Green Climate Fund squandering scarce climate funds by financing REDD+

Despite over a billion US dollars for pilot initiatives by multilateral agencies and subsidies for private sector REDD+ projects and research programmes over the past 15 years, REDD+ has not fulfilled its promise of being a silver bullet in the fight against deforestation: global forest loss continues at alarming rates.

Perspectives #03/2018: Through the Looking Glass: Images of African Futures

Against a background of political and cultural disruption, Perspectives approached writers to inquire, speculatively or not so speculatively, into an African future. The result is an eclectic mix of contributions and conversations across the arts, culture, philosophy and politics. They offer glimpses of African futures – fantastic, idealistic, or sober, but always self-confident – that place the continent at the centre of a world to come.

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How Solar Energy can Improve Public Health in Nigeria.

Nigerians could enjoy better health care for less money if the already existing budget were invested in solar power as this animated video explains. The video is based on a study supported by the Nigerian office of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung. Click here to read the study in details

Improving Access to Reliable Energy for Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria

This is a study report that examines the deplorable energy situation faced by Nigerian Primary Health Centres as well as the possibilities of improving clean energy access to the health centres through responsible fiscal policies targeted at off grid electricity.

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Sustainable Nigeria

(Photo by HBS Nigeria from Apo, Abuja; November 22, 2016)

Africa’s Challenge with Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) – Can Nigeria take the Lead?

Most Nigerian residents still rely on diesel and petrol powered generators to complement the unstable energy they get from the national grid. However, there is a surging demand for standalone solar solutions, how will Nigeria handle the potential toxic lead-acid battery waste from solar products? This article tries to find out.

The Geoengineering Fallacy

Geoengineering technologies are not yet deployable globally, but support for them is advancing fast, thanks to backing by powerful advocates eager to start experiments. But no silver bullet for climate change exists, and we must not abandon proven methods for the sake of a promise that one will be found

By Barbara Unmüssig

Solar-Powered Tricycles: Zero emissions while transporting thousands of people

In Nigeria, mass transit systems are chaotic and in many places non-existent; no Nigerian city has an intra-city rail system and only Lagos has a bus rapid transport scheme. Commuters have to rely on small buses (most of which are old and creaking), taxis and auto rickshaws or tricycles (popularly called keke).

Democracy At Work

Cross River superhighway pushes forth despite pushback

The government of Cross River state has resumed clearing precious rainforest land as part of the construction of the superhighway. While some community members are losing their forest and properties, others are advocating for their right to their land. Individuals and members of civil society stand in solidarity with communities in the face of the continued works.

By Rafeeat Aliyu

Women in Nigerian Politics – Are female candidates facing cyber bullying?

Social media report

Compared to their male counterparts there are a limited amount of women vying for political positions in the 2019 Nigerian elections. In this article, the writer tries to analyse how these women are faring in the social media space as they take their campaign online.

By Celine Isioma Uduh

Breathe, for the Battle Will Be Long: Changing Nigeria’s Body Politic

Even after the 2015 elections supposedly marked a democratic consolidation in Nigeria, a toxic mix of voter apathy, identity politics and money continues to raise questions about the necessary reforms that would instill credibility in the country’s elections.

Marshall Plan with Nigeria?

In 2017, Africa has gained unusual prominence – within and beyond the framework of the German G20 presidency. Three German initiatives highlight relationships with the African continent: the Ministry of Cooperation and Development’s “Marshall Plan With Africa”, the Ministry of Finance’s “Compact with Africa” and the Ministry for Economic Affair’s initiative “Pro! Africa”.

Through its initiatives, Germany promises to support Africa in the development of its growth and development potential and thus curtail migration. But how many voices from Nigeria are being heard in the debate in Germany? This web dossier wants to highlight arguments for the “Development That Nigeria Wants” and transport these perspectives into the Africa debate currently taking place in Germany.

A Marshall Plan For Nigeria

Megacity Lagos

Urban planning processes in Lagos: The ways forward

Dossier

In a series of discussion papers, partners of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Lagos program give thought provoking suggestions for an inclusive and climate resilient city building to the new Lagos State government which will take over on May 29, 2019. The ideas are based on the findings of our research “Urban Planning Processes in Lagos”; many of them could be implemented within a short time span requiring in general low funding but transparent and efficient cooperation between different stakeholders; above all it will require political will...

Is the Lagos Tech Sector a Bubble?

Innovation, creativity and financial power – Lagos has all the necessary ingredients for a thriving startup sector. Hackathons, boot camps and startup weeks regularly attract local and international participants. Ayodeji Rotinwa, a freelance journalist, asks himself whether these are signs for a healthy growth potential.

By Ayodeji Rotinwa

Kelechi's Quest (A Docu-Drama Series)

Kelechi Udegbe, a budding Nigerian actor in the city of Lagos, features in this 6 part documentary drama series where he weighs his option of finding a suitable accommodation within his budget, thereby sparking a debate about new ways of accessing affordable accommodation and about the equitability of housing policies of Lagos State.

International Politics

Climate change and human rights – Can the courts fix it?

Overview

Climate litigation is on the rise - in Germany, in Europe and worldwide. What role can courts play in the fight against climate change? This article shows the link between human rights and climate change, its implications, and introduces some of the cases.

Marketing and Promotion, instead of Transparency for the Games

In spite of the maxim transparency and laws requiring free access to information the municipality of Rio de Janeiro owns a lot of information on the Olympic Games.

Editorial: Behind the Rio Games

Barbara Unmüßig correlates the Olympics with Brazil’s institutional, political and economic crisis. Did the organizers learn a lesson from the World Cup in 2014?

By Barbara Unmüssig

Publications

Improving Access to Reliable Energy for Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria

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Urban Planning Processes In Lagos

The revised, second edition (2018) of “Urban Planning Processes in Lagos” is the result of a yearlong research process that examines the relation between urban policies, urban interventions, the role of governance, and the different actors in Lagos. The publication shows that Lagos urban policies do not often benefit those at the centre of economic development: the Lagosians – of which a significant number lives below the poverty line.

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Open City Lagos (2018 edition): Resilience

The OCL 2018 publication is a collation of the thoughts and ideas of researchers, urbanists and creatives who were invited to think critically about urban resilience. The publication explores resilience in its diverse forms, mechanisms and outputs. It also highlights important factors that influence urban resilience considerations and uses a people-centred lens to zoom in on the complexities and implications of embracing resilient frameworks in city planning.

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