SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 42
Sustainability TLDR Newsletter: Edition 42 This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, African, and Kenyan perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL The State of Climate Action 2025 Report Ten years after the Paris Agreement, global climate action is moving, but definitely NOT fast enough. This report assesses 45 indicators across the highest-emitting sectors, which account for 86% of global greenhouse gas emissions: power, buildings, industry, transport, forests and land, food and agriculture, and finds that none are on track to meet 1.5°C-aligned 2030 targets. While most indicators are may be moving in the right direction, progress remains too slow, and global GHG emissions continue to increase rather than decrease. Experts say we have already passed the 1.5 C threshold. It is important to note that the transition has already begun. For example, clean energy investment exceeded US$2 trillion in 2024, renewable energy generation recorded its largest-ever annual increase, and solar is now described as the fastest-growing power source ever. Additionally, private climate finance has also grown sharply, and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen are beginning to gain traction. This transition is very fragmented, and gains are being offset by persistent fossil fuel dependence, weak progress on coal phase-out, rising public fossil fuel finance, slow industrial decarbonisation, and continued deforestation. These offsetting issues need to be reversed, namely: Coal-fired electricity must decline far faster. Reduce deforestation nine times faster; and Total climate finance needs to grow four times faster by 2030. The report also highlights that private sector climate action: Must be sector-wide transformation as a priority, not an option, as the highest-emitting sectors of power, buildings, industry, transport, forests and land, food and agriculture, are responsible for 86% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Is now a competitiveness, resilience and risk-management agenda. Has to move from climate commitments to implementation: cutting operational and value-chain emissions, shifting to renewable electricity, improving efficiency, investing in low-carbon transport and logistics. Urgently requires eliminating deforestation from supply chains. Is a social sustainability concern given increasing climate impacts and risks to people and society, and businesses are increasingly expected to reorient performance metrics toward well-being, equity and sustainability, not just growth or financial return. Involves aligning finance and investment by directing capital expenditure, lending, insurance and procurement toward climate-resilient, low-carbon activities. The world is at the point where, collectively, we need to scale transition solutions with urgency – solutions like: renewable energy, reversing deforestation, less meat production and consumption, increasing climate finance, strengthen public transport systems and carbon removal technologies. It’s also vital that these solutions align to just and inclusive transition goals, and finally, business has to see climate action as economic (and social) resilience, competitiveness, and long-term value creation. In 2023, the IPCC report gave multiple areas of opportunities, and here are a few that were highlighted as critical levers for climate action: Scale solar, wind and energy efficiency as immediate, cost-effective mitigation options. Reduce methane emissions in energy, waste and agriculture value chains. Invest in sustainable land use, ecosystem restoration and improved forest management. Reduce food loss and waste across production, distribution, retail and consumption. Build climate-resilient infrastructure, including reliable power systems, efficient water use, smart grids and stronger adaptation planning. My two cents: Let’s focus on what we can do; that’s what will pull us forward. And if you are still wondering what you could do as an individual, well, here are 2 lifestyle choice changes for you to consider: (1) switch to your vehicles to non-fossil fuel because passenger cars and vans are +60% of road transport emissions – not a bad idea with the fuel prices. (2) Eat less red meat every week, especially if you are in a high-consumption geography, e.g. Australia, New Zealand, South America, North America; but frankly, wherever you are eat less meat. AFRICA Food Or Poison? The cost of Highly Hazardous Pesticides to Africa’s food security This Greenpeace Africa report gives a strong warning that Africa’s food security challenge is not only about producing more food, but about protecting the ecological systems that make food production possible. The report shows that Highly Hazardous Pesticides are widely used in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, despite many being banned in Europe and the USA. Examples include: the insecticides chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid, the fungicide tebuconazole and the herbicides glyphosate and atrazine. In Kenya and Ghana, almost half of the registered pesticide active ingredients are classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides, while in South Africa, the figure is over a third. These chemicals contaminate soil, water, food, pollen and nectar, and threaten pollinators, soil organisms, aquatic life and human health. About 75% of all crop species get higher yields with pollinators, and 35% of the world’s crop production depends on animal pollination. FAO’s Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023 deepens this picture by showing that Africa’s food crisis is already severe, as nearly 282 million people in Africa were undernourished in 2022, that’s about 20 per cent of the continent’s population, with this situation being worsened by climate shocks, economic pressures, high food prices and reduced affordability of healthy diets. Soil pollution is a global issue, and with 36 of the 80 most affected countries being in Africa, it is a disproportionately critical issue for the continent. This means pesticide dependence must be understood within a wider food systems crisis. Yes, the continent needs more resilient, affordable and nutritious food, but this cannot be achieved by degrading soils, pollinators and water systems. Africa’s food security has to shift from a focus on short-term yields to a broader agenda of safe, nutritious, climate-resilient and nature-positive food systems. Here are some vital actions and considerations Greenpeace Africa recommends to protect the foundations of Africa’s agriculture: Phase out procurement and use of HHPs, prioritising safer pest management and biological alternatives. Invest in agro-ecology, soil health, regenerative farming and integrated pest management across supply chains. Get training on safe input use, organic inputs, pollinator protection and climate-resilient production. Strengthen traceability, residue testing and supplier standards for food safety and environmental protection. Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, pharmaceuticals, tourism,
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 41
Sustainability TLDR Newsletter: Edition 41 This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, African, and Kenyan perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL The Impact and Dependency of Business on Biodiversity Published in February 2026, the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment evidences the impact and reliance of business on nature emphasizing that every economy, every sector, and every value chain, every society cannot survive without nature. All businesses depend on biodiversity and affect it, whether through raw material extraction, land and water use, pollution, logistics, waste, finance, or consumer markets. Yet biodiversity impacts are not or poorly reflected in business decision-making, even though it now poses a systemic risk to economic stability, financial systems, human wellbeing, and rights. A key insight is that business dependencies on nature are often hidden, making them less obvious for decision-making; yet integral to business continuity. Consider the following: Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and extractives have obvious dependencies, but so do less visible sectors. Retail shops, supermarkets and restaurants depend on biodiversity through agricultural supply chains. Waste management depends on microbial communities for waste processing. Businesses also rely on regulating functions such as pollination, water supply, flood mitigation, climate regulation, soil protection, filtering of air to make it breathable. Humanity also relies on non-material contributions such as recreation, education, and cultural value. The report calls out that businesses dependencies are also less well understood than impacts, particularly in the regions of Africa and Oceania – which means that hundreds and thousands of companies in these regions may be underestimating their exposure; as are the hundreds and thousands companies reliant on any value chains in these regions. On impacts, the report is clear that all sectors contribute, directly or indirectly, to biodiversity loss, often through value chains. Impacts can be cumulative, cross ecological tipping points, and can become irreversible. Sectors with relatively high quantified direct impacts include agriculture, forestry and fishing, electricity and energy, mining and quarrying, construction, and transport and storage. The report adds that while businesses can often claim having positive outcomes the strategies used often only address reductions in harm, not credible nature restoration and/or regeneration. The report also highlights why progress is slow. In 2023, finance flows with direct negative impacts on nature were estimated at $7.3 trillion, compared with about $220 billion directed to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Businesses also face weak incentives, voluntary disclosure norms, limited value-chain transparency, weak access to reliable data and models, and decision cycles that are far shorter than ecological recovery cycles. As such, regulators are falling short of their public service obligations. The negative impacts on biodiversity (all forms of life) are happening at ‘lightning pace’. While it may seem complex (interdependencies are), the global Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) provides 23 targets for urgent action towards 2030 (4 years ahead); and here are some practical actions businesses need to have in place to contribute towards these targets: Assess and disclose nature-related dependencies, impacts, and risks across operations, value chains, and portfolios, aligning with CBD Target 15. Apply the mitigation hierarchy in practice: avoid damage first, then minimise, restore, and only lastly offset residual impacts. Re-design production and sourcing models toward biodiversity-friendly practices, circularity, waste reduction, and lower pollution, consistent with CBD Targets 7, 10, and 16. Integrate biodiversity action into governance and investment decisions so nature is built into strategy, procurement, capital allocation, and performance management, in line with CBD Target 14. Work with communities, and other stakeholders to respect knowledge, improve stewardship, and support fairer, more nature-resilient outcomes for society and businesses. My two cents: It’s impossible to separate nature and human life – humans are a form of biodiversity; so it seems so obvious that we must protect and conserve the nature that gives us life…but we don’t. So maybe it’s better to say nature will protect us from climate change…will that get business and decision-makers to take action? AFRICA Africa Union’s 2026 Year of Water Sustainability This year (2026), the African Union (AU) is using its Theme of the Year to put water and sanitation at the centre of Africa’s development agenda: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” The annual thematic is a continent-wide call to action, stressing that safe water and sanitation are but pathways to health, economic growth, and resilience, and urging governments, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate. At the start of this year, the UN announced that the world has now entered into the era of global water bankruptcy, where the world is now at irreversible losses of natural water capital and living beyond our hydrological means. The AU’s 2026 Year of Water Sustainability is a vital call for Africans to protect and conserve their natural water resources, and better manage water resources, urgently! This year’s theme amplifies the continent’s Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, published in 2026 as a long-term blueprint for ‘a water secure and resilient Africa with safe sanitation for all.’ The Vision positions water as Africa’s most vital strategic resource and argues that sustainable water availability underpins labour productivity, food and energy security, industrialisation, climate resilience, ecological balance, and social equity. The Water Vision 2063 has 8 statements that set out the direction of travel: Universal access to safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene – focuses on reliable safe water for households, inclusive sanitation systems, hygiene access, and reducing health and environmental risks from pollution and waste. Sustainable water availability for growing economies and populations – water efficiency, stronger supply systems, wastewater reuse, non-conventional water sources, climate-resilient infrastructure, and valuing water in economic planning. A thriving blue economy – Africa’s aquatic resources should support prosperity, jobs, biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and well-being through sustainable fisheries, coastal economies, and regenerative approaches Strong governance and leadership – accountable institutions, transparent data, inclusive participation, stronger regulation, and financing systems grounded in subsidiarity, accountability, and international water law. Shared water basins as assets for peace and regional integration – shared rivers and aquifers should be managed cooperatively to
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 40
2026 Sustainability Landscape Webinar This webinar was hosted by Responsible Business Consulting Ltd. in collaboration with the Global Compact Network Kenya. It provided a reading of the sustainability landscape rather than a prediction of what 2026 will actually bring. This discussion brought together renowned speakers to share their reflections on the sustainability landscape and what this landscape will mean for businesses, particularly in Kenya, in 2026. The webinar speakers were: Beth Knight, Head of Social Sustainability, Lloyds Banking Group, Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya and Susan Njoroge, Managing Director, Responsible Business Consulting Ltd. GLOBAL Ai Generated, Crystal Ball, Sphere royalty-free stock illustration. The evolving global risk landscape The big picture assessment was anchored in global risk conversations shaped by the World Economic Forum’s global risks report 2026, and highlighted the tension between short-term pressures and long-term systemic risks. Key short-term risks covered included: Geo-economic confrontation and resource nationalism (especially around strategic resources such as critical minerals). Mis-information/dis-information and the societal effects of polarization and protectionism behavior. However, it was also highlighted that while extreme weather may appear to have ‘move down’ the risk rating in some shorter-horizon discourse, the 10-year horizon flips back decisively to climate- and nature-driven disruption, including biodiversity loss and broader Earth-systems instability. This global exploration brought out three practical executive lessons and leadership messages for business: Materiality beats marketing. Build clarity on what is truly material to the business—so that the organization can get ahead of shocks rather than react once disruption is already underway. Social sustainability is not secondary. Emphasising rising social stressors e.g. reduced mobility, disenfranchisement and migration pressures, among others; as integral to business resilience, not simply ‘nice to have’ topics. ESG is becoming polarized, despite this, sustainability must still be integrated. Distinguishing sustainability as a strategic framing, and ESG as a financial/portfolio lens, business leaders are urged to ‘stitch’ these risks into business strategy, goals and outcome measures. This first part of the landscape closed with three provocations for businesses: Don’t treat sustainability as content or marketing—treat it as a design framework for how value is created. Consider that the biggest sustainability risk may be social, and lead with people across both short- and long-term horizons. Cooperation and partnership are non-negotiable given the complexity of the problems. AFRICA AND KENYA The next part of the conversation shifted to highlighting reflections on the shifting landscape on the African continent and Kenya. The conversation explored 3 considerations for sustainability: Human development as a strategic sustainability priority Sustainability was reframed for African and Kenyan leaders as the urgency of human development (not only economic development/GDP), particularly in a context of youth employment needs and transitions in energy systems. Some key structural shifts were covered that businesses should treat as core strategy issues: Renewable energy-enabled economic models are driving cleaner industrialization across the continent e.g. Ethiopia’s Dam, Kenya geothermal, solar panels equivalent to 11.2M homes imported from China. This is showing that Africa is already building new economic models not ‘trapped’ in fossil fuels. Governance, trust, and leadership are now economic issues, influencing stability and operating context (including the business impact of public sentiment and protest dynamics). A rise in brand social activism and a reminder to businesses that consumers are citizens. There will be increasing expectations that companies demonstrate ethical conduct, human rights alignment and visible societal contribution, that aligns with the human development needs of citizens. Aid cuts / reduced donor funding are increasing pressure on public systems, which in turn will raise societal expectations of business contribution to fundamental human development needs e.g. healthcare, education, food, community wellbeing and this will make businesses social license to operate more central to sustainability strategy. Sustainability related reporting and compliance moves sustainability to the board and senior leadership level and is now a financial condition Regulations and new norms are coming into play in 2026 that will influence Kenyan companies strategic and operation dynamics: IFRS S1 and S2 reporting begins in Kenya in 2026: positioning climate and sustainability disclosures as part of how an organisation’s financial value and health is being evaluated. Kenya has adopted a phased, mandatory roadmap for IFRS S1 (General Requirements) and IFRS S2 (Climate-related Disclosures), starting with voluntary reporting from 1 January 2024, followed by mandatory adoption for Public Interest Entities (PIEs) by 1 January 2027, large non-PIEs by 2028, and SMEs by 2029. Kenya’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): commencing in Kenya in February rooting circular models into business operations, supplier practices and consumer behavior. Carbon markets go mainstream: as governance expectations and project benefits-sharing becomes tighter; and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism kicks in for exporting companies in cement, steel, fertilisers and others. This is only the beginning as other countries e.g. China, Japan, UK are also looking at their own CBAM policies. Sustainable finance is becoming the new normal: as lenders expanding green lending to help them better manage their credit risks; and redirect financial flows for more resilient business models 3. Missing the 1.5 degrees Paris Agreement target globally: this is now inevitable and that means climate impacts are now very real for the long, long term. Adaptation will no longer be a policy term and operational continuity and resilience, disaster management will pick up pace. BUSINESS RESPONSE Reflections on business response and collective action 2026 is likely to be the year where businesses must respond to converging pressures (economic, governance and social); and the private sector can no longer remain a bystander on societal issues that ultimately shape market stability. Two strong themes that stood out: Collective action as a differentiator: Collaboration is a game-changer for private sector and stakeholders. It is imperative that stakeholders, grow together and rebuild social contracts to citizens (who are consumers) with business as an active contributor. Moral courage and constructive engagement: Business leaders must be willing to get uncomfortable and engage on governance and social challenges. It is the reality that societal failure erodes the foundations on which business can thrive. Insights from the Questions and Responses
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 39
Sustainability TLDR Newsletter: Edition 39 This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL The State of the World’s Children 2025 It is hard to ignore a report with a title like that. So despite all the exciting happenings with COP 30, I opted to focus on this UNICEF report in this newsletter. Capturing insights from 130 countries, it highlights the state of poverty our children experience (people love to say it takes a village or a community to raise a child – so, our children); worldwide. Because, as the report highlights, children in poverty is not a monetary problem but a (lack of) priority problem. Here are some insights from the report, (access the executive summary): Since 2000, there has been significant progress in reducing the number of children living in severe deprivation from 3 of 5 children living in severe deprivation in 2000, to 2 of 5 in 2023. According to UNICEF, for a child to live in severe deprivation, the child lacks essentials for survival and development in at least 2 key areas of 6 essential needs: education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation, and clean water. Progress on reducing child poverty is very fragile; and in fact it stalled in wealthy countries. In the European Union, more than 6 million children in the region currently live in severe deprivation (lacking at least 2 of the 6 essentials for survival and development). The education background of the head of household is also a critical factor in child poverty. If the head of the household doesn’t have an education, children facing extreme poverty increase to just over 30%; but if the head of the household has tertiary education extreme poverty falls to just below 6%. Child poverty is much more than monetary poverty; it is about multidimensional poverty – as about 20% of the world’s children live in severe deprivation lacking 2 or more of the 6 essential areas: education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation, and clean water. It’s important to remember that a child isn’t supposed to make money for themselves so monetary poverty as a measure is insufficient; and multidimensional measures become more relevant. Conflict and fragility is worsening the situation and extreme child poverty rose to about one in two children by 2024; and climate shocks compound this e.g. in 2024, schooling was disrupted for 242 million children in 2024. Displaced and/or refugees are under-counted in poverty measures in hosting countries and deprivation figures making the situation in host countries more complex. The report urged governments to make ending child poverty a national priority; adopt supportive macroeconomic policy; expand inclusive social protection (regular, predictable cash/child benefits linked to services); expand quality public services; and promote decent work. Private sector also has a vital role to play in reducing poverty and deprivation of children through: Decent work – providing living wages, safer work, family-friendly policies (leave, childcare support) across formal and informal value chains. Partnerships for essential services – with local communities, local organisations, and/or governments in WASH, nutritious school meals/food systems, affordable housing and last-mile health/education delivery, particularly in underserved areas. Resilience finance and crisis-proofing – innovative financing that aligns capital with child outcomes by supporting climate adaptation and stability in crisis settings My two cents: I have heard it said that you can learn a lot about a family, community, society by how they treat their children. Can we do better? I think this quote from Maria Montessori sums it up for me: ‘Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.’ AFRICA UNECA’s COP30 Implications for Africa’s Climate Priorities The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) produced a report focused on giving an African lens to the COP30 outcomes. This lens made the report a useful insight to include, especially when one thinks of the UN FCC, Executive Secretary’s profound statement: ‘A new economy is rising, while the old polluting one is running out of road.’; and the just and sustainable economic development pathway for African countries and their people. So here are some highlights from the report: COP30 delivered an overarching outcome seeking to integrate climate finance, adaptation, just transition, Global Stocktake (GST) follow-up and NDC implementation so that progress in one area accelerates the others. COP30 created negotiation entry points for African countries on finance, adaptation accountability, trade safeguards, and Article 6 carbon markets. COPP30 reaffirmed obligations of developed countries to provide financial resources to assist developing countries with mitigation and adaptation. A two-year work programme was launched to scrutinize implementation of these obligations which is a response to African Group and G77+China calls for a clear space to track this. Loss and Damage funds remain underfunded, which reinforced African calls for predictable, grant-based, polluter-pays finance. Adaptation is the bedrock of Africa’s climate action. The UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience was finalized at COP30 and indicators were adopted to track progress on Global Goal on Adaptation. This is a common goal that can ensure an adequate adaptation response in the context of the temperature goal referred to in Article 2: ‘reaffirms the goal of limiting global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees.’ COP30 reaffirmed non-discrimination principles for climate-related trade measures, giving Africa a basis to contest unilateral instruments that could undermine industrialization and fiscal stability. A Just Transition Mechanism was proposed and is to be operationalized through the UNFCCC and COP30 reaffirmed that clean energy transition was inevitable, and that it will require embedding justice and equity, and ensuring Africa is positioned to secure socially inclusive transitions, green jobs, and financial and technological support for renewable energy expansion. An open coalition for better cooperation around carbon markets regulation worldwide was championed by Brazil and adopted titled: Declaration on the Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets. This coalition and focus on cooperation provides the possibility for African countries to strengthen guidance, capacity; and importantly, platforms for African countries to develop domestic carbon pricing
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 37
Sustainability TLDR Newsletter: Edition 37 This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL The State of Food Security & Nutrition in the World Five UN agencies (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), and World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated to report on the global state of food security and nutrition 2025. Their publication was launched in July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the UN’s 2nd food systems stock take summit. It is a comprehensive report that captures the complexity and inequalities in food and food systems globally. Here are some insights for reflection: There have been modest improvements in global hunger in the past few years, but we are off track globally to achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger by 2030; and Africa will have nearly 60% of the global hunger burden by 2030 (a little under 5 years from now). Rising food prices have increased the global cost of a healthy diet, which has now reached $4.46 per person per day. Women and rural households remain more affected by food insecurity which seems to reflect systemic inequities. Globally, ultra-processed foods remain cheaper and more accessible than nutrient-dense foods, driving poor nutrition outcomes. Hunger is declining in Asia and Latin America, but it continues to rise in Africa and Western Asia. The improvements in Asia and Latin America reflect stronger recovery pathways following C-19, and India’s progress resulted from their ability to effectively reduce unaffordability. There has been progress in reducing child stunting; but overweight, wasting, obesity, and anemia continues to remain high in children. Consumers in high income countries face strained purchasing power, but policy responses and stronger social protection systems in these countries have helped to cushion negative impacts. The report also provided a number of recommendations, and here are a few highlights: It is imperative that countries (public and private sectors) invest in resilient and inclusive food systems that support healthier diets, insulate against food prices shocks; and in developing economies concerted effort is needed to effectively support smallholder farmers that are the backbone of household food production of the country. Address structural inequalities in food access and responsibly correct market failures that reward unhealthy food as this inevitably leads to greater health issues for households and the state. Strengthen social protection and affordability to mitigate food insecurity, especially for more vulnerable groups e.g. women and rural households. My two cents: We are what we eat (or don’t eat). The glaring challenges the report highlights in healthy food availability and access is disturbing; and perhaps the impacts on children are the reality of the consequences of our (failing) global food systems to actually provide food that is healthy, nutritious and life affirming. AFRICA Africa and Climate September saw the gathering of government heads, officials and other leaders from Africa, and actors interested in Africa, convened in Ethiopia for the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2). Themed, Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s resilient and Green Development, the Summit set the stage for Africa’s positions at the upcoming COP30 (Conference of Parties) in Brazil. The Addis Ababa declaration was the outcome of the Summit and positions the African continent as a leading player in addressing the climate crisis as well as its green economy opportunities. Interesting to note is that there was also an Africa youth led side-event at the ACS2, and insights from this event are also provided in this section. Here are some insights into what Africa’s heads of government committed to: Establishing the Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) and African Climate Facility (ACF), with a target of mobilizing USD 50 billion annually in catalytic finance to support Africa-led innovations across energy, agriculture, water, transport, and resilience. Put into practice the African Climate Change Fund (ACCF) to channel green bonds and Africa-relevant innovative financing instruments. The ACCF was established in 2014 as a multi-donor fund to triple financing for the continent’s climate action and resilience. Africa’s heads of state clarified that adaptation of finance from the developed world must be delivered as grants (not loans) to avoid already crippling debt burdens; recognizing it as a legal obligation of developed countries, not an act of charity. On average, African countries lose about 2-5% of their GDP and divert approx. 9% of their budgets to respond to climate extremes. Urgent reform of multilateral development banks to reduce (the biased) borrowing costs for African countries and improve the continent’s representation in global financial governance. Achieving 300 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, expanding access for 300 million people and clean cooking solutions for 900 million. A Green Minerals Strategy that sees beneficiation of Africa’s critical minerals (meaning…in my words…that finally Africa starts processing its minerals rather than simply exporting them as raw materials to other countries to do the value addition). Heads of state also committed to leveraging circular economy frameworks and ultimately driving a just and green industrialization for the continent. Scaling nature restoration and nature-based solutions, that will also include strengthening existing initiatives like, Great Green Wall – which focuses on restoring degraded land, sequestering carbon and creating green jobs; African Forest Landscape Restoration – a commitment by 34 African countries to restore at least 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. Heads of state committed to establishing financial mechanisms to deal with climate related health threats. Africa’s youth also gathered in Addis, at an official side-event, held at a separate venue, for the second Africa Youth Climate Assembly. Africa’s young people called for climate justice, equity, and meaningful participation in decision-making, 70% of the continent’s population are below 30 years of age. Some highlights from the youth summit declaration are: Institutionalize the Africa Youth Climate Assembly as Africa’s formal youth climate governance platform and that youth representation must be in climate negotiations – as negotiators, not observers. Scale renewable energy and green jobs through youth-centred skills programs, and create a youth climate fund and green banks that invest in youth-led initiatives. Ethical safeguards must be a priority for any technology transfers, AI and innovation hubs. Integrate climate-peace-security nexus with youth as
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 36
Sustainability TLDR Newsletter: Edition 35 This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL Human Development Report 2025 Publised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this report focuses on People and Possibilities in the Age of AI – as a matter of choice. I must admit that I was initially taken aback by the Age of AI part as I was thinking more about human development i.e. process of enlarging choices for people so that they can live lives they value. This goes beyond economic/income, which is only one measure of development, to include other critical human development priorities that are health, education and decent standards of living. Yet when you think of the context of human development i.e. access to opportunities, choices, creating conditions and enhancing abilities – well, then the Age of AI makes a lot of sense. There is a lot to read and consider in this report, so I will highlight a few insights for your consideration: Globally, human development is stalling, the gap between rich and poor countries continues to grow and what used to be traditional development pathways are now squeezed by global pressures such as emissions, pollution, conflict, e.t.c. While AI does have transformative potential, it is also exacerbating inequalities – especially when human agency is disregarded. AI is also reshaping societies and economies faster than institutions can adapt meaning policy and safeguards for people are far behind. As the report highlights, making AI work for people is a matter of choice. People shouldn’t be competing with AI, but rather AI can provide complementarity to what people do, including labour-wise. Innovation will need to be intentional to ensure it keeps people at the centre, and not as an after-thought e.g. integrate human agency into design, so that people keep the capacity to make choices, control their actions and environment, abilities to influence their own lives, e.t.c. Social accountability must be at the forefront of technology and the age of AI. According to the report, a decade and a half ago, despair (life dissatisfaction) among young people started shooting up. Before this, old and young were pretty satisfied with life and this was the normal trend; but that changed fast especially in high human development countries. The reasons for this are complex and evolving, but it seems there’s a correlation between digital technologies and the plummet in mental wellbeing of young people. Developing countries in Africa and South Asia face the largest digital divides and human development gaps. But AI can enable human development towards education, healthcare, and skills if investment and people are prioritized. High human development countries in Europe and North America worry about their freedoms and employment opportunities in the age of AI despite leading in AI infrastructure and innovation. Other parts of Asia and Latin America are seeking to leverage AI in their industrialization agendas and public service delivery. With Middle Eastern countries exploring smart infrastructure. My two cents: I think this report talks to what many have been thinking (worrying) about…the place of humanity in the Age of AI. Human progress and/or development, is not simply an economic or technological measure. It is and needs to remain about (the majority of) development of people – creating and enabling the conditions for people to shape their lives and the future responsibly and positively for their and humanity’s wellbeing. AFRICA Africa’s Urbanisation Dynamics 2025 This publication from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) earlier this year gives extensive insights into Africa’s urban population and spatial expansion in the coming decades. For reference, the OECD is an inter-governmental organization of 38 of the world’s richest countries, with a collective population of approx. 1.4 billion people. This report is published in partnership with African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)‑Cities Alliance and United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG) Africa. The African continent with its 54 countries, will undergo its fastest urbanization in the coming decades and urban population will double across the continent in the next 25 years to reach 1.4 billion Africans living in urban areas in 2050. While it seems inevitable that urbanization will happen, how it happens will be critical. Here are some interesting insights on this from this report: Urban areas will absorb 80% of the continent’s population growth; and two thirds of all Africans will live in these urban areas. In 25 years’ time (2050), 159 cities will be home to populations of 1 million; and about 20 megacities with +10 million people will exist. As a result, urban areas and cities will require a lot of space for housing, infrastructure e.g. roads, sewerage; public services e.g. schools, healthcare, waste management; commerce and industry; transport; and resources e.g. water, clean air, electricity, e.t.c. Urban area expansion is expected to grow faster than urban population growth. Urban planning needs to happen now, if it isn’t happening already. Planning (or lack of it) will impact how urbanization happens, it will impact access to public services, jobs and markets, safety and security, social interaction, connectivity to other areas, and more. Ineffective planning and management of urban expansion will result in environmental and social stress, and service deficits. SDG 12 – making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable needs to be integral to local and national planning and development. Local and national governments will need to be innovative and forward-thinking to build and achieve decent, live-able urban areas that can stand and thrive in the contextual reality of changing climate and nature adaptation as well as its impacts. A bold move by governments would be to embrace the reality of informality, recognizing that the majority of Africa’s economy and housing is informal – this could be the key to bold, and innovative sustainable development thinking and action. Africa’s urbanization dynamics calls for governance reform towards decentralization, strong local government institutions with clear legal and financial authority. Additionally, policies need to address land governance, recognize and integrate informal settlements and economies into urban planning. Everything requires money, and so will Africa’s
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 35
Sustainability TLDR Newsletter: Edition 35 This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL Historic Ruling on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change 23rd July 2025 is a very special moment in global climate action! All hail the passion and resolve of youth! But let’s begin with context first: In 2019, 27 university law students from the Pacific Island of Vanuatu decided to take a stand for our world. They decided to ask the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice to issue its opinion on the climate crisis. The students and their country, the island nation of Vanuatu, spent years rallying for support from other nations and stakeholders, and in 2022, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), 76 member states, agreed to support Vanuatu’s climate action campaign, and more champions joined in to bring this resolution to the United Nation General Assembly. In March 2023, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) received a momentous request from the United Nations General Assembly to provide an advisory opinion on the obligations of states under international law concerning climate change. This historic journey was led by Vanuatu and backed by over 130 countries, and culminated in the ICJ’s advisory opinion issued in July 2025. The ICJ opinion represents a landmark step in clarifying the legal duties of states regarding climate action, with direct implications for corporate sustainability leadership. So here are a few highlights from the ICJ advisory opinion: Keeping global warming to 1.50 C degrees is the legal goal for the international community; it is not 20 C degrees. Climate change falls under the scope of existing international legal obligations. States are required to desist from actions that contribute to environmental harm AND also to take positive measures to prevent, mitigate, and adapt to climate change. These obligations arise under a range of treaties, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, customary international law, and human rights conventions. States must prevent significant environmental damage beyond their borders. This principle, once largely aspirational, is now interpreted as an enforceable duty. Failure to act on climate change can constitute a violation of internationally recognized human rights, particularly the rights to life, health, food, and an adequate standard of living. States are obligated to ensure intergenerational equity (current populations) and obligations extend to protecting the rights of future generations (those yet to be born). For those in corporate sustainability, here are some additional reflections to consider: Higher sustainability expectations as new legal norms emerge, and businesses will probably face increased regulatory and litigation exposure, especially if their operations undermine national climate targets or human rights. A safe climate is a human right, and companies need to start viewing climate risks through a human rights lens e.g. right to life. Due diligence processes need to assess climate-related impacts on vulnerable populations and integrate remedies into sustainability frameworks e.g. assess climate-related human rights risks throughout value chains. Increased expectations to report accurately to reduce emissions, and support adaptation as states duties in respect to climate action are enhanced. Protecting future generations, those yet to come, means long-term sustainable business models, investment decisions and strategies that safe-guard and improve nature and build societies. Attention now turns to national and international legal systems. While the opinion is not legally binding, it will influence how courts interpret environmental law and climate-related human rights; and importantly this ruling will likely accelerate global momentum towards making climate accountability a cornerstone of domestic legal systems. My two cents: Across the world, human rights organisations, climate-vulnerable nations, and civil society groups can now leverage this opinion to push for climate justice e.g. new legislation, litigation, and enforcement frameworks. I truly hope that lawyers around the world rise to champion what’s best for the people and nature – Real human superheroes, Vanuatu’s 27 law students, have shown it can be done! It always seems impossible until it’s done – Nelson Mandela. AFRICA The African continent is gearing up for the Africa Climate Summit 2025 Taking place in the host country and city of the African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 2nd Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), is set for 8–10 September 2025 and is jointly hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission. The ACS2 builds on the 2023 Nairobi Declaration, with the 2025 theme as: “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development.” The regional ACS2 will have high-level plenaries, ministerial roundtables, youth forums, regional pavilions, and over 100 side events, showcasing African-led solutions across food systems, climate-smart infrastructure, energy, and innovation. With over 45 African Heads of State expected, the summit aims to shape international climate finance and policy agendas on Africa’s terms, while also tracking progress on previous commitments and launching new implementation partnerships. Running parallel is the UNFCCC Africa Climate Week 2025 from 1-6 September 2025, providing a complementary platform to advance country-level implementation of NDCs, green investment, and strengthen regional climate adaptation strategies. The ACS2 happens soon after the momentous International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on climate change, which carries major implications for African countries, such as: Binding legal obligations that all states must prevent further environmental harm by reducing emissions and supporting adaptation measures. This requires African states to take proactive actions to prevent harm; and also affirms long-standing climate justice claims. Governments failing to act could face liability for climate-related harm, enabling African nations to explore legal routes for compensation and accountability (aka reparations). The ICJ recognised that industrialised nations must provide financial and technological support to developing states, reinforcing Africa’s calls for fair climate finance. The Africa Climate Week, and the recent ICJ ruling offer African leaders an opportunity to converge around diplomacy, law, and leadership that will support the development of the countries in the continent and their peoples. My two-cents: A united regional stance for African countries, towards the upcoming COP30 in Brazil and all global climate action would be my dream – the ICJ ruling has drawn lines. African heads
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 34
This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL State of Global Climate 2024 In March 2025, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) published this annual report that gives insight to climate impacts reaching new heights. With leaders around the world shifting commitments to climate action and therefore its consequences to societies, here are some key insights from the report for you to consider: In 2024 global temperature reached its highest record in 175 years (1.55° C) which marks a critical point, but we are not as yet gone beyond the Paris Agreement commitments (limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while also pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C), as this is measured in long-term averages. Concentrations from the 3 key Greenhouse Gases, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, continue to increase. Oceans are heating more, sea levels rising has doubled since the 1990s and acidification is intensifying particularly for the Indian and Pacific Oceans which will significantly impact marine ecosystems and marine life. Extreme weather events are increasing, development goals are being undermined and early warning systems gaps are not being addressed effectively. The report urges for action in adaptation and resilience, emissions reduction, better data and monitoring, alignment in finance and policy to real needs, and equity in address adaptive capacity of communities that bear the burden of climate impacts. My two cents: Even if decision-making and policy choices shift away from the climate and nature positive action needed globally; the impacts will continue and as we do little to change it, get worse. Every individual and organization needs to be taking climate risk into consideration and action. If we aren’t careful (and it seems like we are not) – we will be locked into a whole new world. Queue: the disaster preppers… China’s Ambitious National Parks Plan China is developing the world’s largest system of national parks that will cover 272 million acres and establish 49 parks by 2035 (in 10 years). The country established its first national parks in 2021, and with this new plan the national parks system will prioritise conservation over tourism to support: conserving endangered species like the renowned Panda; protecting diverse landscapes e.g. rainforests, glaciers, wetlands, e.t.c.; and create synergy between cultural heritage, public education and economic development. By designing its parks to align with global best practices and learn from past mistakes from other countries in establishing large-scale parks e.g. community displacements, China could potentially set a new global standard for national parks. My two-cents: China and other countries like Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, Amazon-based countries, and many others are making concerted efforts to protect nature. While many countries’ plans may be thwarted by vested interests, it will be interesting to see how China’s ambitions unfold and perhaps add a ‘notch’ to the country’s ongoing climate e.g. energy and nature action. AFRICA State of Climate in Africa 2024 The Africa specific World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) report was published in May 2025 and a region specific report makes sense as the African continent will be the most impacted continent by climate change e.g. 17 of the 20 most impacted countries are in Africa. This continent-specific report highlights that: All regions of the continent are warming significantly with North Africa recording the highest warming just above 2°C; and extreme weather events across the continent have increased in frequency and intensity. Extremes in rain and droughts are significantly impacting populations e.g. millions were displaced by flooding in the Sahel, West Africa, East and Central Africa. Food security is also severely impacted e.g. cereal harvests in North Africa dropped by 7%, in Southern Africa cereal yields fell between 16% – 50%, and across East Africa food insecurity escalated. All oceans around Africa are heating, and sea levels rise for the continent exceeds global averages. These will have current and long-term impacts on the blue economy, marine ecosystems and life, coastal populations, towns and cities, and infrastructure. Despite awareness on the impacts of climate change, adaptation efforts on the continent as well as support for adaptation from other countries falls far behind. But there has been positive progress thanks to advances in AI, weather prediction models, and mobile alerts to improve weather forecasting, although gaps in early warning systems still persist. My two-cents: Irrespective of emissions contribution, and calls by heads of state, policy-makers, civil societies groups, e.t.c. for international support – climate impacts and risks are too real to ignore any further for a continent where the connection between people’s lives, nature and the environment is so readily interwoven. All I can think to say now is: Prepare communities and neighbours prepare, no one’s coming. ‘Whether the egg crashes on the coconut or the coconut crashes on the egg, it is the egg that suffers.’ – Nigerian proverb. KENYA Reflections on recent forests and cross-border forest ecosystems protection in Kenya Kenya and Uganda recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conserve Mt. Elgon’s ecosystem. Mt. Elgon has 74,000 hectares of gazetted forest, is a critical water tower for the country as well as feeding into 3 substantive rivers: Nzoia, Turkwel and Malakisi; and this region is also an internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot. The MoU seeks to foster cooperation, policy harmonisation, joint restoration efforts, and institutional capacity-building. November 7th was also announced as Mt. Elgon Day by Kenya’s Principal Secretary, Forests, Gitonga Mugambi. At the same time, Kenya Forest Services, is being heavily criticized for downplaying threats to Kenya’s forests from deforestation and land grabbing. Key forests under threat from government plans are: Karura Forest, Aberdares Forest, Suam Forest (Mt. Elgon area), Oloolua Forest and Ngong Road Forest. A number of Kenyan civil society-led environmental groups are challenging the government plans for these gazetted forests in court, as these plans threaten national climate action, water resources, ecosystem services and livelihoods. In April 2025, Kenya submitted its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for climate action. In its submission the government commits to: Rehabilitate and protect natural forests using the REDD+ approach. This includes both land
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 33
This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Now in its 25th year, the global Edelman Trust Barometer assesses societies trust in its key institutions – government, media, business, and NGOs. Here are some key insights from the report: Globally trust in institutions is eroding, but business remains the most trusted institution at 62% and its perceived a competent and increasingly ethical. The institution of business is ahead of NGOs (58%) and the government and media are both at 52%, in societal trust. Society is aggrieved that government and business are serving narrow interests, the wealthy are benefitting and ordinary people are paying the price. Fears of discrimination are rising across countries and across demographics. Nearly 40% of those surveyed globally see hostile activism as a means to drive change, with 1 in 2 young adults in support of hostile activism. Less than 40% believe that things will be better for the next generation. Despite these disconcerting results, there may be hope for business to really demonstrate institutional leadership: Society expects business to act with purpose and empathy e.g. 85% says it is business’ obligation to provide good jobs and retrain staff; and CEOs are expected to engage their businesses in societal challenges to rectify past harms, protect stakeholders and ultimately improve performance. Business has to collaborate with government, NGOs and media to re-build the social contract and address the root issues of inequality and grievance. My two cents: This Edelman Trust report seems to have captured our collective concerns that our systems are failing, leaders aren’t leading or genuinely bothered, and society keeps trudging on. A recent article in The Guardian captured this well: Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real. This article made me aware of the term ‘hypernormalisation’ – things are falling apart but we are acting like we don’t see it, because we can’t imagine how to get out of it. The ostrich is falsely accused of burying its head in the sand to avoid what it doesn’t want to see; the truth is, it doesn’t. AFRICA Africa’s Pulse, Spring 2025 Edition This World Bank bi-annual publication, is an extensive report on Africa, South of the Sahara’s, economic development trends. Here are some highlights nuanced towards sustainability related considerations, to give a sense of how +40 countries are trending: Across Sub-Saharan Africa, real per capita income remains below 2015 levels; but GDP will grow by 4.3% by 2026–27, up from 3.3% GDP growth in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025. Debt servicing, which stands at about 50% of government revenue, is restraining investments in critical services like health and education. The social contract between governments and citizens continues to weaken due to governance weaknesses e.g. corruption, poor performance, inequality in public service delivery, and this is driving public discontent. Climate impacts are diverting 9% of national budgets to response; and 2% of GDP is being lost annually. Conflicts across the continent have displaced millions of people, and acute hunger affects 120 million Africans, 80% of them in conflict zones. It’s imperative that business starts to take a concerted role in the continent’s sustainable development, for example: Country-specific risks remain high and so business opportunities remain volatile. Managing climate risks and conflict, socio-politics risks, emergency and disaster planning and response are becoming a business reality and can no longer be ignored. Aligning business models and market opportunities to development priorities, will help to secure markets and society. Business has to take a stronger role in governance reform, social protection, and shaping Africa’s competitive advantage for development that benefits Africa’s people. My two-cents: There’s urgent need for a mindset shift for those in positions of leadership to lead. I often look up the meaning of the word leader; and I now prefer to say a person in a leadership position; because I no longer take for granted that the person in the role actually is the kind of leader with the set of mindset and behaviours needed in leaders for the reality times we are in and we face. There’s a quote that goes something like this: One who thinks they are leading and has no one following them is only taking a walk. KENYA Central Bank of Kenya’s Green Finance Taxonomy In our previous TLDR we covered the Central Bank of Kenya’s Climate Risk Disclosure Framework, so in this edition we wanted to highlight the Green Finance Taxonomy that was also published by the CBK in April 2025. Both these tools (the green finance taxonomy and the climate risk disclosure framework) were a requirement under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) structural reform commitments. Kenya, like many countries across the continent, is highly vulnerable to climate change, and its impacts will not only threaten life and livelihoods, it will inevitably impact the economy as well. According to the World Bank, the Kenyan people would lose about 7.25% of GDP by 2050 because of climate change impacts. Enter the Green Finance Taxonomy which seeks to identify economic activities that are environmentally sustainable (what a green investment actually is and is not), and helps the financial sector to channel investment towards businesses and projects that are environmentally responsible and resilient. The taxonomy provides a 7-step process that aligns to Kenya’s revamped commitments to the Paris Agreement (Kenya’s NDCs – Nationally Determined Contributions) and requires that, green investments: Contribute significantly to climate change mitigation or adaptation. Do not cause major harm to other environmental objectives. Meet minimum social sustainability safeguards e.g. labour laws and human rights standards. The taxonomy covers key sectors: energy, agriculture, water, construction, and others. On 30th April 2025, the government met its deadline by publishing, the country’s new NDCs commitments which included raising the emissions reduction ambition from 32% to 35% by 2035, and a commitment to locally finance 20% of its climate action; while 80% will be from other sources e.g. climate finance, technology transfer, carbon markets and capacity building. My two-cents: This taxonomy will be
SUSTAINABILITY TLDR NEWSLETTER: EDITION 32
This newsletter gives you highlights of selected sustainability insights that were, perhaps, too long (you) didn’t read (TLDR) or there’s just too much out there to read. The highlights presented cover insights gleaned from a global, regional (African), and national (Kenyan) perspective. Happy reading! GLOBAL The World Happiness Report 2025 This is an annual report that looks at global wellbeing and how it can be improved. This report was first published in 2012, and this 2025 report focuses on the impact of caring and sharing in people’s lives. The report considers life evaluations from over 140 countries (90%+ of the world’s population) drawing on data from the Gallup World Poll evaluating happiness based on six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. The World Happiness Report is based on one key question: Please imagine a ladder with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time? Here are some key insights for your consideration: Scandanavian countries take the lead, with rises in happiness level in Central and Eastern Europe; and declines in the US and other high-income Western European countries. Countries in the continents of Africa South of the Saharan, ranked lowest linked to poverty, corruption and instability; while countries in Latin America scored well on social support and community life. Generational differences in happiness, with older adults (60+years) expressing higher life satisfaction scores, than younger generations (below 30 years) with economic insecurity, social isolation and political instability being key factors contributing to unhappiness in younger generations. Increased screen time on social media seems to create more unhappiness and impact mental health in younger people, particularly those in developed countries. National policy should start integrating measures beyond GDP to assess societal success through measures that consider wellbeing and quality of life. National social protection provides an important safety net for social wellbeing. Coming back to the focus of the 2025 report on caring and sharing impacting happiness; here are some useful pointers to explore as society and individuals: We are happier when we believe people are kind – the report highlighted that we tend to be way more pessimistic about kindness in our societies, than the reality – we are much kind in real life! Sharing meals with others makes us happier and supports our social connections. Countries where people share more meals, tend to display higher levels of social support, less loneliness and more positive reciprocity. Unhappiness and social distrust are shaping societal values and political voting behavior e.g. in the US, Europe decline in happiness and social trusts helps explain the political polarization and rise in populism. We are happier when we live with others, in a reasonable household size e.g. 4-5pax; but very large households and people living on their own seem to have lower happiness levels. Strengthen social connections to support your wellbeing, this is especially vital for young adults. Supporting and giving to others increases one’s sense of wellbeing e.g. donating, volunteering, giving-back/paying it forward; helping strangers, etc. and the important benefit of helping someone else. Society needs more prosocial behavior. My two cents: This report highlights the importance of relationships and connections in our sense of wellbeing (on the inside and outside). More and more I’m reflecting on the ‘people’ pillar of sustainability; and I’m thinking that perhaps this is the one we need to get right, and then everything else will fall into place. Are we actually pursuing what really matters to us? International Shipping Commits to Reducing GHG Emissions In April, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reached majority member agreement toward climate action in global shipping. Global shipping accounts for about 3% of global GHG emissions, and which are set to double by 2050. This agreement sets the stage for legally binding regulations targeting net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. The framework introduces two key mechanisms: Mandatory marine fuel standard – Ships must progressively reduce the GHG intensity of their fuel. Global emissions pricing – Ships that exceed GHG thresholds must purchase remedial units, while low-emission ships earn credits or surplus units. These regulations will apply to ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which contribute to 85% of international shipping emissions. Importantly, this agreement is the first global sector-wide emissions commitment that considers emissions limits and pricing covering majority of international shipping emissions. It also incentivizes innovation and new technology and considers transition for developing countries. Additionally, a new IMO Net-Zero Fund will be set up to collect emissions-related revenues to: reward low-emission ships, support innovation and technology transfer, build capacity in developing countries, and mitigate impacts on vulnerable states. The measures are set to be adopted formally in October 2025 and enter into force in 2027. My two-cents: It gives me hope to see one of the world’s oldest industries committing to climate action, when newer ones seem to be doing the opposite. It’s also good to see incentive for innovation – perhaps this why it’s one of the oldest industries…they understand that times and context change and they make the effort to change collectively. AFRICA Nature-Based Solutions Are Resilience and Adaptation The Africa Growing Resilience report published by World Resource Institute (WRI) and partners, assessed hundreds of Nature-based solutions on the continent showing the current state of play. The report outlines the growing threat of climate change on the continent, makes the case for private sector involvement and offers clear pathways to action. Nature-based solutions are “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.” (IUCN, 2016). They include actions such as: ecosystem services restoration e.g. restoring rivers; reforestation; agroforestry;