Nigeria - Private sector participation in solid waste management activities in Ibadan (Vol. 2)

The report entitled “Private Sector Participation of Solid Waste Management Activities in Ibadan” provides Oyo State Government with recommendations to improve the technical, legal and institutional environment for the immediate, medium and the long term interventions in solid waste management. The outlined policy recommendations detailed in the full report aims to guide the Oyo State Government in identifying areas within the solid waste management sector that would improve efficiency from private sector participation.

CMS VATAVARAN Environment & Wildlife Film Festival and Forum

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In the year 2017, CMS VATAVARAN will be celebrating its 9th edition of the competitive International Film Festival and Forum in New Delhi from November 2-6, 2017.

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9th CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival: Call for entries
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The 9th competitive CMS VATAVARAN - Asia’s largest Environment and Wildlife Film Festival is scheduled for November 2-6, 2017 in New Delhi, India. 

The theme of this edition is “Conservation4Water” with the purpose to invite films and create forums on the inter-connectedness of climate change and water, water struggles in a world dealing with global warming, climate variability, food and health insecurity, biodiversity loss, and environmental damage. The festival and forum will comprise of various programmes with eminent organisations including government, civil societies, corporate, media, institutes, and schools.

Films produced on or after January 01, 2015 are accepted in 13 categories for 21 awards in both national and international sections. All nominated and awarded films will get an added benefit of having their films screened in different parts of India in the travelling editions of CMS VATAVARAN, besides occasions of special screenings in important national and international environmental forums.

Entry guidelines are available on CMS VATAVARAN'S website and the deadline for submitting a film entry is March 22, 2017

Energy Storage Trends and Opportunities in Emerging Markets

This report, commissioned by IFC and ESMAP and authored by Navigant Research, outlines the principal uses, drivers, and challenges regarding the commercialization of energy storage technologies in low- and middle-income countries. 

By combining supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment the report provides a forecast of expected deployments by region and potential impacts on energy access, quality of electricity supply, and other key areas. 

Mediterranean Water Heroes Youth Contest

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Every year, World Water Day draws the world’s attention to key global water issues. World Water Day 2017 focuses on Water and Wastewater. Wastewater can be a valuable resource in the circular economy and an efficient investment in the health of humans and ecosystems.

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Vertical underwater farming solution scoops the Sustainia Award
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GreenWave – a US-based vertical ocean farming solution – has won the Sustainia Award. GreenWave’s revolutionary technology allows ocean farmers to produce 30 tons of sea vegetables and 250,000 shell­fish per acre in a year while restoring ocean ecosystems. Sustainia handed over the Sustainia Award to Bren on Wednesday February 8, at Sustainia’s big Sustainia Living event at the Royal Danish Opera House in Copenhagen. 

One of the Film4Climate Global Video Competition winning entries "Three Seconds" (1st Prize Short Film) was showcased at this Sustainia event.

Fed up with the unsustainable practices of the fishing industry, fisherman Bren Smith founded GreenWave just three and a half years ago on Long Island, New York, U.S. GreenWave relies on a new innovative system, which enables sea­weed, scal­lops and mus­sels to grow on float­ing ropes, stacked above oyster and clam cages be­low. The system provides food, fertilizer, animal feed and sustainable biofuels, making ocean farmers the stewards of their local waters. Bren Smith now has 15 farms in development in Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and California.

GreenWave represents a readily scalable and replicable solution, which takes a triple bottom line approach – one that builds a blue-green economy, acts on climate change, and provides better food options – while addressing the global goals, making it a clear recipient for the Sustainia Award.

GreenWave is a single solution to multiple challenges, with one big goal. Simply, we are focused on saving the oceans in order to save ourselves. We’re delighted to win the Sustainia Award, and I hope it helps us take our work to waters all over the world.

- Bren Smith, Executive Director and CEO of GreenWave

Sustainia’s big Sustainia Living event focused on sustainable lifestyle, during which pioneers such as acclaimed architect Bjarke Ingels, food activist Claus Meyer and sustainable clothing advocate Livia Firth guided us through the ceremony.
 
All ten Sustainia finalists were also eligible for the Community Award, which was decided by public vote during October 2016 – and the winner is Code to Inspire, a solution which teaches Afghan wo­men com­puter cod­ing and em­powers them to find em­ploy­ment or pur­sue en­tre­pren­eur­ial ven­tures. According to the founders, 85 percent of Afghan women have no formal education and are illiterate, so Code to Inspire opened Afghanistan’s first female-only coding school in 2015 to provide a safe space for women to learn, express themselves and acquire competitive skills.
 
Too many Afghan women are denied the chance to fulfill their potential because of the complex barriers that prevent them from receiving education and working. So we’re responding to this national crisis by providing them with the skills they need to find opportunities in the digital global marketplace. Receiving the Community Award from Sustainia gives us the added boost we need to reach as many women as possible, and change even more lives in the region. 

- Fereshteh Forough, Founder and CEO of Code to Inspire

Code to In­spire teaches Afghan wo­men com­puter cod­ing and em­powers them to find em­ploy­ment or pur­sue en­tre­pren­eur­ial ven­tures. Photo Credits to Sustainia

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Youth Solutions Report provides solutions to address global problems
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NEW YORK - The first edition of the Youth Solutions Report, which identifies 50 youth-led projects aiming to solve the world’s toughest problems, was released today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 

The report, produced by the youth initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Youth) identifies and celebrates youth-led projects and ground-breaking ideas to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It reflects a growing interest in supporting and scaling innovative solutions to address problems such as poverty, inequality, clean and affordable energy, access to healthcare and education, e-participation and waste.

The report highlights the work of youth-led organisations, such as Liter of Light who bring over 750,000 affordable solar lights to 15 countries; the talented team behind BenBen who operate a Blockchain-based land registry that facilitates secure land transactions to encourage investments and transparent land resource management; FinFighters who run a citizen shark science program to collect genetic data and information from Moroccan fishing ports and market; and the group running the SHAPE project using mobile technology to promote citizens’ e-participation in their city’s public life.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs, UN Secretary General’s Adviser on the SDGs, and Minister Karen Ellemann, Danish Minister for Equal Opportunities, launched the report during a two-day forum on youth and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The report was produced in partnership with Ashoka, Sustainia, the Resolution Project and Panorama (joint initiative of IUCN and the German government) and has been reviewed by a panel of experts, comprising leading figures from business, civil society and academia. 

Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, has supported the initiative. “SDSN Youth and its Youth Solutions Report are excellent examples of initiatives crucial for helping young people realize the full potential of their abilities, innovations and solutions.”

“Today we have the largest generation of youth in history - a powerful force for change. 84 percent of millennials are convinced they have a duty to make the world a better place, and many already are, through socially aware businesses and youth-led campaigns in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Mr. Polman said.

Max Thabiso Edkins, Climate Change Expert on the Connect4Climate program of the World Bank Group, highlights that "this generation is the first generation to live with the impacts of climate change and it is the generation that will build a sustainable, low-carbon and resilient future."

"The Youth Solutions Report shows that young people are already building that future. At the Connect4Climate program of the World Bank Group we believe in the power of youth to change the world." Mr. Edkins emphasized.

Siamak Sam Loni, Global Coordinator of SDSN Youth, says that young people must be seen as key stakeholders in the sustainable development debate and that there is a pressing need to acknowledge their essential role in achieving the SDGs.

“Young people are already contributing to the implementation of the SDGs but they face common challenges that prevent them from realizing the full potential of their ideas and solutions, including the lack of visibility, limited access to finance, and the lack of training and technical support. The Youth Solutions Report will help investors, donors and supporters better understand the multi-faceted role of young people in sustainable development and give them additional opportunities to showcase and scale their work.” Mr. Loni said.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was launched at UN Headquarters in September 2015 and adopted by 193 member countries of the UN. The SDGs, which are relevant to all countries, aim to achieve social inclusion, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

For more information on the Youth Solutions Report visit: www.youthsolutions.report

For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact: solutions@sdsnyouth.org

Earth Hour 2017

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Earth Hour is a worldwide grassroots movement, organized by the World Wildlife Fund, that unites people to protect the planet. Over 7,000 cities and towns worldwide participate by turning off the lights of homes, businesses and landmarks for one hour. From changing individual behavior, to legislation, Earth Hour has achieved massive environmental impact - but as climate change accelerates, our response needs to grow too.

EMA Impact Summit 2017

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Two days of inspirational keynotes, panels and our EMA Future Innovator of The Year Challenge. Storytellers, Investors, Innovators, Activists and Visionary Executives come together for one main goal. Helping create a path to a better tomorrow.

The biggest innovators in the environment, the organization that helped launch Toyota's Prius. Where will you be when EMA Impact Summit 2017 makes the next impact?

2017 ECOSOC Youth Forum

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