ZIMBABwE

DElIVERING ENERGy TARGETS OF THE NATIONAlly DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION FOR ZIMBABwE 10-13 OCTOBER 2016 BUlAwAyO, ZIMBABwE

BUIlDING CAPACITy TO ACCESS FOREST FINANCE 18 -20 OCTOBER 2016 NAIROBI, KENyA

ClIMATE CHANGE DEVElOPMENT FOR AFRICA (CCDA VI) 7-18 NOVEMBER 2016 MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

COP22 ON ClIMATE CHANGE

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C L I M AT E C H A N G E

Climathon Challenge

people working to create a new, clean economy fuelled by creative climate change solutions

By Hardlife Muhamba / Tariro Munyayi

FAQs

CareerAid Trust

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he world is experiencing the rising environmental, social, economic, and security risks posed by climate change, and the delay in action will result in greater risks and costs.

Climate change also brings with it an unprecedented threat to the global socioeconomic development. Critical is the likelihood for serious challenges such as, increased temperatures, food shortages, and decreased quality and quantity of safe water.

Climate change and global warming is the new global battlefield and if we are to win this war then, we have to act now.“We have a huge responsibility to mitigate and adapt for our own sake and the sake of our children, because a world of extreme climate change is grim for us all” Wanjira Mathai. If you are passionate enough to contribute in creating a legacy for your children and children’s children then the time to act is now.

What can/can’t I bring to the event?

Bring a laptop and devices to do research on, pretty useful! Anything else you think you will need specific to your skills please bring it. We will have generic stationary onsite.

The Challenge In partnership with Climate-KIC (EU’s largest public private partnership addressing climate change through innovation to build a zero carbon economy) and other important local stakeholders, CareerAid will host the Climathon event which will inform, engage and inspire, while communicating both the challenges and opportunities arising from climate change in and around Harare.

Harare which is the capital city of Zimbabwe experiences a lot of local governance issues from poor water treatment, waste disposal and dominated by cheap imported cars with high carbon emission. Hence on this event we will invite all stakeholders interested in tackling matters regarding these challenges. The event will feature idealists, inventors, innovators and experts who will be housed under the same roof in a competition and brainstorming event. In this packed event, participants will help tackling issues that the city is facing in a fun, involving and interactive way.

PHOTO SOURCE: PIXABABY

Climate change is no longer a science problem but a people’s problem so this challenge is inviting people with diverse skills. Entrepreneurs, economists, geeks, innovators, accountants, lawyers, bankers, developers, business analysts, architects, legislators, marketers etc are all invited to contribute positively to fighting climate change and as well ride on the opportunities that it presents. This is an opportunity to win prizes that will help your idea become reality and tap into a global network of likeminded

What does the 24 hours look like?

This will be one of the engaging 24 hours you will experience. This event taking place at Batanai Gardens B2C CoWorking Space will be about ideation and putting a team together to sprint for 24 hours on the idea. It’s all about getting your hands dirty and doing the work, seeing how much you can learn and then sharing this with the wider group in a pitch style event at the end of the day to the panel of legends.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Contact: muhambah@careeraid.org ; munyayit@careeraid.org Phone: 0773052273; 0773864065 Visit: https://climathon.climate-kic.org/harare to register as a participant on or before 30 September 2016.

AH Wapera Shaz, Hauna Bag!!! Why are you riding a bicycle? You must be a poor man?

Look at me, I live round the corner but I still drive to the shops so the girls can see me in my ride. Golf is a sexy car and attracts all the girls, they love it. Don’t tell my wife kkkkk

First of all, I am happily married and don’t need to impress the girls with a car. I cycle because it’s good for the environment and it keeps me fit and healthy. All this driving of cars is contributing to Climate Change. I do my best to reduce my Carbon Footprint, so I only drive when I need to.

Actually, I drive the new 2016 BMW i8 Hybrid Sports Car. It is Environmentally Friendly, it uses less fuel therefore emits far less CO2 into the atmosphere. Most importantly in these economic challenging times, I save more money.

I judged you too soon, maybe I should get a Hybrid Car.

Haha No problem Lovemore, I always encourage my friends to get Hybrid Cars, they are environmentally friendly and less costly to run. You also shouldn’t drive everywhere, try Cycling and Walking to places that are nearby and use the Carpool system.

Climate Change - a change in

regional and global climate patterns, mainly due to human activity

Carbon Footprint - the measure of the environmental impact of a particular individual or organization's lifestyle or operation, measured in units of carbon dioxide (CO2)

Hybrid Car - a car with a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor, each of which can propel it

Illustrator: Tafadzwa Tarumbwa Written by: Raymond Muwaniri

OH!!! What do you drive? I bet you it’s not better than my Sexy Golf?

PHOTO: Amy Wickham

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Carpool - a group of people who travel together, especially to work or school, usually in a different member's car each day

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E N V I R ON M E N S TA OL LA RM A E N AG E RGY M E N T AG E N C Y

How can mining become more environmentally sustainable Mining and Environment Management

Reducing the amount of waste produced through process re-engineering.

Zimbabwe is endowed with rich mineral deposits, dominated by two prominent geological features namely the great dyke and ancient Greenstone Belts also known as Gold Belts. The nation has seen an increase in the number of mining activities in recent years, both small and large scale.

On a positive note, mining activities are coupled with employment creation, revenue generation and community projects.

However, mining inevitably impacts negatively on the environment disturbing the landscapes and ecosystems thereon.

Water management strategies are used to reduce the volume of waste water produced, and if necessary, to treat it to an acceptable quality before it is released.

PHOTOS SOURCE: EMA

what legislation promotes environmentally sustainable mining?

Can Mining become environmentally sustainable?

Mining can become more environmentally f riend ly through de veloping and integrating practices that reduce the adverse environmental impact of mining operations.

Such good practices include; reducing inputs that include water and energy consumption, minimizing land disturbance, and waste production, preventing soil, water, and air pollution at mine sites, and conducting successful mine closure and reclamation activities.

Reducing inputs Water Water is used in a number of applications at mine sites. By diverting surface water and pumping groundwater, mining operations can reduce both the quantity and quality of water available downstream for aquatic ecosystems and other industrial

Land disruption Mining activities use land at every stage of its cycle; exploration, construction, operation, closure, and post-closure. Vegetation is cleared for the construction of buildings, roads, and power lines, open pits or tunnels are dug to gain access to the ore, and waste storage facilities such as tailings ponds are expanded over the life of the mine, potentially leading to habitat loss and deforestation.

To reduce the land-use impacts of mining, miners can reduce, the overall footprint of the mining area, minimize the amount of waste produced and stored, maintain biodiversity by transplanting or culturing any endangered plants found on site, and plan mines processing plants around existing infrastructure wherever possible.

environmental impacts and economic than cleaning it up later on. Methods for minimizing and eliminating wastes in the production of minerals and metal commodities include:

Using cleaner production techniques Using waste as raw material, and

EMAShorts

Continue reading all shorts on our website www.ema.co.zw

2016 wORlD ENVIRONMENT DAy COMMEMORATIONS World Environment Day is commemorated every year on the 5th of June and the Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. This conference resulted in the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The aim of World Environment Day is; to encourage people to become active supporters of sustainable and equitable living, to promote awareness and have an understanding that communities play a central role in changing attitudes towards environmental issues, and to develop partnerships that will ensure all nations and people enjoy a safer and more fulfilling future.

IS SAND ABSTRACTION A DRIVER OF lAND DEGRADATION? and municipal water users, especially in areas with arid climates. Closed water system whereby effluent water is drained, collected and reused or recycled reduces demand for fresh water and minimizes resultant pollution.

Energy Mining and metal processing can be hyper energy-intensive. Some examples of ways mining companies are reducing their energy consumption include reliance on renewable and clean energy sources such as solar and wind.

Reducing outputs

In Zimbabwe, the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002 is the legal framework for environmental management and mining is prescribed as an activity where an environmental impact assessment is mandatory before such a project commences implementation .

All miners should go through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process which is an assessment for the purposes of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of mining development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.

In addition, the same law regulates mine waste disposal; solid, liquid and gas, controlling how waste can be discharged into the environment.

Global assessments indicate that the percentage of total land area that is highly degraded has increased from15% in 1991 to

25% by 2011(UNCCD, 2013).The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO, 2011), estimated that every year, 24 billion tonnes of fertile soils are lost through erosion alone. In Zimbabwe, soil erosion remains one the biggest environmental challenges.

Sand abstraction site threatening Granville Cemetry in Harare

Whitlow (1988) contends that 1 848 000 hectares of land in all agroecological regions in Zimbabwe are eroded and an average of 76 tonnes of soil is lost per hectare through soil erosion. Sustainable Development Goal number 15 aims at combating desertification as well as halting and reversing land degradation.

Waste Mine waste includes solid waste, mine water, and air particles, which can vary significantly in their composition and potential for environmental contamination. In addition to preventing soil, water, and air pollution, waste management plans are required in order to select and design appropriate storage facilities for the large volumes of waste produced at most mine sites.

It is generally recognized that preventing pollution is more effective at reducing

The Environmental Management Agency is a statutory body responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and environmental degradation, the preparation of Environmental Plans for the management and protection of the environment. It was established under the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and enacted in 2002.

685/686 lorraine/Faber Drive Bluffhill, Harare P.O Box 385, Causeway Harare Phone:+263 4 305550 Mobile: 0779565707 (whatsapp) Email: eep@ema.co.zw Fax: (04) 793123

TOll FREE:08080028 www.ema.co.zw

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F E AT U R E

Water hyacinth as a source of alternative energy

By Tonderai Mugova Family and Friends of Rivers and Lakes in Zimbabwe (FAFORALIZ)

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very community member in any community needs to be involved in correcting and eradicating challenges in the environmental sector.

Family and Friends of Rivers and Lakes in Zimbabwe (FAFORALIZ) has taken the lead role in the mobilisation of resources – human, financial and material in the removal of hyacinth from our lakes and rivers, with Shagashe River in Masvingo being our first recipient of such a noble undertaking. The collapse of Shagashe River and its tributaries has downstream effects all the way to Chiredzi and Triangle who water the sugar cane plantations from Lake Mutirikwi, whose main tributary is Shagashe. It is indeed a threat to our sugar industry and food security (Lowveld is the only area which produces sugar and also exports to other European markets).

With the understanding that water is the source of life, we should seek to conserve our rivers and how they flow.

Almost all the rivers in Zimbabwe are infested with water hyacinth from Masvingo all the way to Kariba.

How is it affecting? It is affecting our ecosystem; all creatures living in

Pianos Chadya CHAIRMAN

As an organisation we started as a youth association established under the Zimbabwe youth Council. we are focusing on protection and correction of the environment.

Quick Facts

Water is a critical resource for our lives hence we decided to mitigate on water hyacinth. Water hyacinth will be used to research on organic fertiliser and input component to the biogas which is being researched by the university. We have a larger group of more than 35 volunteers on standby but we are currently working with 10 ie 5 community volunteers and 5 executive committee members.

Our Objectives

The Team: James Nelson, Pedzisai Makaratihwa, Pianos Chadya, Ngoni Chinovava, Tonderai Mugova, Garikai Madzokere, Margret Makombe, Esther Chinyenze

To lobby for environment protection and correction through community participation.

To remove water hyacinth from our rivers and lakes in Zimbabwe To reduce direct river siltation and water pollution To educate the communities to protect and correct the environment To create gainful employment and promote research

thrives because it feeds on nitrates.

Protective clothing is important as it helps in ensuring our community volunteers work without being harmed.

Shagashe River, Masvingo infested with water hyacinth. The grass in the middle of this small dam is an islanding forming.

the streams are affected by this plant with some even dying. Our cattle in and around these infested water sources are sometimes trapped and also die. After identifying water hyacinth as a problem in our community, we tried to see how and what we could do with it. We realised that water hyacinth can be used in the production of biogas, which is an energy source. In developed countries they are already using biogas in various ways. So in eradicating the water hyacinth we are also creating a use for it so its not just dumped.

We harvest the water hyacinth for the biogas project with Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo. The hyacinth is being used for a research project by Valerie Dhehwa, a university student who is among the winners of Development Realities Institute’s Green Innovation Hub funded by UNICEF. We are working with the community who are come through and harvest the water hyacinth. With the help from some corporates and partners

Tonderai Mugova SECRETARy GENERAl

water hyacinth is affecting our ecosystem; all creatures living in the streams are affected by this plant with some even dying. Our cattle in and around these infested water sources are sometimes trapped and also die. we are able to give out food handouts, which is how we are sustaining ourselves. Most times where there is water hyacinth, there is a large amount of eutrophication, there is a lot of sewage. Some from city council and also sewage works depositing nitrates into the water hence increasing water hyacinth which

Eichhornia crassipes, commonly known as (common) Water Hyacinth, is an aquatic plant native to the Amazon basin, and is often considered a highly problematic invasive species outside its native range. One of the fastest growing plants known, water hyacinth reproduces primarily by way of runners or stolons, which eventually form daughter plants. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds each year, and these seeds can remain viable for more than 28 years. The common water hyacinth are vigorous growers known to double their population in two weeks. The plant was introduced into Africa

by Belgian colonists to Rwanda to beautify their holdings and then advanced by natural means to Lake Victoria where it was first sighted in 1988. There, without any natural enemies, it has become an ecological plague, suffocating the lake, diminishing the fish reservoir, and hurting the local economies.

The tool we are currently using is the PIGATO Fisher a prototype which we invented. The other was taken by EMA after their invention policy.

We intend to clear the fully infested Shagashe river from upstream close to Chevron Hotel all the way to Lake Mutirikwi. Our dream is to influence biogas and fertiliser production and other materials like furniture and weaving through using water hyacinth.

The community is totally committed to save this water resource considering the need to mitigate on climate change through irrigation.

Most of the community have not yet understood what we are doing, but through awareness campaignes we hope to get more on board to support this project especially those who are directly affected by the impact of the water hyacinth.

Challenges Family and Friends is also having various challenges in carrying out its mandate. Funding for operating costs for the correcting of rivers, streams and dams throughout the country. The lack of protective wear in the form of gloves, gumboots and work suits, weather suits. (Water Proof material) Floating boats are needed in order to access the whole river bank to bank. Currently the team that is working on this project are volunteers from the community and we would also need to provide food, salaries and allowances for them as well so that they are motivated to continue in

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F E AT U R E this work. The responsibility for taking care of and protecting our environment is for each and every one of us (no blame game). Our plea to those who may have resources to fund for the manufacturing and procurement of the equipment and tools that can help in ensuring the volunteers are able carry out their duties without problems and hindrances. Publicity and awareness about the work we are doing here is necessary, through various platforms and mediums.

Partnerships Though we got to partner with Great Zimbabwe University on their biogas project, finding other research and development partners. We also partnered with The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) on an experimental mechanical removal of the hyacinth. We managed to clear 13.6km2 of water hyacinth with support from EMA (Masvingo). As a youth association we are seeking more partners to support the project.

Reforestation We are also engaging with the community in plantation of fruit trees along the river banks which willbe known as the as Great Orchard, a long term benefit to the project and community which will use this very water to water the trees. We also need to achieve food security through orchards provision as well as support food science research. We currently have a nursery of avocado trees waiting to be used for this reforestation project. This will also provide food to the community.

The process of harvesting the Water Hyacinth Garikai Madzokere takes us through the process of harvesting the hyacinth, a labour intensive and time consuming excercise, but this dedicated team are committed to the cause.

Garikai Madzokere PROJECTS ENGINEER

we are fishing the water hyacinth using a tool we invented for this purpose, the PIGATO Fisher.

1

James Nelson VOlUNTEER

One person throws the fisher into the river, whilst the other draws the fisher back to the river bank pulling the water hyacinth with it.

Once we take out this weed it can be used for the production of biogas, fertiliser and removing this weed will benefit us in the long run.

Esther Chinyenze VOlUNTEER

we came together as women, men and boys from our communities and started to work. water is life, the fish live in water, we drink the water.

2

After fishing the weed from the river it is then piled on the river bank in preparation for cutting and sorting.

Pedzisai Makaratihwa FIElD SUPERVISOR

“PIGATO Fisher� invention is a simplified indigenous invention coming out of the names of the Founders of the project.

As a community they realised it was to our advantage to come and remove the water hyacinth with the benefit that our water levels will not go down and it will in turn benefit the community who will have more water and the creatures which live in the river.

3

The roots and the leaves are separated as the roots are not allowed in the digester plant. Only the leaves are taken and mixed with cow dung for the bio digester. The roots will be used as compost fertiliser.

Pi = Pianos Chadya (CHAIRMAN)

Ga = Gariaki Madzokere (PROJECTS ENGINEER)

To = Tonderai Mugova

As an organisation we started as a youth association established under the Zimbabwe Youth Council. We are focusing on protection and correction of the environment. Family and Friends of Rivers and Lakes in Zimbabwe is registered under the Zimbabwe Youth Council as a Youth association in pursuit of environment protection and conservation FAFORALIZ registration number is MNG0979/1014/01 under the ZYC.

Margret Makombe VOlUNTEER

4

In this river there were fish, but now there are no longer any fish there, the hippos used to be in this river, there used to be crocodiles as well but even they have moved out.

Once separated the roots can be used for the production of fertilizer and worms.

According to research which we have done in early 2013, we have discovered that the water hyacinth fertiliser as compared to traditional fertilisers has a high fertility rate.

PHOTOS: BAyNHAM GOREDEMA

(SECRETARy GENERAl)

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E N V I R ON M E N T

Pepukai Kunze Kwasunama The story behind the novel

By Benson Gono

Renewable Energy Association of Zimbabwe (REAZ)

age. In the early days my ambition was to become a lawyer and politician thereafter. However, as I progressed with my education I developed a strong passion for journalism, inspired by radio and television presenters Mike Munyati (late) and Charles Mabika.

By Isaiah Makusendwa REAZ

REAZ was formed out of a workshop we had with ZERA in 2014 when we were talking about the net metering legislation.

It was felt that with the increasing number of players in the renewable energy sector we needed to have an organisation so that the members can speak with one voice. After that workshop an interim committee was set up which then started working on setting up the association so to date the association is now fully fledged and now it has got a substantive committee elected and are now in office.

REAZ welcomes all players, namely corporates, individuals, institutions and associates to join so that we can champion the use of renewable energy in a sustainable way.

We have partnered with Power for All, a campaign which seeks to ensure Zimbabwe have access to renewable energy. We have held our workshop in harare where we have explained the status of the renewable energy sector and the status of REAZ. We have also encouraged the participants to be members of REAZ. The ministry was also well represented by the Principal Director on behalf of the Permanent Secretary and the regulator was also present.

The ministry of energy is currently carrying out the issue of policy and in that regard REAZ is already party to that process as we are involved in an outreach programme with the ministry having done an inception workshop in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare with Chinhoyi bering the next stage as well as Mash east and a finally a validation workshop in Harare and finalise the renewable energy policy.

This is being handled by a consultant appointed by the ministry.

The renewable energy sector is a growth area which has seen many players coming into the sector and the main challenge we are finding is that of standards. As an association as the regulator, the ministry are concerned about the quality of the products that are being brought into the country and being sold to the general public. Our role is to ensure that we enforce the issue of standards. Equally the issue of skills is a major worry because people who are installing renewable energy particularly solar do not have the expertise and the general public find themselves in a difficult situation because they would have invested in something and the people who install them don’t give the appropriate service.

The other challenges we are finding is that of policy which is being addressed by the renewable energy policy that is taking pace. We would like as many participants to come and join REAZ so that we can tackle some of these challenges we have mentioned. The country needs targets to say what do we need to achieve in as far as renewable energy is concerned because its the cheapest and fastest way to get people to have renewable energy and its also clean.

While studying for my A levels at Chipindura High School in Bindura, I became a selfappointed sports reporter for the school notice board doing match reports and previews. The interest in reading my articles by fellow students encouraged me to seriously consider a career as a journalist, which I regard as the world’s most noble profession.

In 2010, I became one of the founder members of the Zimbabwe Environmental Journalists Association (ZEJA) fronted by journalist Gilbert Munetsi and Farai Matebvu. By then the new global phenomenon of climate change was beginning to dominate the media buzz.

Morgenster Mission, situated some 35 kilometers south of Masvingo town, is one of the pioneer religious institutions in Zimbabwe.

It was established in the 1890s by missionaries of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) now known as the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe.

I happened to be one the people who passed through this great educational institution for my primary education.

Although co-curricular activities were part of our studies, academic advancement was the inthing at this institution.

Morgenster Mission has produced some of the country’s best brains across the social divide.

Among them, politicians Eddison Zvobgo (late) and Kumbirai Kangai (late). Today’s newsmakers include the Chief Executive Officer of the National Aids Council, Dr Tapuwa Magure.

With such a rich history in mind, I developed the desire to leave a legacy in my life from an early

Fast forward to September 2011, I decided to visit my parents at our rural home south of Morgenster and it was a visit that gave birth to the novel Pepukai Kunze Kwasunama.

What started like any other day turned out to be otherwise, when a wild veldt fire engulfed the two villages of Mushawasha and Tami.

The fire started around 9 am and was only brought under control later in the afternoon.

The resultant destruction of vegetation and wildlife, the enormous carbon emissions triggered my mind and l saw this as an opportunity to write a creative short story on climate change.

I also realized that such a novel would go a long way in availing climate change literature in local languages.

Armed with basic climate change knowledge, I sat down and constructed my storyline. I decided that while climate change awareness was the basis of the novel, it was also going to include the pertinent aspects of climate change adaptation and mitigation. The setting was in Masvingo, precisely in the two villages that were ravaged by the veldt fire.

Project to Fix-Up Greenwood Park Receives a US$5,000 Grant

My next challenge was to identify a publishing house that was willing to run with my project, bearing in mind the bureaucracy among local publishing companies. In 1987, a year after the death of Mozambican President Samora Machel, we compiled a poem book in his honour with schoolmates Josephat Chokureva and Bersary Sigarova. We submitted it to a local publishing company and guess what? We only got a response (negative one) some three years down the line.

Therefore, finding a publisher became a constant headache for me but as they say, where there is a will there is a way. I got the surprise of my life when one morning my colleague Mindozo came to work in very high spirits. He was to break the news that there was a Botswana-based publishing company run

by Zimbabweans that could publish a book in 45 days.

Without wasting time I got in touch with them and submitted my manuscripts. In less than 48 hours they responded via e-mail informing me that I was going to be the author of Zimbabwe’s first climate change novel.

I completed the paper work and as stated in our contract within the stated 45 days I could not believe myself holding the first copy of my novel in print format.

In 2013 with assistance from The Culture Fund in partnership with Sweden, the novel was translated and now available in five local languages, Shona, Ndebele, Tonga, Venda and Kalanga.

Pepukai Kunze Kwasunama is Zimbabwe’s first climate change Shona novel written by Harare-based journalist Benson Gono. It was published in 2012 by Sowfin Investments and is available in local bookshops and can also be ordered directly from the author at an affordable price of US$5.

The project is being conducted in partnership with Harare City Parks and to date has received support from Mega Pak, Maritime Plastics, Simbisa Brands, Swift, the Zimbabwean Gardener, Tetrad Tree Foundation and Miracle Missions Trust.

JCI City Zimbabwe

Fix-Up Greenwood Park is a project initiated by JCI City Zimbabwe that aims to rehabilitate the park and increase its recreational and exercise facilities in order to increase the levels of physical activity and overall health and well-being of the community. The project contributes to mitigating climate change through greening

I gave the manuscript to my workmates Langton Nyakwenda and Jabulani Mindozo who all gave it a thumps up.

rehabilitating the park and putting up exercise equipment would increase park use by between 64.52% and 70.97%, while levels of exercise and physical activity would increase by about 62%. This exciting project aims to bring about a healthy park and a healthy community.

By Qhelile Ndlovu The grant was awarded by the Global Youth Empowerment Fund, a partnership between Junior Chamber International ( JCI) and the SDG Action Campaign (formerly the UN Millennium Campaign), which offers grants and training to youth-led projects and social enterprises that advance the Global Goals for Sustainable Development in local communities around the world.

It took me close to six months to come up with the final product.

the park and transforming it into a waterwise landscape. It also provides a naturebased health and wellness solution amid the rising incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Zimbabwe. Statistics by the WHO showed that NCDs accounted for 31% of all deaths in 2014. These stats are heart-breaking because NCDs are preventable through tackling the major risk factors including an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. A needs analysis conducted prior to the project revealed that

JCI is worldwide membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 working to create positive impact in nearly 5,000 communities around the world. We believe that in order to create a better world, young people must channel their energies towards solving problems in their communities. JCI City Zimbabwe is one of seven JCI Zimbabwe chapters affiliated to JCI. For more information about JCI City Zimbabwe and the project find us on facebook at like our video at https://www. facebook.com/jcicityzim/

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ZIMBABwE

Distributed Renewable Energy: Powering the Future

By Chiedza Mazaiwana Power for All Zimbabwe

Power for All is a global campaign that promotes distributed of renewable energy as the key to achieving universal energy access. Why distributed renewable energy? It is fast to deploy, it is affordable, and it is easily and readily available in the market.

D

The campaign was formed in 2015 by a group of leading energy access enterprises and civil society organizations working to increase energy access via sustainable distributed renewable energy markets.

Today it has 120 partners and in addition to its global advocacy and awareness work, the campaign has launched specific activities in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.

Chiedza Mazaiwana - Campaign Manager for Power for All Zimbabwe

The Energy Access Challenge Globally 1.1 billion people live without energ y access--a staggering figure considering the importance of energy for development and its impact on health, education, employment, enterprise, agriculture and far more. Yet, even with the launch of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative—as well as national targets for universal energy access by 2030 or earlier in many countries—the challenge is still vast and progress is far too slow.

In Zimbabwe, a country of 15 million people, only 40% are connected to the national grid, leaving 60% of people— around 9 million--living in energy poverty.

As well as impacting welfare, energy poverty across the country is limiting businesses and economic growth.

Centralized grid energy alone is simply unable to address the country’s current and growing energy needs. This means that instead of clean, safe power, millions of Zimbabweans are forced to spend their much needed finances on expensive, dangerous and polluting forms of power such as kerosene and diesel. Families in rural areas spend an average of 10-15% of their weekly income on lighting alone. Money that could be spent on food, education or for their farms and enterprises.

The Decentralized Renewable Solution Renewable sources of energy, including w i nd , s ol ar, hyd ro and biom a ss can be used to power technologies ranging from solar portable lights, to solar home systems, mini grids, irrigation systems and farm machinery.

Follow Us -

@Power4All2025

These technologies can be accessed and purchased in a matter of days and weeks, rather than the many years it takes for new power plants to be built and for grid lines to reach rural communities—if they do at all.

To speed up access to these technologies, Power for All focusses on three main areas of work as follows; (i) Awareness and Behaviour Change (ABC) Through our ABC work we aim to change the perception of distributed renewable energy.

For example, some perceive distributed renewable energy as something that does not work reliably, or is not real energy—rather it is a ‘toy’. We have been engaging with many different organizations and groups – from the government to the financial sector, local communities to the media, to highlight the real potential of these technologies. For example, solar irrigation is increasing crop yields by 300%, micro-hydro plants are powering businesses, health centers and schools and—globally--the solar lighting and home system sector has already helped low-income families to save a combined total of $3.5 billion. We gather the facts and case studies that show not only that distributed renewable technology works, but that it is improving the health, safety and opportunity of families in Zimbabwe and around the world. (ii) Global Advocacy In order to speed up access to clean energy we are working to influence policy makers, financial institutions, multi-lateral banks (MDBs) and other key organizations to support the sector and invest more in

power4all2025

PwR4All

PHOTOS SOURCE: CHIEDZA MAZAIWANA

istributed technologies—such as solar lanterns and home systems, mini grids and micro hydro--are solutions that communities living in energy poverty can access quickly and are able to afford.

distributed renewable energy. For example, we have developed a point of view paper called ‘Decentralized Renewable Energy: The Fast Track to Universal Energy Access’ which highlights how only around 2% of energy finance from MDBs, such as the World Bank and Africa Development Bank, is used to support decentralized renewables and energy access. As well as providing practical recommendations to help MDBs to change this record, the report highlights the opportunity cost of not investing in this sector. (iii) Market Activation Power for All is working in four African countries--Rwanda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe—and has launched national campaigns in three of these in the past six months. Why these countries? The countries were chosen are they are at different levels of market development and the campaign is exploring the different types of activities that will help to support market growth in different country contexts. Although every country’s situation is unique, the ambition is to develop a ‘tool-kit’ of resources and approaches that can be used in a variety of different contexts around the world to speed up energy access.

In Zimbabwe the campaign is working on four key areas: 1. Coordination and Collaboration: We

work with Power for All partners to drive multi-stakeholder engagement and activities between Government, civil society organizations, private sector, donor community and investors to accelerate access to decentralized renewables. For example, by hosting sector workshops and knowledge sharing on VAT, tariffs, importation processes, finance mechanisms and enabling policy, and by encouraging collaborative activities between social enterprises, civil society and community groups

2. Support the Government: We enable

knowledge sharing on the policies and regulatory framework that will most rapidly accelerate energy access via marketbased decentralized renewable solutions, and support their integration into energy policy and planning. For example, we invited the Secretary of Trade from the Kenyan Embassy to share knowledge

About Us Power for All advances renewable, decentralized electrification solutions as the fastest, most cost-effective and sustainable approach to universal energy access.

Power for All: Unifies the voice of the “beyond the grid” companies and organizations to advocate for specific supportive financial and policy enablers.

Mobilizes the broader sector— manufacturers, distributors, consumers— to de-position fossil-fuel-centric “business as usual” approaches to addressing energy access.

Proactively positions renewable, decentralized energy as premium-quality, climate- resilient products and services that enable a wide-range of productive uses for the global community.

with local decision-makers on the policy, regulations and financial incentives that led to the rapid growth of the off-grid solar market in Kenya. (20% of Kenyans are estimated to have access to distributed solar technologies.)

3. Support the Renewable Energy Association of Zimbabwe (REAZ): we are working with

REAZ to strengthen the private sector voice within the local energy sector, and to create the environment for a strong, sustainable decentralized renewables market. For example, we have helped to facilitate and advise REAZ on the development of policy positions and strategy, and have linked the organization with international associations, and other existing associations in Zimbabwe to aide peer-to-peer learning.

Recently, we have also supported their countrywide outreach as they seek to invite more enterprises working on energy access to join the association.

4. Raise Awareness: we communicate the power of decentralized solar technologies, and sector developments to the public through educational programs and the media, in order to profile how the technology works, and the benefits it brings to lives and livelihoods. For example, we have recently held media training to help local news outlets to learn more about distributed renewables and to enable them to ask key questions. Recently, the campaign also joined with civil society and private sector partners to hold a Solar Fair in Goromonzi District to enable local communities to see solar technologies in action. By supporting the people of Zimbabwe to build their own energy future, we have the strongest opportunity to achieve Power for All by 2030 or before.

Contact Us - chiedza@powerforall.org

http://www.powerforall.org

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I N N OVAT I ON

Out in the feild with the winners

By Archibald Mathibela POVOAFRIKA TRUST

The Sustain Zimbabwe team went on a countrywide tour to interview all the 9 finalists for the GiHub initiative. Our task was to elicit responses from the innovators and to get the facts on the ground regarding their journey thus far and any obstacles that came with running their chosen projects. We produce a snippet of content below which is the prelude to a short documentary that will be released soon of the same exercise which will be finalized upon completion of the GiHub initiative in December.

Treasure Sibusiso Mabhena

Tafadzwa Mahachi Irrigation Solutions

Energy Laboratory

Mutoko

Bulawayo

Tafadzwa’s innovation is an intervention in the small holder farmer’s challenge in accessing irrigation systems due to their high costs of procurement. His solution is a cheaper, simple and effective direct solar heat powered pumping system.

Tafadzwa has already earmarked land for the Greenfield project where he intends to setup shop on a trial basis. It is set in his rural community in Mutoko at the family farm near an orchard and animal husbandry project. The project mainly relies on the power of the sun and will ride on the back of a pre-existing borehole which is labour intensive to operate.

Tafadzwa has done the necessary

scoping for the pipework from the water source to the irrigation points. However, the drawing plans for the final fabrication of his pumping systems are still under scrutiny and waiting approval before final fabrication can be done.

Challenges

The major challenge that Tafadzwa’s innovation faces is that it will cost more money than originally anticipated as new developments come up daily. In addition, since his project is a new concept on the market, the materials needed will likely cost more than anticipated since his initial design is constantly being revised to cater for input from his Mentors and Supervisors.

This is an innovation addressing the slow adoption of solar energy due to the high cost of photovoltaic solar panels. S’bu’s project literally provides light at the end of the tunnel by producing electricity from sun driven convection of lightly ionized air. Sibusiso has made contact with alternative suppliers for his prototype from China and South Africa. Initial contacts proved more expensive than initially thought.

As a result, the innovator has had to make alternative plans to ensure that his dream of a more efficient and cost effective energy solution is realised.

Challenges

Sbusiso’s major challenge is that the available alternatives to his project are proving expensive which has the potential to put his project in jeopardy as he seeks to provide a cheaper energy solution. In addition, because of the prevailing economy, he is battling to find a suitable space to sell his finished product after it has been manufactured where he can directly access his target market.

28yrs

Tendai Elvis Mugovi Bio Jell

Felicity Varaidzo Bgwoni Greenture Investments Bulawayo

This innovator is working on solving toxic bio digester gases emitted at a local sewage plant. Felicity’s project seeks to address this by using a scrubbing technology to collect, purify and sell this gas.

Felicity has already identified the site for her project and working on securing gas harvesting equipment which is calibrated to control, measure and dispense the gas.

Most of the equipment needed

24yrs

for the project has been identified but there are already indications of the need for significantly more funding to take this project off the ground since it has more scope than initially thought.

Challenges

There is inadequate capacity utilization and more funding is needed for optimal use of the facility that is contributing to the contamination of the environment via emission of greenhouse gases.

Harare

Elvis’s project seeks to address Energy problems and poverty reduction among farmers affected by climate change. His innovation is the production of cooking gell from sweet sorghum (Nzimbe). Elvis has managed to get a small consignment of the sweet sorghum from a farm in Chinhoyi but its not yet enough for commercial production since he is also still testing the fuel gell concentrate. There are many hurdles that need to be mitigated before the final product can be launched fullscale into the targeted market as it is not yet potent enough to the desired level level of potency.

Challenges

Elvis’s innovation is highly dependent on an abundant ingredient (sweet sorghum) which is grown in another town away from Harare where he is based and that means more money to be injected into the project.

The challenge is then transporting the farm produce and milling it to get the final gel concentrate that is used to fire the purpose built stoves that come with the cooking gell. In addition, there is still more research needed to make the cooking gell more potent so that it produces a more powerful flame.

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I N N OVAT I ON

Desire Gasa Mukuta Magic Flame Chitungwiza

Valerie Dewah Nuisance Energy Masvingo

Valerie’s projec t deal s w ith environmental catastrophe of the hyacinth plant invasion in the Mushagashe River and lack of access to clean sustainable energy among low income households in Masvingo. In response, she has setup a biogas production plant, complete with a compression and packaging system. The project is based at the great Great Zimbabwe University campus housed within Masvingo Teachers College premises. Thus far, the innovator has struck up a partnership with a local grouping to harvest hyacinth plants from the Mushagashe river whose invasion by these plant species has led to depletion of water reserves and migration of fish, hippo and crocodiles resident in this part of the river as a result. Valerie’s project is trying to avert this disaster as the community also relies on the river for water which is in turn

pumped to the City Council’s reservoirs.

In addition, the biogas digesters as well as the cow dung used in part of the biogas manufacturing process have been secured.

Challenges

The members of the community responsible for collection of the hyacinth plant do not have adequate protective clothing safely do their job. Their equipment is inadequate and dangerous to use since they throw in an improvised device into the river whilst standing on the riverbank without any boats to protect them from potential hippo and crocodile attacks. Also the locally sourced cow dung has to be used fresh, which can often be time consuming for Valerie and her team as they have to remain vigilant in collecting fresh cow droppings to keep the biogas supply chain process optimal. More critical, biogas extraction equipment is still to be acquired.

Desire’s project is addressing challenges resulting from the high cost of energy, a heavy carbon footprint and unemployment. His solution is the production of efficient, low cost fuel pellets from compressed peanut shells, rice husks and saw dust. This innovator have managed to acquire custom built stoves that burn the pellets and are already distributing to major retail outlets in the country. However, uptake is still low given the ingenuity of the project and more needs to be done in marketing and advertising.

Challenges

The project needs more financial muscle to bankroll the acquisition of purpose built stoves that take pellets. The market demand for the pellet fuel technology is currently depressed and more marketing spend needs to be deployed inorder to penetrate new markets. Since the stoves are imported from outside the country, Desire and his team have to contend with tax authorities and the difficulties associated with accessing foreign currency in the country.

Patience Majoni Solar Garden Tech Dzivarasekwa

Lazarus Tinashe Manyonga Unique Innovations Harare

Annoyed by rampant household waste pollution and the rising cost of energy for cooking, this young innovator came up with a thermal retention technology. Tinashe’s innovation is made from recycled material, designed to reduce the amount of energy used in cooking.

Tinashe now runs a fully-fledged business with a handful team of artisans and tailors who put the thermal bags together. He also has a logistics fleet to deliver his products to market and to procure

raw materials which are used in the manufacturing process. The innovator is already supplying some clients and attends festivals where he has opportunity to market his wares.

Challenges

Some clients don’t pay on time which affects cashflow and the liquidity of the business.

Tinashe also feels that more capital needs to be injected into his project so that he can start growing and tap into more lucrative markets which require more capital outlay.

Patience has hit the ground running with her project that had initially been earmarked for the Gutu community but later changed to Kambuzuma in Harare to beat the economic downturn in Zimbabwe.

She has managed to setup a solar panel power source for her internet, computers and TV game station monitors for the young kids who patronize her place daily.

She is now realizing brisk business from schoolkids who are starved of entertainment and look forward to playing video games all day long at her place.

Challenges

The market where she initially earmarked her project did not work out as there were incessant droughts and zero disposable income to support Patience’s business.

Further, Patience’s project is realising more sales from video game punters whilst her solar consumables have barely sold. The idea was to sell more solar powered light fixtures and accessories as well as to ensure that school going children can study at all times.

Conclusion The Sustain Zimbabwe team will be doing a final lap to get a final overview of the progress of all the innovators and their projects which are expected to be complete by the end of the year. Going forward, innovators will continue to share experiences and the best practices acquired from running the different projects in a documentary film which captures their entire journey.

PHOTOS: BAyNHAM GOREDEMA

Patience is addressing off grid energy poverty, unsafe light sources and missed educational opportunities.

Her project is a one stop shop solar garden – a solar energy powered hub for distribution of solar products and services.

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WA ST E M A N AG E M E N T

Tatiana leads Clean-up campaign in the wake of her COP21 experience

By Jacquline Magwenzi

T

he first ever school waste transfer centre in Zimbabwe was launched at Oriel Girls High School on the 17th of September 2016. This was in fulfilment of Tatiana Kondo’s post COP21 advocacy plans. At 15 years of age, Tatiana a form 3 student at Oriel Girls High School in Harare at the time, had the privilege of representing Zimbabwe at the COP21 in Paris as a UNICEF Youth Climate Ambassador. Though the youngest youth ambassador at the conference she managed to impress by speaking eloquently on climate change issues affecting children in Zimbabwe. As a follow up to the event she developed an advocacy plan for implementing in Zimbabwe.

High unemployment and underemployment statistics amongst the youth in Zimbabwe cannot go unnoticed. The need for strategic partnerships is now evident.

Where can our youth acquire the work experience and skills necessary to keep driving our economy? Where can our young people meet business owners, like-minded peers and mentors or access business advice and support services to get their ideas off the ground?

In 2016, Emerge is addressing this issue through proposing a brief that rethinks the traditional youth centre building typology.

PHOTOS SOURCE: UNICEF ZIMBABWE

UNICEF Zimbabwe

Being passionate about the environment and seeing the challenges of waste in her community Tatiana identified the need to instil a culture of personal responsibility for one’s waste within the community as being key. Thus the idea of launching a waste transfer centre at Oriel Girls High School was borne. With the support of her school, UNICEF and ZimSunshine Group the first school waste transfer centre in Zimbabwe was launched. This was at a colourful event that started off with a “Team-up to clean up” event at Chisipite Shopping Centre. This ensured that lessons on waste could be cascaded to the communities and ensured it would have adequate support going forward.

Emerge would like to see YOUR new visions for a Youth and Entrepreneurship Centre. The Youth and Entrepreneurship Centre aims to enhance the youth’s economic participation by providing incubation spaces that offer skills and mentorship programs.

This centre will integrate business incubation, skills training and social interaction in a safe and secure environment. It will be animated by the activity and opportunity offered in the spaces. Participants are called to create a dynamic landscape that reflects the vibrancy of such a centre.

Unlike other clean-ups, on this clean-up there were lessons on how to sort waste and Miracle Missions supported the event by conducting the training on waste management and the importance of waste separation at source. This was followed by litter picking and cleaning of the Chisipite shopping centre. After the clean-up the theme of personal responsibility was taken to Oriel Girls High School where there was the commissioning and handover of a waste transfer centre to Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education by the Ministry of Environment Water and Climate.

The launch of the waste transfer station is exciting news as it ushers in a new dispensation in the management of waste in schools. It seeks to build a green waste management culture among students. Mr Matiza, the Ministry of Environment Water and Climate representative, highlighted that waste is the responsibility of the one who generates it. A green waste management culture in schools therefore ensures that children grow up with a sense of responsibility for their waste management actions and an awareness of the consequences of their choices.

Ultimately it is envisaged that this programme will cascade to all schools in Zimbabwe thanks to the support received from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. It will however not end in Zimbabwe as our visiting Zambian counterparts from ZimSunshine Group have promised to do the same in Zambia. Once it has crossed our borders we see it spreading to other parts of Africa in no time. Well done to Tatiana for starting this noble venture! #TeamUp2CleanUp Zimbabwe!

Tweeted News Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe Use #SustainZim and follow us on twitter @SustainZimbabwe

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articles on our website

Back-up Power/Hybrid Systems Samansco a division of Nyamavhuvhu Energy / Ecological Designs was founded in 1982 to promote appropriate technologies and sustainable development in Southern Africa. The primary focus of the company has been renewable energy with a specific focus on Solar Photovoltaic Power (PV).

We have unmatched quality products and technical expertise. In Zimbabwe we are the exclusive partners for the world’s leading brands in solar equipment. Our operations are built around us thinking long term – our vision is to help shape a better tomorrow – what we do today will help the future generations. We have operations in Zambia (Lusaka) and Malawi on a project by project basis, we are working on further expanding to more African countries as part of our vision to power Africa.

Head Office : 331 Samora Machel Avenue Eastlea, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4-442645/ +263 71 600 245 /+263 778 377 055 Email: info@samansco.com

Contributing Partners

Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate Tel: +263 4 701681 Email: climatechange@environment.gov.zw www.climatechange.gov.org

Environmental Management Agency 685/686 Lorraine/Faber Drive Bluffhill, Harare P.O Box 385, Causeway Harare Email: eep@ema.co.zw Fax: (04) 793123 www.ema.co.zw Phone:+263 4 305550 | TOLL FREE:08080028 Mobile: 0779565707 (Whatsapp)

Zimbabwe Office chiedza@powerforall.org http://www.powerforall.org

Practical Action Southern Africa FÀMILY AND FRIENDS OF RIVERS AND LAKES IN ZIMBABWE (FAFORALIZ) No 27 Simon Mazorodze Street, Masvingo Cell: 0779994086 / 0783019050 Email: Infofaforaliz@gmail.com Email: tondemugova@gmail.com

T:+263 776631-3 E: practicalaction@ practicalaction.org.zw www.practicalaction.org/southernafrica

UNICEF Zimbabwe

TM

JCI CIty - Harare Harare Club Corner third Street and Nelson Mandela E: jciharare@gmail.com www.jciharare.org.zw

Martha Munyoro Katsi (Practical Action)

Solar Water Pumping

2. To Be A Great Company, you Need To Be A Good Company Sustain Zimbabwe

Solar System for Telecommunications

Collins Nyamadzawo (Jnr Energy Consultant)

Solar Street Lighting and Security Systems Solar DC Power Refrigeration

www.samansco.com How to contribute

Development Reality Institute T: +263 496987 E: info@driafrica.org www.driafrica.org

1. Sustainable Energy for Rural Communities

Voltage Protection

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T:+263 4 703941/2 or 731840 E: harare@unicef.org www.unicef.org/zimbabwe WILDLIFE VUMBA Tel: + 263 772 354 144 Email: wildlifebvumba@gmail.com https://twitter.com/wildlifebvumba

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3. Improved Cookstoves “Cutting illness, not trees” Amy wickham (UNICEF Zimbabwe)

4. The Kariba REDD+ Project Charles Ndondo (Kariba REDD+ Project)

5. Solar lights up new hope for remote schoo Anesu Freddy (UNDP Zimbabwe)

6. winners of the 2015/16 Green Innovations Hub Staff writer (SustainZim)

7. Harnessing Solar Power to Tackle Energy Poverty in Rural Zimbabwe and Malawi Martha Munyoro Katsi (Practical Action)

8. Climate Change Adaptation Success in Buhera Innocent Katsande (Oxfam Zimbabwe)

9. The clean energy project UNICEF Zimbabwe and Mukuvisi woodlands Jeremiah Mushosho (UNICEF Zimbabwe)

10. Chipendeke Micro-Hydropower Scheme Raymond Muwaniri (POVOAfrika Trust)

Read More articles at www.sustainzim.org

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E D U C AT I ON

Catch Them Young

By Oswald Simbarashe Chishanga Save our Environment Trust (SOET)

SOlAR POwER

Save our Environment Trust (SOET) is a local NGO based in Gweru. SOET came into existence in August 2015 with the mandate to protect, conserve, enhance and restore the natural environment of Zimbabwe.

I

t was also established to complement and support existing government and private sector initiatives that strive to protect the natural environment.

In fulfilling the above mandate the organization has embarked and shall venture on the following programming or focus areas: School and Community Environmental Awareness and Protection Campaign Clean up Campaigns Renewable Energy and Waste Management Food Security and Agriculture Water and Sanitation Hygiene Tree Planting and Protection of Forest Protection of Bio-diversity Information, Education, Communication (IEC) and Materials Development

The Catch Them young Project The project was launched in June 2016 under the School and Community

Environmental Awareness and Protection C ampaig n Pro g ramme. SOET ha s partnered with EMA and UNICEF for technical support in implementing the above mentioned project. The project is being implemented in schools in the Midlands Province for a period of five years and is targeting children between the ages of 4 and 18. Central to the conduct of the programme shall be raising awareness among school children about the need and importance of protecting the environment and supporting environment protection development initiatives in their communities The motive for implementing environmental programmes in schools has gone a long way in imparting relevant basic knowledge to adolescents about the need to protect and maintain the environment they live in.

SOET believes that targeting young people is essential as it assists in the development of a mind-set that is environmentally friendly among youths which hopefully can be cascaded down to future generations. This initiative shall inevitably ensure sustainable development in environment protection.

A collection of videos from Dr Pamela Ngwenya shocasing a variety projects dealing with sustainable development around Zimbabwe

View all videos at her Vimeo page https://vimeo.com/user2299194 Introducing Ebenezer Agricultural Training Centre Ebenezer runs a two year fulltime apprenticeship that enables young people (17-23 year olds) to start and run their own small-scale farm/agribusiness.

The Centre has been running since 2007 and is located in Mablauwuni Village in the dry Matopo area of Matebeleland South. The program has an ‘earn and learn’ approach and trainees do not pay anything until they start earning from sales of their produce.

Introducing the PORET Trust Introducing PORET Trust, (Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training) in Manicaland, Zimbabwe.

Mr Hodere’s Experimental Permaculture Garden Mr Hodere received training in permaculture from TSURO Trust. He has a small plot in Rusitu, Chimanimani, Zimbabwe and talks about what he does

The Green Snippets

The knowledge shall be imparted through environmental clubs that shall be set up in schools across the Midlands Province One of the objectives of the project is to establish and support 250 school environment clubs in the midlands province by 2021. In pursuit of reaching the target, SOET in Gweru District has thus far managed to establish 3 environment clubs at Herentals, Progress High and Mkoba 4 Primary. In schools that already had environmental clubs, SOET has managed to move in and strengthen the capacity and existing activities of the environmental clubs.

On this, the Trust has thus far managed to support and strengthen environmental clubs at Thornhill High, Fletcher High, Cecil John Rhodes Primary, and Mpumelelo Primary. In Chirumhanzu District the organisation has managed to establish a club at Chengwena Secondary School. The organisation is currently conducting the following activities in the clubs: Quiz , Drama , IEC materials distribution , Tree Planting , Waste management and Clean Up Campaigns , Field Trips and Exchange Visits , Life Skills Training Students’ at Chengwena have established a tree nursey and are using waste plastics to create bins. In all the clubs SOET has managed to distribute environment related books and manuals. The IEC material that SOET distributed to Thornhill High played a pivotal role in propelling the School to attaining first place at the EMA Provincial Environment Debate held on the 22nd of September 2016 at Thornhill High. As a result of the success the school qualified for the national finals that shall be held in October in Gweru. The club also managed to produce the overall best speaker at the Provincial Debate.

The organisation is looking to expand to other schools and districts and it is currently engaging the following schools Linfield Academy, Regina Mundi, Matongo Primary and Guinea Fowl in Gweru. In Shurugwi the organisation is set to move in to Chrome High We believe and hope that by the end of the project the following outcomes would have been achieved Increased understanding and knowledge about the best practices of ensuring a healthy and safe environment issues among adolescents.

Inspired young people equipped with knowledge and skills to make positive development on the environment.

Adoption and practice of basic environment friendly practices by young people.

Empowered young people who are prepared to make positive developments in their lives and communities.

Has solar power’s moment in Africa finally arrived?

Some rural areas of Zimbabwe are currently in a state of disaster after being hit by a severe drought. But there is hope that a new Practical Action project in the country using solar power to irrigate land could help overcome the problems that climate change is causing. A couple of hours’ drive from Gwanda in the south west of Zimbabwe, close to the border with Botswana, you come across an extraordinary sight. A bank of solar panels – 400 in total – make for a dazzling spectacle under Mashaba’s blazing midday sun. They constitute Zimbabwe’s largest off-grid solar farm and are heralding a new era in solar power for some of Africa’s most marginalised communities.

[Source: http://practicalaction.org]

ClIMATE CHANGE

Parched Zimbabwe faces dire water shortages as new dry season nears Boreholes and deep wells in many areas are fast running dry, and rivers and small streams - including those close to Gutaurare - are drying up too.

Farmers fear they will not only lose their livestock but their own sources of household water. “Water from the only borehole around is rationed with each family get two 20-litre buckets per day. The water from the borehole is not enough for us and our livestock,” Jofirisi said. That well, near the Gutaurare Business Centre, is controlled by the District Development Fund (DDF), the development arm of the government of Zimbabwe. More than 100 households depend on it for water - but no one is quite sure how much is left. With alternative water supplies running out, officials at the DDF depot started rationing the water a month ago, amid fears that even the borehole might not last through the coming dry season.

[Source: http://news.trust.org]

why sustainable development is so difficult in rural Africa There is a lot of debate about how to create sustainable communities, but nowhere is this more difficult to achieve than in poor subsistence farming communities in Africa. I have just returned from a trip to Uganda aimed at ensuring the sustainability of an integrated development project we are supporting in the sub-county of Katine. With the help of Guardian and Observer readers as well as Barclays Bank, we are investing £2.5m to help transform the lives of 25,000 people in the poor agricultural community around five hours drive north-east of the capital, Kampala.

[Source: http://www.theguardian.com]

Rural women fight climate change In Hwedza`s Goneso ward, about 10 kilometers from St Marks Goneso Primary School off Harare Murambinda road is the Ruzawe garden project, a poverty buster, which was initiated by the residents there in a bid to counter climate change. The 2, 5 hectors project has forty members, 37 females and 3 males, who are dedicated to ensure food security-which is vehemently being threatened by the climate change hitting the region. This garden initiative comes at a time when the nation is pushing an agenda for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal number 13 of fighting climate change and goal number 1 of eradicating poverty. “So far we are farming maize, tomatoes, onions, beans and carrots while fetching water from Ruzawe River which is a few meters from the garden. [Source: http://263chat.com]

Zimbabwe looks to UN Fund to Tackle Climate Change $80 Million Project At Advanced Stage Zimbababwe has begun the search for projects that could qualify for funding under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), hoping that increased funding will help the country tackle climate-changing emissions, and boost resilience to the science’s dangerous impacts. Already, an $80 million adaptation project led by the Environment, Water and Climate Ministry “has reached an advanced stage”, in terms of paperwork, authorities say. [Source: http://allafrica.com]