GRID-Arendal Annual Report 2014

For many years GRID-Arendal has worked with developing countries to support their efforts to manage their environments. In 2014, we prepared a User Guide to help the Africa Environmental Information Network (AfricaEIN) 3 support African countries keep their state of the environment under review. One application is the 3. Supporting Environmental Management

development of country environment profiles. In 2014, 10 countries -- Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – published their environmental profiles on line using GRID-Arendal’s User Guide . In order to better profile the AfricaEIN, a stand-alone website is being developed. In addition, a video explaining the network was also produced in English and French. 4 Who controls access to water is a vital question in many developing countries. This project looks at the extent of large-scale land investments in Africa and highlights their effect on people’s livelihoods and on water ecosystems. A summary of the project’s initial findings was published and distributed at the World Water Week in early autumn 2014 and the full report was finalised in December. Other work in the region involved examining food waste. A joint study with UNEP, Food Wasted, Food Lost , argues that ecosystem degradation is a major cause of loss in potential food production, while human practices and preferences are blamed not only for food loss but also food waste. It calls for investment in better management of food producing ecosystems. Water grabbing 8 in Africa

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Award for Zambia Atlas of Our Changing Environment

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) 5 was given an award in October 2014 for its work on the Zambia Atlas 6 (published in 2013). The atlas was a joint effort of GRID-Arendal, ZEMA and UNEP. The research benefited from the Fredskorpset (FK) Norway Exchange 7 when Joel Simwinga of ZEMA was seconded to GRID-Arendal and Bernardas Padegimas, a GRID-Arendal staff member, was seconded to ZEMA. Additional support was received from GRID-Sioux Falls. ZEMA received the Best Public Sector Campaign Award, in recognition of the collaborative approach used in producing the atlas and its influence on the public, from Zambia Public Relations Association (ZAPRA).

Droughts and floods worsen losses in potential food production from agriculture due to land degradation, including soil erosion and salinization. Photo: iStock/no_limit_pictures

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