1. Finance: Can a storm of financial innovation save Africa’s wild places?

They may not yet have the sex appeal of electric vehicles. But “biodiversity credits” – currently emerging across the continent – appear similarly vibrant and futureful. What they are: Financial instruments aimed at conserving or restoring specific bits of nature. Carbon credits, now two decades old, at times already include similar aspects. But mostly they’re an add-on rather than being core to the instrument. Bio-credits are now rapidly splitting from the carbon markets, differing in aim. Carbon credits focus on direct climate impact, for example on reducing CO2, while bio-credits aim to sustain diversity in nature, benefitting climate indirectly. This could be rocket fuel for conservation efforts, especially in Africa. Read more

2. Finance: How to align conservation with agriculture 

The Green Climate Fund, a major international funder, has approved a $189 million commitment to &Green, a Dutch foundation, to support deforestation-free agriculture in Africa. This is an unusual move as agriculture has often worked in conflict with conservation. The new funding will promote the sustainable production of crops such as cocoa, palm oil, soybeans and rubber in 11 African countries, including Ivory Coast, Zambia, Liberia, Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon. The initiative aims to maintain tree cover while boosting agricultural production. The results will be closely watched. 

3. Today’s Number

…is the amount South Africa’s trophy hunting industry contributes annually to the economy. Apparently it also partly supports 17,000 jobs, mostly in rural areas.

4. Tech: Rwanda park uses e-bikes to monitor wildlife 

A new study by Conservation International highlights the critical need to focus on grasslands. Worldwide grasslands cover 40% of the Earth and hold over a third of the world’s land-based carbon. Despite their importance, grasslands are rapidly disappearing due to climate change and inappropriate reforestation efforts. The study, co-led by scientist Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, advocates for "wilder" rangelands, reintroducing wildlife and restoring natural processes like controlled burns. These measures are said to boost biodiversity, enhance soil carbon storage and support local communities' livelihoods. The practices have been tested and implemented successfully in southern Africa through the Herding for Health program. They are now being expanded to 7 million hectares across seven African countries.

5. Research: New focus on restoring grasslands

A new study by Conservation International highlights the critical need to focus on grasslands. Worldwide grasslands cover 40% of the Earth and hold over a third of the world’s land-based carbon. Despite their importance, grasslands are rapidly disappearing due to climate change and inappropriate reforestation efforts. The study, co-led by scientist Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, advocates for "wilder" rangelands, reintroducing wildlife and restoring natural processes like controlled burns. These measures are said to boost biodiversity, enhance soil carbon storage and support local communities' livelihoods. The practices have been tested and implemented successfully in southern Africa through the Herding for Health program. They are now being expanded to 7 million hectares across seven African countries.

6. Research: Study claims to better assess climate impact on conservation

A recent study in Nature Ecology & Evolution highlights the need for improved climate change risk assessments for terrestrial ecosystems to guide conservation strategies. By using ecophysiological growth models for 135,153 vascular plant species, researchers transformed current and future climates into "phytoclimates". These reflect the ability of climates to support various plant growth forms. The study forecasts that by 2070, 33% to 68% of the global land surface will experience significant changes in phytoclimate under different climate scenarios. New, unprecedented phytoclimates could emerge on 0.3% to 2.2% of the land surface. It further shows that  0.1% to 1.3% of current phytoclimates may disappear. These findings suggest a profound transformation of the biosphere and call for timely adaptation of biodiversity management practices. The current climate change exposure indices do not fully capture the ecological risks.

7. Project: Ambitious UN project seeks to green 5m hectares 

The UN has launched a major initiative, Regreening Africa, to combat desertification affecting 45% of Africa’s land. Named one of seven UN World Restoration Flagships, the project aims to restore 5 million hectares by 2030. Regreening Africa is already transforming over 350,000 hectares across eight countries. The goal is to reach 607,000 households with training and tree planting efforts. The initiative boosts biodiversity, supports local communities and increases incomes from tree-related products. Regreening Africa will receive additional technical and financial support, furthering its mission to restore vast areas and contribute to a more stable climate.

8. Media Monitoring

• Reviving habitats: Children as young as 10 are actively participating in grassroots reforestation efforts across Cameroon to combat deforestation and its impacts on climate change. Local groups like Green Planet and Voice of Nature are leading these initiatives, planting thousands of trees and involving youth in conservation activities.

• Bio-loss: A new study reveals that climate change and human development are threatening mammal species on Mt. Kenya. Researchers compared current camera trap footage with photos from Theodore Roosevelt's 1909 expedition and found significant declines in large mammal diversity at higher elevations, with some species completely absent. 

• Hazard: The Nyamwamba River in Uganda is experiencing catastrophic flooding which is increasing toxic copper tailings pools from a former Canadian mining operation. These tailings are contaminating the river’s water, soil, and local food supply with heavy metals. The situation is worsening with frequent floods, posing a severe environmental and health crisis for communities along the river.

• Double mitigation: Conservationists in Namibia have successfully integrated strategies to protect both cheetahs and local farming communities. Dr. Laurie Marker’s Cheetah Conservation Fund uses livestock guarding dogs and sustainable land management practices to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, while addressing climate change and habitat degradation. The initiative emphasises that poverty reduction and habitat restoration are crucial for preserving cheetah populations and promoting biodiversity.

• Litigation: South Africa’s Parliament has unanimously passed the Climate Change Bill. The Bill, which includes measures for business accountability and public sector involvement, now awaits the President’s signature before becoming law. This landmark legislation establishes a framework for national climate response, including carbon budgets and adaptation strategies.

9. Picture of the Day 

👉 An elephant strolling in Sierra Leone, which has one of the lowest populations in west Africa