Pardon My Planet

In this episode, we focus on what happens once knowledge about soils leaves research papers and experimental plots and begins to shape real-world decisions, from farming practices to risk assessment and policy. The conversation explores how scientific understanding translates into action, where gaps and tensions emerge along the way, and what helps bridge science, practice, and decision-making. Th...

This episode aims to set the foundations of the series by exploring what soil really is: a living, complex, and fragile ecosystem that underpins our food systems, climate regulation, and biodiversity. Together, we will unpack why soil health matters today, why it is under pressure in Europe, and how science and policy are beginning to respond.

Invitée : Marit Kitaw , économiste du secteur minier à la Commission Économique pour l’Afrique (CEA) Le podcast Pardon My Planet présente sa première série en français, consacrée aux partenariats entre l’Afrique et l’Europe autour des matières premières critiques. À travers trois épisodes, cette série explore les enjeux de souveraineté, d’inclusion, et de développement durable dans le secteur mini...

Invitées : Pascaline Balbine Makani , présidente de l’Association des femmes du secteur minier du Cameroun , et Rosine Atafeinam Abalo , présidente de l’Association des femmes du secteur minier et en entreprise du Togo , et vice-présidente d’AWIMA (African Women in Mining Association) Le podcast Pardon My Planet présente sa première série en français, consacrée aux partenariats entre l’Afrique et...

Invitée : Lika Scott Sow , fondatrice de Women in Mining Sénégal et membre d’ AWIMA (African Women in Mining Association) Le podcast Pardon My Planet présente sa première série en français, consacrée aux partenariats entre l’Afrique et l’Europe autour des matières premières critiques. À travers trois épisodes, cette série explore les enjeux de souveraineté, d’inclusion, et de développement durable...

This episode is part of our series Bridging Continents: The Africa-Europe Partnerships for Critical Raw Materials. In this episode of Pardon My Planet, we turn the spotlight on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) in Africa, a sector that provides millions of jobs but still operates largely informally and faces significant challenges. We explore a training programme held in Zimbabwe, part of bro...

Mining often conjures up negative imagery: environmental damage, pollution, and disruption to local communities. Yet, as we’ve explored in previous episodes of Pardon My Planet, critical raw materials are essential to modern life. They power solar panels and wind turbines, are at the core of smartphones and electric vehicles, and even play a crucial role in medical technologies, from MRI machines...

The fashion industry has a huge impact on our planet, from the waste it generates to the resources it consumes. Fortunately, change is happening. Recycling, innovation, and collaboration across the supply chain are key to transforming the way we produce, manage textiles. Today our guest is Jyotsna Gopinath, innovation analyst at Fashion For Good, a global initiative dedicated to transforming the f...

This last episode of the AfricaMaVal series illustrate the tangible impact AfricaMaVal can have through the selection of 100 project opportunities.

The introduction episode features the project coordinator and offers an overview of the series and the key issues at hand.

This episode provides us with essential background information on the geopolitics of critical minerals and highlight the importance of the EU developing partnerships with resource-rich countries.

This episode is focusing on ESG conditions along the CRM value chain in Africa, placing special emphasis on women in mining in Africa.

In this episode of Pardon My Planet, we explore how climate services, genetic research, and collaboration with local farmers are helping communities in Mozambique adapt to climate change. Our guests, Valentina D’Amico, a socio-economic researcher, and Marta Da Graca Eugenio Solemanegy, a Mozambican PhD student specialising in agronomy and genetics, share their on-the-ground experiences. They discu...

We are joined by Sigfried Tivana, assistant director at the Department of Science and Innovation in South Africa and co-coordinator of LEAP-RE . Sigfried discusses the pressing energy challenges facing South Africa, from access issues to the sustainability of current energy practices. He also shares the challenges of piloting such a large program as LEAP-RE and what the future holds for this initi...

This episode explores the critical issues of sustainability and equity in electricity access. Marine Cornelis, an expert in energy policy and public affairs , discusses her work on the EURICA project in Madagascar and Burkina Faso, two regions facing significant yet different energy challenges. Marine’s insights into the practicalities of providing quality electricity access offer a sobering look...

In this episode, we shift our focus to Kenya, where Anne Wacera Wambugu, an electrical engineer and researcher at Strathmore University in Nairobi , discusses the current state of renewable energy development and its future prospects. Anne sheds light on the pressing issue of electricity quality and equipment disparities, particularly in solar energy production, and highlights the need to empower...

In the opening episode of our series, Leonard Lévêque, project manager at LGI and co-coordinator of LEAP-RE , provides an overview of the renewable energy landscape across the African Union. Leonard emphasises the crucial importance of developing renewable energy sources in Africa, not just to meet growing energy demands, but as a pivotal strategy for sustainable development. More information on:...

Nearly 110 billion tons. This is the amount of material extracted from Earth in 2024 alone, according to the Global Resources Outlook by the United Nations Environment Program. The stark increase from approximately 30 billion tons in 1970 underlines the accelerating pace of global consumption. A circular economy is vital for a sustainable future. It challenges the traditional, linear "take-make-wa...

According to a report by the United Nations, it is said that 70% of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050. And with the expansion of urbanised spaces comes the challenge of not only protecting but also reintroducing nature in cities. Where do we find enough funding and do we convince investors that it is the future of cities? Pierre Cattoire, Sustainable Innovation Strategist at LG...

In this episode, we delve into the world of advanced biofuels! Today, we spotlight an innovative European project called BL2F, which is pioneering a technology to produce sustainable fuel for transport, including aviation and maritime sectors, from an unexpected source: black liquor.  Joining us for this enlightening discussion is Adéola Jaiyeola, Sustainable Innovation Analyst at LGI, who wi...