CEEZER’s Post

The construction of the New Lobito Railway in Zambia has sparked significant interest and debate among experts and stakeholders. This ambitious infrastructure project aims to enhance transportation connectivity and promote economic development in the region. We explore the potential impact of the New Lobito Railway on Zambia's economy, social dynamics, and environmental sustainability. Economic Impact One of the primary objectives of the New Lobito Railway project is to improve transportation efficiency and reduce logistics costs in Zambia. By connecting key economic hubs and facilitating the movement of goods and people, the railway is expected to boost trade and investment in the region. Increased connectivity can attract foreign direct investment and stimulate economic growth, leading to job creation and poverty reduction. Moreover, the railway project has the potential to unlock the economic potential of Zambia's natural resources, such as copper, cobalt, and agricultural products. By providing a reliable and cost-effective transportation network, the New Lobito Railway can facilitate the export of these commodities to international markets, generating revenue for the country and supporting long-term sustainable development. Social Dynamics In addition to its economic benefits, the New Lobito Railway could also have a profound impact on Zambia's social dynamics. Improved transportation infrastructure can enhance accessibility to education, healthcare, and other essential services for rural communities along the railway route. This increased connectivity can bridge the urban-rural divide and promote social inclusion and cohesion. Furthermore, the railway project has the potential to create employment opportunities for local communities through construction, operation, and maintenance activities. By involving local residents in the project, the New Lobito Railway can empower communities, build capacity, and promote social development in the region. Environmental Sustainability While the New Lobito Railway offers numerous economic and social benefits, it is essential to consider its environmental impact. The construction and operation of the railway could have adverse effects on the local ecosystem, including deforestation, habitat destruction, and pollution. To mitigate these environmental risks, sustainable practices such as reforestation, wildlife conservation, and waste management should be integrated into the project design and implementation. Furthermore, the New Lobito Railway has the potential to promote sustainable transportation by reducing reliance on road transport, which is often associated with high carbon emissions and environmental degradation. By shifting freight and passenger traffic to the railway, the project can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts and promote green growth in Zambia. On the other hand, we hope to have learnt one or two lessons from how we have managed TAZARA.

We're set to take forward in partnership local community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links in Perth and Kinross, following a recent successful bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding.    The £150,000 funding comes after the positive outcomes of the Phase 1 Pathfinder Places project in mid-2023 which we delivered together with Nicki Souter Associates, The University of Edinburgh and The HEAT Project (part of Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust). The proposed projects that will be supported by the £150K were voted on by local residents and businesses: Revitalising Homes will look at creating a sustainable, one-stop-shop retrofit project for housing throughout the Council area, with the majority of work centred on developing schemes that will be available for use by homeowners and private and social housing landlords alike.    Connecting Regional Travel will explore the viability of two new services focusing on the rural town of Aberfeldy: one looking at an express bus route to Perth, and the other concentrating on a minibus service connecting surrounding villages with Aberfeldy. Recent community engagement carried out by Rural Transport Futures will be taken into consideration, and the project will be carried out in consultation with the Upper Tay Transport Group.     In addition, the project will also investigate the capacity to synchronise bus timetables with key destinations such as healthcare services and train stations, provision of express bus services and other transport options including reduced-cost fare options to promote demand and encourage people to choose other options for their daily commute, in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles on local roads.     Project updates as Phase 2 progresses will be available from the PK Climate Action website at https://lnkd.in/e65yBd6Q 

Did you hear the news? Our team at Low Carbon Hub alongside Oxford City Council have been awarded money from Innovate UK for our FutureFit Area Based Insetting (FABI) project. The FABI project aims to explore how localised 'insetting' can be used to help fund retrofitting projects across Oxford. So what is insetting? 🤔Unlike traditional 'offsetting,' insetting involves channelling investments directly into local carbon-saving and environmental initiatives. This means that every positive change happens right here in Oxford, contributing to our city's goal of achieving net zero carbon status by 2040. ➡️https://lnkd.in/eBugPh_Z

Sustainability of Impact projects: Funded projects continue to complement the government’s role in the provision of societal developmental needs. Successfully funded projects are characterized by their ability to maintain sustainability over an extended duration after the depletion of financial resources. There is, however, a close and intimate relationship between donor-funded project success and community involvement; which has not been widely examined. This highlights the importance of community participation in need identification and the subsequent program design and implementation.

The journey to sustainable energy and transportation involves more than technology – it's about people and communities. Enlisting the aid of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) is one way to raise awareness of program benefits and ensure low-income, disadvantaged, rural and tribal communities’ challenges and experiences are reflected in program design. CSE's Fabiola (Fabi) Lao, MPA discusses the importance of CBOs and how to compensate them for their crucial role in advancing clean energy and transportation. https://lnkd.in/gdpjP5j3

Why Community Sustainable Development Projects Fail 1.Introduction Community-based carbon and sustainable development projects hold immense promise for tackling climate change while fostering local economic growth and social equity. Yet, despite their potential, many such initiatives fail to take off or achieve their goals. Understanding the reasons behind these failures is crucial for future success. Here, we explore the common pitfalls and challenges of resource allocation that hinder the implementation of these projects. 2.Lack of Adequate Funding The most significant barriers is securing sufficient funding. Many projects require substantial initial investments for infrastructure, training, and community mobilization. Often, funding sources are limited, and the competition for grants and investments is fierce. Without adequate financial backing, even the most promising projects can stall. 3.Inconsistent Financial Support Even when initial funding is secured, maintaining consistent financial support is challenging. Projects need ongoing resources for maintenance, monitoring, and scaling. Financial sustainability is often overlooked in the planning stages, leading to resource shortages down the line. 4. Limited Community Engagement For these projects to succeed, they must have the community's buy-in and active participation. However, achieving this can be difficult. Many community members may be skeptical of new initiatives, particularly if they have witnessed past failures. Building trust and fostering a sense of ownership among community members requires time, effort, and cultural sensitivity. 4. M & Evaluation Difficulties Measuring the impact of carbon reduction and sustainability initiatives is essential for verifying their success and securing future funding. However, collecting reliable data in rural or resource-limited settings is challenging. Implementers often struggle with establishing effective monitoring systems and ensuring that the results are verifiable. 5.Policy Barriers Navigating the regulatory landscape can be a major obstacle. Projects must comply with local, national, and sometimes international regulations, which can be complex and time-consuming. Lack of government support or unfavorable policies can further hinder progress. . 6.Social and Equity Issues Ensuring that the benefits of the projects are distributed equitably among community members is critical. Failure to address social and equity issues can lead to conflicts. 7.Resource Allocation Challenges Resource allocation is a common stumbling block. Projects often require a broad range of resources, from financial investments to human capital and technical expertise. Efficiently allocating these resources while managing budget constraints and unexpected costs is a significant challenge. Implementers must also ensure that resources are directed towards activities that provide the greatest impact, which requires careful planning and continuous reassessment.

Interesting discussion on Financing Green Transport at UKREiiF. Matt Bull gives the Greater Manchester context, where an estimated £100bn is required to decarbonise the Bee Network refranchised bus fleet by the 2030 target year, so Transport for Greater Manchester may need to prompt the supply chain to incentivise. Whereas Philippa Iley notes that Zero Emissions Buses are currently at the lower end of the priorities when it comes to investing people's retirement funds, so some persuasion is required. Dave Rose talks about presenting a positive narrative to investors to place money in green transport and decarbonisation. Dan Mansfield adds that projects enabling modal shift are key to bring forward alongside any fleet investment, and that refranchising by city-regions can help give investors like UK Infrastructure Bank more confidence. Matt responds to a question about cycling being considered along bus by saying it's all part of the multimodal mix (that Dame Sarah Storey often reminds them about) and appraisal toolkits are used for justification - together with consideration of the cost of inaction.

There is an awareness that capacity in the built environment in South Africa should be improved. While there have been many excellent initiatives, change has been slow. Therefore, there is a need to identify strategies that enable more rapid, broader and sustained change. Here are some ideas: https://lnkd.in/ext_7VwR

I've shared posts about how Project 2025 will directly impact the LGBTQIA+ community. Take a look. It's going to impact A LOT of people! Page numbers may have changed. Partial list of proposed changes in Project 2025: (Posted by Anonymous on FB) • Privatize Social Security (c22, p715) • Privatize veterans' healthcare (c20, p635) • Privatize infrastructure projects (c19, p555) • Privatize the Federal Aviation Administration (c19, p565) • Reduce federal disaster relief programs (c16, p610) • Reduce funding for federal research programs (c12, p415) • Decrease regulations in healthcare (c14, p450) • Reduce funding for public health programs (c14, p455) • Repeal the Affordable Care Act (c14, p460) • Promote free-market healthcare (c14, p465) • Dismantle the Department of Education (c11, p365) • Reduce federal student aid (c11, p385) • Increase private sector role in public education (c11, p390) • Limit federal involvement in technology standards (c28, p850) • Reduce federal government intervention in various sectors (c1, p25) • Cut federal support for renewable energy projects (c12, p405) • Reduce regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (c13, p425) • Withdraw from international climate agreements (c13, p430) • Reduce environmental regulations on businesses (c13, p440) • Promote energy production on federal lands (c16, p600) • Limit the jurisdiction of federal courts (c1, p40) • Decrease the size of the federal workforce (c3, p95) • Restructure the Department of Homeland Security (c5, p165) • Reform the Department of Justice (c17, p565) • Repeal Dodd-Frank financial regulations (c27, p800) • Abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (c27, p815) • Repeal net neutrality regulations (c28, p845) • Eliminate the Department of Commerce (c21, p660) • Limit federal involvement in local policing (c17, p575) • Reduce business regulations (c18, p520) • Reduce federal oversight of labor standards (c18, p530) • Implement a flat tax system (c22, p700) • Lower corporate tax rates (c22, p725) • Restrict the powers of the Federal Reserve (c24, p770) • End FDIC. (p780)