What We’ve Been Reading: The Latest In Clean Cooking And Renewable Energy Innovation, Clean Water And Sanitation, Sustainable Development And Much More.
Recognizing ‘historic tipping point’, UN begins push towards more sustainable energy future
At the virtual High-level Dialogue on Energy – the global platform where governments, businesses and others can come together to recommit to more sustainable energy use – UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the need to build a sustainable economy, driven by renewables.
Read more via UN
New Data from the WHO Shows Pervasive Risk of Violence to Young Women in Particular
This report presents data from the largest ever study of the prevalence of violence against women, conducted by WHO on behalf of a special working group of the United Nations. WHO and partners warn that the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased women’s exposure to violence, as a result of measures such as lockdowns and disruptions to vital support services.
Read more via WHO
AfCFTA Agreement Should be Radical in Prioritizing Africa’s Health
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its goal to diversify economies, reduce reliance on exported goods, and boost regional trade are all things to be hopeful about. Quartz Africa considers how its potential to boost sustainable development depends on the attention it gives to planetary health.
Read more via Quartz
Rwanda to Exploit Methane Gas for Cooking Next Year
Thanks to a new project that seeks to process methane into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Rwandans could use locally produced gas from Lake Kivu by the end of 2022. This gas could be used for cooking in replacement of charcoal and firewood and has gained attention from public entities like refugee camps and schools.
Read more via The New Times
Uganda Bets on Cleaner Energy in Gender Push
Uganda is hoping efforts to improve women’s access to cheap and clean energy sources will boost their livelihoods. During a virtual workshop held in Kampala, Energy and Mineral Development Minister Simon D’Ujanga discussed how clean-energy solutions would also help tackle gender-based violence.
Read more via China Daily
Refugees in Sudan Reap Benefits of Clean Cooking Energy
In a push to tackle the issues caused by cooking with firewood, UNHCR is partnering with Kenana on a pilot project to help refugee families switch to clean burning, ethanol cooking fuel.
Read more via ReliefWeb
Kenya Gets International Attention for Promoting Clean Cooking
Kenya has been recognized by Solar Cookers International for its efforts in promoting and expanding the use of clean cooking as an alternative to traditional sources of energy.
Read more via Citizen TV
Poor Data Dents Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals Implementation
As Africa moves to fulfill key SDGs in poverty reduction, eliminating hunger and accessing water, education, health and housing to its citizens, it needs statistics for an accurate picture of progress made on development activities. This need to break data silos was highlighted at the recent Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, which featured a panel discussion with Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Oliver Chinganya, Director of the ECA’s African Center for Statistics.
Read more via UN ECA
Can COVID-19 Accelerate Urban Water Security?
In facing the complex challenges brought by COVID-19, W12+ and UNESCO IHP consider the pandemic’s potential as a catalyst towards realizing SDG-6.
Read more via World Bank