1. 🚁 Heli view: Our top twelve insights from the past twelve months

2. Number of the week 

 …is the value of environmental crimes committed in Africa annually, according to the Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network. That is ten times greater than the annual government budget of Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy.

4. What we’re reading

• Africa’s next car supplier: More than half the electric cars worldwide are now found in China, along with 68% of the production of EV batteries. China produced 30 million vehicles last year, nearly one-third of global vehicle production of all types, and more than the EU and the US combined. (IOL)

• Grass is better than trees: A recent study highlights the significant role of African grasslands. These ecosystems can sequester substantial amounts of carbon dioxide. Research indicates that well-managed grasslands can store up to 1.4 billion metric tons of carbon annually, equivalent to the emissions produced by more than 300 million cars. The study also stresses the threats posed by land use changes, such as conversion to agriculture and urban development, which diminish grasslands' climate-fighting capabilities. (Conservation International)

• Seeds of Resilience: The need for gene banks to support climate-resilient crops has become increasingly urgent as global food security is threatened by climate change. A recent report shows how preserving crop diversity in gene banks can enhance the resilience of food systems by providing essential genetic resources for breeding programs. This approach aims to safeguard against biodiversity loss and enable the development of crops that can withstand extreme weather conditions. (Eurasia Review)