Nature conservation as a job driver: 200 new jobs for Pondoland!

Nature conservation as a job driver: 200 new jobs for Pondoland!

The AMES Foundation has become a key player in conservation in South Africa in recent years. Founded in 2020, it was inspired by impressive animal protection scenes that the founding members experienced in South Africa. The idea for the foundation came about in Berlin in 2019, where friends came together to create a transparent and efficient platform for nature conservation. In the most recent restructuring in 2022, the Habitat Fund was launched, which acts as an investment fund for African habitats.

A central aspect of the AMES Foundation's work is the involvement of the local population in nature conservation projects. This strategy is crucial to the long-term success of the initiatives. The foundation not only promotes nature through sustainable protection, but also creates social added value. Up to 200 new jobs are to be created in the Habitat Fund's second protected area. This is particularly relevant in a region like Pondoland where the unemployment rate is the highest in the country at 43.1%. On average, one workplace can support seven people.

Social responsibility and economic opportunities

Involving the local community is seen as key to successful conservation projects. As the AMES Foundation reports, the population is motivated to actively support the projects if they can generate income through these initiatives. The creation of jobs is therefore not only an economic necessity, but also a way to strengthen people's commitment to nature conservation.

The AMES Foundation aims to protect one million hectares of land by 2035, which is about four times the size of Saarland. This project is based on a business model that is based on sustainable tourism and renewable energies in order to effectively protect nature and biodiversity while generating economic returns.

Challenges of climate change

In a broader context, it is important to emphasize that South Africa is not only struggling with social challenges, but also with the serious impacts of climate change. The country is one of the top 20 emitters of greenhouse gases, largely due to a coal-heavy power supply and industrial activities. In addition, South Africa suffers from extreme weather events, such as the drought in Cape Town from 2016 to 2018. These elements highlight the urgent need for effective climate protection measures.

The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) is actively working to develop climate and biodiversity-related measures to achieve national climate goals. It strengthens organizations at various levels in implementing measures to adapt to climate change and safeguard biodiversity. The inclusion of biodiversity in climate protection strategies is therefore crucial.

In the Pondoland region, the need to address both social and environmental challenges is particularly evident. The unemployment rate in this region is alarmingly high, underscoring the urgency of creating economic opportunities while promoting the protection of natural resources. Unemployment rate data, available in many different formats, helps identify regional potential and develop strategies to address these challenges.

Given all these factors, the work of the AMES Foundation is seen not only as a matter close to the hearts of the founders, but also as an important initiative that achieves lasting impact and brings joy. The combination of conservation and social responsibility could set a new standard for future environmental and development projects in South Africa.