Sustainable Development

Despite African countries leading in plastic bans, they remain vulnerable to the plastic pollution crisis. The petrochemical and plastics industry lobby sees Africa as an opportunity for their growth. Increased plastic production continues to weaken Africa’s regulations, turning them into hubs for unregulated plastic waste dumping. As we approach the final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, focus must be on addressing the social and environmental injustices of plastic pollution across its lifecycle. Discover how vulnerable communities, especially women and children, are disproportionately affected and what steps are needed to create lasting change.

In Kenya, there are more waste pickers than men. This clearly indicates that women, bear the brunt of the impact of plastic pollution, which is not merely environmental but deeply intertwined with pre-existing gender inequalities. Many women find themselves relegated to the informal waste sector, where job security is uncertain, wages are inadequate, and workplace conditions are not unsafe. The rise in plastic waste only complicates these inequities, disproportionately affecting women who are already vulnerable.

The 2017 ban on plastics is yielding positive results in the form a cleaner environment. However, the search for environmentally-friendly and affordable alternatives to plastic carrier bags is still on. By Geoffrey Odhiambo Onyango

Eine Resolution des EU-Parlaments Mitte September fordert die internationale Gemeinschaft auf, den Bau der umstrittenen Ölpipeline EACOP in Ostafrika in letzter Minute zu stoppen. Vorangegangen waren Jahre zivilgesellschaftlichen Widerstandes. Zu viel stehe für die Natur und Bevölkerungen auf dem Spiel.

Climate Story Lab Africa reconvenes for the second time in Africa this September 29th to amplify the visibility of African perspectives, experiences, and solutions on pressing climate issues to global audiences and policymakers, through compelling works of storytelling.

The world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic per year, with only about 10% recycled. Since plastics are non-biodegradable and, in many cases, unrecyclable, there is an increasing burden on the environment to accommodate all of the plastic waste produced.

Omar Elmawi, the coordinator of the StopEACOP-campaign, spoke to Heinrich-Boell-Foundation's Adrian Amann on why the EACOP is a bad project for Uganda and Tanzania. Elmawi is a lawyer who advocates for climate justice and is renowned for the deCOALonize-campaign in Lamu County and champions for more green and sustainable energy. He lives and works in Nairobi, Kenya.

In preparation for Stockholm+50, which will be held on 2nd-3rd June, Heinrich Böll Berlin has released a new dossier: 50 Years of International Environmental Policy How Can We Do Better? It includes ten articles by prominent authors that look back on five decades of global environmental policy while also looking forward: What can we do better now to ensure that the necessary transformation continues to succeed?