The Kenyan flower farm Simbi Roses attributes its success to the hard work and support of its workers, but the company’s focus goes beyond economic growth. A deep sense of social responsibility is central to business at Simbi Roses, demonstrated by their motto, “Our farm. Our community.” What does this look like? Worker-led committees promote continuous improvements in education, housing, health, human rights and general well-being in the communities local to the farm. These democratically-formed committees include Gender, Health and Safety, Fairtrade and Well-Being. The central goal is to improve living standards both inside and outside of the premises; who…
The air miles debate: are Kenyan flowers actually more sustainable?
Kenya is the biggest exporter of roses to Europe, transporting almost 160,000 tonnes of cut flowers in 2017. The country’s climate is perfect for growing flowers, its proximity to the equator providing daily sunshine and mild temperatures year-round. But an increasing awareness of the virtues of buying locally is sparking a debate around importing such goods: isn’t it better to grow them at home? Intuitively, this might make sense, but a dive into the figures shows what’s really more sustainable when it comes to flower farming. Kenyan roses are by far the greener option Food, flowers and other agricultural products…
Solar’s potential to clean up agriculture in Chile
With a diverse landscape reaching from the tropics to just north of the Antarctic, Chile is rich in natural resources that have long been utilised to create a strong agricultural sector. Exports, including products such as fruit and wine, account for almost 30% of the country’s GDP. Yet despite the positive economic impact, these industries are also energy-intensive and account for a high percentage of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – which are growing at the third fastest rate of all OECD countries. Industries, particularly those that rely heavily on the natural environment, are looking for more sustainable ways…
How alternative finance will accelerate the Energy Transition
Want to be part of the solution? Right now, you can invest in solar projects for businesses in Kenya and the Philippines on the crowdinvesting platform ecoligo.investments. Investments start at 500€ and not only provide attractive returns, but save CO2 emissions and support the local economy. Solar power is taking off – and has been for a while. Prices are dropping, batteries are improving and people are embracing photovoltaic systems as an attractive energy solution. In Germany, where roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems have been popularized by a feed-in tariff, solar has contributed greatly to the Energy Transition. However, in developing countries – where…
Solar isn’t just good for industry and commerce – it’s necessary
Want to be part of the solution? Right now, you can invest in solar projects for businesses in Ghana and the Philippines on the crowdinvesting platform ecoligo.investments. Investments not only provide attractive returns, but save CO2 emissions and support the local economy. For many, the idea of solar systems in developing countries conjures up images of solar panels on clay houses. While the work of solar utilities who power to off-grid homes and villages is important, the economic potential of solar for businesses is often overlooked. Solar systems on industrial facilities and offices have the power to improve the electricity supply, increase…