In June 2016, the Least Developed Countries Independent Expert Group, the International Institute for Environment and Development and the STEPS Centre hosted a dialogue for Least Developed Country (LDC) experts to discuss how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could help to define a new agenda for development. Our colleagues at IIED interviewed participants at the meeting…
How are the LDCs defining a new sustainable development agenda?
Bringing vehicle sharing to China
by Dr Dennis Zuev (Research Associate, Lancaster University) & Dr David Tyfield (Reader, Lancaster University) Car-sharing is the fastest growing urban mobility innovation worldwide but is yet to take off in Chinese cities. According to a recent Roland Berger report, the Chinese car sharing market is still developing, but it has very high potential. It is expected to grow around 80% per year until 2018. There are…
‘African Technopolitan’ July 2015 features STEPS work on climate innovation
STEPS thinking on low carbon development is profiled in the latest issue of the African Technopolitan [PDF]the flagship magazine from ACTS (the host of our Africa Sustainability hub). David Ockwell and Rob Byrne’s contribution is an article on ‘Climate Relevant Innovation System Builders’ (CRIBS), previously profiled in a STEPS blog. A peer-reviewed article on this…
Africa Sustainability Hub will promote low-carbon opportunities
A new African sustainability research hub will make a “huge contribution” to promoting low carbon economic development in Kenya, according to a speech on Wednesday 10th June by Hon. Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury. The speech was delivered by Prof Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, at…
Pro-poor, low carbon energy conversations across the STEPS global consortium
I was in Nairobi last week for the launch of the Africa hub of the STEPS Global Consortium. During the three day event, I learned a great deal about developments in low carbon energy from across the continent. Reflecting on last week’s launch, I’ve felt a growing sense of excitement at the different forms of…
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Finance: STEPS Africa is “a huge contribution”
On behalf of the Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury on Kenya, Hon. Henry Rotich, Professor Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources formally launched the STEPS Africa Sustainability Hub today in Nairobi. The speech underscored the importance of Low Carbon Economy Development in Africa. “Low carbon development will play an important…
STEPS Africa Sustainability Hub launched in Nairobi
“There is no better time to launch the Africa Sustainability Hub than now,” says Dr Mohamed Kyari from the Human Resources, Science and Technology Department of the African Union. The AU strategy science and technology and innovation was confirmed by Heads of State last June. The vision of the African Union is to develop a…
Why access to energy is crucial for economic growth and poverty reduction
This week I am in Nairobi for a conference focused on ‘Low Carbon Africa’, discussing the diverse pathways to low carbon energy. Energy access is a key issue across the continent. Last week Kofi Annan launched the ‘Africa Progress Panel’ report that argued for a massive energy revolution on the continent, with the potential for…
Knowledge is power: towards Low Carbon Energy in Africa
The G7 have promised to phase out fossil fuel emissions by the end of the century. Though a long-term target, it’s the first time a proper date has been set for a decarbonised economy for this group of industrialised nations. It will affect the tone of the negotiations at the UN climate talks in Paris…
Grub’s up: great infographic on the future of eating insects
A handy infographic (see below) by Alexandra Sexton outlines some of the case for insects as part of human and animal diets – as well as the key uncertainties and questions for the future. Advocates of more insect-eating have sold it as a more eco-friendly and low-carbon option – but questions over commercialisation, production methods…