Driving Climate Action: Stories of Impact and Resilience
Author: Food & Trees for Africa
Your monthly update from the Food & Trees For Africa team.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD
Food & Trees for Africa (FTA)'s EduPlant Programme's Workshop 3 showcased the strong partnership between educators and learners. This was especially evident at Kylemore Secondary, Rouxville Primary, and Soneike High School as they presented their gardening journeys through their Portfolio of Evidence (POE). Rouxville Primary stood out for integrating its Environmental Club with its STEM Club, exploring plant biology and ecosystems while also winning second place in the Cartoon Network’s Climate Champion competition. They used their R2,000 Build It voucher to enhance their school garden.
Educators are central to fostering environmental stewardship, guiding learners in sustainable gardening practices that instill lifelong skills and values. One hands-on activity included agro-processing, where learners made tomato jam and pickles from leftover harvests, demonstrating resourcefulness and reducing waste.
The "Good Bug/Bad Bug" game engaged both educators and learners in discovering natural pest control, setting the stage for a garden tour at Soneike High School, where learners applied pest management techniques, such as companion planting and crop rotation. The workshop concluded with learners designing A-frames for contour marking to prevent soil erosion, highlighting their growing ownership of the garden space.
The outcomes that educators and learners are experiencing reflects the success of Workshop 3 in creating an environment of collaboration, education, and empowerment for both teachers and learners.
100 TREES, 100 FUTURES
In a generous gesture, DP World recently donated 100 trees to two local schools in Gauteng, fostering community engagement and a commitment to a greener tomorrow.
This donation will offset approximately 36.90 tonnes of CO2e over the next 40 years, contributing to the fight against climate change. Golden Gardens Primary School kicked off the tree-planting initiative with a volunteer event that saw 30 trees planted on the day.
Lakeside Primary School continued the effort on World Food Day, planting 45 trees. The event was made even more memorable as 100 learners from the school choir serenaded the occasion, adding a joyous note to the festivities.
Beyond their environmental benefits, these trees will provide much-needed shade, improve air quality, and create a better learning environment for students. This initiative not only combats climate change but also inspires the younger generation of climate heroes to embrace sustainability and care for their community.
DP World’s contribution is a powerful reminder of how corporate actions can drive positive, lasting change.
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
GROWING COMMUNTIES, CHANGING LIVES
Rooted in the spirit of collective action, the Siyasebenza Agricultural Co-operative is a symbol of collaboration and growth. Founded by Mosese Benzo Masilela in 2018, this remarkable initiative unites local families on communal farmland to combat unemployment, promote food security, and inspire youth participation in agriculture.
Supported by a transformative partnership with Shoprite, Siyasebenza has achieved extraordinary milestones. This November, the co-operative anticipates a robust harvest featuring a rich array of crops, including onions, potatoes, cabbage, spinach, beans, maize, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkin, beetroot, chilli, and cucumbers.
The co-operative’s dedication goes beyond agriculture. By employing local residents, Siyasebenza provides vital income and skills training, equipping the community with tools for long-term growth. The active WhatsApp group acts as a hub for knowledge sharing and innovation, creating a collaborative culture that strengthens their mission.
With their solid foundation and unwavering commitment, the future is bright for this trailblasing initiative.
ADVANCING CLIMATE FINANCE TRANSPARENCY
The African Climate Reality Project (ACRP) team, a programme of FTA participated in COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan. This global summit where nations unite in finding solutions to climate change and is a pivotal event in shaping the world’s climate action strategies. As the key decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP serves as a platform for nations to negotiate and coordinate global climate efforts.
This year’s COP theme, the Finance COP, focused on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), aimed at establishing a new climate finance target. While developed nations pledged to mobilise $100 billion annually from 2020 to 2025 to assist low- and middle-income countries with their climate goals, the funds have consistently fallen short in both quantity and quality. To address this, the Paris Agreement mandates an adjustment of this baseline starting in 2025, ensuring future targets reflect the increasing needs of climate finance. This is essential for both reducing emissions and supporting communities and economies in adapting to the present-day impacts of climate change.
During COP 29, ACRP joined forces with the Climate Vulnerable Forum, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and the Climate Reality Project Philippines to present an innovative climate finance accountability tool. This tool, designed to track climate finance uses publicly available data and aims to enhance transparency and accountability in climate funding. The NCQG took centre stage at COP 29 and will continue to play a crucial role in monitoring financial commitments, empowering civil society to advocate for greater accountability and more effective climate finance.
BRIDGING COMMUNITIES & CLIMATE RESILIENCE
At COP29, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), in collaboration with FTA, has showcased a model that integrates community development with environmental restoration. By funding projects focused on sustainability and climate adaptation, DBSA is addressing the systematic co-existing challenges entrenched in ecological degradation and social injustice simultaneously.
DBSA’s initiatives aim to foster long-term resilience, with a focus on food security, skills development, and early childhood education. One key project is the Khomani Cultural Centre in Northern Cape, where DBSA supports the Khoisan community with medicinal gardens, tree planting and art sales, preserving indigenous knowledge whilst mitigating the impacts of climate change for communities who are disproportionately affected.
Additionally, DBSA supports 22 Early Childhood Development centres across South Africa with sustainable food gardens, enhancing food security and teaching climate adaptation. These gardens serve as models of sustainability, with plans for further community integration through home-based food production.
DBSA’s work highlights the connection between environmental restoration and social development, demonstrating the power of collaboration and resilience in the face of climate change.
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