The United States and China, the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, have announced they will formally ratify the Paris climate change agreement at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. This commitment could be a huge step forward in the efforts to combat climate change.
To hear more encouraging updates on the path to a sustainable future, read about our recent activities in this month’s newsletter.
With best wishes from London and Hamburg,
Jakob von Uexkull (Founder), Alexandra Wandel (Director) and Stefan Schurig (Member Management Board)
Belo Horizonte’s Food Security Policy
September 12 marks the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. In the same spirit, we have been spreading an exemplary food security policy from Belo Horizonte, Brazil to Windhoek, Namibia by bringing together experts from both countries and facilitating knowledge exchange. Click here to read more about the ground-breaking policy.
New Report: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development
This brand new report identifies the various drivers behind the push for the renewable energy transition around the world and documents some of the sustainable development benefits experienced around the world. Click here to read the full report.
Seizing the Solar Energy Revolution in Tanzania
When Ajuna Kagaruki and her husband built their new house in Mabwepande, a suburb of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, it was not an option to wait for the government to connect the area to the national grid. Instead, they decided to take action themselves in order to have electricity for their life with the three children. Today, a 120 kwh Solar Home System (SHS) lights the house, powers a TV and an iron and charges their mobile phones. Click here for the full story.
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News
What can be done to better protect refugee women? In cooperation with filia.die frauenstiftung and UN Women German Committee (UN Women Nationales Komitee Deutschland e.V.) we are developing a study to identify the most innovative and inspiring initiatives in protecting refugee women and girls from violence during all phases of the migration cycle. Our goal is to promote the exchange of best practices and to open up a space for dialogue and experience-sharing.
The View of the World from Europe
We are all, Europe. We are all, America. We are all black. We are all refugees. The challenges we face know no borders. They transcend nationality, race, age, ethnicity and political lines. A view of the world from Catherine Pearce, our Director of Future Justice. Full article
In 2011, Maryland became the first US state to require students to be environmentally literate as a high school graduation requirement. Hear what teachers have to say about the benefits of this pioneering regulation, which has resulted in broad improvements in student’s learning outcomes.
Recognising nature as a legal person: the Whanganui River in New ZealandThe relationship between indigenous peoples and nation states is historically marked by conflict and oppression. The exploitation of natural resources, usually ignoring indigenous knowledge, feed into these conflicts. The 2014 Whanganui River Deed of Settlement is an exemplary attempt to protect the River’s natural resources while respecting the long ignored voices of the local Whanganui tribes. Read more
Upcoming Events
European Renewable Energy Study Tour
To make Europe a Union again, we need to increase cooperation. This is also the case for energy politics. This is why, from September 25-29, we are organising a study tour for 15 delegates from European regions on “Regional Cooperation for Scaling Up RE in the EU”. Read more.
International Workshop | Maryland, US
From October 12-14, we are bringing together Ministries and legislators to learn first-hand about Maryland’s successful implementation of environmental literacy legislation, exchange best practice and identify potential policy reforms for their own countries and regions. Read more.