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
Global Wage Report 2024 – 2025
Produced by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) this report reviews global and regional wage trends to check wage inequality and real wage growth.
Some key highlights from the report:
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Real wages grew faster than inflation in the past couple of years, as inflation eased – but there are regional differences in this. Real wages in emerging economies i.e. Asia and the Pacific, Central and Western Asia, and Eastern Europe; grew faster than in other parts of the world. Advanced G20 economies had two years of consecutive decline in real wages.
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Despite this gain, wage inequality remains strong and persistent, especially in low-income countries, with women and workers in the informal economy likely to be the lowest paid, and without any legal and/or social protection. This is important as in most low and middle income countries most workers are self-employed workers in the informal economy.
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Wage distribution shows that men earn more than women in all country income groups and across the entire wage scale. The gender wage gap is higher in lower-upper-middle income countries when looking at the low end of the wage distribution (low pay occupations, and informal sectors); and this is the same in high-income countries where the highest gender gap is also at the bottom end of the wage distribution.
Importantly, this report also highlights that most low and middle income countries have a majority of non-wage workers, while high income countries have a minority of non-wage workers – this makes it more complex to give a true picture of inequality; as non-wage work is harder to quantify. A better measure would be labour income (inequality) which would then consider non-wage work e.g. self-employed, family workers, workers in cooperatives e.t.c. As such, wage inequality increases when non-wage workers are added to the calculations.
The report proposes national strategies to reduce wage inequality that include:
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Collective bargaining and statutory minimum wages set through social dialogue;
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Wage policies should level the field to reduce gender inequalities and discrimination; these policies should also take economic factors and needs of workers into consideration;
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Understand and address the root cause of low pay;
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Redistribute income through national taxes and social transfer systems to reduce household income inequality.
My two-cents: I’m taking this report with a pinch of salt, which I think the authors expect us to. Because, while wage inequality seems to have improved (but not necessarily labour income inequality) at the start of the 21st Century, we are in a tumultuous century – that’s shifting the stability of fundamental life, the cost of living and one’s ability to maintain livelihoods. ‘Surely some revelation is at hand’.
Corruption Perceptions Index 2024
This global annual report is published by Transparency International to bring attention to public sector corruption and the need to fight against it.
Today, about 2/3rds (over 60%) of the world score below the mid-point (50/100) – where 100 is very clean, 0 highly corrupt. Denmark leads with a score of 90, while South Sudan ends the ranking with a score of 8.
Additionally, strong democracies outperform non-democratic countries and flawed democracies. In our globalized world, such a significant percentage implies an endemic issue.
This year’s report calls out the interconnectedness of the climate crisis and corruption, highlighting the capture of climate action policy as well as the murky lines of illicit funds from corruption, environmental destruction, crimes and vested interests in financing fossil fuels, among others. Corruption undermines development, hinders climate action, and erodes democracy and human rights.
Looking at corruption from a regional perspective, some insights drawn are:
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The EU and Western Europe – Corruption is increasing due to weak enforcement of anti-corruption measures;
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Americas – Corruption is fueling environmental crimes and impunity;
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Asia-Pacific – failing to combat corruption is exacerbating climate disasters;
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Middle East & North Africa – Systems of government can block transparency efforts;
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Sub-Saharan Africa – Weak and/or lack of anti-corruption measures and institutional checks are undermining much needed climate action;
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Eastern Europe & Central Asia – corruption thrives due to weak democracies and rule of law.
My two cents: Across the world, SDG 16 (Peace, justice, strong institutions) is one of the top 4 least reported on SDGs, according to KPMG’s survey of sustainability reporting 2022. Like lots of other global trends, corruption seems to be heading upwards rather than down. It’s systemic, but perhaps at an individual decision-making level (work or home), we can make a difference one decision at a time.
AFRICA
Africa Youth Survey 2024
In its 3rd edition, this publication captures the perceptions of Africa’s largest population and their views on environmental, social and political issues. The survey and its’ results are championed by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The survey captures 16 countries, about 5,600 young Africans between the ages of 18-24 years, and of equal gender distribution.
In case you missed seeing it late 2024, here are some insights gleaned from the report:
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Young Africans are cautiously optimistic of the continent’s future with slight over 35% saying the continent is headed in the right direction, but young people are losing trust in all forms of authority (less so religious leaders).
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Young people want Africa to have a stronger voice (presence) on the world stage, and are wary of foreign influence in Africa’s affairs and express mixed sentiments about foreign influence on the continent. China and the US are seen as the biggest influences, with China being appreciated for its development investments e.g. infrastructure, but there’s also concerns over resource exploitation. The EU’s influence is seen as waning as anti-colonial sentiments grow, and Russia viewed more negatively with its role in global conflicts.
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There’s strong belief in democracy, but also the desire for democratic systems that are relevant for African countries, rather than simply adopting Western models; and perhaps sometimes non-democratic models could work in certain circumstances.
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Most young Africans don’t believe their governments are doing enough to address poverty and the cost of living. About 40% of youth in Africa think their living standard is good, and scarcity of jobs is a big concern.
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Corruption and lack of funding are the major barriers to the 70% of young Africans who want to start own businesses. 80% of those surveyed are worried about corruption in government, business and law enforcement, and they want much stricter anti-corruption measures to deal with this.
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Safety and security is a growing concern, and more youth now know of someone who has been approached or involved in an extremist group. Adding to these concerns are growing crime and political instability.
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75% of youthful Africans are concerned about climate change and don’t feel that their governments are doing enough. Water scarcity is also a key concern with youth spending 25% of their income to access clean water.
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Despite fears of insecurity, most young Africans believe their countries should accept refugees.
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80% believe access to internet is a basic human right. TV remains the main source of news, with major international outlets e.g. BBC, CNN, as the most trusted; but misinformation and fake news are a growing problem, especially around elections.
My two-cents: This is one of my favourite reports to read and reflect on, a glimpse into the views of the continent’s majority – to be young is courage and fortitude. The future is always uncertain, unknown; and yet, one must walk towards it believing that a future is indeed possible. ‘Whoever stands in need of honey, should not be afraid of bees.’ – A Ghanaian proverb.
The World’s Largest Protected Tropical Forest Reserve
Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Tshisekedi announced the creation of the world largest protected tropical forest reserve, the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor. Spanning approximately 54,000 square kilometers—an area comparable to the size of France—the corridor will connect the eastern Kivu region to the capital city, Kinshasa.
This expansive green corridor will seek to protect primary forest and peatlands as critical carbon sinks for the world. It also aims to create half a million jobs, protect biodiversity and improve livelihoods for 31 million people living within the corridor. The EU has pledged EUR 42 million additional grant funding support to this initiative, and there may be potential to double this funding.
There are valid concerns related to fair participation and involvement of the communities in the area, protecting their land and human rights, as well as the availability of the resources (financial, people, e.t.c.) and skills required to implement this initiative.
Protected forest corridors already exist in other parts of the world e.g. the Atlantic Forest corridor in Paraguay, Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, or Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia’s vision of the Gaias Amazonas. More common on the African continent are wildlife corridors, which are important to wildlife and biodiversity conservation, communities and economies.
My two cents: With nature being an essential safeguard for climate action and lest we forget, human life: it is inspiring to see countries like DRC, which face an uphill task in protecting natural resources and at the same time lift millions out of poverty; take action to provide solutions to the global climate and nature crisis.
KENYA
The United Nations Expands its Headquarters’ in Kenya
By end 2026, Kenya will host three additional UN Headquarters for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). This positions Nairobi as a key UN hub and duty station like Geneva, and New York. These three headquarters make it five key global offices with already existing, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat. Nairobi is the UN’s fastest growing duty station globally, currently hosting 86 UN offices with a staff of 6,500 and supporting 11,000 dependents. The UN will also construct a 9,000 seat Assembly Hall, the first to be built since the UN General Assembly Hall in 1949, which seats 2,000. The United Nations will invest over $300 million to upgrade its infrastructure in Nairobi.
My two-cents: This perhaps explains the extensive infrastructure upgrades in the north of Nairobi, and its environs. The government is also planning to take over 50 acres of Nairobi’s Karura forest to expand Kiambu road, and likely for other developments. A December 2024 court injunction initiated by Katiba Institute and the Greenbelt Movement has temporarily stopped this. Let’s hope that the growing UN presence in Kenya’s capital will translate into global opportunities for Africa’s talent, and value-add to Nairobi’s pursuit of being a more sustainable city, where nature (and people) thrive in urban life.
Kenya’s 1st debt for climate swap deal
Kenya has secured its first debt-for-climate swap agreement with the German government, resulting in the cancellation of a €60 million (approximately Sh8.4 billion) debt. In return, Kenya commits to investing an equivalent amount in climate-related projects, specifically the 300MW Bogoria-Silale geothermal power project.
The goal is to enhance Kenya’s renewable energy capacity and stabilize the national power grid. The agreement also allocates funds toward climate resilience projects in agriculture, focusing on improving food security and supporting youth employment in climate-resilient sectors. Germany has undertaken similar deals with Tunisia and Egypt.
My two-cents: If well structured, debt for climate swaps are beneficial and an interesting approach to resolving Kenya’s debt burden. However, fair terms and transparency of the agreement, as well as actual delivery of the investment commitment to realise the project – determine the (who) benefits.