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BATN Foundation Commissions Solar-Powered Borehole Tó End 30-Year Water Crisis In Kano Community

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BATN Foundation Commissions Solar-Powered Borehole Tó End 30-Year Water Crisis In Kano Community

 “For 30 years, we fetched water from far places, paying N100naira for a jerrican of water that wasn’t even clean,” says Mallam Abdullahi Garuba, a longtime resident of Yanfiki community. 

“Sometimes we hide the water from our visitors because it was too dirty to offer them. Today, we have water and not just water, but clean, here in our village.” 

solar powered borehole

For the people of Yanfiki, a quiet rural village nestled in Kano State, June 24th, 2025, will never be forgotten. After more than three decades of lack of access to portable drinking water, a miracle of a 20,000 litres daily water source is born. 

On that day, joy flowed like the very water that began to stream from five new taps in the heart of Yanfiki. The solar-powered borehole, donated by the BATN Foundation, was officially commissioned, and handed over to the Yanfiki community. This wasn’t just the commissioning of a water facility, it was the birth of a new infrastructure, dignity, and hope. 

The commissioning ceremony, held in the heart of the rural community, marked the official handoverof the 20,000-litre solar-powered water facility, a project initiated and donated by the Foundation in its commitment to delivering sustainable solutions to underserved communities in Nigeria. 

The community gathered in their hundreds to witness what many described as a historic event. Emotions ran high. Men, women, and children danced, prayed, and cheered as clean water burst forth from the new taps.; it was the beginning of possibility they long hoped for. 

Gracing the ceremony were dignitaries whose presence added meaning to the occasion. Among them were: Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, Honourable Commissioner of Water Resources, who applauded the initiative and reaffirmed government support for rural infrastructure, Engineer Yusif M. Inuwa, Director of Water, who emphasized the technical integrity of the project, Hashimu Sulaiman, Chairman of Gari, Wakili Bashir Wada, Representative of the Magajin Garin Kano who blessed the project on behalf of the traditional institution, Danlami Mu’azu Danja, Director of Personnel at the Local Government, Alhaji Nasiru Wada,Board director BATN, Foundation, General Manager, BATN Foundation Oludare Odusanya, Project Manager, BATN Foundation Adetola Oniyelu, Media representatives including Muhammad Nur (NAN) and Ibrahim Musa were present to share the story with the world and Others in attendance were Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Kazaure, Hajiya Hasiya Sabi’u, and Dr. Abdulraheem Mudashi, Zonal Director, National Environmental Standard & Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). 

In the heart of the celebration, a heartfelt speech was delivered by Alh Nasiru Wada – Board Director BATN Foundation on behalf of the Foundation, Through the deployment of solar-powered borehole, we are not only ensuring clean water access but also promoting eco-friendly, renewable energy solutions that support our climate goals.The 20,000-litre capacity water facility, supported by Four 400W solar panels, features a water management kiosk, five dispensing taps, a submersible pump, a manual hand pump for sustainability in the event of an extended overcast, and a protective fence. But beyond the infrastructure, what truly stood out was the ownership spirit the Foundation instilled in the people.“This is your project,” they said. “Own it. Maintain it. Let it serve not just you, but your children and grandchildren. Let no child skip school again because of water. Let no mother fear sickness from dirty streams.

”And the people of Yanfiki responded. They formed a local water committee before the end of the day. Elders blessed the taps. Children splashed their feet. Women smiled, many of them remembering how far they had once walked to fetch water from unsafe sources.

“We never thought this would happen in our lifetime,” added Mallam Abdullahi. “But today, Allah has smiled on Yanfiki. And we are forever grateful.” 

The event concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, prayers, and a collective commitment to ensuring that the facility is properly maintained.  

This initiative is one of several water access projects the BATN Foundation is implementing across rural Nigeria as part of its broader mission to drive equitable development, improve rural livelihoods, and foster health and environmental resilience.

By Ajibola Adedoye

BAT Nigeria Foundation, SwagCo Flags Off Maize Micro-Enterprise Project to Empower Ekiti Farmers

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BAT Nigeria Foundation, SwagCo Flags Off Maize Micro-Enterprise Project to Empower Ekiti Farmers

In a landmark move to boost food security and rural livelihoods, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in partnership with SwagCo & Odua Investment company has officially launched the Sustainable Development of Maize Micro-Enterprise Farmers Project in Oke-Ako, Ekiti State. 

The initiative is designed to empower over 100 smallholder farmers in and around the region through enhanced access to inputs, sustainable agricultural practices, and market access.

BAT Nigeria

The flag-off ceremony held on June 17, 2025, was graced by a distinguished gathering of public and private sector leaders, community representatives, and agricultural stakeholders. The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Niyi Adebayo, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to agricultural development as a pillar of economic transformation. He reiterated the state’s commitment to agricultural transformation and lauded the BATN Foundation and its partners for their strategic intervention. “Ekiti is ready for investment and partnership in agriculture. We encourage more collaborative efforts that prioritize the empowerment of our farmers and the sustainability of our food systems,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATN Foundation, described the initiative as “a transformative journey” that goes beyond ceremonial event. “This project is anchored on a simple but powerful vision: to boost maize productivity, promote climate-smart practices, and enable sustainable livelihoods for our farmers. We believe smallholder farmers are not just beneficiaries of development but drivers of it,” said Mr. Odusanya.

As part of the program, participating farmers will receive improved maize seed varieties that offer higher yield potential and greater resilience to changing climate conditions. They will also benefit from targeted agronomic training and extension services designed to embed smart, sustainable farming practices into their daily operations. 

The Foundation also acknowledged the crucial roles played by its technical partners. SwagCo, praised for its innovation in agricultural enterprise, developed the framework that will guide the implementation, while Westlink will serve as the on-ground execution partner ensuring efficient delivery and measurable impact. The Odu’a Investment Company was also commended for its strong commitment to regional development through agricultural empowerment. “This collaboration is a testament to what is possible when the public sector, private enterprise, and development organizations work hand-in-hand. Together, we are sowing seeds of transformation,” added Odusanya.

Addressing the smallholder farmers directly, Odusanya said: “You are the true champions of this project. Your hands shape our food systems.. Your participation and dedication will catalyze agricultural transformation not only in Oke-Ako, but across Ekiti State.”

The GMD of Odu’a Investment Company, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, and the Chairman of SwagCo, Mr. Owolabi Salami, both expressed optimism about the project’s long-term impact on the region, while reaffirming their commitment to supporting inclusive agribusiness development in the southwest.

In attendance were esteemed dignitaries including the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Boluade; Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company, Mr. Abdulraham Yinusa; Independent Director, Odu’a and Technical Committee Member, BATNF, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, OON; Chairman of SwagCo, Mr. Owolabi Salami; Managing Director of SwagCo, Dr. Adewale Onadeko, Project Manager, BATNF – Mr Adetola Oniyelu and the Regent of Oke-Ako, Kabiyesi Mrs. Adebayo, representatives of the Ekiti State University, amongst others.

The Oke-Ako community leaders expressed their gratitude, with the Regent of Oke-Ako, Ikole Kabiyesi Mrs. Adebayo, affirming the community’s full support for the initiative and its alignment with the community’s economic and development aspirations.

The project is expected to scale over the coming years, opening new opportunities for farmer-led micro-enterprises, youth engagement in agriculture, and value chain development.The program concluded with ceremonial distributions of starter packs to selected farmers and a symbolic flag-off of field activities. Community members, traditional leaders, and beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, hailing it as a lifeline for local farmers and a catalyst for economic resilience.

The flag-off concluded with a renewed call for sustained investment in rural enterprise and inclusive partnerships that uplift local communities and promote agricultural innovation.

By Ajibola Adedoye

NBSAP: A Welcome Step Toward Food Sovereignty and Biosafety

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NBSAP: A Welcome Step Toward Food Sovereignty and Biosafety

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) commends the Federal Government for endorsing the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). In June 2025, Nigeria officially approved its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, NBSAP, 2025-2030, aiming to stop and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

According to the Nigerian government’s statement, the NBSAP fully aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF), with a focus on halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. The revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, NBSAP, has been adopted as a comprehensive government policy with 23 national targets, each aligned with the corresponding global biodiversity targets and goals. https://von.gov.ng/nigeria-validates-national-biodiversity-strategy-action-plan/

Nnimmo Bassey
Nnimmo Bassey

Executive Director, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, stated that it is a vital step toward protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and advancing environmental justice.

“We are especially encouraged by NBSAP’s firm stance on the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which aligns with our long-standing advocacy for biosafety and food sovereignty. In a time when the indiscriminate adoption of genetically engineered crops is increasingly being pushed by multinational interests, NBSAP rightly cautions that unregulated GMO use could be catastrophic to our environment, health, and sustainable development.”

Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes and Lead on Hunger Politics, noted that “the Strategy’s support for traditional plant breeding, non-transgenic biotechnologies, and the fair sharing of benefits from biological resources reflects a welcome policy shift. It affirms the rights of smallholder farmers and communities to control their seeds and food system, putting the power back in the hands of people.”

HOMEF urge the government to back this with action by halting GMO approvals pending a biosafety audit, reviewing the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 as amended in 2019, in line with the National Biosafety Framework, investing in agroecology, and supporting community seed systems.

HOMEF says remains committed to ensuring Nigeria’s biodiversity thrives, free from genetic pollution and corporate control.

HEDA applauds proposal to make existing Right to Clean Environment justiciable under fundamental human rights

Michael Simire
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HEDA applauds proposal to make existing Right to Clean Environment justiciable under fundamental human rights

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a leading environmental justice and sustainable development organisation, has commended the proposal for a constitutional amendment to include the Right to a Clean Environment as a fundamental right in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, specifically under Chapter Four, which deals with fundamental human rights.

HEDA
HEDA has commended the proposal for a constitutional amendment to include the Right to a Clean Environment

According to Sulaimon Arigbabu, HEDA’s Executive Secretary, “The significance of this proposal cannot be overstated. By making the Right to a Clean Environment a fundamental human right under Chapter Four, it will become justiciable, allowing individuals to seek redress in court for any breach of this right by the government or private entities.”

Currently, the right to a clean environment is enshrined in Chapter Two of the Constitution, but its non-justiciable nature has rendered it unenforceable in court. The proposed amendment seeks to insert a new section 33A in the Principal Act, recognising the right of every person to live in a clean, safe, and healthy environment, free from harmful pollution, degradation, and hazards.

This right includes access to information about environmental conditions, participation in decisions that affect the environment, and holding those responsible for environmental harm accountable.

HEDA believes that the Right to a Clean Environment is intricately linked to other fundamental human rights, including the right to life, dignity, and livelihood.

Arigbabu added, “Without a clean environment, the right to life cannot be guaranteed, as access to clean air, water, and land is essential for human survival. Similarly, the right to human dignity cannot be achieved in an environment that is polluted and degraded.”

Furthermore, a clean environment is crucial for the enjoyment of other rights, such as the right to food, fishing, and agriculture. Without a safe and healthy environment, these rights become meaningless.

Arigbabu noted, “What is the right to life if we don’t have access to grow our food because our land has been polluted? The right to life would be rendered meaningless without a clean environment.”

HEDA commends the lawmakers for proposing this amendment and urges all stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organizations, and the general public, to support this proposal and work towards its enactment.

The organisation believes that this amendment will be a significant step towards ensuring a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for all Nigerians.

ICCDI enlightens cub journalists, activists on climate justice

Michael Simire
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ICCDI enlightens cub journalists, activists on climate justice

The International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, organised a two-day workshop tagged “Media for Climate Justice”, an event dedicated to raising awareness about climate-related issues and the role of media in shaping public discourse in Lagos.

Participants at the event

In his remarks, Olumide Idowu, Executive Director, ICCDI-Africa, said: “Climate justice is a framework that recognises the interconnectedness of climate change and social inequality. It emphasises that the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect marginalised and vulnerable communities, often those who have contributed the least to the problem.”

Idowu stressed that the main objectives of the event is to amplify the voices of residents of marginalised communities by ensuring their stories and perspectives are heard and also promote solutions through innovative and sustainable practices. 

In his paper presentation titled “The Intersection of Climate Change, Social Justice, and the Media”, Sulaimon Arigbabu, the Executive Secretary, HEDA Resource Centre, noted that there is need for climate change information because it will help promote public engagement and advocacy leading to more informed decision making by shifting towards eco-friendly choices in daily activities.

Arigbabu said the media helps project ideas for solution by shaping how the people understands climate change, how they identify duty bearers and how they demand accountability.

He however admonished the participants of the workshop to prioritise scientific consensus over fringe views, make use of voices and visuals emanating from the communities as well as collaborating with other media platforms and NGOs.

In his remark, David Lanre Messan, the Chief Venture Builder, opined that there is need for climate advocates, media leaders, and changemakers to equip themselves with actionable frameworks and advanced strategies for storytelling that drives behavior change, policy momentum, and grassroots action across Africa.

Messan, in his paper presentation titled “Story Telling for Change: Crafting Compelling Climate Narratives and Effective Communication Strategies”, submitted that story telling in climate justice matters a lot because “data alone doesn’t move people; stories do, apart from this, narrative taps into emotion, fosters empathy, and inspires action”. 

He said: “A well-crafted story turns abstract risks into personal stakes, so the role of a media professionals is to connect carbon budgets to everyday lives.”

The award winning story-teller urged participants to adopt the P.A.C.E. Method to build scalable stories. According to him with P.A.C.E. Method, writers should focus their narratives on Problem, Action, Consequence and Envision.

Other speakers that took turn to address participants at the workshop included Khadija M-Williams who spoke on “The Role of Media in Climate Advocacy” and Mayowa Adebote who delivered a speech on “Using Digital Media for Climate Activism”.

The two-day event continued on Thursday with upcoming journalists, activists, and community leaders in attendance.

By Ajibola Adedoye

We developed action plan to reverse decline of vultures in Nigeria – Director of Forestry

Michael Simire
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We developed action plan to reverse decline of vultures in Nigeria – Director of Forestry

In order to address the decline in the population of vultures in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Environment in conjunction with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has developed National Vulture Conservation Action Plan (NVCAP) – a national framework aimed at reversing the trend through coordinated policy, research and community-based action.

Vulture
L-R: Mr. Adedamola Ogunsesan, Director, Technical Programmes, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Mr. Liu Yuan, Programme Officer, United Nations CITES, Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Alhaji Shaba Malkudi, President, NANTMP, Prof. Augustine Ezealor at the Workshop on Identifying Barriers on the Option of Plant-Based Alternative to Vulture Use

Dr. Moses Ama, Director of Forestry, Federal Department of Forestry, who made this known on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Lagos at the two-day workshop on “Reducing the Demand for Vultures in Traditional Medicine Practices In Nigeria”, noted that the vulture – the nature’s most vital scavengers – is now at the brink of extinction, primarily due to belief-based use in traditional medicine, poisoning, and illegal trade. 

Speaking through Bosede Olukanni, Deputy Director, Federal Department of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Ama noted: “Nigeria is blessed with a rich array of wildlife species, each contributing to the delicate ecological balance that sustains life. Among these, vultures hold a unique and irreplaceable role as nature’s clean-up agents, preventing the spread of deadly diseases through the efficient disposal of animal carcasses.” 

According to him, “Six of our vulture species are listed as Critically Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including the Hooded Vulture and White-backed Vulture. This disturbing trend not only threatens biodiversity but poses serious public health risks and undermines our international conservation commitments.

Part of what NVCAP stands to address according to the Director of Forestry is “creation of nationwide awareness in form of education, and sensitisation campaigns, strengthening the legal and regulatory framework – once enacted, the Endangered Species Protection and Conservation Bill 2024 will provide tougher penalties and modern tools to combat wildlife crimes, including the illegal vulture trade as well as multi-stakeholder collaboration in form of partnerships with law enforcement agencies, NGOs, traditional institutions, and international bodies which have been scaled up to ensure a whole-of-society approach to this challenge,” he stated. 

In his welcome address, Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General, NCF, noted that human beings are at the top of the pyramid of the ecosystem. 

He said: “All of these things that nature has provided is for our benefit at the end of the day. There is need for us to protect the ecosystem from collapsing, if that ecosystem collapses, because we are at the top, our fall will be higher and it will be more painful. That is why we need to be concerned about what is happening to our species, especially the vultures.” 

Prof. Augustine Ezealor, in his paper presentation titled “More Than Scavengers: The Impact of Vultures on Ecosystems and Public Health”, disclosed that vultures are more than scavengers. According to him, there are only 23 species of vultures worldwide, 11 in Africa and 7 in Nigeria, hence the need to religiously protect them and prevent them from going into extinction.

Ezealor, who is a Professor of Ornithology, highlighted some of the services provided by vultures to include: “Sanitation and Disease Pest and Vermin Reduction, Cultural and Spiritual Symbolism, Environmental Nutrient Cycling, Traditional Medicine among others” 

Key threats for vultures, according to Ezealor, are “Hunting for Food, Unregulated Use in Traditional Medicine. Poisoning, Cultural Charge and Poverty Driven Exploitation and Nest Destruction (during construction and urbanization).

In his remarks, Alhaji Shaba Maikudi, National President, National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), commended NCF for the vision and commitment in bringing traditional medical practitioners together to discuss the issue which, according to him, is both timely and vital to the barriers of the use of land and the use of animal structures, at least in health care conservation and cultural preservation. 

He opined that the gathering is not just a workshop, but also a confirmation to the fact that traditional medicine is not obsolete but is a pillar of sustainable health care and potential solutions to the global medical and ecological challenges in our roots and the state-wide environment at the grassroots level. 

“As traditional medical practitioners, we believe we cannot do that without a solution, we must work hand-in-hand with the policy makers, researchers, conservation and international bodies to create a sustainable ecosystem for traditional medicine to thrive,” he submitted. 

The workshop also witnessed presentation from Yuan Liu, representative from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) who presented a paper on “History of Demand Reduction and the Role of the CITES Guidelines in the Protection of Threatened Species”.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Shell pledges support for Nigeria’s ambitions for energy sufficiency

Michael Simire
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Shell pledges support for Nigeria’s ambitions for energy sufficiency

Shell says it will continue to explore opportunities to invest in Nigeria as the country aims to achieve energy abundance.

Shell
Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and production Company Limited, Ronald Adams… Speaking at a panel session at the 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja

Speaking at a panel session at the 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams, referred to the expansion of its stake in the Bonga field, the FID on Bonga North and several other projects being considered including Bonga Southwest and HI as Shell’s vote of confidence in the future of Nigeria. But he declined to give specific timing on FIDs including that on HI.

Discussions at the panel session were based on the theme, “Pragmatically Achieving Energy Abundance,” and featured chief executives of oil companies and government functionaries who proposed steps towards achieving energy sufficiency as Nigeria targets net-zero emissions from fossil fuel by 2050.

Ronald said SNEPCo would build on its contributions to energy abundance by becoming more efficient and improve value across the value chain by working closely with the Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS) and other stakeholders.

“There is a requirement for us to push the envelope. We cannot rest on our oars,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria can achieve the ambition of net-zero emissions and at the same time provide cost-effective and efficient energy for a rising population by optimizing investments in hydrocarbon energy sources and quick renewable opportunities.

On the efforts of Shell towards net-zero emissions, the Managing Director said the company’s refreshed Powering Progress strategy aims to accelerate the transition “purposefully and profitably to low-carbon businesses by the early 2030s.”

He added: “It is important that government continues to support these efforts and those of other industry players through the right polices and creation of a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.”

GCF, UNEP boost climate adaptation with $120m for new projects

Michael Simire
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GCF, UNEP boost climate adaptation with $120m for new projects

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved over $120 million in new funding to strengthen climate resilience in Ghana, the Maldives, and Mauritania. At the request of the three countries, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) developed these projects to help vulnerable communities anticipate and adapt to increasingly severe impacts of climate change through nature-based solutions, climate-resilient agriculture, early warning systems and improved water security.

Inger Andersen
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, Inger Andersen. Photo credit: Eric Bridiers

Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer of the GCF, said: “The approval of these projects demonstrates how GCF is supporting country ownership of national climate action priorities in Ghana, Maldives, and Mauritania. These investments will positively impact key areas of climate resilience in all three countries.”

The initiatives are a major step forward in deploying adaptation finance where it is most needed — particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Sahel region. They are expected to benefit more than 3.5 million people.

“These new projects reflect UNEP’s deep commitment to supporting countries on the frontlines of climate change,” said Martin Krause, Director of UNEP’s Climate Change Division. “Our focus is on contextualizing climate solutions to the benefit of the most vulnerable nations and communities with tailored, locally led, and science-based solutions.”

Ghana

Northern Ghana faces increasingly erratic rainfall and long dry seasons that have led to chronic food shortages, drying water bodies, and the destruction of infrastructure from flooding. Smallholder farmers, reliant on rainfed subsistence agriculture, are especially vulnerable. High temperatures reduce the land’s water-retention capacity, and extreme rain events risk dam collapse and downstream flooding.

In response, the new $70 million project – including a $63 million GCF grant – aims to build the resilience of agroecosystems and rural livelihoods. The initiative will support 120 communities across eight districts in the North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions. Activities include improving access to climate data and early warnings, enabling dry season farming through water storage solutions, and restoring 28,000 hectares of degraded land to improve soil health, improve water retention and reduce flood risks.

Implemented by the Government of Ghana through the Environmental Protection Agency and Ghana Meteorological Agency, the project will benefit 619,000 people directly, while early warning alerts will reach up to 2.9 million people. Around 120,000 individuals will experience improved food security as a result of climate-resilient farming practices.

Maldives

Maldives is the world’s most exposed country to climate change. Comprising 1,192 islands, nearly 80% of which lie less than one meter above sea level, Maldives faces the constant threat from rising sea levels. In addition to rising seas, the country is vulnerable to more frequent and severe storm surges, floods, heatwaves, coastal erosion, and other hazards exacerbated by climate change. These hazards are already disrupting critical economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism, affecting the entire population of Maldives. The poorest, most marginalised and remote communities, and women and children are particularly susceptible.

To strengthen the country’s ability to adapt to these threats and reduce vulnerability to climate change, UNEP, in coordination with several national and international partners, developed the project, Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-Resilient Communities (TRACT) – Strengthening Climate Services and Impact-Based Multi-Hazard Early Warning in the Maldives.

The $25 million project – expected to benefit more than half a million people – will be implemented over five years under the lead of UNEP. It aligns with the goal of the Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4All) to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous climate events through early warning systems by 2027 and it will deliver on the Maldives’ roadmap to achieve the EW4All Initiative, developed by the Government of Maldives and international partners to guide the scaling up of early warning systems in the country. 

Mauritania

In the fragile zone between the Sahara and Sahel, prolonged droughts, sand encroachment, and water scarcity are threatening lives and livelihoods. Mauritania has seen accelerating dune movement, siltation of water sources, and growing pressure on socio-economic infrastructure such as roads and schools. Agricultural output remains extremely low, with the country importing up to 85% of its food.

With a $33 million investment — including a $30 million GCF grant – the new UNEP project will restore ecosystems and secure livelihoods in four vulnerable hubs: Aoujeft, Rachid, Tamcheket, and Nema. It will support green-grey infrastructure to fix dunes and control sand encroachment, improve access to water for farming and land rehabilitation, and scale up climate-resilient agriculture to boost food security and incomes.

Led by Mauritania’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the project will directly benefit 85,000 people and improve resilience for 145,000 more. It will also protect 2,100 hectares of land and support the country’s contributions to the Great Green Wall – a multilateral African initiative to combat desertification and build climate resilience across the continent.

New report reveals Pacific leadership on climate ahead of NDC 3.0 deadline

Michael Simire
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New report reveals Pacific leadership on climate ahead of NDC 3.0 deadline

A new publication by the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific reveals that Pacific Island countries are making significant progress in their collective effort to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Ralph Regenvanu
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management for the Republic of Vanuatu

Despite contributing just 0.03% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) are showing strong climate leadership by aligning their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national policies with the global target to limit warming to 1.5°C by the end of the century, as all Parties have agreed.

According to the report – titled ‘What does mitigation ambition mean for the Pacific?’ – all 14 PSIDS submitted their first round of NDCs by the end of 2015. Since then, 11 have submitted their second NDCs, either as updated or enhanced versions of their original plans. Most of these outline ambitious targets in renewable energy, sustainable transport, and nature-based solutions, with six PSIDS aiming for 100% renewable energy.

Several countries, such as Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, and Fiji, have developed detailed sectoral strategies and investment plans to decarbonize their economies, many of which include pledges to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

This timely report arrives as countries are preparing their third round of NDCs (also known as NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, showing how small islands are already setting the pace for higher global ambition.

For Pacific nations, taking climate action is not just about reducing emissions  – it’s a matter of survival. Rising sea levels, intensifying storms, and ocean degradation pose existential threats, making the 1.5°C limit non-negotiable.

Across the region, countries are showing climate leadership in diverse and concrete ways. Fiji was the first country to ratify the Paris Agreement and the first SIDS to preside over a UN Climate Conference (COP 23). The Marshall Islands was among the earliest to submit its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), and Papua New Guinea was the first to formally submit an NDC, with a bold target of 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Many countries are now implementing advanced actions such as solar and hydropower deployment, forest conservation, and coastal ecosystem restoration, showing that NDCs aligned with national contexts can deliver meaningful impact.

In the case of Vanuatu, the country has committed to rapidly phaseout fossil fuels and transition to a circular economy, with all its NDC targets conditional on scaled-up international support. Similarly, the Marshall Islands continues to integrate youth participation and Indigenous knowledge into its national climate agenda.

Beyond national borders, the Pacific is reframing climate ambition as a regional issue, one that intersects with identity, sovereignty, and development. The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent places ocean-based solutions and regional collaboration at the heart of the Pacific’s long-term vision for resilience.

As the global stocktake calls for increased ambition across all sectors, the Pacific offers a clear message: the next generation of NDCs must not only aim higher but go further, turning ambition into action, and action into survival.

Learn more about the work of UN Climate Change’s six Regional Collaboration Centres here.

Spain, Brazil push global action to tax the super-rich, curb inequality

Michael Simire
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Spain, Brazil push global action to tax the super-rich, curb inequality

Spain and Brazil on July 1, 2025, launched a joint initiative to promote higher tax contributions from the super-rich worldwide, aimed at tackling soaring inequality by ensuring those with the most pay their fair share.

Lula da Silva
Lula da Silva, President of Brazil

The countries announced plans for a Platform for Action on Taxing the Super-Rich in a move that could see more funds made available to tackle the climate and development crises. The initiative was launched at the UN Financing for Development conference in Seville and has been welcomed by 350.org.

“This is a bold move by Spain and Brazil to drive forward taxing the super-rich as a key solution to the lack of funds being delivered by rich countries for climate action. We want more countries to join this coalition so that billionaires and multi-millionaires help to foot the bill for the climate damage they have caused and decrease the huge gap between the rich and the poorest.

“We won’t rest until governments like the UK, France, and Germany make the right choice to force the super-rich to pay what they owe and increase their spending on climate action and public services at home and around the world,” said Kate Blagojevic, 350.org Associate Director for Europe Campaigns.

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