Archive for category: environment

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Renewable Energy in Benin

Renewable Energy in BeninBenin, a small West African country, is making significant strides towards a sustainable, energy-secure future. With only 57% of its population currently having access to electricity, Benin ranks low in energy consumption among African nations. The country is at a critical point in its energy development and transition; strategies implemented now will determine whether the country can progress sustainably and guarantee nearly half of its citizens a way out of energy poverty. Fortunately, Benin has demonstrated considerable progress and commitment to utilizing renewable energy resources, particularly through solar power.

A National Investment in Solar Power

Renewable energy in Benin is rapidly expanding with the government aiming to increase its share of renewables in the energy mix to 31% by 2030 and achieve 100% energy independence by 2050. Currently, much of the population’s energy is imported from neighboring nations such as Ghana and Nigeria in the form of fossil fuels. As these imports become more of a cost burden, the government is investing in locally generated energy sources. Benin’s recently enacted National Renewable Energy Development Policy (PONADER) supports various projects and strategies aimed at increasing energy security through renewable resources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This includes new investments in the private solar energy sector with Axian Energy and Sika Capital currently developing four large-scale solar power plants. These plants will fuel Benin’s centralized power grid; as a result, project developers expect 50,000 urban households to gain access to decarbonized power.

Electrifying Rural Areas

Rural populations often face numerous challenges that keep them in a cycle of impoverishment. However, energy security addresses many of these issues. Initiatives to increase energy access help communities build capacity by powering schools, health facilities, homes and businesses. In turn, this positively impacts educational, health and economic outcomes, all important determinants of poverty.

Bringing decentralized energy to Benin’s underserved rural areas, where only 17.4% of the population has access to electricity, has become a main focus in local government policy. Grid extensions and importing energy sources remain expensive, making local energy production more economically viable. Renewable energy in Benin expands further on the potential of solar power with the government establishing the Africa Minigrids Program. Implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility, this program aims to bring clean energy to communities not connected to the central power grid using solar mini-grids. Such a program will help reduce existing energy inequalities in Benin, with current large disparities between urban and rural populations.

This program reinforces the work that private solar energy providers are already doing in rural Benin. The company ENGIE Energy Access, in partnership with the Beninese government, implemented Benin’s first solar mini-grid in 2024 and is in the process of building several more across the country. This project is anticipated to bring electricity to 30,000 people living in rural areas. ENGIE is also one of the main providers of in-home solar systems in West Africa, providing households with affordable and reliable access to electricity. Without this resource, people are currently depending on biomass to power their homes, a technique that is inefficient and produces pollutants.

Job Creation

Job creation and reducing underemployment will play a large role in poverty reduction in Benin. The World Bank found that in 2022, 72% of Benin’s workforce struggled with underemployment, while 90.1% worked jobs in the informal economy. Those who work in the informal sector or have inconsistent employment often see lower wages at irregular intervals, making job security difficult to achieve. These factors contribute to monetary poverty and a lack of access to basic necessities, highlighting a need for increased job opportunities. 

Energy access is highly associated with economic growth and prosperity, empowering individuals to start businesses, diversify incomes and increase productivity. While electricity access enables individuals to engage in new income-generating activities, they will also be able to build upon existing ones. In developing countries like Benin, many rely on subsistence agriculture as a main source of income and to meet personal needs. With improved energy security, Benin’s farmers and the agricultural sector will benefit from more efficient farming practices.

Solar Electric Light Fund

Many communities are already seeing these benefits, with the nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund establishing solar gardens across 10 villages in rural Benin. These gardens use solar power to operate water pumps and drip irrigation, making food production possible even during the long dry seasons. With a reliable harvest, these farmers generate consistent incomes and increase food security, contributing to their well-being and that of their families and communities.

An Increase in Green Jobs

There is also a rapidly growing demand for green jobs in Benin, as well as for the rest of Africa. These demands are beginning to be met in Benin through newly emerging programs that provide training and mentorship in renewable energy fields. Operating under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and financed by the World Bank, the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) is facilitating the growth of small-scale solar energy businesses and entrepreneurs in West Africa. Participants receive training in solar PV installation, maintenance and technology development, equipping them with the technical skills necessary to join the formal solar energy workforce. They are also trained in financial management and business strategies, helping them create startups and contribute to ongoing solar projects. ROGEAP also focuses on supporting youth and women-led enterprises, addressing gender inequality in the region.

A Future To Look Forward to in Benin

Renewable energy in Benin offers hope for its populations still living in energy poverty. Indeed, through the implementation of programs designed to increase energy security and strategic partnerships between the Beninese government and private solar power providers, the future for Benin’s energy sector looks bright. Building upon the capabilities of solar power will aid in the country’s prospective transition to energy independence and reduction of fossil fuel use. 

– Quinlan Bohannon

Quinlan is based in Portland, OR, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Rebuilding the Sahel

Rebuilding the SahelThe goal of rebuilding the Sahel has been made tougher by environmental crises and social upheaval, but it remains an important goal. The Sahel Humanitarian Assistance and Protection Program (SHAPP) was launched in 2021 to rebuild the Sahel region of Africa and protect its most vulnerable people. The program aims to invest $303 million of U.K. aid, over seven years, in the countries of Mali, Niger, Chad, Mauritania and Burkina Faso, which together form the Sahel region of Northern Africa.

Emphasis was placed on rebuilding the Sahel by concentrating aid efforts on areas where human rights violations were exacerbating pre-existing malnutrition crises, caused by an unstable climate and agricultural sector. The U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the government department responsible for running the SHAPP. It has identified: child protection, aiding survivors of gender-based violence and providing sanitary food and drinking water, as the three most cost-effective areas for aid projects to focus on. SHAPP has had to work alongside other ongoing aid projects in these areas.

Issues in the Sahel

The Sahel region is a savannah area directly south of the Sahara Desert. This makes it vulnerable to climatic swings, with the region having experienced a range of droughts throughout the last century. This, combined with the landlocked status of Chad, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, has slowed the Sahel’s development relative to its North and East African counterparts.

These pre-existing issues have been worsened by a succession of jihadist insurgencies in the region over the last 10 years. Additionally, all four of the Sahel’s landlocked countries have experienced military coups between 2020 and 2023.

The 2024 Global Humanitarian Review estimated that one in five people living in the Sahel were in need of humanitarian aid, a total of roughly 17 million people. It is believed these issues have disproportionately impacted women and girls, with many families choosing to pull their daughters out of school during times of financial hardship.

The Sahel Child Project

Founded in 2013, the Sahel Child Project aims to rebuild the Sahel by providing health care and education for children across the region, as well as emergency assistance during times of crisis. The project also aims to enforce the U.N. Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which is often neglected by the Sahel’s military regimes. This often involves educating children displaced by conflict and providing them with basic food and health care.

In these activities, SHAPP often provides financial and logistical support to the project. The two organizations also often collaborate when finding new homes for children who have lost their families to conflict or have been separated from them when searching for a safe house.

Gender Equality in the Sahel

The U.K. was one of nine countries to bring a joint statement to the U.N. in August 2025, setting out its aims for reducing gender-based violence in the Sahel. The statement recommends that at least 15% of the U.N.’s spending on the Prevention of Violent Extremism be devoted to advancing gender equality.

SHAPP has also worked with the Alliance Sahel platform, which coordinates international donations aimed at rebuilding the Sahel, to publicize the stories of victims of gender-based violence.

The African Development Bank has also committed to producing a gender equality index for its member countries. This has been done to incentivize governments to improve their country’s score, to appear more attractive to potential trading partners and to receive more favourable terms when borrowing money.

Water Provision

The economy of the Sahel region relies on agriculture to support its population. This means that schemes rebuilding the Sahel need to consider the Sahel’s dependence on its water supply, which can fluctuate dramatically due to climatic shifts. The World Bank, via the International Development Association (IDA), has invested more than $170 million in the Sahel Irrigation Initiative Support Project.

This scheme aims to allow local farmers to harness the excess water available during high rainfall, better protecting their produce from drought. The scheme was estimated to have directly benefited more than 150,000 people between its launch in May 2017 and April 2024. This effort is helping strengthen the Sahel’s economic independence.

The Future of the Sahel

Political instability can seriously hamper a nation’s development and risk plunging many citizens into poverty. This does not, however, prevent international aid from being used effectively or prevent international cooperation from overcoming a region’s geographical barriers to development. The Sahel can begin to rebuild its economy for the good of its citizens, but only with the necessary international support.

– Billy Stack

Billy is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Climate-Smart Farming in Bangladesh: A Path Out of Poverty

Climate-Smart FarmingClimate-smart farming is a critical development in the rural economy of Bangladesh, where millions of smallholder farmers face seasonal uncertainty in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Bangladesh is heavily reliant on agriculture, with the World Bank estimating in 2016 that 87% of rural households rely on farming for at least part of their income. Extreme natural disasters can jeopardise the population’s ability to farm effectively and expose millions to freak weather events and longer-term threats such as temperature and rainfall changes.

Now at risk of losing one-third of its agricultural GDP due to climate-related events by 2050, Dhaka is working hard to equip rural citizens with the tools to protect themselves from climate hazard’s most damaging, poverty-inducing effects. Adopting a climate-smart agricultural strategy has already paid dividends in the fight against climate-related poverty. It has empowered Bangla farmers to institute change to often centuries-old practices.

Climate Instability and the Farming Poverty Trap

Agriculture has been central to poverty reduction in Bangladesh, responsible for 90% of poverty alleviation between 2005 and 2010, while national grain production has tripled since 1972. Yet climate instability now threatens to reverse this progress. Rising sea levels swallow farmland and leave less space to cultivate crops, while shifting temperatures and rainfall patterns drive yields down.

When production falters, Bangladesh risks greater dependence on imports, cutting jobs for the impoverished rural people who rely on farming for income. Extreme weather events also add to the strain. Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and Cyclone Aila in 2009 devastated harvests and forced families into poverty overnight.

These pressures highlight how fragile Bangladesh’s agricultural gains remain and how climate shocks can derail one of the nation’s most effective escape routes from poverty.

Breaking the Cycle With Feed the Future

The Feed the Future Climate-Smart Agriculture Project offered a blueprint for how farming could once again lift families out of poverty despite worsening climate risks. Backed by USAID funding and administered by the International Fertilizer Development Center, this initiative equipped small producers with the seeds, skills and technologies to adapt to future climate-related risks.

In 2023, Feed the Future delivered more than 150 demonstrations covering topics from climate-smart rice cultivation to better supply chain access. While these primarily targeted the operations of smallholder farmers, Feed the Future also worked to link up larger farming stakeholders in the private sector with climate-efficient technologies and information.

As a result, smallholder farmers purchasing from these actors gained easier access to the latest climate-resilient seeds and farming practices. This support helped them boost yields, reduce costs and earn a more reliable income. Supplemented by domestic political support, the Climate-Smart Agriculture Project put years of agitation for climate-smart agriculture into practice. It operated with both short and intermediate goals in mind.

A Blueprint for Other Developing Nations

Yet sweeping cuts to the USAID budget in 2025 affected the Feed the Future Climate-Smart Agriculture Project. On February 26, 2025, the initiative was subject to a termination notice as part of broader 56% cuts to the U.S.-Bangladesh aid budget. Despite being terminated three years before its planned end date, climate-smart farming in Bangladesh leaves behind a tested example for developing nations looking to incorporate these practices into their agricultural policy.

At just $35 million, the project only represented a small fraction of the total USAID budget for Bangladesh. Yet early results suggest that even modest funding can trigger meaningful changes, including private-sector investment in inputs, demo plots in model villages and adoption of climate-resilient seed varieties. Comparable efforts may benefit other developing nations facing the twin challenges of climate instability and rural poverty.

– George Horberry

George is based in York, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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South-East Ladies Agro Collective: Making a Difference

South-East Ladies Agro CollectiveMauritius is still recovering from a 2020 oil spill in the Indian Ocean, an accident that has been disastrous for its environment and economy. However, some of its citizens are finding creative ways to help with recovery. A group of women has banded together to create a community of farmers to help feed their families.

This is how South-East Ladies Agro Collective was formed and how it exemplifies the importance of community action in politics.

The MV Wakashio Oil Spill

In 2020, the MV Wakashi, a ship owned by Nagashiki Shipping in Japan, ran aground near the village of Mahebourg in Mauritius. The BBC estimates that 1,000 metric tonnes of oil leaked from the ship and contaminated the nearby waters. Five years later, cleanup is still ongoing.

The oil spill has had various negative effects on Mauritius, most notably on its environment. Mauritius has an extremely diverse and unique ecosystem. According to the BBC, the ocean around Mauritius is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. This spill has placed this fragile ecosystem in permanent jeopardy.

As the fate of Mauritius’ environment hangs in the balance, the government is left to determine what other issues have arisen from this disaster.

Farming to the Rescue

While environmental concerns are the highest priority, there are several other effects that Mauritius needs to address in the wake of the spill. The spill has also caused significant damage to the local economy, which relies heavily on fishing. With the ocean near Mauritius still heavily tainted by oil, local fishermen cannot fulfill their livelihood. With so many people out of work, the economy was stagnant and many families could not afford basic needs.

The South-East Ladies Agro Collective was founded in Mahébourg, Mauritius, by resident Sandy Monrose to combat this issue. After initially helping with clean-up efforts in the immediate aftermath of the oil spill, she began considering other ways to help her community recover. She requested a land grant from a local farming company, Ferney Ltd. Then she began speaking with other local women to see if they were interested in farming.

As the name implies, the South-East Ladies Agro Collective is primarily composed of women. Its goal is to help feed their village while income remains limited. Beyond farming, the collective also teaches residents the basics of agriculture. Active for about a year and thanks to the hard work of Monrose and her team, it has been a massive success. The group currently has 10 members who can feed their families and grow enough to sell their products on the side.

What Can We Learn?

Mauritius’ example shows us how essential community organizing is to making a better world and how much of a difference one person can make. Monrose saw a problem and instead of despairing, came up with a unique and innovative solution to her community’s issues and even got her fellow citizens involved.

The rise of South-East Ladies Agro also demonstrates how interconnected political issues can be. Farming and oil spill cleanup may seem unrelated, but Monrose’s example shows how one can directly affect the other. This is why out-of-the-box thinking is essential for political action. Activists can easily miss less obvious issues like this if they cannot conceive of unique angles of political issues.

Mauritius is still struggling with the aftermath of the MV Wakashio oil spill. However, every little bit helps and organizations like South-East Ladies Agro are a positive step toward community political engagement. With more efforts like this and more collaboration between citizens and their government, lasting changes can be made not just in Mauritius, but worldwide.

– Thaddeus Konieczny

Thaddeus is based in Williamston, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Programs Driving River Cleanups in India

River Cleanups in IndiaHome to approximately 1.5 billion people, India has the highest population of any country in the world. Stretching more than 1.269 million square miles (3.3 million square kilometers), it is the seventh-largest country in the world by area. It is home to several climates, including snowy mountain ranges, deserts, flat plains and tropical rainforests.

India’s Pollution Crisis

Due to its large population and industrialization, India has consistently ranked as one of the most polluted countries in the world. In 2024, India ranked fifth on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and 120 out of 122 on the Water Quality Index. Only one-fifth of India’s industrial waste is processed and disposed of properly, leading its citizens to dump waste into rivers.

Every year, millions of tons of waste, sewage and runoff collect in these rivers, resulting in terrible smells, contamination and health issues from water-borne illnesses like cholera, hepatitis A, dysentery and typhoid.

India’s Water Scarcity Challenge

Despite being home to 18% of the world’s population and 400 rivers, India remains one of the most water-stressed countries globally. About 600 million Indians, nearly half the population, face water-related challenges such as contamination and limited access. Around 70% of rivers are polluted with sewage and industrial waste, while 75% of rural households, totaling 63.4 million people, lack access to safe water. Environmental experts in India warn that by 2030, the country’s water demand could be twice the available supply.

The lack of clean water affects all aspects of life in India, especially agriculture, on which 70% of households depend for their livelihoods. About 52% of the sector still relies on rainfall, as groundwater is rapidly depleting across the country. Given India’s intense monsoon season and high rainfall, rainwater harvesting remains the only reliable method for many farmers to secure clean, usable water for food production.

However, India’s agricultural industry doesn’t just affect the country itself. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk and legumes and the second-largest producer of cattle, rice, fruit, cotton and sugarcane. The lack of clean water impacts every part of the environment, hindering domestic crop production and global food accessibility.

River Cleanups in India

Fortunately, several initiatives in India and beyond are working to clean up the country’s most polluted rivers and expand access to safe water for its citizens. Below are some key programs tackling India’s water crisis:

  • The River Cities Alliance (RCA): Launched in 2021 by the United Nations, the RCA invests in river cleanups across polluted cities worldwide and in India, it works closely with the Namami Ganga Mission, a government-led effort to restore the Ganga River, the country’s third-longest river. The RCA program is scheduled to end by March 2026.
  • Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation: Founded in Mumbai, a city burdened with 13 of the world’s 144 most polluted river systems, the foundation partners with global organizations to achieve two main goals: removing plastic pollution from rivers and oceans and preventing further plastic inflow into Mumbai’s waterways.
  • The Ocean Cleanup: Founded by Dutch innovator Boyan Slat, this initiative deploys fleets of riverboats to collect plastic waste from rivers and oceans. Since 2024, in partnership with the Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation, The Ocean Cleanup has intercepted millions of tons of plastic from Mumbai’s rivers before entering the Indian Ocean.

Conclusion

India’s water crisis stems from rapid growth, industrialization, and agricultural pressures, but progress is possible. Initiatives like those above prove that collective action can restore rivers, protect health, and secure livelihoods.

– Zoe Alatsas

Zoe is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mauritania’s Fisheries: From Ocean Wealth to Food Security

Mauritania’s FisheriesOn the shores of Mauritania lies one of the world’s most abundant fishing zones, created by the convergence of two ocean currents of contrasting temperatures. This unique environment sustains an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The richness of these waters makes them a prime destination for the Mauritania locals and fishing fleets across the globe.

Mauritania’s Fisheries

The high demand of Mauritania’s fishing industry is being threatened by foreign vessels and climate instability, among other things. The fishing industry represents 10% of Mauritania’s GDP, contributes between 35% and 50% of the country’s exports and generates 29% of national budget revenue while supporting as many as 45,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

Safeguarding fishing resources for future generations requires careful monitoring of the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone and strict protection of designated conservation areas. Addressing these issues requires a balanced combination of policies, enforcement and community engagement.

Who Is Helping?

A German government-owned development bank, KfW, acting on behalf of the German Federal Government, has played a central role in supporting Mauritania’s efforts. It serves as a leading donor in this vital industry. Funding has been directed toward building a monitoring system integrating satellite technology with radar stations, patrol ships and surveillance vessels, strengthening the fight against illegal fishing.

Nouadhibou is one of two artisanal fishing ports undergoing significant upgrades. Improvements enhancing the oversight of local catches, raising hygiene standards and enabling safer processing all add greater value to the products.

Much of Mauritania’s catch is diverted to fishmeal and fish oil production, often because the quality is too low for direct consumption. However, the government aims to shift this trend by ensuring more of the harvest reaches people’s tables, strengthening food security domestically and across the region. To support this, KfW has introduced a line of credit for Mauritanian banks, enabling them to finance fishing businesses committed to boosting local processing and adding value within the country.

Along with KfW, Mauritania is striving to align economic growth with environmental responsibility through its Sustainable Fishery Partnership Agreement with the European Union (EU). Under this deal, the EU contributes more than $60 million yearly, allowing European fishing vessels to operate in Mauritanian waters, provided they harvest only surplus fish stocks.

Launched in 2022, the agreement features a science-driven management plan that defines catch limits, establishes protected no-fishing areas and enforces seasonal closures to support fish reproduction. Also, regulating fishmeal production and freezing methods. EU funding under the pact strengthens Mauritania’s infrastructure, enhancing ports, coast guard fleets, research facilities, nature reserves and fish markets.

Technical Measures

Over time, several technical measures have been implemented to safeguard marine populations. Starting in 1991, a seasonal pause in fishing was enforced during August and September to allow stock recovery, to which May was added in 2004.

Since 1998, restrictions on demersal fishing (fishing activities that target fish on or near the seabed) have included a cap on overall effort and a requirement that trawl nets use a minimum size. Shallow water trawling, particularly in areas below 20 meters deep, has been prohibited to protect spawning grounds and regulations now mandate minimum sizes for harvested fish.

Fishing activities are regulated through a permit system that considers vessel size, tonnage, number of fishing days, target species, operational zones and the type of gear employed. Most permits are valid for a year, though some are issued for shorter periods. Obtaining a permit requires payment of an access fee, typically determined by the vessel’s gross tonnage and the fishing method.

For pelagic species (fish typically in the midwater/upper layers of the ocean, often in large shoals), a total allowable catch (TAC) framework is in place. The scientific panels convened by the Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic Research (IMROP) review quotas every five years.

These developments demonstrate a holistic strategy, connecting Mauritania’s fisheries policy with programs such as the Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy. The approach promotes inclusive growth, economic diversification and social cohesion. It also enhances the coordinated management of the coastlines, ultimately strengthening the sustainability and livelihoods of those communities fishing for a living in Mauritania.

Final Remarks

Mauritania’s fisheries are vital to its economy and food security. With stronger policies, international support and sustainable practices, the country can protect its marine wealth while securing lasting livelihoods and growth.

– Gabriella Luneau

Gabriella is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Female Farmers in Bangladesh

Farmers in BangladeshBangladesh is on the frontline of the climate crisis, with rising seas, stronger cyclones and frequent floods threatening lives and livelihoods, especially along its low-lying coast. Rapid urbanization and economic growth add further pressure to vulnerable communities.

Yet, amid these challenges, stories of resilience shine through. Women like Koruna and Asma lead climate-smart farming and sustainable honey production. They prove innovative, eco-friendly livelihoods can protect the environment, support families and strengthen communities against adverse climate.

Bangladesh’s Climate Crisis

The coast of Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events, such as rising sea levels, which pose a significant threat to the nation’s development. These risks are intensified by natural disasters like the recent widespread floods, which continue to disrupt livelihoods and infrastructure. As Bangladesh rapidly urbanizes rural areas and develops hundreds of economic zones, water, energy and transportation demand surge.

The country also aims to capitalize on the “blue economy” by harnessing ocean resources for growth. However, these ambitions place additional environmental and social pressure on coastal communities already facing loss and damage from rising temperatures. Managing these climate risks has become central to Bangladesh’s development strategy, especially as tropical cyclones alone cost the country an estimated $1 billion annually.

By 2050, climate variability could cause the loss of one-third of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), a serious concern, given that agriculture employs nearly half of the workforce. Additionally, around 13.3 million people may be forced to migrate internally over the next 30 years due to climate-driven impacts, disproportionately affecting women. The country’s GDP could fall by up to 9% in extreme scenarios, such as severe flooding. As environmental degradation and disaster costs continue to rise, Bangladesh faces mounting challenges that require urgent, sustainable solutions.

Honey Farming

Koruna, Bangladesh’s only female honey farmer, has turned her passion into a profitable and honourable livelihood, earning recognition nationwide. After attending a three-day boot camp in Bagerhat, she gained valuable knowledge on green, environmentally friendly business practices. She learned to avoid harmful materials like plastic and to understand sustainable production’s environmental and economic benefits.

The training also equipped her with marketing and pricing skills and strategies for selling products at stalls. Today, honey farming has transformed Koruna’s life: she has built her own home and another for her husband entirely from her business earnings. Her daughter and son-in-law now work alongside her. For Koruna, this venture provides financial stability and meets her family’s needs and brings immense pride in her role as a pioneering, environmentally responsible entrepreneur.

Female Farmers in Bangladesh

In the climate-vulnerable district of Bagerhat in southern Bangladesh, 37-year-old Asma’s life transformed after joining Concern’s Collective Responsibility, Action and Accountability for Improved Nutrition (CRAIIN) project in 2020. Over two days of hands-on training, she gained the skills and resources to start climate-smart farming, along with half a kilogram of earthworms, two compost rings, a compost slab, saplings and four types of seeds.

Using vermicompost she now produces, Asma has grown a thriving garden, improving her family’s diet and income. “My life changed totally after starting with the farming compost. Now I can afford education for my children,” she says. The benefits extend beyond her household.

CRAIIN has boosted community agriculture, strengthened water, sanitation and hygiene practices and enhanced nutrition knowledge. Local households now trade vegetables and other products, fostering resilience and economic opportunity. As a lead farmer connected to 400 households, Asma trains others in vermicompost production and climate-resilient cultivation. She ensures the project’s impact ripples across the community and sees female farmers prosper in Bangladesh.

Final Remarks

Bangladesh’s fight against adverse weather is also a story of resilience and innovation. Through ventures like Koruna’s honey farming and Asma’s climate-smart agriculture, communities adapt, protect the environment and boost local economies as farmers prosper in Bangladesh. Their leadership shows real change comes from policy and empowering people to drive sustainable solutions.

– Phoebe Guildford

Phoebe is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Financing Africa’s Green Transition: Global Climate Investment

Africa’s Green TransitionAfrica is at a critical juncture in its expansion, straddling the line between delivering rapid economic development and addressing adverse climatic conditions. The continent faces some of the highest levels of climate vulnerability, including persistent droughts and desertification, extreme flooding and coastal erosion.

However, Africa has enormous potential to lead in a global green transition, particularly given its abundant renewable energy resources, youth population and expanding clean technology market. Financing Africa’s green transition is imperative for environmental, economic and geopolitical reasons. 

Financing Africa’s Green Transition

Despite its potential, Africa has about 5% of global climate finance. Yet, the continent is home to 17% of the world’s population and is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions. Wealthy countries have pledged $100 billion annually in climate finance to developing countries through the Paris Agreement, but these commitments have consistently fallen short.

This means that for millions of people, a funding gap slows renewable energy deployment, prevents critical infrastructure projects and raises the cost of adaptation. Without urgent and scaled support financing, Africa risks being locked into a fossil-fuel-dependent future just as the world transitions to cleaner energy.

The economic rationale for Africa’s green transition is compelling. Expanding renewable infrastructure, solar, wind and hydro, would drive millions of jobs, increase energy access for more than 600 million people without electricity and stimulate industrial growth using clean energy.

Countries are already leading the way: Kenya, with more than 80% of its electricity from renewables; Morocco, home to one of the world’s largest concentrated solar plants; and South Africa, which is turning to wind and solar to diversify its coal-heavy grid. Together, these examples show the potential to meet domestic energy needs sustainably and position Africa as an exporter of renewable energy and hydrogen.

Why Global Climate Investment Can’t Wait

Financing Africa’s green transition is critical to achieving global climate objectives from an environmental perspective. The continent produces a small share of global emissions, approximately 4%, but its future emissions path will depend on the energy systems it deploys today.

Financing its transition to renewable technologies now has the potential to prevent a new increase in emissions, conserve biodiversity and preserve critical ecosystems, such as the Congo Basin rainforest, which is a global carbon sink.

From a geopolitical viewpoint, a green transition with sufficient finance would increase Africa’s global standing. Renewable sources would lessen overall dependence on imported fossil fuels. Energy security could be improved, too. African countries could also become influencers in the global clean technology sector.

However, for this to happen, strong international cooperation is essential. African governments, development banks, private investors and technology suppliers need to work together to mobilize the billions of dollars required for renewable energy. These funds are critical not only for infrastructure investment but also for climate adaptation and the growth of green industries.

Looking Ahead

The way forward requires innovative financing mechanisms. These include blended finance to de-risk private investments, sovereign green bonds and regional investment platforms to pool resources for cross-border projects. Development finance institutions can assist by guaranteeing loans, offering concessional rates and providing technical assistance in project design and implementation.

Africa’s green transition is already underway, but at a pace that is too slow to meet the Sustainable Development Goals or the Paris climate targets. With international support, the continent can unlock its renewable energy potential, drive economic growth and lead in clean energy innovation. The message is clear: the world cannot afford to leave Africa behind in the fight against the ongoing climate crisis.

– Sophia Scelza

Sophia is based in Lindenhurst, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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3 Opportunities Created By Renewable Energy in Seychelles

Renewable Energy in SeychellesWhen flying off the coast of East Africa, one may spot a glimpse of the 115 islands that make up Seychelles. In terms of land area, this is the smallest African nation. Yet, the archipelago is making big waves in the energy industry to combat environmental changes and economic impacts. Contrary to mainland nations, critical problems for this cluster of islands include vulnerability to changing weather and reliance on foreign oil. To combat this, large scale changes are in progress for renewable energy in Seychelles.

Seychelles’ Renewable Energy Goal

According to the World Bank, Seychelles has the highest Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in Africa. The small African nation boasts an impressive renewable energy goal of reaching 15% by 2030 and 50% by 2050. This change impacts far more than Seychelles’ carbon footprint. Without the means to produce their own energy, local communities are at the mercy of fluctuating import costs of energy and fuel, which support important vehicles, like cars and boats. For a country with an economy driven primarily by fishing and tourism, the shift towards renewable energy has the potential to decrease poverty through economic growth and increase job opportunities related to energy initiatives. 

The Dangers of Fossil Fuels

Experts have linked air pollution due to the burning of fossil fuels, such as the use of diesel-fueled vehicles, to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and adverse pregnancy outcomes. To address the effects of biodiversity loss and pollution, Seychelles entered a more than two-decade long partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This partnership has helped the country mitigate greenhouse gases and both land and marine pollution. According to Seychelles’ Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, “The programmes that UNEP has been operating over the past years have really contributed to the success of Seychelles that we see today.”

The Creation of Solar Farms

Due to Seychelles’ lack of natural oil reservoirs and limited space for development, the government announced the creation of floating solar farms on uninhabited islands. “The Seychelles import three times more oil than they need so that they can support internal activities as well as boats and airplanes that travel to and from the islands,” Forbes reports. In 2024, the country secured a $15 million loan from the World Bank to support key environmental challenges, including its progressive energy initiatives. Naadir Hassan, Minister of Finance, National Planning and Trade of Seychelles, explains, “This support will help Seychelles strengthen financial stability and the business environment, improve fiscal management, and address important environmental and social challenges.” As with other island nations, access to energy sources is crucial for survival, especially due to an increased risk of extreme weather events. 

3 Opportunities That Renewable Energy in Seychelles Created

  1. Poverty Reduction: While extreme poverty is hardly present, youth and single mothers make up a large portion of the 3.5% unemployment rate. In order to reach Seychelles’ renewable energy goals, it invests in the production of solar farms. The use of solar energy will reduce energy costs and create jobs related to the construction and maintenance of the farms. According to the World Bank, the success of social programs has contributed to the decline in poverty. It is reported that “the poverty rate is projected to decline from 6.2 percent in 2024 to 5.9 percent in 2025, based on the $6.85-per-day poverty line.” 
  2. Economic Stimulation: The cost of importing of foreign oil is dependent on global markets. In 2023, the nation imported an estimated $361 million in refined petroleum. Renewable energy is competitive in price to fossil fuels. With an economy dependent on tourism, the decreased reliance on imported fuel lessens the financial burden for local communities, resulting in economic growth.
  3. Health Benefits: The Ministry of Health in Seychelles alerted the public of air quality concerns in early 2025 due to “haze, caused by a combination of atmospheric conditions and potential transboundary pollutants.” Air pollution due to the burning of fossil fuels is a known contributor to respiratory, cardiovascular and other diseases. Vulnerable populations include those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, including asthma. According to the Lancet Countdown, fossil fuel emissions contribute to more than 2 million deaths globally each year, as energy-related CO2 emissions continue to climb to new heights. Switching to renewable energy sources provides cleaner air and improves both public health and environmental stability.

Looking Ahead

The precedent that Seychelles has set is an environmentally conscious feat that serves as an example to the world. Not only is the investment in renewable energy production in Seychelles beneficial to the health of our environment, it increases opportunities to better our communities.

– Jamaya Newton

Jamaya is based in Somerset, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fighting Climate Impacts on Refugees with CRRF

CRRFMany refugee camps around the world experience significant climate impacts such as flooding and extreme weather, displacing already vulnerable groups. The adverse effects of bad weather often impact displaced people as countries continue to plan refugee settlements based on political decisions, with little research on environmental and geographic vulnerabilities. In order to protect their human rights and reduce climate impacts on refugees, governmental support must be provided from within the host countries.

Climate Impacts in Sudan, Bangladesh and Jordan

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, Syrian refugees in Jordan and refugee camps in Sudan specifically have noted recent environmental disasters threatening human lives. In 2021, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and Alganaa camp in Sudan reported the destruction of structures and several deaths due to flooding.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about Cox’s Bazar being on the “front lines of the climate crisis,” as it is the world’s largest refugee settlement. The camp faces year-round instability, from fire-prone summers to a dangerous monsoon season. Similarly, South Sudanese refugees had only lived in the Alganaa camp for a month before floods hit Sudan’s White Nile region. Historically, the lack of environmental studies across Africa has led to the suboptimal placement of refugee camps.

In Jordan, the Za’atari refugee camp is the largest shelter for displaced Syrians in the world. The camp faces extreme cold in the winters in addition to its dry, hot summers. Despite Syrian refugees’ economic resilience through creating many successful businesses in the Za’atari market, a fraction of refugees hold work permits for other sectors, causing further economic uncertainty during climatic events.

All three camps face diverse climate impacts on refugees and preemptive mitigation responses from host countries have been minimal due to political circumstances.

Uganda’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has recognized Uganda’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) as a key model for promoting refugee self-reliance. It addresses economic challenges by providing land for housing and farming, which in turn helps tackle social issues like access to education and skill development. The CRRF is a model that benefits host countries by stimulating the economy and strengthening agricultural networks through refugee settlement. It also supports the economic well-being of vulnerable populations and helps prevent overcrowding in refugee camps.

Despite the benefits of Uganda’s resettlement model, some refugee settlements still face climate-related damage that threatens agricultural livelihoods. To address this, UNHCR has proposed climate-resilience initiatives that promote low-carbon development in refugee-hosting areas. Implementing additional frameworks like Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) is also essential to reduce climate risks for refugees.

Although it would not be possible to provide land in countries with a high population density, like Bangladesh, it is still ideal for such governments to expand their use of NDCs and NAPs in other ways. Bangladesh’s existing climate finance strategies under its NDCs offer a foundation for strengthening protections for vulnerable groups.

UNHCR Pilot Program: Refugee Environmental Protection Fund

First piloted in Uganda, the Refugee Environmental Protection Fund (REPF) directly involved refugees in climate initiatives. It supports reforestation, energy access and clean cooking programs to “link refugees and host communities to the global carbon market.”

As of 2025, the Fund is looking to expand into countries like Bangladesh and Sudan, though the possibility of implementation will take longer to assess. Additionally, the refugee crisis in Jordan is not currently assigned to the initiative. Combining REPF with the CRRF could help refugees gain independence, achieve economic growth and mitigate climate impacts.

– Aliyah Omar

Aliyah is based in Alberta, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash