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UNESCO sites offer a lifeline to biodiversity – Report

Michael Simire
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UNESCO sites offer a lifeline to biodiversity – Report

UNESCO’s latest report highlights the extraordinary contribution of its sites for both people and nature. While global wildlife populations have declined by 73% since 1970, those within UNESCO-protected areas have remained comparatively stable. These sites represent over 1,000 languages, and a quarter of them overlap with Indigenous Peoples’ territories.

“People and Nature in UNESCO-Designated Sites: Global and Local Contributions” is the first report to examine all UNESCO categories – World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks – as a single network of over 2,260 sites covering more than 13 million km², an area larger than China and India combined.

Khaled El-Enany
Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General

“The findings are clear: UNESCO sites are delivering for both people and nature. Inside these territories, communities thrive, humanity’s heritage endures, and biodiversity is holding on while it collapses elsewhere. By measuring the global value and contributions of these sites, this report reveals what we stand to lose if they are not prioritised.

“It is an urgent call to scale ambition, recognising UNESCO sites as strategic assets in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, and investing now to protect ecosystems, cultures, and livelihoods for generations to come,” said Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General.

A vital network under growing pressure

UNESCO-designated sites encompass more than 60% of globally mapped species, with around 40% of these found nowhere else on Earth, the report shows. These sites also store an estimated 240 gigatons of carbon, equivalent to nearly two decades of current global emissions if released, and each year their forests alone account for approximately 15% of the carbon absorbed by forests worldwide.

Yet despite their global significance, these sites are under mounting pressure. Nearly 90% of sites face high levels of environmental stress, and climate-related hazards have increased by 40% in just the last decade. More than one in four UNESCO-designated sites could reach critical tipping points by 2050, with potentially irreversible impacts. Without stronger action, risks include the disappearance of glaciers, coral reef collapse, species displacement, increasing water stress, and forests turning from carbon sinks into carbon sources.

People and livelihoods at the heart of these landscapes

The report also highlights the profound connection of nature and communities in these environments. Together, these sites are home to nearly 900 million people, roughly 10% of the global population. Over 1,000 languages are documented across UNESCO-designated sites, and at least 25% encompass Indigenous Peoples’ lands and territories, rising to nearly 50% in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Overlaying economic output with UNESCO sites and their surrounding areas, the report finds that around 10% of global GDP is generated in these zones.

Acting now can still make a measurable difference

The report finds that action taken today can significantly reduce future risks: every 1°C of warming avoided could halve the number of UNESCO sites exposed to major disruption by the end of the century. These areas also harbour untapped potential for climate policy: while around 80% of national biodiversity plans include UNESCO sites, only 5% of national climate plans do so.

The report calls for scaling up action through four priorities: restoring ecosystems to rebuild resilience; developing sustainably through increased transboundary cooperation; further integrating UNESCO-designated sites into global climate plans; and governing more inclusively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

UNESCO sites are worth investing in

UNESCO-designated sites demonstrate that people and nature can thrive together. From wildlife populations holding stable while the rest of the world’s decline, to conservation successes like the recovery of mountain gorillas in areas affected by armed conflict, these places show what is possible when protection is sustained over time and supported by local communities.

The findings of this report, drawing on partnerships with more than 20 leading research institutions worldwide, highlight the need to scale that ambition, recognising UNESCO-designated not only as conservation areas but also as strategic assets for addressing global environmental and societal challenges. Investing in their protection today means safeguarding irreplaceable ecosystems, living cultures, and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people for generations to come.

Nigeria boosts solar capacity to 300MW, targets 3.7GW to lead West Africa – Aliyu

Michael Simire
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Nigeria boosts solar capacity to 300MW, targets 3.7GW to lead West Africa – Aliyu

Nigeria has increased its domestic solar panel manufacturing capacity to 300 megawatts (MW) from 120 megawatts two years ago

Dr Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), made this known during a Webinar, organised by the African Association of Energy Journalists and Publishers (AJERAP) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Lagos.

He said that the agency is targeting a total of 3.7 gigawatts (GW) in the pipeline, aiming to establish itself as the renewable energy hub for West Africa,

Dr Abba Aliyu
Dr Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

Aliyu said that Mozambique, Benin, Niger are among nations adopting REA power access model.

He noted that the growth is driven by deliberate government policies under President Bola Tinubu aimed at creating an enabling environment for private sector investment.

“We have moved from about 120 megawatts of local manufacturing capacity to roughly 300 megawatts today, with 3.7GW in the pipeline.

“This is based on a deliberate strategy to build investor confidence and attract private capital into the sector,” he said.

He added that Nigeria recorded about $425 million in investments in 2025 for the establishment of eight renewable energy manufacturing facilities.

According to him, locally manufactured solar panels are now being exported from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, signalling Nigeria’s emergence as a regional manufacturing hub.

“For the first time, Nigeria is producing solar panels locally, and they are already being exported.

“This shows the direction we are heading and the leadership role Nigeria can play in West Africa,” Aliyu said.

The REA MD emphasised that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s 2026 Mini-Grid Regulations, which increase the allowable capacity for interconnected mini-grids to 10MW, have significantly boosted investor confidence and rank among the most effective regulatory frameworks in Africa.

He noted that recent policy changes have increased allowable mini-grid capacity from 1MW to 5MW, and up to 10MW for interconnected systems – opening the door for larger-scale renewable projects.

According to him, the regulations clearly define how mini-grids interact with the main grid, simplifies licensing, and streamlines environmental and social impact assessments.

Aliyu further noted that the expansion in mini-grid capacity could enable cross-border electricity trade, especially in border communities.

“If we deploy large solar farms in border towns, we can sell electricity across countries and deepen regional integration,” he said.

Highlighting the role of the West African Power Pool in integrating on-grid systems across the sub-region, Aliyu called for the development of a complementary off-grid electricity market to drive broader energy access across Africa.

“We may not need to fully integrate national grids immediately, but we can build an integrated off-grid market across border communities,” he added.

According to Aliyu, Nigeria’s electricity access model is increasingly being adopted across Africa, with several countries seeking to replicate its approach.

“Countries like Mozambique, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mauritania, and Mauritius are engaging with us to understand our framework,” he said.

He emphasised that regional electricity access initiatives will be critical for improving energy security and expanding access across the continent.

Aliyu described Nigeria’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme as the largest publicly funded renewable energy access initiative globally.

The programme aims to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians by connecting over 2.5 million households and deploying 1,350 mini-grids, including 250 interconnected systems.

“The project is designed around the private sector using a results-based financing model. Developers must mobilise their own capital before accessing incentives,” he said.

He added that the $750 million funding is expected to catalyse an additional $1.1 billion in private sector investment.

“We are already seeing strong traction. Financial institutions and development partners are committing funds, demonstrating confidence in the model,” Aliyu noted.

He cited financing partnerships involving institutions such as Citibank Nigeria, Lotus Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, alongside support from development finance and impact investment organisations.

“The structure of this programme has unlocked significant private financing and is setting a benchmark for renewable energy deployment across the region,” he said.

By Yunus Yusuf

World Earth Day: HOMEF calls for accelerated action to clean energy

Michael Simire
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World Earth Day: HOMEF calls for accelerated action to clean energy

The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for accelerated action toward clean energy, environmental restoration, and stronger protection of ecosystems.

HOMEF, an ecology focused non-governmental organisation (NGO), made the call in a statement on Tuesday, April 21, by Miss Kome Odhomor, the organisation’s Communications/Meda Lead, to commemorate the 2026 World Earth Day.

Odhomor quoted the Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, as saying that the theme for 2026 edition ”Our Power, Our Planet”, underscored the need for both individual and collective efforts to cut carbon emissions, transition away from fossil fuels, and safeguard biodiversity.

Nnimmo Bassey
Nnimmo Bassey

Bassey warned that escalating environmental challenges from erratic weather patterns to biodiversity loss required urgent and transformative responses rather than gradual change.

According to him, humanity must rethink its relationship with nature. People have the power to preserve the environment and secure a sustainable future.

”We must shift from colonial extraction to stewardship.”

The HOMEF boss also highlighted the critical role ecosystems play in sustaining life, noting that environmental degradation threatens health, food security, and future generations.

He cautioned that failing to act was equivalent to ”burning our father’s house only to inherit the ashes”.

He drew attention to persistent environmental hazards in Nigeria, particularly ongoing oil-related disasters.

He described the disasters as urgent ecological and public safety threats requiring immediate government intervention.

Bassey urged relevant authorities to decommission hazardous sites, rehabilitate affected environments, and support impacted communities.

He also encouraged residents to mark the day through practical actions such as tree planting, reducing single-use plastics, and embracing zero-waste practices.

Bassey emphasised that Earth Day should go beyond symbolic celebration, calling for a renewed global commitment to defend the planet and secure a livable future for all.

Report exposes deadly cost of delaying coal phase-out in South Africa

Michael Simire
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Report exposes deadly cost of delaying coal phase-out in South Africa

A new report released on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, by Greenpeace Africa, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), and GroundWork reveals that delaying the phase-out of coal-fired power in South Africa will result in devastating health and economic consequences.

Titled “Unmasked: The Health and Economic Cost of Delaying Coal Phase-Out in South Africa”, the report finds that keeping these plants open beyond their planned retirement dates will cause an estimated 32,000 additional premature deaths between 2026 and 2050. The health burden extends heavily to children. The delay will result in 41,000 additional preterm births and 17,000 new cases of childhood asthma.

Coal mining
Coal mining in South Africa

The economic toll of these health impacts is staggering. The report calculates the cost to the South African economy at ZAR 721 billion ($38 billion). This includes lost working days and overwhelming pressure on the public healthcare system.

The report highlights a critical geographic disparity. Gauteng is projected to absorb the largest share of additional deaths, with over 15,000 fatalities. The province has no Eskom coal power stations. The transboundary pollution originates in Mpumalanga and settles over Johannesburg and Pretoria.

“For too long, communities living in the shadow of coal have carried the cost with their health, their livelihoods, and their lives. The smoke in their lungs. The dust on their children’s chests. It’s an unacceptable price to pay to keep the lights on for the rest of the country when solutions exist. This report makes that cost impossible to ignore. It is a call for accountability and for urgent action to protect people, not polluters,” said Dr Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa.

Dr Keita emphasised that the energy crisis does not justify the health crisis. South Africa has more than 220 GW of renewable energy projects in the pipeline, demonstrating that continued dependence on coal is a policy choice rather than a technical necessity.

Cynthia Moyo, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said: “This report makes it clear that there is no safe or responsible way to extend the life of coal. South Africa has more than enough wind, solar, and storage capacity to replace every coal plant currently on life support. Keeping these polluting plants open is a deliberate political choice that sacrifices human lives. We demand the government accelerate the coal phase-out immediately and implement a just transition to renewable energy that protects workers and communities.”

Daniel Nesan, Analyst at CREA, said: “Our analysis shows that the health impacts of coal pollution are severe, widespread, and entirely preventable. South Africa has the means to transition to clean energy. The cost of inaction will be measured in lives lost and communities harmed.”

Thomas Mnguni, spokesperson at GroundWork, said: “Communities on the frontlines of coal pollution have been raising the alarm for years. This report validates their lived experience. The right to clean air is a constitutional right, and it is being violated every day that coal plants continue to operate.”

Key Findings

  • 32,000 additional premature deaths projected between 2026 and 2050 if coal plant retirements are delayed under the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
  • 41,000 additional preterm births and 17,000 new childhood asthma cases: health burdens borne disproportionately by children in coal-affected communities
  • Over 370 deaths in children under five linked to extended coal operations
  • Gauteng bears the largest provincial death toll – more than 15,000 additional deaths – despite having no Eskom coal power stations: pollution from Mpumalanga travels across provincial boundaries
  • 27 million additional lost working days and mounting pressure on an already strained public health system
  • U$38 billion in health-related economic costs – far exceeding any economic case for keeping coal plants operational
  • South Africa has over 220 GW of renewable energy in the pipeline, making the continued extension of coal a political choice, not a technical necessity.

The report was launched on Earth Day in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, a region at the heart of South Africa’s coal industry and among the most affected by air pollution.

Coal is South Africa’s dominant energy resource, supplying around 77% of the country’s primary energy needs and playing a key role in both domestic power generation and exports.

World Earth Day: Coalition urges govts to protect Africa’s ecosystem, hold Shell, others accountable

Michael Simire
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World Earth Day: Coalition urges govts to protect Africa’s ecosystem, hold Shell, others accountable

As the world commemorates Earth Day 2026 Wednesday, April 22, the Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) coalition has called for urgent and concrete action to address the escalating climate crisis and the systemic forces driving environmental degradation across Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition said this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” underscores the reality that the climate emergency is no longer a distant threat but a present and intensifying emergency.

Shell
Shell

“Whether in the forests of Kenya, or in Nigeria’s grasslands, from biodiversity loss and extreme heat, to erratic rainfall, rising sea levels, and climate-induced displacement, the impacts are already being felt globally, with disproportionate consequences for countries in the Global South, particularly across Africa, which contributes the least to global emissions but bears a disproportionate burden,” the coalition stated.

The coalition comprises: Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Nigeria; Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria; GenderCC, Southern Africa; Climate Awareness Advocacy and Resilience Initiative (CAARI); DWB Foundation, Kenya; Green Climate African Campaign; Household Disaster Resilience Project, Help, Gambia; Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), Uganda; CherieHomes Global Initiatives, Nigeria; Centre pour la justice environnementale, CJE, Togo; Tell That Story, Nigeria; Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Nigeria; Liberty Pro Bono Initiative, Uganda; Lekeh Development Foundation, Nigeria; Youth Go Green Network, Liberia; and Vision For Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST), Ghana.

The coalition stressed that Africa must not continue to serve as a testing ground for experimental carbon schemes or externally imposed solutions that fail to address deep-rooted inequalities. It also rejected the positioning of African lands and ecosystems as sites for unchecked extractivism under the guise of green transitions, carbon offset markets, or mineral-driven energy agendas that reproduce historical patterns of exploitation.

Reaffirming the Polluter Pays Principle, the MBPP coalition called for strict accountability from fossil fuel corporations, including Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil in the Niger Delta, as well as from Chinese companies in the Congo and other industrial actors whose activities continue to degrade ecosystems, erode livelihoods, and increase adaptation burdens.

“As exploitation of Africa’s resources grows, the earth’s climate deteriorates,” the group stated. “The coalition hereby calls for an immediate halt to all new fossil fuel exploration and a structured, time-bound phase-out of existing infrastructure.

Furthermore, the group also demanded a strong transition and governance framework that respects ecological sovereignty and prioritises the rights of communities in Africa who steward these ecosystems.

It added: “We reject the growing commodification of nature through carbon markets, biodiversity offsets, and speculative ecological finance mechanisms, which often allow continued emissions in industrialized economies while shifting ecological burdens onto the Global South.

“Ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, soils, and oceans, must be protected by streamlining practical solutions across all government policies as living systems rather than reduced to tradable financial instruments.”

Affirming the significance of soils in ensuring food security, carbon storage, and ecosystem stability, the MBPP Coalition warned that increasing pressures from industrial agriculture, reckless mining, and poorly regulated carbon offset projects, threaten soil integrity.

“Soils, the coalition believes, are a dynamic component of the earth and living systems essential to climate regulation and biodiversity, and must not be treated as tradable carbon sinks.”

Therefore the MBPP coalition stressed that meaningful climate action must embrace systemic transformation, end fossil fuel dependence, and prioritise community-led and Indigenous governance of natural resources.

It added: “This year’s Earth Day must go beyond symbolic observance and instead signal a decisive shift toward ecological protection, enforceable climate justice, and systemic accountability.

“The MBPP Coalition affirms that without holding major polluters accountable, ending fossil fuel expansion, and rejecting extractive and commodified approaches to nature, global climate goals will remain unattainable.

“We therefore call for urgent action grounded in collective responsibility and the shared agency of people, communities, and governments to confront the climate crisis.”

The Africa MBPP coalition is a group of over 32 organisations across the continent, committed to holding polluting corporations accountable for their significant contributions to the climate crisis. Through the MBPP Storytelling Platform, the coalition illuminates the detrimental effects of transnational corporations’ extractive practices, challenge misleading and false narratives, and advocate for sustainable alternatives.

Driving sustainable waste solutions: GIFSEP, GEF-SGP host Nasarawa policy dialogue

Michael Simire
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Driving sustainable waste solutions: GIFSEP, GEF-SGP host Nasarawa policy dialogue

The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has called for more practical policies that regard waste as both a societal challenge and an opportunity capable of fostering economic transformation to tackle the inadequate waste management crisis in Nasarawa State.

According to GIFSEP, such policies must prioritise waste reduction, recycling, sustainable financing, and especially bio-waste management, which holds significant potential for value creation.

GIFSEP
Participants at the stakeholder dialogue organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) to discuss the development of the Nasarawa State Waste Management Policy in Nasarawa State

Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Dialogue organised by GIFSEP, with support from the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Nassarawa State, Ms. Dorcas Nicanor, the acting programmes manager, expressed her concerns regarding the persistent challenge of efficient waste management, which she identified as a significant barrier to the state’s development.

Some of the causes she identified as contributing to the problem include rapid population expansion, urbanisation, poverty, and a lack of awareness about proper disposal of waste, particularly bio-waste.

She revealed that findings from a recent baseline survey that GIFSEP conducted showed that about 71 per cent of dumpsites across the state are unmanaged, with most of them small, scattered, and lacking proper oversight.

Ms. Nicanor also disclosed that only 15% of households sort their waste in any way. This is concerning because, although households produce an average of 1.8 kilogrammes of biowaste per day, 97% of them lack the equipment or systems necessary to turn this waste into useful products like compost or biogas.

The fact that over 65% of these dumpsites contain hazardous waste, which poses major threats to the environment and human health, is a concerning issue that she feels the public should be aware of. From a legislative and policy standpoint, the representative of the permanent secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, Barr. Ibrahim Sabo, emphasised that waste management is not only an environmental concern but also a legal and regulatory matter.

He referenced the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority Law of 2021, noting that the law mandates the authority to regulate waste disposal and ensure compliance with established environmental standards.

“However, the success of any policy or legal framework depends largely on inclusive participation, collaboration, and collective ownership,” Barr Sabo said.

He praised the diversity of the stakeholders whose views and contributions he said will help shape a policy that is practical, enforceable, and responsive to the realities on the ground.

Similarly, Mr. Christopher Abari, who spoke on behalf of the director general of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), said that his establishment as a body tasked with supervising waste management and sanitation in the state acknowledges the pressing need for a coordinated, inclusive, and modern approach to waste management.

Mr. Abari emphasised that the issues, spanning from increasing waste production to inadequate disposal systems, require collaboration, innovative thinking, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders involved.

He noted that the dialogue presents an opportunity to integrate sustainable solutions such as improved waste segregation, recycling, and biowaste management into our systems.

Barr. Ede, the representative of the permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Nasarawa State, accepted that the Nasarawa State Government, through NASWAMSA, has remained diligent in its efforts to uphold environmental standards and promote proper waste management practices across the state.

He advocated as a matter of urgency that there should be a transition from the traditional “collect and dump” approach to a more modern, efficient, and sustainable waste management system supported by appropriate infrastructure and innovative solutions.

Mr. Envoh Okolo, State Coordinator, Nasarawa State Network on Environment and Climate Justice, agrees with the fact that the development of the waste management policy is timely, noting that in some areas, dumpsites have become reference points for giving directions, highlighting the scale of the problem.

He pointed out that there are existing gaps within the waste management sector, with the gaps ranging from inadequate infrastructure and limited public awareness to inefficiencies in collection and disposal systems that continue to hinder effective waste management across the state.

According to him, to address these challenges would require not only sound policy frameworks but also coordinated action, innovation, and sustained stakeholder collaboration.

Participants at the event included government officials, representatives from civil society organisations, private sector actors, academics, journalists, and community members. They expressed optimism that the current policy development process will result in practical solutions, enhanced institutional coordination, and a cleaner, healthier environment for the residents of Nasarawa State.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

QEDNG Summit 2026 set for August 11 in Lagos

Michael Simire
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QEDNG Summit 2026 set for August 11 in Lagos

The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit will hold its second edition on August 11, 2026, in Lagos, bringing together leaders across the creative, business and policy spaces.

Convened by Mighty Media Plus, publishers of online newspaper QEDNG, the summit brings together conversations at the intersection of creativity, enterprise and influence, with a focus on strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy.

GOCOP
Mighty Media Plus CEO, Olumide Iyanda

Reflecting on the inaugural edition, the Mighty Media Plus CEO, Olumide Iyanda, said the summit drew participation from respected figures across sectors, including group managing director of SO&U Udeme Ufot as chairman and founder of The Africa Soft Power Group Dr Nkiru Balonwu as keynote speaker, alongside panellists such as filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) founder Mike Dada and executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Dr Shaibu Husseini who contributed to discussions on the direction of the creative economy.

“The first edition showed that there is a strong interest in serious engagement around the creative economy. We had contributions from experienced voices who helped set the tone for the kind of platform we are building,” Iyanda said.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the summit continues to expand its scope, attracting a diverse mix of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and emerging talents.

“This summit is designed as a meeting point for ideas, influence and execution. It is not just about conversations, but about outcomes that strengthen the creative economy,” Iyanda added.

He noted that the timing of the summit is significant as the country’s creative sector continues to evolve.

“Nigeria’s creative sector has grown in visibility, but the structures that support it are still evolving. The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is part of the effort to bring clarity, direction and serious engagement to that growth,” he said.

The 2026 edition will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and curated sessions addressing themes around innovation, growth, funding and the global positioning of Nigerian creative talent.

According to Iyanda, the long-term goal is to build a platform that remains relevant across generations.

“Our goal is to build a platform that remains useful over time, one that documents progress, connects stakeholders and contributes meaningfully to policy and practice,” he said.

Further details on speakers, partners and the full programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

IPCC experts in Rome to advance Methodology Report on Short‑lived Climate Forcers

Michael Simire
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IPCC experts in Rome to advance Methodology Report on Short‑lived Climate Forcers

Over 130 experts from more than 50 countries are meeting at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, for the third Lead Author Meeting of the 2027 Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCF) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

“This meeting is a key moment in the development of the SLCF Methodology Report, as authors work together to consolidate the science and methodological approaches needed for a robust Second Order Draft,” said Takeshi Enoki, one the Co-Chairs of the IPCC’s Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) responsible for preparing the report.

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

The SLCF Methodology Report aims to provide clear guidance on estimating emissions of key short-lived climate-forcing substances, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and others, which significantly contribute to global and regional air quality and climate change.

The author teams will be finalising the second order draft of the report. The draft will be open for review from August 31 to October 25, 2026.

“The Second Order Draft review is a crucial step in the IPCC process, allowing governments and experts to provide feedback that strengthens the clarity, robustness and usability of the guidance before it is finalised,” said Mazhar Hayat, the other TFI Co‑Chair.

The IPCC agreed upon the outline of the 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers at its 61st Session held in in Sofia, Bulgaria from July 27 to August 2, 2024. It will be finalised in 2027. 

The TFI Bureau, also known as the Task Force Bureau, in consultation with relevant Working Groups’ Co-Chairs, selected the report’s Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors and Review Editors. The full list of authors and review editors is here.

Households pay $12tr a year in hidden fossil fuel costs – Report

Michael Simire
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Households pay $12tr a year in hidden fossil fuel costs – Report

New research by 350.org shows that, on top of soaring energy bills, fossil fuels cost households an additional $12 trillion a year in taxpayer handouts, health impacts and extreme weather damage – equivalent to a $23 million a minute “gift to Big Oil” that costs each person on Earth $1,400 per year. 

In the report “Out of Pocket: How Fossil Fuels are Draining Households and Economies,” the environmental campaign group recalculated IMF estimates on fossil fuel subsidies, uncovering what fossil fuels actually cost society and what governments spend to keep production flowing.

These hidden costs – totalling $12 trillion annually – are “silently siphoning trillions away from household budgets and draining state coffers” while a handful of big corporations make windfall profits from the war in South West Asia. 

Fossil fuel
Fossil fuel divestment campaign

The report highlights that:

  • Fossil fuels cause $9.3 trillion per year in climate damages and air pollution, higher than IMF estimates. These are social costs that the fossil fuel industry should be charged with but pay nothing for, and which the public shoulders through taxes and out of pocket payments.
  • The $4.1 trillion annual climate undervaluation could finance more than 5,900 gigawatts of new solar capacity – enough to power every home in Africa, South Asia and Latin America combined. 
  • The $12 trillion owed by the fossil fuel industry annually in avoided costs is more than 100 times total global climate finance – or the money the world has committed to help countries respond to the climate crisis.
  • In the first 50 days of the war, over $150 billion has been siphoned from ordinary people to oil and gas companies due to soaring energy prices alone.

As decision-makers from over 50 countries gather for the first international conference on a fossil fuel phase-out in Santa Marta, Colombia this week, 350.org said that leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to put the world on the right path. “Decades of delay have turned every oil price spike into a household emergency and every climate‑fuelled disaster into another withdrawal from the savings of the world’s poorest communities,” the group said. 

350.org is calling on governments to:

  • Tax fossil fuel windfall and corporate excess profits to channel the revenues directly into lowering people’s energy bills.
  • End fossil fuel subsidies and replace them with targeted household support; and invest public money in cheaper, reliable renewables that bring bills down for good.
  • Protect families and businesses from future price shocks by ending fossil fuel expansion and building affordable 100% renewable energy.

Using case studies from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, the report also highlights how an alternative energy system is already being shaped. From community‑owned grids, Indigenous‑led wind projects, subnational 100% renewable commitments, and regional subsidy reforms, the great power shift from fossil fuels to people‑centered renewables has already begun.

Bill McKibben, climate activist and 350.org founder, said: “A building El Niño means 2026 and 2027 will set new global temperature records, and that will offer yet more chaos, and yet more reminders that it is the poorest people on earth who must bear most of the cost of this ongoing tragedy.  We have a narrow path out of these crises, and that path has been illuminated by the bombs from this misbegotten war. It would be a waste and a sin not to seize this moment.”

Anne Jellema, 350.org Chief Executive, said: “The economic case for fossil fuels has not just weakened, it has collapsed. Climate chaos and volatile oil prices have pushed ordinary people to a breaking point: unable to afford food, transport, housing or healthcare. Leaders must acknowledge the real costs of fossil fuels and redirect public money where it belongs — into making clean energy a right, not a privilege.” 

Hala Kilani, Head of Energy Diplomacy, REN21, said: “Renewables are not controlled by a few fossil fuel exporting countries. It is abundant, distributed, and affordable. It can stabilize costs and be deployed locally, empowering communities rather than concentrating power. It is a peace, development, and justice solution. It’s high time we transition to reliable, affordable renewable energy.” 

Hilda Flavia Nakabuye, Founder of Fridays for Future Uganda, said: “African families are paying for fossil fuels three times over: through taxes, through rising living costs, and through worsening climate disasters. The fossil fuel system is not a distant global issue; it is something people experience in their daily lives. Public resources are being drained to support this system, while wealth is extracted and exported.

“We must ensure that polluters pay for the damage they have caused to our communities over generations.  We must shift investment towards a system that reduces costs for households, strengthens resilience, and prioritises the people.”

Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Programme Manager for Renewables First Pakistan, said: “The system is structured in such a way that fossil fuels continue to benefit, even as cleaner and cheaper alternatives become available. Pakistan has imported less fossil fuel but ended up paying more, which shows how deeply flawed the system is.

“We learned how to build an energy system around fossil fuels, and now we must learn how to build one around renewables. This transition is no longer just about economic growth; it is about human survival.Solar energy is not only a source of clean power, but also a driver of economic stability.”

Don urges geographers to deploy maps, data to save Nigeria’s forests

Michael Simire
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Don urges geographers to deploy maps, data to save Nigeria’s forests

Prof. Adesola Ogidiolu has urged geographers to deploy mapping tools and data-driven approaches to address Nigeria’s worsening forest crisis, stressing that foresters alone cannot tackle the challenge.

Ogidiolu made the call on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, while delivering the 18th inaugural lecture of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State.

In his lecture titled “Geographer in the Forest: Issues, Concerns and Tasks,” the professor emphasised the urgency of safeguarding forest ecosystems, noting their critical role in sustaining human health and livelihoods.

Prof. Adesola Ogidiolu
Prof. Adesola Ogidiolu delivering the inaugural lecture at the Prince Abubakar Audu University

According to him, forests provide essential services, including water storage, energy supply, income generation and environmental security.

He described a healthy forest as one relatively free of pests, invasive species and pollution, with the capacity to sustain biodiversity and withstand environmental stress.

“A forest may be healthy and still contain unhealthy trees,” he noted.

Ogidiolu identified key threats to Nigeria’s forests, including wildfires, pests and diseases, over-exploitation, poor harvesting practices, weak management systems, uncontrolled grazing, agricultural expansion, urbanisation, invasive species, air pollution, extreme climate events and poverty.

He noted that biotic agents such as insects and diseases account for major annual timber losses, especially in areas where silvicultural practices are weak.

In spite of these challenges, he said forests also present viable solutions.

“Nigerian forests can support second-generation biofuels if sustainably managed, while providing between 20 and 25 per cent of household income for nearby communities as subsistence and safety nets,” he said.

Ogidiolu, however, warned that dense forests in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Benue, Niger and the South-East have also become hideouts for criminal activities, including banditry and kidnapping.

He stressed that geographers have a critical role to play through the use of geospatial technologies and community-led mapping to identify and monitor hotspots.

The don urged professionals to engage in resource mapping, forest health monitoring, environmental modelling, and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for surveillance, planning and ecotourism development, as well as policy advisory.

He recommended expanding forest landscapes, restoring degraded areas, achieving zero-net deforestation and strengthening community participation through Forest Protection Communities, while removing administrative bottlenecks.

Ogidiolu also called on policymakers to make Geography a core and compulsory subject from primary to secondary education.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Salisu Usman, outlined the inaugural lecture as a major milestone in the institution’s intellectual tradition and the first under his administration.

Usman said the university senate had, on March 25, approved a schedule for 13 additional inaugural lectures within two years, raising the total from 17 to 30 by Oct. 5, 2027.

“Inaugural lectures are defining moments of scholarship, institutional prestige and a meeting point of town and gown,” he said.

The vice-chancellor commended Prof. Sunday Arogba, the first inaugural lecturer and current chairman of the lecture committee, for driving the renewed agenda.

To encourage wider participation, he announced an increase in the lecturer’s stipend from N250,000 to N500,000, describing it as a demonstration of the university’s commitment to rewarding scholarship.

He also praised Ogidiolu as “a living legend” for setting the pace and urged eligible professors to submit proposals to extend the lecture timetable beyond 2027, even if it requires hosting sessions twice monthly.

Usman emphasised the need for innovation, noting that inaugural lectures should evolve into celebrated intellectual events that reflect the nobility of scholarship and enhance the university’s global relevance.

By Stephen Adeleye

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