Latest news with #SmallIslandDevelopingStates
Business Mayor
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
PlanetPlay's Play2Act poll finds 79% make positive change after playing green games
PlanetPlay announced that data drawn from a new in-game poll called Play2Act showed evidence that gaming has the potential to incentivize greener habits among gamers. The poll found 79% of respondents who had played games with green messages or environmental content reported making at least one positive behavioral change after playing these games. Among these players, 47% report reducing their environmental impact through energy use or public transport, while 34% report making greener consumption choices. Launched in September 2024, Play2Act is a poll embedded in popular games, designed to explore the role of games in tackling the climate and nature crises. The initiative was developed by PlanetPlay, a not-for-profit platform that contributes to environmental action through games, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Over 181,000 players from 189 countries, including 70 Least Developed Countries or Small Island Developing States, responded to a series of Play2Act survey questions placed in 24 popular games such as Subway Surfers, Beatstar, Pokemon GO! and Avakin Life, among others. The poll leveraged the participating games' reach of 80 million players per week. The questions aimed to collect players' perspectives on their experiences with green games, and their impact on behavior and sentiment toward climate and environmental action. 20 games studios and platforms have participated in the Play2Act initiative, including Actrio, Bandai Namco, CM Games, E-Line Media, Futurevision, Funplus, Hutch, Jagex, Lockwood, Microsoft/Xbox Insider, Niantic, Outplay, Reliance, Rovio, Space Ape Games, SYBO, Ten Square Games, Trailmix, Tripledot and Unity. 'Games are uniquely positioned to engage a vast and diverse audience on environmental issues. Seeing so many players adopt greener habits after engaging with green content is a powerful testament to the impact games can have in shaping a more sustainable future,' said Rhea Loucas, CEO at PlanetPlay, in a statement. 'The Play2Act results prove that when sustainability is embedded into gameplay, it doesn't just inform—it inspires real action.' 'With our game Subway Surfers reaching an extensive global audience, we hold an opportunity and a huge responsibility to understand players' views on climate and nature. We are committed to supporting efforts to protect our planet, ensuring everyone has a voice in this matter. Games can be a powerful tool to amplify climate and environmental action, which is why we actively participate in initiatives like Play2Act', added Matthias Gredal Norvig, CEO of Sybo, in a statement. The Play2Act survey also contributes to the 'Games Realizing Effective and Affective Transformation (GREAT)' project, funded by the European Union Horizon and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It aims to engage the gaming community—gamers and studios—in addressing the climate and nature crises by exploring how games can drive social engagement and spark new dialogues for positive change. While participating game studios will further analyze Play2Act survey's data to promote measures and actions within the industry, UNDP aims to use the aggregate results to better understand global opinion on climate and nature action, with a particular interest in the younger generations and the global south. 'More needs to be done to enhance awareness of the climate and nature crises. We must utilize every tool at our disposal to drive meaningful change, and this effort should involve every segment of society, including the private sector and the gaming industry,' said Cassie Flynn, global director of climate change at UNDP, in a statement. 'The Play2Act initiative shows the potential of games — not only as an entertainment tool, but also as platforms for gathering insights and engaging with individuals, especially young people, on a large scale.' PlanetPlay is a not-for-profit platform that empowers gamers worldwide to contribute to environmental action through in-game purchases and gameplay with our affiliated game studios. Alongside the pioneering eco-conscious games marketplace, it is also a movement designed to inspire, educate, and mobilize players to support our planet and its rich diversity of life.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Seychelles and Sweden satisfied with level of cooperation and ready to elevate bilateral relations to greater heights
H.E. Caroline Vicini, outgoing Ambassador of Sweden to Seychelles, paid a farewell visit to Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy, on Monday 5th May 2025. During their meeting, Minister Radegonde expressed gratitude for Sweden' support to improve regional maritime security through its participation in EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA, a mission that continues to play a critical role in countering piracy in the Indian Ocean. The Minister highlighted the importance of the United Nation's adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) in 2024, an important development to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to gain access to more affordable financing. Ambassador Vicini informed that her Government is ready to share expertise on sustainable port development with Seychelles, an area where Sweden has made significant progress. Additionally, both diplomats expressed interest in finalising a Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement to strengthen cooperation in addressing transnational crimes. As a farewell gesture, Ambassador Vicini announced that she will donate a collection of children's books to the Seychelles National Library. Minister Radegonde expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Vicini's contributions during her tenure and conveyed his best wishes in her future endeavours. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Foreign Affairs Department - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
Zawya
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Seychelles: Ambassador Georges Tirant Presents Letter of Credence to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu
On 9th April 2025, the resident Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles in France, Georges Tirant, presented his Letter of Credence to the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mr. Qu Dongyu, as the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Seychelles to the FAO at the organization's Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Following the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Tirant and the FAO Director-General Dongyu engaged in a productive discussion on a broad range of topics of mutual interest including food security, climate change, maritime security, sustainable fisheries, and the preservation of marine ecosystems. Ambassador Tirant emphasized the importance of collective action to build resilient food systems, combat the impacts of climate change, and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources. He also expressed confidence in forging stronger partnerships with the FAO to advance the priorities and agenda of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The FAO Director-General welcomed Ambassador Tirant's accreditation and reiterated the organization's dedication to fostering international collaboration. Both leaders highlighted the urgency of addressing these challenges to create a sustainable future for generations to come. Also present in the ceremony were the Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Seychelles in Paris, Mr Jacques Belle, and representative of the Seychelles' Consulate General in Rome, Ms. Paola Adelmann. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Foreign Affairs Department - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.
National Geographic
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
How playing Aquaman helped turn Jason Momoa into an ocean advocate
Momoa's love of the ocean persists, and these days he sees himself as a megaphone for experts whose voices don't carry quite as far as his. 'I get to meet those scientists, I'm excited to learn, and I think maybe people can relate to that,' he says. 'If I can fast-track any of that information to an audience, to people who care or who didn't even know, that's about as good as you're going to get from me. Because I'm not a scientist; I just care and love the planet and want to help.' In 2022 he linked up with the UN Environment Programme, becoming its Advocate for Life Below Water. Occasionally he feels out of his depth, so to speak. The first time he delivered a speech for the United Nations, at a 2019 gathering of the delegation of Small Island Developing States, was 'in the top two things I've ever been nervous about,' he says. 'I'm like, Bro, you should have been better in speech class, why are you doing this right now?' But the speech is powerful. Momoa stands before his audience, long hair wild over a sober suit. 'As a Native Hawaiian born to a mother from Iowa, I have seen how one place can be oblivious to another,' he begins. 'However, with a foothold in two worlds, I quickly began to see how a problem for one will soon become a problem for all.' His latest projects—both on-screen and off—reflect his interest in island ecosystems. Momoa recently finished shooting Chief of War, a historical drama series he wrote, executive produced, and starred in, playing Ka'iana, an 18th-century chief who sought to unite the Hawaiian Islands against would-be colonizers. And last year, his aluminum water bottle company, Mananalu, announced a partnership with Boomerang Water, which packages locally sourced water for hotels and other businesses in aluminum or glass bottles that are then sanitized and reused after customers return them. (In addition to encouraging recycling, the program limits the amount of oil fuel used to transport bottles, explains Boomerang co-founder Jerrod Freund.) For Momoa, who started Mananalu after growing frustrated with the plastic water bottles he often saw on planes—'There's this little ridiculous shot of water that has three kinds of plastic,' he says—the partnership offers an incremental solution to an infuriating crisis. Momoa feels fortunate to have the resources to combat his annoyances. 'If I'm gonna complain about something, I'm gonna go do it,' he says. 'I'm going to invest in it and try to make a difference.' It's the same impulse that pushed him to make Deep Rising, a documentary about deep-sea mining, and to collaborate with Humble Brands to create a deodorant with biodegradable, plastic-free packaging. 'I'm speaking from a place of, I'm trying to make a change,' he says, 'and I'm trying to be accountable.' Stylist: Steven Constancio; hair and makeup: Jennifer Stanfield National Geographic magazine. A version of this story appears in the April 2025 issue ofmagazine.
Bahrain News Gazette
18-03-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
New Report Exposes Climate Finance Failures, Calls for Urgent Investment Migration Solutions
LONDON , March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A groundbreaking climate finance report, released today by the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Henley & Partners , highlights the failings in funding urgent climate action and explores how investment migration can unlock vital resources for climate resilience in the world's most at-risk nations. The CVF, an international organization of 70 climate-vulnerable countries representing 1.75 billion people — 20% of the global population — accounts for just 6% of global emissions yet faces the most severe impacts of climate breakdown. By 2030, these nations will require an estimated USD 500 billion annually to fund climate action, development, and nature preservation. As CVF Secretary-General and former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, points out in the Citizenship by Investment: Sustainable Climate Finance for Governments report, global climate finance remains sluggish, restrictive, and largely inaccessible to those who need it most. 'While wealthy nations delay climate action and funding commitments, frontline countries are left fighting for survival. The international financial system is failing us, and we need bold solutions to shift the balance of power in climate finance. Over the past two decades, CVF countries have already lost 20% of their potential GDP growth due to climate impacts. We cannot rely on charity from industrialized nations. Urgent initiatives are needed to ensure direct and immediate access to climate finance.' Mobilizing private capital for climate resilience Through its globally leading international government advisory practice, Henley & Partners has been providing strategic consulting to countries on the development, implementation, and management of investment-based residence and citizenship programs. To date, the firm has facilitated over USD 15 billion in foreign direct investment in many states. Its most recent initiative led to the establishment of the first climate-related citizenship investment program, the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program . Commenting in the report, H.E. Hon. David W.R. Adeang, M.P., President of the Republic of Nauru, says 'our program funds critical resilience initiatives — from coastal reinforcement to modernized water management and sustainable food production. Similar models have strengthened climate resilience in small island states like Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, but Nauru's is the first to put climate adaptation at its core. The innovations we implement against rising seas can help shape global strategies for resilience.' According to the UN, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have suffered USD 153 billion in climate-related losses over the past five decades, despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, and the financial burden on these nations is further exacerbated by a USD 34 billion climate adaptation finance gap. Compounding these challenges, 70% of SIDS exceed sustainable debt levels, and climate disaster damages in these regions have surged by 90% from 2011 to 2022. Dr. Juerg Steffen , CEO of Henley & Partners, says 'by mobilizing international investment, we can provide immediate, non-debt funding for climate resilience projects, offering a crucial financial lifeline for vulnerable nations while enabling investors to support global climate action. Rethinking how private wealth and capital intersects with public financing needs is key to bridging the climate finance gap.' From sovereign debt to sovereign equity The report outlines how investment migration programs can be structured to create Investment Migration Resilience Funds (IMRFs) that channel private capital into critical climate resilience projects without increasing national debt. By linking these programs with natural capital endowment trusts, countries can secure sustainable revenue streams to finance coastal protection, carbon offset initiatives, and the expansion of the blue economy. Successful models of this approach include leveraging blue bonds, eco-tourism, and carbon credit markets to generate funds for climate adaptation and economic diversification. Henley & Partners' Chief Economist Jean Paul Fabri explains how, 'effective IMRFs will operate like sovereign wealth funds, aimed at reducing economic fluctuations, funding long-term sustainability initiatives, and providing a financial cushion against climate and economic challenges. However, they differ from traditional models by incorporating climate finance, risk management, and economic development into their governance.' 'For too long, climate-vulnerable nations have been told to adapt, cope, and endure — as if resilience were simply an act of will, rather than a matter of investment,' insists Sara Jane Ahmed, Managing Director of CVF and V20 Finance Advisor at the CVF-V20 Secretariat. 'By funding climate resilience, the world is not just aiding at-risk nations — it is unlocking markets, strengthening economies, and shaping a shared future. The future belongs not to those who wait, but to those bold enough to build it.' Read the Full Press Release Media Contact: Sarah Nicklin Group Head of PR [email protected] +27 72 464 8965 GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001053914
