Africa’s leap to clean energy seen needing policy change, investment
Johannesburg, South AfricaThomson Reuters Foundation Renewable energy is expected to account for less than 10 per cent of Africa’s electricity generation by 2030, showing massive investment is needed to unlock the continent’s wind and solar power potential, researchers said on Monday. Drastic policy change and investment will also be needed if the notion of Africa […]
Indonesia’s push to cut red tape sparks forest fire concerns
Jakarta, IndonesiaThomson Reuters Foundation Indonesia’s plans to cut red tape to attract investment could lead to an increase in forest clearing and fires, environmentalists warned on Wednesday, as lawmakers continued to debate the measures ahead of a scheduled recess this week. Indonesian President Joko Widodo submitted a draft of the so-called “omnibus laws” to parliament […]
‘Empty promises’ could pop bubble of investing for good
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThomson Reuters Foundation Investors in projects that do environmental or social good said on Thursday that their burgeoning industry’s reputation was at risk because they could not measure their impact. The $US500 billion impact investment industry – from green energy schemes to homeless services – is growing rapidly as wealth shifts into the […]
KENYA: “THIS IS OUR HOME” – ISLANDERS DEMAND A SAY IN FOREIGN-BACKED PROJECTS
KIM HARRISBERG, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports from the Indian Ocean tourist island of Lamu…
Britain £200 million in aid to tackle climate change
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Britain pledged on Wednesday to spend £193 million on research and technology to help developing countries cope with climate change. From investing in electric motorbikes to improving weather warning systems or boosting clean energy, Britain’s foreign aid department said it would use the money to help those in Africa and Asia withstand […]
Subsidise solar mini-grids to power rural Africa, investors urge
Barcelona, SpainThomson Reuters Foundation Local renewable-energy grids can provide electric power to hundreds of millions of people in developing nations, especially in Africa, but will not attract enough financial backing unless they are subsidised, a group of investors said on Monday. Twelve energy and impact investors – with more than $US2 billion under management and […]
“Look for the laggards” – investors told to target modern slavery
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Big investors must look beyond the clamour over climate change and compel companies to tackle modern slavery as well, the head of a United Nations-backed group pushing for responsible investment said on Wednesday. Fund managers can put trillions of dollars worth of pressure on businesses that fail to stop slave labour by […]
Invest in children’s health and education to spur economic growth – World Bank
Thomson Reuters Foundation Governments should invest in healthcare and education for children in order to boost economic growth, the World Bank urged on Thursday. More than half of all children born this year will lose half of their potential lifetime earnings due to poverty, poor health and a lack of education, according to the World […]
Pope leads Catholics to profit from, not just give to, the poor
Thomson Reuters Foundation After decades of giving to charity, a growing number of Catholics are starting to put their philanthropic billions into profitable investments instead – a new aid model, backed by Pope Francis, that experts say could help end poverty. Catholic investment funds, which manage capital from hundreds of faith-based organisations, are increasingly investing […]
DEVELOPMENT: EVERYONE’S A WINNER? HOW ‘IMPACT INVESTING’ CAN MAKE MONEY – AND DO GOOD
LEE MANNION, of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how small-scale investors in Britain are making a difference to the lives of families in Africa…