Latest news with #ConservationInternational
Zawya
04-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Rwanda to Restore Ecosystems and Boost Climate Resilience in the Nyungwe–Ruhango Corridor
Communities in Rwanda's Southern Province are set to benefit from restored ecosystems, improved agricultural productivity, and expanded sustainable livelihood opportunities in areas vulnerable to climate-related shocks. Thanks to a newly approved $9 million grant from the Global Environment Facility, Rwanda will receive support for integrated landscape restoration and climate-smart land management across the Nyungwe–Ruhango Corridor. The Ecosystem-Based Restoration Approach for Nyungwe-Ruhango Corridor Project is one of 20 projects of the GEF-8 Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program (ERIP) across the globe. ERIP scales up ecosystem restoration efforts by transforming degraded lands into thriving ecosystems and promotes private sector engagement and South-South exchange across the beneficiary countries. Conservation International is the ERIP lead agency. ' This project reflects the strong partnership between the World Bank and the Government of Rwanda in building climate resilience and driving inclusive green growth,' said Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda. ' It aligns with our Country Partnership Framework and global priorities on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and empowering local communities to lead sustainable change.' The Rwanda GEF-8 will support the rehabilitation of 2,162 hectares of forests and wetlands, promote sustainable land management practices across 8,931 hectares of farmland, and help develop income-generating activities that reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems, directly benefiting more than 289,000 people in Ruhango, Nyanza, and Nyamagabe Districts. The project will contribute to the World Bank Group's core objective of creating more and better jobs to reduce poverty and unlock economic opportunities, especially for the youth. Early estimates suggests that the project could generate over 2,200 jobs through sustainable livelihoods interventions. These include the development of non-timber forest product value chains, fruit tree planting, and support for small businesses in the green economy. The project will also engage the private sector to explore investment opportunities that promote climate-smart land use and sustainable forest management. ' This is a timely intervention that combines ecological restoration with community resilienc e,' said Tuuli Bernardini, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. ' By centering the role of women, youth, and local enterprises in landscape management, the project supports inclusive development and paves the way for scalable nature-based solutions.' Implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), the project adopts a landscape-based approach to address environmental degradation, food insecurity, climate risks, such as floods and landslides; threats that disrupt infrastructure, destroy crops, and deepen poverty in the Southern province. At its core, the Rwanda GEF-8 aims to restore ecosystems that provide critical services such as erosion control, flood regulation and habitats for biodiversity. Key interventions will include afforestation, reforestation, riverbank and wetland rehabilitation and the promotion of agroforestry and other climate-smart agricultural practices. The Rwanda GEF-8 forms part of a broader suite of World Bank-supported investments in conservation and sustainable land management along the Congo-Nile divide covering parts of the Northern, Western, and Southern Province. These include the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project and Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation Project. Building on lessons from Rwanda's earlier efforts such as the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC), these initiatives align with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), and are expected to deliver significant outcomes in biodiversity conservation, resilience building and improved community livelihoods. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Stella McCartney, David Attenborough to Be Honored by New Environmental Start-up The Nat
SYDNEY — Meet the 'Nat Gala': a brand-new New York benefit slated for September that hopes to garner the buzz and fundraising power of May's Met Gala — this time with an environmental focus. To be unveiled in London on Wednesday during London Climate Action Week, the event is the offshoot of a new environmental coalition of cross-industry partners called The Nat which is led by London-based Gail Gallie, a former marketing executive who cofounded Project Everyone with British screenwriter and film producer Richard Curtis in 2015, the campaign unit that launched the Global Goals on behalf of the United Nations. More from WWD Report Findings Highlight Opportunities for Brands to Unlock the Next Phase of Value in Resale With DPPs Cellugy Raises 8.1 Million Euros to Eliminate Microplastics in Personal Care Products Paris Good Fashion Report Says 5% Volume Cut Needed by 2030 to Stay Within Climate Limit The NAT aims to bring together a community of leading voices across business, science, society, philanthropy and culture to amplify awareness and accelerate action for nature. The inaugural Nat Gala, its flagship fundraiser, will take place in New York on Sept. 21 on the eve of the 80th Session of the U.N. General Assembly. Gallie hopes the event, which is due to be staged at the Classic Car Club on Pier 76, will raise $20 million to go toward critical nature restoration projects that will be facilitated by partners including Conservation International. Three hundred guests are anticipated. 'The SDGs [U.N. Sustainable Development Goals] have got 15 years to run,' said Gallie. 'It was thinking, me personally, 'What can I add to the trajectory that we are on?' My personal passion has so much drawn me into nature and I feel like that's the new news that the world wants as well, because we've been hearing climate change, climate change, climate change for so long… I could see how I could drive more change by really diving deep into nature. And that's where The Nat has come from.' The work of David Attenborough and, in the fashion space, Stella McCartney, will be honored at the gala, which is also assembling a cadre of ambassadors — or 'NATure Stewards' — who include environmental activists Harrison Ford, Wanjira Mathai, Xiye Bastida, Titouan Bernicot, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim and Sabrina Elba, a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). As for the red carpet, 'We're calling it a 'natural' carpet' said Gallie. 'The directive is, 'Seriously, think about your choice. Is it borrowed? Is it vintage? Is it from a designer who is working at the cutting edge of sustainable practices?'' Gallie harnessed the collective clout of a well-connected creative team for the project. The Nat and Nat Gala's co-creative directors are Rachel Muscat — the Los Angeles-based Australian cofounder and former chief executive officer of Pharrell Williams' Humanrace brand — and Al MacCuish, the London-based cofounder and chief creative officer of Sunshine, a creative entertainment production company. Joerg Koch, the founder and editor in chief of Berlin-based magazine 032c, has been tapped as Nat Gala artistic director; Art + Commerce cofounder and managing director Jimmy Moffat as art and culture adviser, and veteran music executive Gary Gersh as music adviser. Other creative collaborators include American musician Madame Gandhi and Open Planet, the global environmental footage specialist. 'I think what's been so inspiring for us working with Gail is that it is this untapped connection between culture and nature that we really see bringing the two worlds together,' said Muscat, who launched the Rachel Muscat Studios consultancy after leaving Humanrace in late 2024 and is now working with brands and celebrities in several markets. '[Take] Joerg Koch from 032c, like it's quite unexpected that he would be somebody who would come in. And that's our ambition: how do we continue to bring unexpected voices to nature? Because everyone actually is connected to nature in a certain way, but maybe they just don't know how to become closer or be a part of it.' The Nat Gala isn't Gallie's first fashion hookup. In 2021 she launched a Project Everyone social media campaign called Fashion Avengers, teaming up with brands including Burberry and Pangaia to advocate for, and drive action toward, the U.N.'s Global Goals. 'I knew the industry a little bit and I knew that it had big problems in terms of the natural world and sustainability, but I also knew that it was trying, and there was a real appetite there to change. But then the pandemic happened,' said Gallie. 'The Nat Gala is not a fashion event per se, it's a nature event,' she added. 'But the creativity and the ability to drive change that fashion has is undeniable. I think that's what I was scratching at with the Fashion Avengers. And now it just feels like maybe this is the right time.' Best of WWD Why Tennis Players Wear All White at Wimbledon: The Championships' Historic Dress Code Explained Kate Middleton's Looks at Trooping the Colour Through the Years [PHOTOS] Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kinect Solar Launches 'Kinect Cares' Initiative to Empower People, Give Back to Communities and Protect the Planet
The inaugural initiative will plant a tree for every full truckload that leaves one of Kinect Solar's 50+ US warehouses. AUSTIN, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / June 2, 2025 / Kinect Solar LLC, a leading solar managed services solutions provider, today announced the launch of Kinect Cares, a company-wide charitable giving initiative. Kinect Cares is dedicated to reducing the company's carbon footprint and giving back to local communities, in line with Kinect Solar's mission to drive meaningful change for people, communities and the planet. 'Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Kinect Solar,' said Nikole Newman, Kinect Solar's chief revenue officer. 'We're pleased to formalize our commitment to the planet through this ongoing initiative. It's steered by a committee of Kinect Solar team members who are truly passionate about this work.' The first official Kinect Cares initiative will plant a tree for every full truckload that leaves a Kinect Solar warehouse. The tree planting will be facilitated through Conservation International, where Kinect Solar is currently an Emerald Circle-level member. More initiatives are in the works, including a solar pallet recycling program, disaster relief support and solar panel donations to promote sustainability. Kinect Cares will also focus on giving back to local communities. Kinect Solar has previously made contributions to Keep Austin Beautiful as well as Austin's Habitat for Humanity ReStore. As part of Kinect Cares, employees will be further empowered to give back to their local communities by volunteering for projects and causes they are passionate about. More information about Kinect Cares: Drives community engagement by organizing and participating in local service projects in the neighborhoods where our employees live Supports environmental sustainability by initiating and supporting conservation efforts such as tree planting, recycling and clean energy campaigns to protect and preserve local resources and ecosystems Empowers employees to make the kind of difference on an individual level that Kinect Solar strives to make at an organizational level About Kinect Solar Kinect Solar has been pioneering B2B solutions for large-scale solar manufacturers and developers in the US solar market for more than a decade, with managed solar service solutions tailored to today's fast-paced solar industry. Founded in 2015 by Lauren Carson, Kinect Solar is a privately held, woman-owned small business headquartered in Austin, Texas. Kinect Solar is committed to leading with integrity and sustainability. By combining innovation with teamwork, the company aims to inspire action and create lasting impact for future generations. For more information, visit Contact Information Brian Hunter Director of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE: Kinect Solar press release
National Post
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- National Post
Vancouver Island photographer works to save wildlife, one photo at a time
Article content The platform has led Mittermeier to a few select partnerships, including with Rolex, for which she's an ambassador. Mittermeier works with the luxury Swiss watch brand on its Perpetual Planet Initiative that supports and champions explorers, scientists and entrepreneurs. Article content 'They have empowered me and elevated me in such important ways without ever asking me to do anything in return, which is exactly what a brand should be doing when you care about a cause,' Mittermeier says. Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by ROLEX (@rolex) Article content Article content First drawn to the field of conservation while studying marine biology in her native Mexico, she became keenly aware of the many issues threatening our oceans. Article content 'Back then, we were talking about climate change, acidification and industrial fishing as the biggest threat. So I wanted to find a way that I could contribute to raise awareness and protect the ocean, and I didn't know how to do it,' Mittermeier says. 'So I started out as a scientist, and my first job ever was for Conservation International. I became a conservationist, and I've been doing that ever since.' Article content Her journey eventually brought her to Canada after she met Nicklen. Happily settled on Vancouver Island, Mittermeier says we're at a crucial time in the country's nature conservation story. Article content 'As Alaska is looking at culling the populations of grizzly bears and wolves, we have an opportunity in British Columbia to protect ours and to make them even more special than they already are,' Mittermeier explains. 'Our neighbours to the south are threatening with logging because they have their own lumber. It gives us an opportunity to even cherish our forests so much more …' Article content Article content 'And I think Canada is going to emerge as a superpower because of our environmental leadership.' Article content Article content While we wait to see how shifting political climates face the environmental crises, Mittermeier says there are a few things people can do. Article content 'The one thing that we all can do, and it has to be a personal choice that you make every day, is, No. 1, to stay hopeful and to know that the pendulum will swing and our time will come again,' Mittermeier says. 'And the second is to stay engaged. There's such a temptation to just turn the other way and not pay attention, and say things like, 'I'm not political. I don't care about that.' Article content Article content Article content Article content
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 16 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including the Solomon Islands prime minister's call for reforms to the process surrounding motions of no confidence. Solomon Islands – motions Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has suggested changes to how motions of no confidence in the country are moved. Manele said there must be a balance between the right to move a motion of no-confidence, and protecting parliamentary processes from being abused. Two motions of no confidence against his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) have been moved within a year in office, but ultimately withdrawn. SIBC reported Manele told parliament on Monday he will bring a paper to Cabinet to appoint a task force to do these reforms. Palau – ocean Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr has signed an executive order creating a working group to better protect Palau's ocean. He has called it a 'whole government approach in securing Palau's waters.' The Island Times reported the Coordinated Maritime Management Working Group brings together top officials from government agencies to respond more quickly and effectively to ocean-related threats. These include illegal fishing, safety emergencies, or foreign intrusions in Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone. The working group will be led jointly by the Bureau of Public Safety and the Bureau of Marine Transportation. Under the order, the group will meet monthly at the Joint Operations Center to review incidents at sea – such as search and rescue operations or encounters with suspicious vessels – and will also develop procedures, run annual training exercises, and work with foreign partners and the private sector. Cook Islands – culture Cook Islands traditional leaders want cultural knowledge to be integrated into the teaching curriculum. The House of Ariki has developed an education manifesto at a four-day workshop alongside the education ministry of and Conservation International. It sets out recommendations for education to be built on indigenous knowledge. Conservation International spokesperson Schannel van Dijken said that many countries in the region have not been teaching their own history and culture. 'Some of the core recommendations from that coming out, that's articulated in that document, is making Cook Islands Māori language instruction compulsory from preschool through to secondary levels; integrating traditional knowledge and cultural practices throughout the curriculum.' Australia/Pacific – relations Pat Conroy has retained his position in Cabinet following Tuesday's ministerial changes announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Conroy will continue as Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. In a statement, he said he will continue to build positive relations with the Pacific family as part of the Albanese Government's commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Australia and our region. Conroy said defence spending under the Albanese government had reached record levels, and he would continue to focus on strengthening the Australian Defence Force and local defence manufacturing.
