The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) says Africa is losing an estimated 40 billion dollars annually to illicit financial flows (IFFs) in the extractive sector.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr Antonio Pedro
Mr. Antonio Pedro, ECA’s Deputy Executive Secretary, in a statement said the trend undermines development and deepens economic inequality on the continent
Pedro spoke at a High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) in New York, marking close of the 2025 African Dialogue Series (ADS), themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”
He said the massive financial losses due to IFFs deprived African populations of essential services and economic opportunities, emphasising that tackling these outflows must be central to the continent’s development agenda.
“IFFs in the extractive sector are a symptom of a deeper structural problem; Africa’s overdependence on raw material exports, a colonial-era model that continues to limit the continent’s growth,” Pedro said.
The deputy executive secretary said that the practice of exporting raw minerals by Africa without value addition amounted to exporting jobs.
According to him, Africa can no longer afford this situation as it needs to create at least 20 million jobs yearly to absorb its growing youth population.
Pedro argued that sustainable development and reparatory justice must go hand in hand, and emphasised the link between IFFs and the broader call for justice for Africa and its diaspora.
He commended the African Dialogue Series for fostering meaningful engagement on these issues, noting that platforms like ADS was vital for shaping unified African positions and promoting them at global forums.
Pedro said Africa had developed key instruments like the African Mining Vision and the African Green Minerals Strategy to drive value addition, industrialisation and community benefits from its mineral resources.
“What is needed now is to operationalise these frameworks and turn political commitments into action,” he said.
He empharsised the importance of promoting local content, reforming global financial systems, and building stronger international partnerships to address illicit flows and advance African development goals.
“Africa must speak with one voice to push its priorities on the global stage, thus the need for policy coherence across the mineral, industrial, trade, energy and infrastructure sectors,” he said.
Pedro also underscored the shared responsibility of governments, mining companies, local communities, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to work together in closing perception gaps and ensuring sustainable gains from extractive resources.
“As we move forward, prioritising sustainable development and tackling the systems that sustain IFFs alongside reparatory measures is critical to achieving justice for Africa,” he said.
The ADS is an annual platform hosted by the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the UN, and other UN agencies to highlight pressing issues facing the continent and its diaspora.
Renaissance Africa Energy and the Bayelsa State Government on Thursday, June 5, 2025, commenced planting of 15,000 additional trees to remediate the Taylor Creek Forest Reserves in the state.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
The 15,000 trees will be planted between June 5, 2025, and June 14, 2026, before the 2026 World Environment Day.
The effort is in addition to earlier 10,000 planted by the oil firm and the Bayelsa government.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Yenagoa, Dr Igo Weli, General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa, noted that the company remained committed to preservation of the rich biodiversity of the Niger Delta region where it operates.
Renaissance Africa in March acquired the onshore and shallow water assets previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Weli, who was represented by Mr. Hope Nuka, Corporate Relations Manager, said the tree planting project was part of the energy firm’s Gbarain Biodiversity Action Plan as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.
“At Renaissance Africa Energy Company, we have a committment towards the improvement of the Bayelsa State environment and forestry because the state is an important stakeholder in our business operation.
“Our commitment remains to integrate biodiversity conservations into our business. So we have a cognate track record in the committment,” he said.
He recalled that the company had facilitated the training of 46 forest guards as well as the empowerment of more than 150 community members who hitherto depended on the forest reserves with alternative income opportunities.
He explained that the conservation projects are being implemented by two non-novernmental organisations, SHEDA and Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ebi Ben-Ololo, Bayelsa Commissioner of Environment, who alongside representatives of Renaissance Africa Energy planted trees at the Taylor Creek Forest Reserves, commended the company for prioritising environmental conservation.
He noted that tree planting was fundamental to tackling the adverse impact of climate change and global warming.
Also speaking, Dr Usman Shitu, Climate Change Lead at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, commended Renaissance for embarking on the remediation project with the NCF.
He observed that oil exploration location and production activities are known to adversely affect the environment and said the project showed that Renaissance Africa Energy Company operates in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Students from Community Secondary School Yenagoa participated in the activities to celebrate the 2025 edition of World Environment Day.
Airtel Nigeria, a telecommunications company, has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability with a nationwide campaign to combat plastic pollution.
Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh
Airtel made this known in a statement on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Lagos.
It said that the campaign tagged, #UnPlasticAfrica, began on June 3 with mobilising of employees across the company’s six operating regions for a week of education, advocacy, and cleanup activities.
The World Environment Day, the United Nations’ foremost platform for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment, is marked on June 5 annually.
The 2025 theme: #BeatPlasticPollution, draws attention to one of the most urgent and pervasive global environmental challenges – plastic waste
Airtel said that its campaign was aimed at promoting sustainable living, in alignment with global efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, reaffirmed Airtel’s dedication to sustainability.
Balsingh said: “As we invest in Nigeria’s digital future, we are equally committed to protecting the environment that sustains us.
“From AI-powered services that reduce paper use, to partnerships that connect rural areas without environmental disruption, we are embedding sustainability into every layer of our operations.”
Also, Dr Hassan Sanuth, Director of Sanitation Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, emphasised the urgency of addressing the plastic pollution crisis, particularly in urban centres such as Lagos.
He noted that plastic waste was choking the drains, polluting water bodies, and threatening public health.
Sanuth emphasised that every little action counted, with individuals making conscious choices, to organisations taking bold steps collectively to make a significant impact in combating plastic pollution.
He also highlighted the dangers of plastic waste, noting that microplastics had been traced in food, water, and even human blood, hence the need for stronger policies and corporate accountability.
According to the statement, Airtel staff volunteers, in collaboration with local partners, led plastic collection efforts and conducted environmental hygiene training for market vendors and shoppers.
The World Environment Day campaign, nicknamed Earth Fest 2025, was part of Airtel Nigeria’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy.
Airtel Nigeria’s CSR strategy has continued to integrate environmental stewardship into its organisational practices.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Port Harcourt inaugurated 140 trainees for an intensive three-month Advanced Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) Programme for the $5 billion NLNG Train 7 Project on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe
The trainees, who are graduates in different academic disciplines, had completed a 12-month Basic Training Programme in diverse oil-and-gas-industry-related skill sets and are now for the on-the-job phase which includes active hands-on participation in operational areas such as Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), Commissioning, and Desktop Programmes, among others.
In November 2024, a set of 331 trainees under Batch A of the NLNG T7 HCD Training Programme had begun capacity development in facility management, engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Health Safety and Environment (HSE), Quality Assurance and Quality Control, as well as welding and fabrication.
Another set of 77 trainees under Batch B of the same Training Programme began capacity development in data analytics and supply chain management among several other fields relevant to the operations of the oil and gas industry.
Addressing the trainees and trainers drawn from the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) as well as Management personnel of the NCDMB and NLNG, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Advanced NC-HCD training is more than a milestone, but an expression of the collective commitment of the Board and the NLNG “to nurturing world-class Nigerian professionals who will shape the future of our oil and gas industry.”
He said the Board has remained steadfast in its conviction that Human Capital Development is “a critical investment in the sustainability and competiveness” of Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain, pointing out that over 400 Nigerians have undergone basic training in diverse technical, vocational, and specialised areas and are equipped with practical skills directly aligned with industry needs.
According to the NCDMB boss, who was represented by the Manager, Human Capital Development, Mrs. Tarilate Teide-Bribena, the Board and NLNG are “advancing even further by formally launching the on-the-job component of the NLNG Train 7 NC-HCD Programme,” which would see 140 bright and promising Nigerians gain practical exposure and real-time experience across technical domains within the NLNG operational plants in Bonny Island.
He commended the NLNG, which he described as “a trusted and forward-looking partner in the development of (Nigeria’s) human capital base,” for its unwavering partnership, noting that the company has not only complied with Nigerian Content requirements but “has consistently shown leadership in embracing the spirit of national capacity building.”
Ogbe also acknowledged the critical role of OGTAN for being instrumental in aligning training content, delivery standards, and capacity development frameworks with the actual needs of the industry. The trainers, he noted, have helped to bridge the gap between training and employability – ensuring that trainees do not just learn but are ready to add value from day one.
In her own remarks, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development of the NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, expressed profound appreciation to the NCDMB for productive collaboration on the HCD Programme, which she described as “a reaffirmation of NLNG’s unwavering commitment to human capital development.”
She said the support of the NCDMB has enabled the NLNG to effectively carry out its programme for the development of a strong, skilled and highly professional workforce for the country’s oil and gas industry. The trainings, she noted, are particularly significant as the NLNG Train 7 Project, which involves very advanced technology, has reached 80 per cent completion, and highly skilled technical manpower would be required. Final Investment Decision on the project was signed in December 2019.
On what she described as “robust, advanced … on-the-job training programme,” Dr. Hosfall disclosed that the trainees would work within the facilities of the NLNG on Bonny Island.
In closing remarks, the Nigerian Content Manager of NLNG, Dagogo Buowari, thanked the NCDMB for the partnership between the two organisations, and expressed his belief that the industry would continue to benefit from their collective endeavours.
He advised trainees to get themselves organised for their three-month programme on Bonny Island, which begins on June 16, 2025, and to ensure they do not become distracted in the course of their training.
Even though the topic seems to have slipped down the political agenda, comprehensive measures to combat global heating enjoy widespread public support around the world. A study co-authored by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the renowned journal Nature Human Behaviour now takes a scientific look at the acceptance of global climate policies.
COP29, Baku, Azerbaijan
The research team draws on surveys that it initiated around the globe specifically for this purpose. It shows that there is strong and genuine support for international carbon pricing, per capita reimbursement of revenues, and thus redistribution to poorer countries.
“This study is not about current sentiment, but about deep-seated attitudes,” explains co-author Linus Mattauch, head of PIK’s Societal Transition and Well-being research group. “That’s why we test the robustness of questionnaire responses by a wide variety of methods – in other words, we check whether they will hold up over time. We were pleasantly surprised by the results. Politicians should not be too afraid of citizens when pushing ahead with global climate protection.”
The encouraging findings are based on two scientifically rigorous representative surveys conducted in 2021 and 2023: the first among around 41,000 people in 20 countries accounting for almost three-quarters of all carbon emissions, and the second among 8,000 people in the US and the EU. The 20-country survey shows support for climate policy at the global level, ranging from 70 percent (US) to 94 percent (Japan).
And there is similarly high support, in principle, for an ambitious global carbon pricing scheme, in which the remaining global emissions budget (in line with the 2-degree limit) is divided according to population, with countries receiving emission rights that they can trade.
List experiment and conjoint analyses
A finding from the US–EU survey goes even further: the questionnaire specified a concrete timeline for pricing, with 90 dollars per tonne of CO₂ in 2030, and a per capita reimbursement of 30 dollars per month for every adult worldwide. This would be a substantial financial inflow to the Global South, where per capita carbon emissions are relatively low and where 30 dollars has more purchasing power than in the wealthy Global North. Even though they understood that their own country would occur a financial loss under these conditions, three-quarters of respondents in the EU, and more than half in the US, expressed support for this idea.
To test whether these were genuinely held convictions, the research team used a list experiment, for example: it “hid” the proposal among other ideas so that it would not be perceived as socially desirable and selected for that reason alone. It also linked the answer to an “action” – namely signing a fictitious petition to the government.
The experts also used conjoint analysis, commonly used in market research, in which they broke down the “product” in the questionnaire (i.e., global carbon pricing with redistribution) into its constituent features and compared it with alternatives. Asking respondents to rank various measures, and probing the pros and cons of the actual proposal, also helped to verify the seriousness of the responses.
Willingness to pay the Global South
The reference point of the study – global carbon pricing with redistribution – is considered a long-term goal at best. Indeed, the only concrete plans currently on the table are “climate clubs” involving several countries, or climate agreements (“Just Energy Transition Partnerships”) between industrialised countries and individual nations in the Global South. Regardless of the specific model, however, public acceptance will be a critical issue. The research team is confident that people in the wealthy Global North are willing to pay for climate protection in poorer countries.
“Against this backdrop, the question is why the international community is not making faster progress,” says Adrien Fabre from the French research centre CIRED, the lead author of the study. “How misunderstandings and misperceptions arise in public discourse, and what role interest groups play is yet unclear. Perhaps the boundaries of what is considered realistic are shifting. Our work could contribute to this.”
On World Food Safety Day 2025 observed on Saturday, June 7, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is highlighting the role of scientific research and innovation in ensuring food safety.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
Scientists contribute to understanding the risks to human health from known, emerging and anticipated food contaminants in many ways. They conduct rigorous research to generate reliable evidence which helps policy-makers, food businesses and consumers make informed and safe decisions.
The burden of foodborne diseases is significant yet largely preventable. Foodborne diseases affect individuals across all age groups, but particularly children under 5 and the vulnerable. The Eastern Mediterranean Region is at a critical point in efforts to ensure that all individuals have access to safe and nutritious food supplies.
The situation is made even more urgent by fast-evolving climate change and environmental pollution, the surge in urbanisation, population growth and shifts in lifestyle and consumption patterns. These factors are increasing human exposure to harmful chemical compounds, antimicrobial residues and drug-resistant foodborne pathogens.
The health implications and associated economic costs of foodborne diseases are substantial. They include expenses related to medical treatment, child development, lost productivity, export restrictions and market loss.
The World Health Assembly – WHA73.5 (2020) “Strengthening efforts on food safety” – has mandated WHO to update estimates of the global foodborne disease burden. By offering detailed insights into the incidence, mortality and disease burden expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and providing a comprehensive overview of the impact of these foodborne diseases, WHO plays a crucial role in guiding public health strategies and ensuring safer food practices worldwide.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, improving food safety requires robust commitment to scientific research. By strategically harnessing scientific advances and actively cultivating regional and international collaborations, the Region can enhance food safety and quality, help protect public health and drive economic sustainability forward.
Through collaboration – sharing knowledge, resources and innovations – the WHO says it establishes a environment that ensures compliance with food safety regulations and drives significant progress.
“Our unwavering commitment to science-based food safety paves the way to a healthier and safer future for all,” adds the UN body.
World Pest Day is observed on June 6 to raise awareness about the impact of pests on human health, food, and the environment, and the role of R&D to combat pests.
Dr. Lava Kumar, Head of the Germplasm Health Unit and Virology and Molecular Diagnostics at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Plant pests and diseases cause up to 40 percent of crop losses annually, amounting to approximately $220 billion, disproportionately affecting Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) farmers. Climate change, trade, and agricultural intensification are driving the increased outbreaks of pests and diseases.
To combat the threat of plant pests and diseases, the Sustainable Farming Programme (SFP) is boosting investment in accessible diagnostic tools, strengthening surveillance programmes and promoting integrated pest management (IPM).
“We are scaling technologies to help farmers manage pests and diseases, particularly biocontrol for pests such as fall armyworm, mealybugs and pod borers, said Dr. Lava Kumar, Head of the Germplasm Health Unit and Virology and Molecular Diagnostics at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Dr. Kumar noted that simultaneous efforts have focused on assessing the impact of climate change on pests using tools such as Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM). The SFP programme also has a biorisk management facility to strengthen West Africa regional capacity to combat pests.
SFP is building on the priorities identified during a needs assessment conducted across 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, to identify knowledge and capacity gaps in pest and disease surveillance and response strategies.
The survey identified major research and capacity gaps of National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and highlighted the need to equip NPPOs to best respond to the growing threats of plant pests and diseases. However, many NPPOs lack the capacity to properly carry out the necessary diagnosis, surveillance, and extension work at the scale and speed required to contain such crop disease and pest crises, particularly in the low- and middle-income countries in the Global South.
The survey found that banana/plantain, maize, potato, and rice were the crops most targeted for pest and disease surveillance efforts.
Confirming priority crops will help set priorities for developing common diagnostic methods, sharing protocols across regions and support/share knowledge to improve the diagnostic capacity as a preparedness strategy for emerging pests, according to the Sustainable Farming Programme.
The SFP believes young scientists could play a crucial role for this digital transformation to raise the standards in data management over the next few years.
To roll out the pest and diagnostics and surveillance roadmap, the Sustainable Farming Programme will rely on the regional diagnostic hubs hosted by the CGIAR Germplasm Health Units across the continents.
This worldwide survey, benefiting from the long-term partnerships of CGIAR Germplasm Health Units, could be seen as the foundation block of an urgently needed global plant health diagnostics and surveillance network to counter the growing risks of future plant disease and pest outbreaks.
Research and capacity building by the Sustainable Farming Programme is supporting plant health, mycotoxin-free crops, integrated water management, context specific mechanisation, climate adaptation and mitigation on farms, and farm system integration.
The initiative marks a crucial step toward a global plant health network to ensure farmers can detect, contain, and combat outbreaks before they devastate crops.
Covering more than 70% of the earth, oceans are the engine of Earth’s life support system. It is estimated that oceans are home to more than 80% of life on Earth, additionally, these ecosystems play crucial roles, from regulating climate through absorbing greenhouse gases, producing about 50% of the Earth’s oxygen to providing food and livelihoods to billions of people.
A boat in the ocean in Mankwadze, Ghana. Photo credit: Kossiso Udodi via Unsplash
In Africa, more than half – 38 coastal and island countries out of the continent’s 54 countries rely heavily on the blue economy including fishing, shipping, maritime transport, tourism and energy among others. According to the African Union, the continent’s blue economy is currently valued at about $300 billion, creating about 49 million jobs, and is expected to hit $405 billion by 2030. These and other vital benefits are entirely dependent on healthy oceans.
Unfortunately, ocean ecosystems are under threat – from climate change and overfishing to marine pollution and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. These pressures jeopardise marine life and human wellbeing alike. One alarming indicator of ocean decline is the changes in breeding success of seabirds. As sentinels of ocean health, seabirds respond quickly to environmental changes; their declining numbers are a red flag for the broader health of marine ecosystems.
Strategic Conservation through Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)
To effectively safeguard marine biodiversity, it’s essential to identify and prioritise areas that are critical for conservation. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) offer a scientifically robust and globally standardised framework for this purpose. Recognised as sites of global significance for the persistence of biodiversity, KBAs guide the selection, establishment, management and monitoring of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
By integrating marine KBAs into national and regional planning, governments can strategically direct conservation resources to the most important areas of the ocean. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of MPAs but also facilitates harmonised reporting under international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the forthcoming Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
Notably, the gap in achieving conservation targets is particularly striking in the High Seas – areas beyond national jurisdiction – which constitute 64% of our ocean’s surface and 95% of its volume. Currently, only about 1.5% of these areas are protected. Recognising and conserving KBAs in these regions is critical for bolstering resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.
Marine Flyways Approach
Seabirds are not only indicators of ocean health but also integral components of marine ecosystems. Many seabird species undertake extensive migrations across the globe, following established routes known as marine flyways. BirdLife International has identified six major marine flyways that represent the broad and repeatable movements of migratory seabirds.
These flyways provide a powerful framework for coordinating conservation efforts at an ocean basin scale. By identifying and safeguarding a network of critical sites along these routes, we can ensure the full life-history needs of migratory seabirds are met. This includes addressing urgent challenges such as bycatch in fisheries and the impact of invasive species.
Implementing conservation strategies at the flyway scale requires robust governance structures and international collaboration. By adopting this approach, we can accelerate ocean action and contribute significantly to achieving global biodiversity targets, including the goal of conserving at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries
Sustainable fisheries are essential for long-term ocean health. This includes enforcing regulations against IUU fishing and ensuring that local communities have fair access to marine resources. BirdLife in collaboration with partners, is advancing transparency and sustainable practices across fisheries in West Africa. A major focus of this work is reducing bycatch – the capture of non-target species such as seabirds and sea turtles through a range of interventions including bycatch mitigation techniques, engaging fishing communities through citizen science initiatives, and capacity building.
In Cabo Verde, BirdLife is working with local fishing communities through an innovative programme known as Guardians of the Seas (GOS) to promote stewardship, monitor marine megafauna, reduce bycatch, and foster sustainable fishing practices across the archipelago. Across the wider West African region, BirdLife has supported the development of various training materials, conducted research and trained over 315 fisheries observers – representing more than 50% of the region’s observers – in countries including The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Cabo Verde, and Sierra Leone.
Strengthening Ocean Governance
Effective ocean governance is fundamental to the protection of marine ecosystems. From June 9 to 13, global leaders will gather in Nice, France, for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). A key milestone in ocean governance is the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, adopted in March 2023, which aims to conserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction – the High Seas.
The Agreement requires ratification by at least 60 countries to come into force. As of May 2025, only 29 countries had ratified it, including only three African nations: Malawi, Seychelles, and Mauritius. Lastly, all stakeholders – governments, the private sector, civil society, researchers and local communities must work together to secure the future of our oceans.
As we mark World Oceans Day on Sunday, June 8, let us remember: our very survival depends on healthy oceans. It is our shared responsibility to protect them – for people, for planet, and for future generations.
By Tabea Zwimpfer, Marine Programme Coordinator for Africa at BirdLife International. Email: tabea.zwimpfer@birdlife.org
The Chairman of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona, led a team of company executives, including Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tony Attah, on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at his office in Abuja, as part of Renaissance’s engagement with key stakeholders since it finalised, in March 2025, the landmark purchase of SPDC shares, taking full ownership of SPDC’s 30% participating interest in the joint venture.
From left, Chairman of the Board of the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona; Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance, Tony Attah, during a recent visit to the minister in Abuja
The meeting enabled the Renaissance team to reiterate its commitment to the Federal Government’s economic priorities to increase oil and gas output, improve revenue generation for the country and deepen Nigerian Content and Nigerians’ participation in the industry.
Renaissance’s success in ramping up production to over 200,000 barrels per day in the first month of taking over the operations of the JV earned the company applause from the Minister, Edun.
Renaissance, according to the organisation, is a rapidly expanding energy leader, committed to powering Nigeria and Africa’s energy security and industrialisation through sustainable energy solutions.
As the operator of Nigeria’s largest oil and gas Joint Venture assets (NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies/AENR JV), Renaissance produces from diverse onshore, swamp, and shallow water locations across the Niger Delta. The JV’s participating interests are: NNPC (55%), Renaissance (30%), TotalEnergies (10%), and AENR (5%).
World Environment Day 2025 was observed on Thursday, June 5. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this year’s campaign focused on tackling plastic pollution, urging countries, organisations, and individuals to act together to protect the planet.
Plastic pollution
While plastics have benefits, including energy savings and resource conservation, the rising plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our planet and health.
Around the globe, plastic pollution is contaminating water supplies, food sources, and the air we breathe. As plastics break down, they enter the food chain. Microplastics have been detected in human arteries, lungs, brains, and breast milk.
Global plastic consumption is projected to reach 516 million tonnes this year, and if current consumption patterns continue, it will rise to over 1.2 billion tonnes annually by 2060.
Environmental factors contribute to the deaths of about 13 million people worldwide each year. Almost half of these fatalities are attributed to air pollution. The health and economic costs of unhealthy air pollution currently amount to $2.9 trillion.
On World Environment Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urges communities to advocate for lasting solutions to combat plastic pollution. Historically, recycling has been a key strategy for mitigating plastic waste. However, only 9% of plastics produced globally are recycled, and it is estimated that just 21% of plastic today is economically recyclable, meaning the value of recycled materials covers the costs of collection, sorting, and processing.
The benefits of addressing plastic pollution include cleaner oceans and landscapes, healthier individuals and ecosystems, improved climate resilience, and stronger economies. Transitioning to a circular economy for plastics is essential for a sustainable future. We must rethink how we design, produce, and utilize plastics. Products should be designed with multiple uses in mind and recycling.
This transformation, stated the WHO, requires the engagement of stakeholders across the plastics value chain. A just transition is necessary to protect the livelihoods of waste pickers and affected communities, leaving no one behind.
Solutions exist. In 2022, at the UN Environment Assembly, Member States agreed to initiate negotiations on a legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution, including its impact on marine environments. Since then, countries have convened 5 sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution to work towards a comprehensive agreement.
“On World Environment Day, we must seize the opportunity to unite our efforts in combating plastic pollution and preserve our planet for future generations,” stated the WHO.
In what appears to be a powerful convergence of music, activism, and leadership, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and the British trip hop collective Massive Attack joined forces to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty on Thursday, June 5, in Manchester, on World Environmental Day.
They signed a declaration and opened a Treaty banner on the solarised rooftop of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority headquarters just before a sold-out concert. Climate activist and writer, Tori Tsui, was also invited on stage representing the Treaty Initiative to amplify the call. The event, which drew 15,000 fans to Co Op Live, the UK’s largest entertainment arena, became a rallying cry for climate justice, human rights, and global solidarity.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:“Throughout its history, Greater Manchester has always been one of the first to face up to the challenges of the future. This is no different when it comes to the green economy. Our Five-Year Environment Plans and carbon neutral city-region ambitions are putting us in the strongest position to tackle this monumental issue.
“We won’t be listening to the siren voices trying to lock us into a dependence on fossil fuels without a thought for the future generations who will have to deal with the devastating consequences of the climate emergency. It’s great to have Massive Attack joining us in Greater Manchester. We applaud the clarity and leadership they have provided on these issues for many years, and we are pleased to endorse the call for a Non-Proliferation Treaty with them here today.”
As the first designated Nuclear Free City in the 1980s, Manchester has always been an outward-looking city. It helped build momentum toward international treaties on nuclear weapons and is now doing the same on today’s biggest threat: fossil fuels. Mayor Burnham’s support follows an endorsement from Manchester City Council last December.
Known for their groundbreaking music and activism, Massive Attack used their platform to amplify the urgency of the climate crisis.
Robert Del Naja, known as “3D”, Founding Member of Massive Attack, delivered an unbending call to action to peer artists:“We’re proud to endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, and love the universality of it; coming first from Pacific nations representing the most vulnerable frontline communities facing climate breakdown, and made open to everyone in civil society, in every country, to support – in our case as artists. We hope others will now consider supporting it too.
“It feels significant to us to endorse this proposal here in Manchester, with its rich history of landing blows for justice and progress, including being the world’s first Nuclear Free City; triggering international treaty momentum to ban the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Fossil fuels are a weapon of mass destruction too, and we need to combat them with the widest possible level of civil resistance.”
Climate activist and writer Tori Tsui, Senior Advisor of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, invited on stage, echoed the call for global action: “The fossil fuel industry is a death machine, and we’re all caught in its gears. The time for waiting is over. The fossil fuel industry has had decades to change, and instead, they’ve doubled down on destruction while the rest of us pay the price. But we’re not here to beg for change – we’re here to demand it. The Fossil Fuel Treaty is our line in the sand. It’s a declaration that we will no longer tolerate a system that sacrifices people and the planet for profit.
“We’re calling on every government, every leader, every individual to join us. To every artist, musician, creator: your voice is a weapon. Your art is a rebellion. Use it to shake the world awake. Stand up for people, not polluters. Fight to protect what we love: our families, our communities, and this planet we call home. The future isn’t something we inherit – it’s something we build together.”
The event was part of Massive Attack’s “Act 1.5” concert series, aimed to significantly reduce carbon emissions through innovative, low-carbon touring practices. The series, developed in collaboration with climate researchers, achieved a remarkable 98% reduction in electricity emissions compared to standard outdoor events and significant cuts in transport and catering emissions. The concert was a celebration of art and activism, blending Massive Attack’s iconic sound with visuals and messages urging climate action. Fans were encouraged to visit fossilfueltreaty.org to learn more and get involved.
The initiative has garnered support from other artists. Among them is This is Our Home, a collective of Pacific musicians and storytellers dedicated to climate justice, who partnered with the iconic British rock band Coldplay to advocate for a fossil fuel treaty. Their collaboration culminated in a powerful joint performance at a major concert in Lyon last November.
Additionally, English musician, songwriter, and record producer Brian Eno, along with the music industry climate foundation EarthPercent – which he co-founded – also lend their voices to the cause. EarthPercent operates at the intersection of music, activism, and environmental advocacy, further strengthening the global push for this critical proposal.
In 2025, 16 countries are participating in discussions on a global, binding treaty to address fossil fuels. They’re joined by over 130 cities and subnational governments, including the State of California, and 17 national capitals such as Paris, London, and now the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, alongside a massive global coalition: over 1 million citizens, 4,000 civil society organisations, 3,000+ academics and scientists, hundreds of health professionals and institutions including the World Health Organisation, faith leaders including the World Council of Churches, 850+ elected officials, the European Parliament, 101 Nobel laureates, 25 banks, unions representing 35 million workers, businesses, youth advocates, and Indigenous peoples.
They are all coming together to demand a just, equitable and financed transition through the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
