https://climatejournal.news/ en https://climatejournal.news/news/fixing-nature-could-be-the-best-strategy-for-business <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Fixing nature could be the best strategy for business</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/fixing-nature-could-be-the-best-strategy-for-business" data-a2a-title="Fixing nature could be the best strategy for business"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/biodiversity" hreflang="en">Biodiversity</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/business-practice" hreflang="en">Business practice</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/sustainable-business" hreflang="en">Sustainable business</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/profit-with-purpose" hreflang="en">Profit with Purpose</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Business" title="Business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/55.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="Fixing nature could be the best strategy for business" title="Fixing nature could be the best strategy for business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/491.jpg?itok=jNDzRe6W" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Why business leaders should be first in line to reverse biodiversity loss </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1465 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1466 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Nature underpins our wellbeing and prosperity by providing economic value and security, also increasing our resilience to climate change.</p> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has brought numerous challenges for people and business, and it is becoming more prominent that we need to rethink our relationship with the natural environment. Despite witnessing progress in many areas, the natural world is suffering and rapidly getting worse.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cbd.int/gbo5" target="_blank">Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 (GBO-5)</a>, published by the United Nations (UN) <a href="https://www.cbd.int/" target="_blank">Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)</a> provides an authoritative overview of the current state of nature.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1469 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--58-42"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1467 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>It is a final report card on progress against the 20 global biodiversity targets agreed in 2010 with a 2020 deadline and offers lessons learned and best practices for getting on track.</p> <p>Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, CBD Executive Secretary, says, “This flagship report underlines that humanity stands at a crossroads with regard to the legacy we wish to leave to future generations”.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--video paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1468"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video form-group"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oo5IkHBEJeM?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1470 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-subtitle">Depending on Nature</p> <p>Businesses rely on nature for resources such as fibre, food, minerals and building materials: ecosystem services such as pollination of crops, water filtration, waste decomposition, climate sequestration and climate regulation; and healthy and prosperous societies that give them customers and workforces.</p> <p>There are potential risks for businesses if they continue to allow the loss of biodiversity and natural habitats: increasing cost, operational risks, liability risks, supply chain continuity, predictability and resilience as well as regulatory, reputational, market and financial risks are just a few of the immediate impact that leaders need to consider.</p> <p>Those who recognise the importance of nature and act to protect it could greatly benefit from that: long-term viability of business models, cost savings, increases in operational efficiency, increased market potential, access to new markets, innovation, stable supply chains and better relationships with stakeholders and customers.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1472"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1471 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The UN warns that eight transformative changes are necessary to ensure both human wellbeing and protect natural habitats globally:</p> <p>land and forests transition, sustainable agriculture transition, sustainable food systems transition, the sustainable fisheries and oceans transition, the cities and infrastructure transition, the sustainable freshwater transition, the sustainable climate action transition and the biodiversity-inclusive One Health transition.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1487 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>At the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly record number of countries - nearly 150 countries and 72 Heads of State and Government - addressed the first-ever Summit held on biodiversity to build political momentum towards the next meeting of the conference of parties for the Convention on Biodiversity (COP15) in Kunming, China next year.</p> <p>In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined three priorities for conserving and sustainably managing biodiversity:</p> <ul><li>nature-based solutions must be embedded in COVID-19 recovery and wider development plans,</li> <li>economic systems and financial markets must account for and invest in nature, and</li> <li>secure the most ambitious policies and targets that protect biodiversity and leave no one behind.</li> </ul><p>Changes in these areas will have a direct impact on financial markets and funding policies not just in Europe but all over the world.</p> <p>Industry players should start shaping their development and innovation strategy accordingly to future-proof their business.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1474 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-subtitle">Closing the gap</p> <p>According to the <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/closing-nature-funding-gap-global-biodiversity-finance/">Closing the Nature Funding Gap report</a>, published by <a href="https://www.nature.org" target="_blank">The Nature Conservancy</a> nonprofit organisation, it is estimated that in 2019, the world spent between US $124 and $143 billion per year on activities that benefit nature worldwide. While this figure reveals a near-tripling in funding since 2012, it is still not nearly enough.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1477 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--33-66"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1475 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/492.jpg" width="820" height="1060" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Financing Nature: Closing the Global Biodiversity Financing Gap, The Nature Conservancy</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1476 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>In order to reverse the decline of biodiversity by 2030, we would need to spend between US $722 and $967 billion per year.</p> <p>This puts the nature funding gap as high as US $824 billion per year. However, as large as the funding gap may be, there is some hopeful news.</p> <p>We can close the gap for less than one per cent of annual gross global product. For example, this could be implemented by closing the nature funding gap with what the world spends on cigarettes or soft drinks in a year.</p> <p>It’s possible that the gap could be closed with no new funding.</p> <p>Much of what we need is the better deployment of existing funds and smarter policy and investment choices. In other words, shifting the flow of capital away from harmful behaviours and toward outcomes that benefit the environment.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1478 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>We will not halt biodiversity loss, no matter how significant our actions are in other areas unless we make substantial changes to the sectors that are truly driving the degradation of nature.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1479 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-subtitle">The business potential</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.weforum.org/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a> reveals that roughly half gross world product is highly or at least moderately dependent on nature.</p> <p>Having a healthy, prosperous society depends on nature systems and how well we protect them. In order to achieve this in the long-term, we need a transformational shift in how we value nature in our economies.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.businessfornature.org/" target="_blank">Business for Nature</a> is a global coalition that brings together influential organisations and forward-thinking businesses.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1482 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--42-58"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--video paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1480"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video form-group"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SAPQIOhhD9g?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1481 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Through this collaboration, they demonstrate business action and amplify an influential business voice calling for Governments to take action.</p> <p>The coalition calls for a global framework that will reverse nature loss through policies that protect and restore nature and incentivise its sustainable use.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1486 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Members represent a diverse and powerful group of networks and organisations that are working with businesses to reverse the loss of nature.</p> <p>They exhibit business ambition and action to protect and enhance nature by aggregating, amplifying and helping scale existing business commitment platforms.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1484"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1483 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The world is tackling both the health and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because of that, it is easy to not care about the state nature is in. However, the cost of doing nothing, in both planetary health and economic terms, is much greater.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1485 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Businesses can take action through specific projects, across their business, their supply chains, form sectorial collaboration and align, integrate and enforce policies for nature, people and climate.</p> <p>These steps could lead to building a better economy and preserving the delicate balance of the natural world.</p> </div> </div> <div>Footer</div> Reports <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">October 2020</div> Sat, 03 Oct 2020 15:23:58 +0000 Bronagh Loughlin 112 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/social-innovator-to-deliver-a-positive-impact-in-africa-despite-pandemic <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Social innovator to deliver a positive impact in Africa despite pandemic</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/social-innovator-to-deliver-a-positive-impact-in-africa-despite-pandemic" data-a2a-title="Social innovator to deliver a positive impact in Africa despite pandemic"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/social-innovation" hreflang="en">Social Innovation</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/responsible-innovation" hreflang="en">Responsible Innovation</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/social-enterprise" hreflang="en">social enterprise</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/positive-impact" hreflang="en">Positive Impact</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/profit-with-purpose" hreflang="en">Profit with Purpose</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Business" title="Business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/55.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Circular Economy" title="Circular Economy" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/54.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="Social innovator to deliver a positive impact in Africa despite pandemic" title="Social innovator to deliver a positive impact in Africa despite pandemic" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/473.jpeg?itok=J6CDRCcw" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Italian social entrepreneur on a mission to save infants lives&#039; in Sub-Saharan Africa</div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1373 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1376 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--75-25"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1374 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Lucia Dal Negro, the founder of the Italian benefit corporation <a href="https://www.delab.it/en/" target="_blank">De-LAB</a>, is on a mission to reduce the rate of infant mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa using an incredibly simple yet innovative solution - the <a href="https://www.kokono.life/en/" target="_blank">KOKONO protective cradle</a>. Lucia is a researcher focusing on Frugal Innovation in her studies and a social entrepreneur who is passionate about creating meaningful change in collaboration with locals in African regions.</p> <p>According to plans, the protective cradle will be distributed in rural villages in Uganda first, as a solution for working parents to ensure that they can carry their babies to work and keep them safe - for example on the fields, or markets.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1375 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/475.jpeg" width="482" height="481" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Lucia Dal Negro, researcher and social entrepreneur</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1381 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>It also protects babies against infections from mosquitos and suffocation whilst sleeping at night.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1380 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--66-33"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1379 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>This product is not only bringing positive changes to people but made sustainably too using 70% locally sourced natural fibres and produced by local people.</p> <p>Lucia and her team had to adjust to the new situation and challenges both in manufacturing and sales, presented by the COVID pandemic.</p> <p>They are currently focusing on raising funds for a simplified version of the KOKONO cradle made of recycled plastic to make it more accessible for the vulnerable people who need it most.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1378 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/476.png" width="1280" height="798" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">KOKONO protective cradle</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1383 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-greentitle">The transition from academia to business to create the KOKONO Cradle</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1384 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>" I started this project in the first place because I was extremely tired of listening to academics describing wonderful possibilities to do business by doing good in low-income communities without having ever tested any of their assumptions and hypotheses. So I decided to walk the talk of the ‘social business hype’ and do something practical, in order to learn from the field what was the real challenge of using business as a force for good.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1387 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--33-66"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1385 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/477.jpeg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Co-creating the KOKONO cradle with locals in Uganda</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1386 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>KOKONO’s mission is to protect babies below one year of age from the leading health and security threats to which they are exposed due to poor living conditions in South-Saharan Africa, more precisely in Uganda.</p> <p>We decided to investigate this area of needs after spending many years studying and operating in the Global South, with De-LAB, realizing that childcare is mainly managed at a hospital level, wherever possible, but more rarely at a household level.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1388 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Based on our learnings, we started to design an object that could protect babies’ health from accidental hits and animal attacks, insects - including those transmitting malaria - rodents, reptiles.</p> <blockquote> <p>We invented and patented a unique cradle, named KOKONO, which means empty pumpkin in Ugandan dialect.</p> </blockquote> <p>It provides a safe space for taking care of infants during the day and night-time. We are offering a solution to parents, mainly women who are working far from home. One of the possible scenarios is when a mother is working on plantations or cultivating the cassava plant that after a couple of hours carrying her baby, she puts him/her down to the ground. That's where the babies are more exposed to sanitary and safety risks.</p> <p class="font-greentitle">Designing for impact and usability</p> <p>We needed to consider various factors in the design process. Like the shell had to be rigid enough so a snake cannot crack it, covered with a mosquito net with a self-sustaining handle which is made of rope and can be replaced very easily if needed.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1390"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1389 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>We wanted mothers to be able to bring their baby with them wherever they are going and if necessary, leave the baby on the ground with a piece of mind that its safe.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1391 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Typically only one mosquito net is available for each family, so parents and all of their children usually sleep in one big bed protected by the single net in their household. Due to this situation, there are many cases of accidental baby suffocations at night-time.</p> <p>Parents with a KOKONO can put the baby sleeping next to them in the cradle up until the child is one year old, giving better chances to survival in the most critical first 12 months. After that, the mothers can sell it, rent it, or pass it on to a friend.</p> <p>One of the most rewarding highlights of the journey so far happened when we were co-creating the object with local communities in Hoima villages. A pregnant woman came to me saying that she was so happy to know that a new solution was about to be available in her village, but I had to be very fast as her baby was about to be born.</p> <blockquote> <p>I think this was one of the best endorsements I could have ever received that we are creating something meaningful!</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1392 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-greentitle">Adapting the business model to address Coronavirus pandemic related challenges</p> <p>When the Covid crisis started, our venture was impacted greatly. 67% of Ugandan people lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 crisis. The international airport has been closed, and foreign investments are radically decreased.</p> <p>The country is almost completely isolated with people being out of work which means that they are only getting poorer and poorer over time.</p> <p> To get the first handcrafted version of KOKONO out is still our top priority and we will definitely want to keep it, but the production became too expensive in a post-Covid market.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1395 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--33-66"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1393 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/479.jpeg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Collaborating with local authorities to bring KOKONO to the market</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1394 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>We are determined not to give up on our original mission in helping locals keep their family safe, so we came up with a more cost-effective design which would still function well.</p> <p>One thing I wanted to avoid is to let down these extremely poor people who were hit by this pandemic badly.</p> <p>The new version of the cradle is made of recycled plastic with a simple design that is quick and easy to produce.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1396 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <blockquote> <p>Although we need a plastic moulder to assemble it which requires investments, therefore we are setting up an online crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to start production.</p> </blockquote> <p>Also, we have a zero-waste distribution model that means if the cradle becomes broken, it can be collected by our team and use it again.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1397 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-greentitle">Join our mission by becoming a supporter of KOKONO</p> <p>I see KOKONO as a project, not just a product.</p> <p>I believe that it has the power not just to help solve a specific social problem but to create a bridge between different cultures.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1400 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--33-66"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1398 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/480.jpg" width="591" height="443" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Image credit: Pexels</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1399 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Taking care of babies is a universal experience for people regardless of where or how they live.</p> <p>As part of our crowdfunding campaign, we want to encourage people to connect through sharing their traditional lullabies which we hope will serve as a reminder that children are our common future.</p> <p>Contributors can choose a short refrain from a lullaby which we will engrave onto the side of the cradle. We aim to create a sort of cross cultural global embrace.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1401 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The crowdfunding campaign starts in November 2020, and people can donate any amounts to support the <a href="https://www.kokono.life/en/" target="_blank">KOKONO project</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-1403"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--1402 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>In the meantime, we are more than grateful to receive any support that could help to make <a href="https://www.kokono.life/en/" target="_blank">KOKONO</a> a reality for parents in Sub-Sharan Africa to protect their babies.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Footer</div> Leaders of Change - Profile <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">August 2020</div> Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:54:34 +0000 Tia Clarke 109 at https://climatejournal.news