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TotalEnergies strikes new oil discovery offshore Congo

Michael Simire
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TotalEnergies strikes new oil discovery offshore Congo

Energy major, TotalEnergies, has announced a new hydrocarbon discovery on the Moho license offshore the Republic of Congo, marking a strategic milestone for a country rapidly pursuing 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in oil production.

Led by TotalEnergies as operator (63.5%) alongside Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) – which is led by Managing Director, Raoul Ominga – and Trident Energy, the discovery targeted the Moho G structure at the broader Moho complex, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading mature producer with untapped upside.

Raoul Ominga
Raoul Ominga, Managing Director, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC)

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends TotalEnergies for this latest achievement, recognising the company’s long-term commitment to Congo’s upstream sector. The Chamber also acknowledges the vital role played by the SNPC and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Richard Itoua, in fostering an investment-friendly environment that enables international operators to thrive.

According to the organisation, their collaborative approach continues to position Congo as a competitive destination for exploration investment as well as a home for foreign operators. 

Situated within the prolific Moho complex – which represents more than half of Congo’s total oil production – the Moho G structure encountered a hydrocarbon column of approximately 160 meters in good quality Albian reservoirs. The find complements the previous Moho F discovery, which combined feature estimated recoverable resources of 100 billion barrels.

The new find is particularly significant given its proximity to existing production infrastructure, allowing for cost-effective tie-backs and accelerated commercialisation. This includes the Alima and Likouf FPSO facilities which have a combined current production capacity of 90,000 bpd. 

For TotalEnergies, this latest discovery aligns closely with the company’s plans to expand production capacity across key licenses in the Congo. The company committed over $500 million in 2025 to expand the Moho Nord complex, with the latest find showcasing the viability of infrastructure-led exploration.

By leveraging existing FPSO facilities, the Moho G discovery will unlock additional resources at Congo’s biggest oil producing block while enhancing overall project economics and long-term resilience.

“TotalEnergies’ latest discovery in Congo sends a strong message to the market – this is a country where infrastructure, policy and partnership come together to unlock real value. Congo is proving that exploration is not just about frontier basins, but about maximising what you already have and doing it smarter, faster and more efficiently,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Beyond Moho Nord, Congo’s exploration landscape continues to evolve as operators pursue additional volumes across both offshore and onshore margins. Major campaigns include Perenco’s February 2026 launch of the Kombi 2 platform – a $200 million facility targeting additional reserves of 10 million barrels at the Kombi-Likalala-Libondo II field. The new-generation infrastructure will host a six-well drilling campaign starting in 2026, aimed at bolstering production and optimising field efficiency.

Congo’s energy ambitions transcend the oil sector, with the start of the Eni-led Nguya FLNG unit in December 2025 signaling the second phase of the Congo LNG project. The 2.4 million-ton-per-annum (mtpa) facility complements the operational 0.6 mtpa Tango vessel, bringing total project capacity to 3 mtpa. The integrated development processed gas from the Nené and Litchendjili fields at the Marine XII license, making the country Africa’s fifth biggest LNG exporter.

As Congo continues to align policy, infrastructure and investment, the country is entering a new era of exploration – one defined not only by scale, but by strategic execution. With global demand evolving and capital becoming more selective, Congo’s model offers a compelling blueprint for sustainable upstream growth.

Almost half of European freshwater fishes at risk of extinction – IUCN

Michael Simire
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Almost half of European freshwater fishes at risk of extinction – IUCN

The updated European Red List of Freshwater Fishes – the most comprehensive assessment in 15 years – reveals little evidence of species recovery and calls for urgent action to protect Europe’s aquatic biodiversity.

Nearly six in 10 native European freshwater fish species are now of elevated conservation concern, according to the assessment, which evaluated all 558 native species. The findings show that 42% are threatened with extinction, while an additional 18% are classified as Near Threatened.

Freshwater fish
Freshwater fish

A warning for Europe’s freshwater ecosystems

Freshwater fishes are the most diverse vertebrate group on Earth and act as key indicators of ecosystem health. The deteriorating status of freshwater fishes signals broader ecosystem decline. Without urgent, coordinated action to tackle habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change, Europe risks losing a significant portion of its aquatic biodiversity within a generation.

“Europe’s rivers and lakes are sending a clear warning: nearly two thirds of freshwater fishes are at risk, and many show no recovery over the past 15 years. Strengthening data collection, research and evidence-based management is essential to safeguard these species and the freshwater ecosystems we all rely on,” said Matthew Ford, lead author of the report and member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Freshwater Fish Specialist Group.

“The report proves once again that conservation action works. The recovery of species such as the Pearlfish (Rutilus meidingeri) demonstrates that when science, policy and coordinated conservation efforts come together, declines can be reversed. This European Red List should therefore serve both as a wake-up call and as a roadmap for policymakers to accelerate the protection and restoration of Europe’s freshwater ecosystems and maintain strong policy guardrails,” said Boris Erg, IUCN European Regional Director.

Key findings of the European Red List

Produced through the collaboration of over 135 experts from more than 30 countries, the European Red List of Freshwater Fishes provides a scientifically rigorous, evidence-based assessment of extinction risk. The proportion of threatened species has risen by 5% since 2011, and the results show little evidence of recovery across the region. 

Migratory species face particularly acute pressures. Approximately 39% of migratory freshwater fishes are declining, compared to around 14% of non-migratory species – a disparity that points to the devastating effect of barriers to fish movement such as dams and weirs.

The assessment identifies karst systems as the most imperilled habitat, with over 90% of resident fish species threatened. Freshwater springs and intermittent rivers and streams – each hosting around 54% of threatened species – are also under severe pressure. Many of these sensitive systems are concentrated in Mediterranean Europe, where water stress and accelerating climate change are compounding existing threats.

The drivers of decline are wide-ranging and often overlapping. Habitat modification in the form of dams and other physical barriers affects 69% of assessed species, making it the most pervasive threat. Pollution impacts more than 65% of species, while invasive species affect 56%. Climate change, though already affecting 35% of species, is expected to grow as a driver in coming decades, particularly in southern Europe.

A timely resource for policy 

Europe’s rivers, lakes and wetlands are among the continent’s most valuable yet most threatened ecosystems. This new European Red List of Freshwater Fishes arrives at a pivotal moment, as inland waters are finally gaining the recognition they deserve in global and European biodiversity agendas. With the recent publication of the European Water Resilience Strategy, this report offers timely guidance to help strengthen the integration of biodiversity considerations into water management and restoration efforts.

The findings provide robust scientific evidence to support the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Nature Restoration Regulation, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Repeated Red List assessments over time provide a long-term biodiversity indicator. Improvements or declines in abundance and diversity of fish communities are also captured by biological indicators under the Water Framework Directive, but the Red List of Freshwater Fishes specifically addresses the situation species by species.

Therefore, assessment under the Water Framework Directive at water body level, and the Red List of Freshwater Fishes at species level are necessary to design impactful restoration and mitigation measures.

Ottmar Edenhofer re-elected Chair of EU climate advisory board

Michael Simire
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Ottmar Edenhofer re-elected Chair of EU climate advisory board

The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, which began its second four-year term at the end of March 2026, will continue to be chaired by Ottmar Edenhofer, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

Edenhofer was elected for the full term on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the board’s meeting in Brussels. Laura Díaz Anadón (University of Cambridge) and Suraje Dessai (University of Leeds) have been elected Vice-Chairs for a two-year mandate.

Ottmar Edenhofer
PIK Director and Chair of EU climate advisory board, Ottmar Edenhofer. Photo credit: PIK/Karkow

The EU climate advisory board, established under the European Climate Law, consists of 15 high-level scientific experts covering a wide range of relevant fields. Highlights during the board’s first term have included scientific recommendations for an ambitious EU climate target for 2040, an analysis of the action needed to achieve climate neutrality, and a study on scaling up atmospheric carbon removals.

Edenhofer, who is also Professor for The Economics and Politics of Climate Change at the Technische Universität Berlin, commented on his re-election as Chair of the EU climate advisory board.

He said: “We are operating in a very different context from four years ago. With growing economic and geopolitical pressures, the Advisory Board will ensure its advice remains firmly grounded in science and supports Europe’s broader strategic priorities.”

In the coming months, the Advisory Board will define its priorities for 2026 and continue to deliver recommendations on key aspects of EU climate policy.

The Advisory Board gives independent advice and produces reports on EU policies, and their coherence with the Climate Law and the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. It consists of 15 high-level scientific experts covering a wide range of relevant fields.

The other members of the Advisory Board in the second term are:
•    Annela Anger-Kraavi – University of Cambridge
•    Constantinos Cartalis – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 
•    Suraje Dessai – University of Leeds’ School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability 
•    Laura Díaz Anadón – University of Cambridge
•    Vera Eory – Scotland’s Rural College 
•    Lena Kitzing – Technical University of Denmark 
•    Kati Kulovesi – University of Eastern Finland
•    Lars J. Nilsson – Lund University
•    Åsa Persson – KTH Royal Institute of Technology’s Climate Action Centre
•    Keywan Riahi – International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis 
•    Jean-François Soussana – French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment 
•    Giorgio Vacchiano – University of Milan
•    Detlef van Vuuren – PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
•    Zinta Zommers – University of Toronto.

NORS 2026 to accelerate Nigeria’s shift to refining self-sufficiency

Michael Simire
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NORS 2026 to accelerate Nigeria’s shift to refining self-sufficiency

The Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has officially announced the Nigeria Oil Refining Summit (NORS) 2026, scheduled to take place from September 28 to 29, at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.

Now in its third edition, the summit continues to solidify its position as Nigeria’s foremost platform for driving conversations and action around refining capacity expansion, downstream integration, and the country’s ambition to emerge as Africa’s leading energy hub.

“The future of Nigeria’s refining sector lies in collaboration, investment, and execution at scale. NORS 2026 provides the platform to consolidate these gains, attract critical partnerships, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of refined petroleum products,” said Momoh Jimah Oyarekhua, CORAN Chairman.

NORS 2026
L–R: Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization; Marie-Josephine Sidibé, President of the African Refiners and Distributors Association; and Saidu Mohammed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, during proceedings at ARDA Week 2026, currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa

Framed under the theme “Refining for Value: Linking Upstream Supply to Downstream Demand,” the 2026 gathering is set to convene a powerful mix of policymakers, regulators, refinery operators, global commodity traders, investors, and technology providers.

The focus will be on addressing one of the most pressing imperatives in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape: achieving seamless coordination across the entire petroleum value chain, from crude production to refined product distribution.

Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its refining journey. The emergence of large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Dangote Refinery, alongside the rapid growth of modular and indigenous refineries, marks a decisive shift away from decades of dependence on imported petroleum products. This transformation signals a new era defined by self-sufficiency, increased domestic value retention, and the potential to compete in regional and global export markets.

Against this backdrop, the summit will explore critical industry priorities shaping the future of the sector, including strategies to secure sustainable crude feedstock supply, optimize refining capacity utilization, strengthen midstream infrastructure and logistics networks, and unlock investment opportunities across the refining ecosystem.

Through a blend of high-level keynote addresses, policy dialogues, investment forums, and technical sessions, participants will engage directly with leading institutions such as NNPC Limited, NMDPRA, NUPRC, as well as major global trading firms.

The summit is structured to deliver both strategic insight and practical engagement. The first day will focus on policy direction, crude supply security, and global market dynamics, setting the stage for deeper discussions. The second day will shift attention to financing mechanisms, infrastructure development, and export strategies necessary to sustain growth.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive guided refinery facility visit, providing firsthand exposure to operational excellence within Nigeria’s rapidly advancing refining sector.

“Our focus this year is on outcomes. We want attendees to leave not just informed, but better positioned to act, partner, and invest within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving refining landscape,” said Kunle Odusola-Stevenson, Chief Strategist, Legend and Legacy Group, the NORS 2026 event producers.

“NORS 2026 represents more than just an industry event; it is a critical convening point for stakeholders committed to shaping the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape and driving long-term value creation across the downstream sector,” he added.

The promoters are inviting organisations across the value chain to engage as sponsors, partners, speakers, and exhibitors, positioning themselves at the heart of Nigeria’s refining transformation and the broader evolution of Africa’s energy market.

Expert warns declining bats population may affect food security in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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Expert warns declining bats population may affect food security in Nigeria

A bat biologist, Dr. Benneth Obitte, has warned that the declining bats population in Nigeria may affect food security.

Dr. Obitte warned that Nigeria may be losing one of its most underappreciated environmental allies, largely out of superstition and neglect.

He said this while addressing journalists during a webinar organised by Wild Africa on Monday, April 13, 2026, ahead of the International Bat Appreciation Day, which is observed on April 17.

Dr. Benneth Obitte
Dr. Benneth Obitte

The Perception about Bats

For some Nigerians, bats are not just animals, they are symbols of fears driven by unverified beliefs passed across generations. In some communities, their sudden appearance is still tied to stories of witches, dark forces and disease, a belief passed down so often that it now feels like fact.

But while the myths linger, something far more real is unfolding.

Across Nigeria, bat populations are quietly shrinking. New research points to intense, widespread hunting as a major driver, pushing these animals toward a dangerous tipping point.

What makes this decline alarming isn’t just the loss of the bats themselves, but the ripple effect it could have on ecosystems, agriculture, and food security.

Bats and Crop Production

Behind their shadowy reputation lies a powerful ecological force.

Bats are natural pest controllers, consuming vast quantities of insects that would otherwise devastate crops. They are also vital pollinators and seed dispersers. In parts of Nigeria, species of bats play a crucial role in the propagation of economically important plants like shea and dawadawa also known as locust beans.

“They save farmers the cost of pesticides and insecticides,” Obitte says. “Without bats, some of these plants and the livelihoods tied to them could decline.”

According to Obitte, Nigeria is home to over 100 species of bats, including fruit bats (often called flying foxes), nectar-feeding bats, and insectivorous species that dwell in caves and tree hollows. Globally, there are more than 1,400 species, making bats one of the most diverse groups of mammals on Earth.

The suspicion surrounding bats is not uniquely Nigerian. It appears to be a global perception problem, shaped by centuries of folklore and reinforced by their nocturnal nature.

“Animals that operate at night, bats, owls, even cats have historically been grouped as evil in many African cultures, because they are nocturnal,” Obitte explained.

But that narrative is slowly shifting. As education and ecological awareness spread, more people are beginning to understand that bats are not omens, they are essential.

Hunting and Habitat Loss

Despite their ecological importance, bats face mounting threats.

Habitat loss from deforestation and urban expansion is one factor, though difficult to quantify. However, more visible and more immediate is hunting.

Across parts of southern Nigeria, bats are widely consumed as bushmeat and used in traditional medicine. In some communities in Edo State, Obitte estimates that up to 50 percent of residents consume bats. In Cross River and beyond, their “distinct taste” keeps them in demand.

This level of exploitation is not without consequence.

“Hunting is redistributing bat species across the landscape,” he said. “Some populations are being pushed out entirely.”

Nigeria has already lost more than half of its forest cover, compounding the crisis. With fewer places to roost and reproduce, and increasing pressure from hunters, bat populations are being squeezed from both sides.

COVID-19 and the Burden of Blame

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated public perception. While some people suggested a link between bats and the virus, Obitte is clear: there is no direct evidence that humans contract COVID-19 from bats.

“The virus likely passed from bats to another species before reaching humans,” he explained. “But there is no data confirming direct transmission from bats to people.”

Still, the association has deepened fear, making conservation efforts even more challenging.

Conservation enforcement

In Nigeria, wildlife conservation remains largely underfunded and under-prioritized.

Obitte recounted witnessing bats openly sold at a police checkpoint, an image that underscored weak enforcement. While new wildlife laws have introduced stricter penalties for hunting endangered species, implementation remains inconsistent.

“For every seizure made, there are dozens that pass through,” he says.

Much of the real work is being carried out by non-governmental organisations. These groups train customs officers to identify trafficked species, support national park rangers, while the organisation he co-founded, Small mammal conservation organization (SMACON) conduct field monitoring in places like Abuja, Jos, Benin, and Benue.

But without strong institutional backing, their impact is limited.

“Nigeria treats wildlife as an afterthought,” Obitte says. “Conservation is not yet seen as a national priority.”

Bat Day and the Call to Action

International Bat Appreciation Day, marked every April 17, was created to change exactly this kind of narrative.

It is a day dedicated to educating the public about the ecological importance of bats, correcting harmful myths, and encouraging conservation efforts worldwide. For countries like Nigeria, where misunderstanding runs deep and threats are immediate, the day carries added urgency.

Obitte believes the path forward is clear, even if it is not easy.

He said Nigeria must begin by acknowledging what has already been lost, over 50 percent of its forest cover, and take decisive steps to protect what remains. That includes properly funding conservation agencies, equipping forest guards, and enforcing a strict ban on hunting in protected areas.

“Protected areas must actually be protected,” he insisted.

He explained that countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have built thriving tourism industries around wildlife, stressing that Nigeria, with its rich biodiversity, has similar potential, but only if it begins to value what it still has.

As dusk falls across Nigeria’s forests and cities, bats still take to the skies, quiet, and sometimes unseen.

Their survival may depend on something as simple, and as difficult, as changing perception.

Saving bats is not just about protecting a misunderstood animal, it is about sustaining the society.

By Omowumi Abraham

NCDMB, Seplat firm up plans for take-off of Centre of Excellence at DELSU

Michael Simire
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NCDMB, Seplat firm up plans for take-off of Centre of Excellence at DELSU

Key Management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Seplat Energy Plc met with principal officers of the Delta State University (DELSU), at Abraka, Delta State, on Monday, April 13, 2026, to deliberate on critical processes toward the take-off of a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development, approved for the institution by the Board in 2024.

The project, which is the latest among similar ones at Niger Delta University, Amassoma; Federal University of Technology, Minna; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola; and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, is the outcome of an NCDMB-commissioned research undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to provide a 10-year road map for research and development (R&D) for the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Delta State University
Delta State University, Abraka

Speaking at the event, the Director, Corporate Services, of the NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, who represented the Board’s Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, recalled that personnel of the Board and Seplat have held a series of engagements since 2024 to ensure they achieved a scope that clearly outlined the essence of what a centre of excellence is supposed to deliver in terms of infrastructure, equipment, capacity development, research policy and most importantly, sustainability of the project.

He disclosed that the Managements of NCDMB and Seplat Energy have endorsed the scope and were ready for the take-off of the project, with a team of technical experts already assembled to manage the entire process. He reiterated that the Standing Committee of the Board that has been managing the project since conception has been further reinforced with the inclusion of new personnel of general manager cadre to ensure that expectations of the project are met.

“We wish to reassure you,” Dr. Halilu declared, adding that “the Executive Secretary is fully committed to the project, not just at the project development phase but even during execution,” and has accordingly deployed the full complement of staff covering quality assurance, research and development, and related operational units to achieve the best results.

In his own remarks, the Nigerian Content Manager of Seplat Energy, Mr. Simeon Ogari, said his company, which operates the 300 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) ANOH Gas Processing Plant, a 50/50 Joint Venture with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), chose Delta State University, Abraka, for the Centre of Excellence project because of its proximity to his company’s major operational base.

While underlining the commitment of the company’s Management to timely completion and sustenance, he pointed out that the Research Centre in Gas Development would be beneficial not only to the institution but to the oil and gas industry and the country at large as a centre for advanced research and technology incubation.

He, however, emphasised the importance of collaboration, pointing out: “There is nothing as good as looking at the Triple Helix Model,” as every research centre in the world has government, institution, and the private sector working together in critically important roles. He said he expected same for the upcoming Centre.

Giving the background to the project, the Chief Executive Officer of GOSHEN, the management firm in charge of the project, Mr. Leonard Okafor, noted that the research work undertaken by PricewaterhouseCooper showed that Nigeria is “operating an enclave economy,” without adequate intersectoral linkages, and that “there was need for entrenched local content in the oil and gas industry.”

The Research Centre, he explained, was one of a number of initiatives designed to address the deficits.

The PwC research, he stated, also identified five areas where R&D would enhance local participation in the oil and gas industry, namely, Collaboration, Infrastructure, Capability, Commercial/Legal Framework, and Funding. He emphasised that “finding the right collaboration is critical,” noting that academics with sound research backgrounds and who are well-published are particularly required for a project of this nature.

Explaining further what he titled as “Standard Requirements from Host Institutions,” the management consultant listed availability of research staff for secondment to [the Research] Centre, availability of non-research/administrative staff for secondment to the Centre, essential policy documents (Existing MoU for any existing research centre/collaboration between DELSU and other parties], Research Policy, and Finance and Procurement Policy).

In his response, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, thanked NCDMB and Seplat for the world-class research facility they have decided to build at DELSU, assuring them that he would do his best to meet all requirements for successful take-off.

In regard to collaboration, he said the university, which was rated by Times Higher Education in 2026 as “The best state-owned university in Nigeria,” has very competent academics, renowned for their research output, to fulfil the requirement of collaboration. “In science and engineering, DELSU has high-flyers,” he declared.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Quality Assurance, of the NCDMB, Mr. Chris Osuji, said his department was involved in the project to ensure top-notch finishing. According to him, “from inception to completion, NCDMB Quality Assurance is to be actively engaged,” he stated.

In a vote of thanks, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, of the NCDMB, Mr. Silas Ajimijaye, expressed appreciation to Seplat for providing the required funding, while urging the University Management to use the project to etch its name in gold.

In a similar vein, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Professor Douglason Omotor, thanked NCDMB and Seplat for the initiative, while assuring that the project executors would find technically competent academics and seasoned administrators to provide effective collaboration.          

IPCC authors begin work on CDRT-CCUS 2027 methodology report 

Michael Simire
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IPCC authors begin work on CDRT-CCUS 2027 methodology report 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is gathering over 150 experts in Rome, Italy, this week to begin work on the 2027 Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CDRT-CCUS).

The first meeting of authors of the Methodology Report is taking place from April 14 to 16, 2026, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome.

The 2027 Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies and Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage will equip governments with a robust, up‑to‑date scientific foundation for estimating CO₂ emissions and removals from these technologies.

Takeshi Enoki
IPCC Co-Chair of the Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI), Takeshi Enoki

“This Methodology Report will serve as a fundamental reference for transparent and consistent reporting on climate action, strengthening the scientific basis for mitigation policies,” said Takeshi Enoki, the Co-Chair of the IPCC Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI).

The CDRT-CCUS Methodology Report will provide comprehensive guidance on a wide range of carbon dioxide removal and storage approaches, from CO₂ capture, utilisation, and long‑term storage to emerging land‑based and coastal solutions. It will offer updated scientific methods for assessing technologies such as direct air capture, soil and biomass-based removals, coastal ecosystem approaches, and the production of durable CO₂‑derived materials.

“Together, these updates will strengthen countries’ ability to consistently estimate and report emissions and removals across the full spectrum of methods covered by the IPCC guidelines,” said Mazhar Hayat, the other TFI Co-Chair.

The IPCC Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories is responsible for developing and improving internationally agreed methodologies and tools for estimating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and removals by signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.  

As other IPCC reports, this Methodology Report will be prepared through a structured and transparent IPCC process, with four Lead Author meetings where the report’s content will be developed and refined in line with approved guidance. 

It will undergo two formal review stages, first by experts and then by governments and experts jointly, before the final approval by IPCC member governments at the end of 2027.

Experts unite to boost Ghana’s school food systems

Michael Simire
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Experts unite to boost Ghana’s school food systems

What if the food needed to improve children’s diets is already available – but not being used in school meals?

This question framed a recent webinar on school meals and food systems in Ghana, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across nutrition, agriculture, and education. The event also marked the launch of the Ghana Community of Policy & Practice (CoPP), a new platform aimed at turning research and experience into more coordinated action on school feeding.

Opening the session, Professor Francis Bruno Zotor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) highlighted the broader significance of school meals: “School meals are about much more than feeding children – they are linked to nutrition, education, local agriculture, livelihoods, and the strength of our food systems.”

Ghana
School children in Ghana. Photo Credit: Christopher Mensah

In Ghana, the national school feeding programme (GSFP) reaches around 4.5 million pupils, helping improve attendance and reduce short-term hunger. Yet challenges remain around the nutritional quality of meals, with high levels of malnutrition still affecting school-age children.

This creates a clear opportunity: to better connect school feeding with local food systems, ensuring nutritious, locally available foods are more consistently included in meals.

Putting local foods into practice

Across the webinar, speakers shared practical examples of how this is already happening.

Seth Offei from the GSFP Secretariat described efforts to introduce soy into school meals as an affordable, locally available source of protein. Caterers are being trained to prepare soy-based meals, while links are being strengthened between schools and local farmers producing soy.

Similarly, research led by Jolene Mateko Nyako of the CSIR–Food Research Institute explored how aquatic foods could play a greater role in school diets. Although fish is widely produced in Ghana, it is not consistently included in school meals.

The research tested practical solutions, including fish-based products such as powders for soups and stews, and fish-based sausages, and worked directly with caterers and suppliers to improve how these foods are sourced and used. “When these foods are included, we see impact,” Nyako explained. “But it depends on how stakeholders are engaged and how systems work in practice.”

These examples highlight a common challenge: it is not just about what foods are available, but how easily they can be integrated into everyday school meals.

Making supply work on the ground

Ensuring these approaches succeed depends on how food is produced, supplied, and financed locally. Soy, for example, is currently grown in limited areas, and expanding production requires support for farmers and stronger links to school demand. Efforts are underway to encourage cultivation in suitable regions and connect farmers more directly with school feeding markets.

For aquatic foods, supply challenges are shaped by how the school feeding system operates. Caterers are often paid several months after delivering meals, creating cash flow constraints. In response, suppliers and processors are exploring more flexible payment arrangements that better match these timelines.

The role of behaviour and community

Supply is only part of the picture – what people choose to cook and eat also matters.

Joy Murasi of the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance highlighted how nutritious foods such as whole grains are often overlooked due to perceptions around taste and preparation. “It’s not about dishing out information – it’s about making these foods easy to understand, prepare, and enjoy.” Efforts are therefore focusing on practical engagement, including cooking demonstrations and working closely with schools and communities to build familiarity and trust.

Mawuli Kushitor of UHAS also emphasised the importance of community involvement, noting strong local willingness to support school feeding through contributions such as land, labour, or produce. However, this potential is not always fully realised when communities are excluded from planning and decision-making. Strengthening these connections can help ensure that local food is better integrated into school meals.

In some areas, community-led school farms are already demonstrating what this can look like. These initiatives are producing nutrient-rich crops such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, while also providing training in agriculture and food preparation.

A platform for coordinated action

The launch of the Ghana CoPP aims to bring these different areas of work together. By connecting stakeholders from government, research, development organisations, and communities, the platform provides a space to share learning and identify practical solutions.

As Professor Phyllis Addo of UHAS noted: “We all have a role to play in making sure school feeding works, and is done right.”

Participants were encouraged to stay engaged and share lessons from their work, helping to ensure that evidence continues to inform both policy and implementation.

Looking ahead

The discussions point to a broader shift: school meals are increasingly being seen not just as a social programme, but as a strategic entry point for strengthening food systems.

With locally available foods, active community engagement, and growing evidence of what works, there is a strong foundation to build on. The challenge now is to connect these elements more effectively – aligning production, supply, and behaviour to deliver more nutritious meals at scale.

Ilorin varsity, NCF partner on environmental sustainability

Michael Simire
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Ilorin varsity, NCF partner on environmental sustainability

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives. 

The MoU signing ceremony took place on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the university campus in Ilorin, Kwara State. The partnership aims to establish a five-hectare Conservation Park within the university campus, develop programmes promoting youth engagement in environmental conservation, register UNILORIN students as NCF members, and undertake joint research and project development initiatives, including carbon assessment of university forests.

NCF
Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (left), and the Director- General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, during the signing of MoU on Environmental Sustainability at UNILORIN on April 13, 2026

“The partnership reflects our commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and conservation in our university. We commend NCF, a critical stakeholder, for this unique partnership that enhances our efforts on environmental conservation and sustainable development. We look forward to working with NCF to create a positive impact on our campus and beyond,” said Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.

Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General of NCF, said: “The deliberate steps and efforts of the University of Ilorin are commendable. Having conservation efforts on the ground will go a long way in amplifying our advocacy for nature conservation. Partnerships like this will boost our demonstration efforts, provide a training ground, and serve as a practical learning centre for university students on forest resources management.”

Over the years, NCF has worked with schools, including tertiary institutions, to establish and develop curriculum and activities that promote nature conservation while raising environmentally conscious students.

The establishment of conservation parks in tertiary institutions is a new approach aimed at providing a practical solution to environmental conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Eco-comedy: Laugh, resist, survive

Michael Simire
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Eco-comedy: Laugh, resist, survive

At a time of deepening ecological crisis, widening social injustice, and rising activist burnout, environmental justice advocates are advancing an unexpected yet powerful response to the demand for resilience, urgency, and moral courage – humour.

Activists are always at alert – responding swiftly to important existing and emerging socio-ecological and other issues. Often times they are faced with traumatic experiences on the field and met by stark opposition or even failure. This leads to burnout which can become persistent and reduce productivity/impact, as well as lower quality of life.

Eco-comedy
participants at the Eco-comedy session in Benin City

This challenge requires personal and collective reflection on the causes of burnout and what tools can be effective in addressing it. To this end, on April 7, 2026, Health of Mother Earth Foundation and Environmental Rights Action organised an eco-comedy live show which explored the relevance of humour and storytelling in curbing burnout and promoting wellbeing in the course of activism.

This event, which held in Benin City, Edo State, had in participation young, middle aged and experienced activists, comedians, students and media representatives. The event featured short speeches, storytelling (activists’ chronicles), live comedy performances, and group discussions, all of which were infused with humour while delivering practical ideas on how to avoid burnout. The event also featured a presentation of prizes to two winners of the eco-comedy short film competition which preceded the live show.

The Eco-Comedy gathering opened with a deeply reflective and thought-provoking message that blended humour with urgency. Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF’s Executive Director, spoke of a time defined by overlapping ecological and social crises, and because of that, we must remain rooted in purpose, conscious of our collective power, and alert to the urgency of the moment.

According to Dr. Bassey, humour/laughter should inspire us to think about who we truly are and the socio-ecological issues that we need to address, stressing that comedy and humour are not neutral but viable tools for action.

Dr. Bassey’s remarks acknowledged the serious and often numerous challenges that activists face year after year sometimes with little success owing to deep-rooted systemic disorders. “But”, he noted, “giving up is very dangerous”. He stressed that activists must remain consistent and persistent even if the change does not happen in their lifetime. “To surrender is to allow injustice to prevail unchecked”.

Furthermore, Dr. Bassey noted that humour is a great tool for educational purposes and can be used can be used to break barriers – whether personal, structural, or systemic. The notion of power was also central. Dr Bassey left the impression that communities and individuals often underestimate their own power, especially in the face of institutional failure or injustice. Yet real change begins when people recognise that power lies in their voices, their unity, and their refusal to remain silent. Even small acts of speaking out, using caricatures to campaign and sharing stories contribute to a larger movement for justice.

The Deputy Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action, Barr. Mariann Bassey-Olsson, building on the importance of integrating humour in activism, noted that if activists lose their joy, they will lose the movement. Humour allows us to stay human without which we would lose empathy and the motivation to instigate change. While the realities that we face are grievous, our response must not be stripped of humanity.

Mrs. Olsson established that humour does not attempt to make light of the socio-ecological struggles but helps to break tension and strengthen commitment.

“We are not laughing because things are easy; we are laughing because we refuse to be broken. Humour reaches where policy papers cannot. Activism must sustain people, not consume them”, she explained.

Moreover, Mrs. Olsson added that “when we laugh together, we heal, we reconnect. We remember why we started. This isn’t a distraction. It is resistance!” Humour allows civil society activists to release tension, reconnect with one another, and sustain the energy needed for long-term struggle.

The session on activist’s chronicles had activists from different countries and regions sharing personal experiences they have had in the past which were not funny at the time but now when they look back they can laugh about them. Some of the stories were rather touching including personal sacrifices and betrayal, communications hassles/language barriers, security issues, mistakes due to inexperience, and more.

Across all accounts, a common thread emerged: these challenges did not deter the activists but instead became catalysts for learning, growth, and deepened resilience. The session underscored the significant personal costs inherent in activism and reinforced the imperative for activists to foster mutual support, cultivate solidarity, and engage in practices that promote collective and individual wellbeing.

The session also highlighted practical ways to avoid burnout and deal with trauma including prioritising areas of engagement and maintaining focus, proper planning/time management, collaborations, delegation, infusion of art/humour in programme design, avoiding competition, prioritising rest, celebrating wins (no matter how little) and addressing systemic socio-economic factors that contribute to burnout. On trauma, it was noted that rest and carefully chosen leisure activities can promote recovery.

Eco-Comedy emerges from a growing recognition that activists across the world, rather than retreat, claim humour as a political and cultural strategy, one that enables movements to communicate complex issues in accessible and relatable ways, connect with broader and more diverse audiences, and sustain emotional strength and collective resilience.

Rooted in Nigeria’s rich tradition of satire and social commentary, Eco-Comedy bridges activism and performance, using storytelling, comedy, and lived experience to expose injustice while creating space for healing, reflection, and renewal.

Overall, the event demonstrated the integration of art and advocacy, highlighted the need for movements to adopt humour as an artistic language for ecological justice, and a means to strengthen public engagement, as well as the need to build communities of eco-comedians: activists who can communicate systemic critique and propagate action with wit, clarity, and cultural relevance.

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