Publication database

We are significantly under-estimating the benefits of cleaner, climate-smart growth. Bold climate action could deliver at least US$26 trillion in economic benefits through to 2030, compared with business-as-usual. There are real benefits to be seen in terms of new jobs, economic savings, competitiveness and market opportunities, and improved well-being for people worldwide.

This report from GOGLA brings positive news that households using small scale-solar power in East Africa are reporting a rise in economic activity, with improvement in income and job opportunities. It demonstrates the economic benefits of off-grid solar power in the developing world. Nearly 60% of off-grid solar owners undertake more economic activity within just three months of using a solar home system as they work longer, start businesses or get a new job.

Case study on Belle Verte, an ecoinclusive enterprise, which provides innovative waste management solutions and raises awareness on the problem of increased waste in Mauritius. 

This report reveals the magnitude of the gender gap in mobile internet use across low- and middle-income countries, as well as highlighting the persistent gender disparity in mobile ownership and the barriers to ownership and use. Findings from this report are based on the results of over 25,000 face-to-face surveys commissioned by GMA Intelligence across 23 low- and middle-income countries, and subsequent modelling and analysis of this survey data.

Case study on the Youth Initiative for Community Empowerment (YICE), an eco-inclusive enterprise that provides a agricultural services to smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods. YICE has trained a group of farm agents to act as YICE representatives and community leaders. Innovative mobile technology provides smallholder farmers with access to key information on trainings, quality farm inputs,  and fair market prices for produce.  YICE aims to use this information and the provision of microloans to empower the local community to make better, more informed decisions at various levels of the farming value chain.

Case study on Unique Quality Product Enterprise (UQE). UQE's business model is based on a market-leading approach to promote the production and processing of the cereal grain fonio. Fonio was once a major food crop across West Africa and is known for is nutritional value, taste and adaptability to local climate and soil conditions. However, the introduction of rice and other cereal crops largely replaced fonio. UQE believes in fonio’s commercial potential and identified community members who were still growing the crop for local consumption. The enterprise engaged with local landholders and wider communities to gain access to infertile, unused land for women farmers. UQE promotes the expansion and harvesting of fonio crops using traditional methods. 

The Blended Finance Taskforce and KOIS Invest released a paper about blended finance for sustainable land-use (SLU), analysing how blended finance can mitigate risks and enhance returns for investors in this sector. SLU seeks to protect the climate by reducing carbon emissions and preserving carbon sinks. Private investment in SLU is not however at the scale needed to tackle the problem. According to KOIS, there needs to be a paradigm shift in the way in which (i) private sector investors view investment opportunities in SLU and how (ii) public and philanthropic investors engage to catalyse private capital in SDGs.

Case study on WASHKing. The company aims to eradicate open defecation and poor sanitation in low-income urban communities in Accra, Ghana. To achieve this, WASHKing designs, supplies and installs affordable, eco-friendly bio digester toilets in poor urban households. 

Case study on Sahelia Solar, an eco-inclusive enterprise that specialises in the design and supply of a range of solar energy systems. Sahelia Solar operates in three main sectors; residential, commercial and industrial, and offers both pre-pay and pay-as-you-go (PAYG) models. The product range comprises solar back-up systems as an alternative energy source for customers who are already connected to the national energy network, solar kits for rural and remote communities who require night-time lighting, and solar hot water systems.

Case study on Safi Organics, one of the largest producers of rice in Kenya. The company aims to reverse declining agricultural yields, improve the income and food security of local farmers, and provide opportunities for local youth. Safi Organics created an agricultural value chain from the local organic waste stream. Using an open source technology, the enterprise produces valuable agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and soil treatments designed to meet local conditions.  Waste rice husk is collected from farmers and processed into bio char, the bio char is then stored, processed, and a local enzyme is added to enable microbial growth. The fertiliser and soil treatments are sold back to the farmers directly or through agents.