The Ondo State Government says it is establishing nurseries to raise seedlings for planting of 10 million trees in forest reserves across the state in its afforestation efforts.
Mr. Olaleye Akinola, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, disclosed this at a news conference on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Akure, the state capital.
Akinola explained that some of the tree seedlings would also be given free-of-charge to farmers, but would be monitored for two years to ensure its survival.
The Ondo State Government is planting 10 million trees in forest reserves. Photo credit: UNDP Cambodia/Chansok Lay/Oddar Meanchey
“Ondo State Government will not leave replanting in the hands of those who contributed to deforestation without proper supervision.
“This administration is fully committed to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
“We are taking these steps to secure our forests, protect our climate, and sustain livelihoods for generations to come,” he said.
The commissioner, who said there was no going back on the government forest policy, said only cocoa farmers who planted trees in their farms would be allowed to remain in the government forest reserves.
The state government proposed framework policy requires each farmer to pay a levy of N250,000 per hectare, N150,000 for polygon mapping and N100,000 for agro-forest.
According to Akinola, the levy is charged to cover major expenses of carrying out these assignments that will remove Ondo State from the red zone in cocoa farming.
“Cocoa from Ondo State will not be allowed into global market if the forest policy is not properly carried out by December 2025.
“The policy started in 2020, and was to take full effect in 2024 but extended to 2025. It aims at ensuring that all cocoa, cashew and rubber farmers are properly mapped and registered.
“By December, only cocoa farmers with traceable farms will be eligible to sell their produce in line with global market and European Union traceability standards.
“This initiative is not about punishing anyone. It is about protecting the future of our farmers and meeting global sustainability requirements.
“We cannot continue to lose our forest cover while expecting to sell to international buyers who now demand proof of deforestation-free products,” the commissioner said.
Akinola disclosed that the state government was preparing a new legislation to be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for categorisatipn of forest areas into three distinct zones.
He listed the three zones to include the Core Zone, where tree planting and regeneration would take place; the Sustainability Zone, where regulated farming such as cocoa and rice farming would continue.
Akinola said the third and last zone was the Buffer Zone reserved for future agricultural expansion.
According to him, mapping and monitoring activities are already ongoing with government partnering accredited firms to use advanced technology for farm traceability.
“All yearly revenue collection relating to the process has been suspended until next year to ease farmers’ participation in the ongoing process,” he said.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.
The Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said this in an interview with newsmen, in Belem, Brazil.
El-Rufai, who gave a recap of the Vice President Kashim Shettima’s participation in COP30 in Brazil, said Nigeria would use its influence to mobilise finance for the country.
Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai
She also said that Nigeria would canvass for the adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.
“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. So we do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at AU platforms to demonstrate that we are that big brother.
“So, we must galvanize all stakeholders, both in public and private sectors, to make sure we implement our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make it work for us,” she said.
The presidential aide added that Nigeria’s natural resources will also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
“The natural capital we have – don’t forget that we are an oil-producing nation and endowed with vast natural gas resources and renewables.
“We will also continue to use that to implement the NDCs in a way that works for us and addresses the sustainable development challenges that we are facing,” El-Rufai added.
She stated that nature and climate are the very home that makes Nigerian economy thrive and also ” gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature.
“That is why how you consume and use the natural resources is important to ensuring sustainability of livelihoods, economies and everything.
“So, this why we need to live our lives responsibly and also leave a better future for generations to come.
“The government led by President Bola Tinubu is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long term shared value creation.
“The government will continue to prioritise climate and nature as well as ensuring that we lead on the necessary climate policies,” she added.
She said that many countries were yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
El-Rufai, therefore, urged them to emulate Nigeria and praised Nigeria for taking the lead.
“There are many countries that haven’t submitted their NDCs yet, but Nigeria has. China and EU just submitted.
“So, you can see we are leading because we also have our Climate Change Act as well as our carbon market framework in place, and that is why the theme for COP 30 is apt: COP of Action and Implementation.
“This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; rather, let world leaders seat and operationalise NDCs.
“And make sure all those climate-related finance pledges made at Baku that were brought down from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion come to a reality,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Shettima, has departed Belem, Brazil, for Abuja after a successful diplomatic engagement in the South American country.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
The conference was convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners.
During the international engagement, VP Shettima joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30.
He delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change, saying the nation’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”
Shettima also represented Tinubu at a high-level thematic session titled, “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” on the margins of COP30, where he delivered Nigeria’s bold statement.
Some economic and energy experts have commended the Dangote Refinery for its ambitious plan to expand its refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.
They said the move would place Nigeria on the path to achieving full self-sufficiency in petroleum products, conserve foreign exchange, and enhance fuel affordability for ordinary citizens.
They spoke in separate interviews in Lagos on Sunday, November 9, 2025, following the announcement of the expansion by the Dangote Group President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Dangote Refinery gate
Dr Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), described the move as a landmark step in Nigeria’s industrial development.
He said the refinery expansion represents an uncommon level of foresight and confidence in the nation’s economy, adding that it would position Nigeria as a hub for refined petroleum products in Africa.
“We should be proud that a Nigerian of such stature has demonstrated the capacity and courage to ensure that our country becomes self-reliant in refined petroleum,” Yusuf said.
According to him, the expansion would enable the refinery not only to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand but also to export more products to global markets, strengthening the country’s foreign reserves.
Yusuf said the project would also boost the country’s macroeconomic stability by reducing the huge amount of foreign exchange previously spent on the importation of refined petroleum.
“Before now, Nigeria expended about 30 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings on fuel imports. This expansion will help conserve a substantial portion of that,” he explained.
He noted that the refinery’s operations would extend beyond fuel production, adding that its by-products, such as polypropylene, would serve as vital inputs for local industries.
“Polypropylene is a key raw material for the plastic industry, and over 80 per cent of our packaging materials are made from plastics. The benefits are enormous,” he added.
Yusuf said the refinery’s growing capacity would strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base, attract new investments, and create a positive global perception of the country’s economic potential.
“This is a good optic for the Nigerian economy and a signal that African investors can achieve global standards. Dangote has become a reference point for continental industrialisation,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Ayodele Oni, Partner and Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group at Bloomfield, described the refinery expansion as a “bold and transformative industrial venture.”
He said the establishment of such a large complex within Nigeria would promote local content, create jobs, and stimulate technological advancement in the energy sector.
“It is a good thing to have such a large-scale industrial project in Nigeria. It enhances the capacity of our businesses to compete internationally,” Oni said.
However, he noted that legitimate concerns exist about the possible emergence of monopolistic dominance within the sector.
“There are always concerns around monopoly, and rightly so. This is why state regulators like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission must be effective and proactive,” he said.
Oni added that it would be unjust to criticise Dangote for taking calculated risks in a difficult business environment where many investors have often shied away.
“It would also be unfair to deny him the benefits of his huge investment. What matters is ensuring fairness, transparency, and open competition,” Oni said.
Also, Mr. Boniface Okezie, President of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, lauded Dangote for demonstrating consistency and ambition in expanding the refinery’s capacity.
He said the development was an indication of confidence in Nigeria’s economy and a reflection of the growing participation of indigenous investors in large-scale projects.
Okezie, however, urged the Dangote Group to prioritise domestic consumption over export, stressing that Nigeria’s energy needs remain enormous and largely underserved.
“Charity should begin at home. The immediate focus should be on meeting domestic fuel demand rather than rushing to export to recoup investment,” Okezie said.
He argued that projects of such scale often require patience before yielding financial returns, adding that Dangote should place emphasis on affordability for Nigerians.
“These kinds of investments take time before they begin to yield profit. Emphasis should be on affordable pricing for local consumers,” he added.
Okezie also called on the Federal Government to support other domestic investors who had secured licences to build refineries, noting that they need incentives to thrive.
“Government should grant incentives to local businesses that are licensed to build refineries so they can compete effectively and contribute to price reduction,” he said.
He said increased participation by private investors would promote healthy competition, create jobs, and make fuel pricing more stable in the long term.
The Dangote Refinery recently announced plans to expand its facility from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.
Dangote made the announcement at a press briefing in Lagos, describing the expansion as a strategic move to boost global refining capacity.
The president of Dangote Group said the project would make the refinery the largest in the world, surpassing several established plants in Asia and the Middle East.
According to him, construction work on the expansion is expected to commence without delay, signalling another major milestone for Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
He said the refinery’s expansion would further enhance Africa’s refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and position Nigeria as a key energy exporter.
Dangote added that the group remained committed to driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and supporting the government’s quest for industrial transformation.
Hundreds of volunteers from Greenpeace Africa formed a giant human banner in the shape of the African continent and displayed a printed message “Tax the Super-rich for People and Planet” to demand urgent tax reform at UN Tax Convention negotiations.
The gathering welcomed negotiations in Nairobi at the UN Tax Convention (UNTC), calling for action to deliver much needed additional public finance for climate mitigation, nature protection and sustainable development by making billionaires and oil and gas corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
Youth volunteers demand urgent tax reform
Nina Stros, policy expert at Greenpeace International and head of the Greenpeace delegation,said: “The current global tax system is outdated and unjust, allowing the super-rich and polluting oil and gas corporations to profit while avoiding paying their fair share and fuelling the climate crisis through their excessive emissions. This has to change.
“Governments must deliver strong commitments with clear mechanisms to tax polluting billionaires and corporations. These changes will benefit the majority of the world’s countries, from the least developed economies to those with high socioeconomic indicators in the Global North. Instead of pursuing a race to the bottom with continuous lowering of corporate tax rates, it’s time governments unite to usher in new global tax rules that will finally hold these super rich individuals and polluting corporations to account.”
The UNTC’s third round of negotiations (INC-3) in Nairobi, holding from November 10 to 19, 2025, coincides with COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where countries are debating how to bridge the 1.5°C ambition gap, ending forest destruction and who picks up the tab for international climate finance.
Tangible plans are urgently needed to deliver on the COP29 finance commitment for developed countries to mobilise at least $300 billion per year by 2035, and to scale up to at least $1.3 trillion in public finance in line with needs. The UNTC provides a critical opportunity to unlock the public finance that is required, through increasing taxes on the super-rich and increasing profit taxes on polluting oil and gas corporations.
Fred Njehu, Fair Share Global Political Lead, Greenpeace Africa, said: “The world is not a billionaire’s playground, for them to get richer at the expense of our health, security and democracy. Governments must act now to stop the super-rich stashing billions in tax havens, and to put an end to polluting corporations paying too little tax, depriving people of vital public finances. It’s time to implement global taxes on billionaires and the profits of oil and gas corporations – and direct these funds to sustainable development, public services, and tackling the climate and ecological crisis.”
Murtala Touray, Programme Director at Greenpeace Africa, said: “The tax negotiations in Nairobi come at a pivotal moment to fix a global economic system so that it serves all nations, and not just a few rich countries. The Africa Group initiated this process to forge a new, legally binding UN tax convention that addresses systemic inequalities in global finance and governance.
“These injustices are preventing many countries of the Global South from raising revenues that could support better public services, climate mitigation and adaptation and nature protection. Africa is calling for a clear path to tax justice – a commitment to sustainable development rooted in fair taxation of corporations and high-net-worth individuals. Because tax justice isn’t charity, it’s a fundamental right and the essence of our sovereignty.”
Key figures:
It is estimated that countries lose $492 billion annually because multinational corporations and the ultra-wealthy use tax havens to underpay tax.
Profit shifting in extractive industries (oil, gas, mining) leads to governments reportedly losing at least $44 billion per year in tax revenues.
Oxfam estimates that permanent polluter profits tax on oil and gas corporations could raise up to $400 billion in its first year.
Reported profits from just five international oil and gas giants over the last decade reached almost $800 billion, and half of the world’s CO2 emissions reportedly come from just 36 fossil fuel firms.
A tax of up to 5% on multimillionaires and billionaires could generate $1.7 trillion a year, according to Oxfam.
Greenpeace’s demands for negotiators at INC-3 are:
Effective taxation of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs): Introduce and implement progressively higher rates for billionaires with revenues earmarked for sustainable development and investment in public services as well as direct climate and nature investments.
Progressive environmental taxation: Secure a commitment for international cooperation to deliver progressive environmental taxation in line with the polluter pays principle and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), covering both polluting corporations and HNWIs, to unlock more public finance for climate action and sustainable development.
Polluter tax on fossil fuel company profits: Tax the global profits of multinational oil, coal, and gas and other polluting companies, directing revenues to multilateral climate funds, so that the communities who are most vulnerable and least responsible for climate damages get the support they deserve.
The World Wildlife Fund urged leaders at the COP30 climate summit on Friday, November 7, 2025, to deliver a “Belém Package for Africa” that mobilizes at least $1 trillion annually in climate finance to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit achievable.
The call comes as the world marks 10 years since the Paris Agreement, with climate impacts intensifying while global action lags.
“Africa is bringing solutions to the table – now COP30 must respond with fair finance and concrete implementation,” said Durrel Halleson, head of policy and partnerships for WWF Africa.
Durrel Halleson, head of policy and partnerships for WWF Africa
Africa faces severe climate shocks but offers powerful solutions including globally significant forests, vast renewable energy potential, climate-smart food systems and community-led resilience traditions, WWF said.
The organisation outlined four key demands:
WWF called for science-aligned, economy-wide national climate plans backed by predictable financing and transition strategies.
The organisation urged full operationalisation of the Baku-Belém roadmap to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually, including doubling adaptation finance and properly resourcing the Loss and Damage Fund.
The group emphasised scaling up decentralised renewable energy systems and building resilient power grids to achieve universal access to electricity and clean cooking by 2030.
The transition must safeguard biodiversity and uphold the rights of communities affected by energy and critical minerals projects.
WWF called for practical indicators to track progress under the Global Goal on Adaptation, acceleration of National Adaptation Plans and integration of ecosystem-based approaches into national strategies.
The Congo Basin stores vast carbon, regulates rainfall and supports millions of livelihoods, but remains underfunded, WWF said.
The organisation called for formal recognition and dedicated financing, including high-integrity forest finance and equitable benefit-sharing with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
“Protecting the Congo Basin is non-negotiable if the world is serious about limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” said Laurent Some, WWF regional director for the Congo Basin.
WWF emphasised protecting Indigenous and local community rights, ensuring direct access to climate finance, securing land tenure and supporting community-led solutions.
Carbon markets must be transparent, equitable and deliver real benefits for people and nature, the organization said.
“Belém must be the moment we replace incrementalism with implementation,” Halleson said.
“With clear finance, stronger NDCs and nature-positive action, COP30 can deliver a resilient, just and sustainable future – for Africa and for all.”
WWF works in nearly 100 countries to protect and restore nature, accelerate climate action and build a more resilient, equitable future.
As the world prepares for the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) inC Belém, Brazil, from November 10–21, 2025, Africa faces a critical question of representation and moral authority. Tanzania, currently chairing the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), is poised to lead the continent’s agenda on climate justice, gender equality, energy transition, and the issue of Loss and Damage.
Yet, this leadership role comes at a time when serious concerns have been raised regarding the Tanzanian government’s commitment to democratic governance and respect for civil liberties.
Chair the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), Dr. Richard Muyungi
Recent reports of electoral irregularities, suppression of dissent, and curtailment of media and civic freedoms in Tanzania have sparked debate about whether a government facing such accusations should speak for Africa on a global platform grounded in principles of justice, equity, and inclusivity. The question is not merely political – it is moral. How can a state accused of undermining the democratic rights of its own citizens credibly advocate for fairness and accountability in international climate governance?
The African Group of Negotiators represents the collective voice of a continent disproportionately affected by climate change, yet rich in solutions and aspirations for sustainable development. Its leadership must, therefore, reflect not only technical competence but also moral legitimacy and democratic integrity. For Africa to champion global climate justice effectively, its representatives must embody the very values they seek to advance – transparency, participation, and respect for human rights.
While Tanzania’s AGN Chair, Dr. Richard Muyungi, has reiterated his commitment to promoting the common African position, questions persist about whether such representation can be trusted to uphold inclusive and participatory processes.
Henry Neondo, a policy advocacy and influencing advisor at the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change (ACCRCC) said allowing Dr Muyungi carry out his function as the AGN chair at COP30 will be a loud statement by Africans that they don’t care what happens to the grassroot citizen.
“How can a government that denies its own citizens the right to fair and transparent elections credibly advocate for fairness and justice in the global climate arena? Can Africa’s moral authority on climate justice stand firm when its representative faces allegations of silencing dissent at home?”
As the newly established Fund for Response to Loss and Damage (FRLD) begins disbursing its initial $250 million to support vulnerable nations, including Tanzania, it is imperative that African negotiators ensure that resources reach those most in need – communities at the frontlines of climate impacts – without political interference or elite capture.
African delegations heading to COP30 must, therefore, reflect deeply on who speaks for them and on what moral grounds. Leadership in climate negotiations should not be divorced from respect for democratic values at home. If Tanzania’s current political trajectory continues to contradict the principles of justice and accountability, then it is both prudent and necessary for African countries to reconsider its chairmanship of the AGN.
Africa’s call for climate justice will only carry weight if it is anchored in the same values it demands from the global community – fairness, transparency, and respect for human dignity. We are attending the 30th conference of parties to the UN Framework Convention to Climate Change on the pretext that we are fighting for climate justice for Africans. Allowing Dr Muyungi on the table will nullify all that we are here for and our arguments will be defeatist, weaken the continent’s moral standing and undermine the integrity of its voice at COP30 and beyond.
African climate negotiators have outlined a unified set of priorities for COP30, concluding a two-day pre-session meeting of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) held in Belem from November 6 to 7, 2025.
Opening the meeting, AGN Chair, Dr. Richard Muyungi, said COP30 must deliver “ambitious, balanced, fair and just outcomes across adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, and climate finance,” emphasising that negotiations must be anchored in the latest science and the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR–RC).
Faces at the AGN pre-session meeting
Dr. Muyungi warned that despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions, Africa faces rapidly intensifying climate impacts and requires outcomes that reflect its “special needs, developmental context, and heightened vulnerability.”
Climate Finance at the Forefront
Climate finance remains Africa’s top priority going into COP30. Negotiators called for a clear alignment between financing flows and the ambition reflected in countries’ next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0).
Key demands include:
Concrete steps to operationalise $1.3 trillion annually by 2030 and the $300 billion climate finance goal;
Predictable, equitable funding through public grants and highly concessional loans;
Transparent accounting under Article 9.5 and Biennial Transparency Reports;
Support for implementing NDCs and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which already draw on domestic resources amounting to up to 5% of Africa’s GDP; and
A replenishment plan for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD).
Strengthening Adaptation Action
Adaptation remains central to Africa’s climate agenda. The AGN stressed the need to finalise and adopt means of implementation indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), close the widening adaptation finance gap, and ease access to funds for developing and implementing NAPs.
“The indicators must be guided by Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Paris Agreement, without shifting burdens onto developing countries,” said Kulthoum Omari Motsumi, AGN Lead Coordinator on the GGA. She underscored that adaptation is a “global responsibility, not a national one.”
Climate and Health Gains Momentum
In a notable development, Africa placed the intersection of climate change and health among its top priorities. The continent’s negotiators argued that health remains underrepresented in UNFCCC processes despite Africa, and other developing parties experiencing severe climate-related health risks.
The meeting thus called for stronger global collaboration to integrate health into climate policy through finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building; the inclusion of health outcomes across the GGA, Global Stocktake (GST), and Joint Work on Implementation (JTWP); and a firm grounding of these efforts in equity, CBDR, gender considerations, and children’s rights.
GST, Just Transition, and Africa’s Special Needs
The group also stressed the need to refine the GST process and strengthen discussions under the UAE Dialogue on Implementation, particularly around financing.
At COP30, Africa is also seeking for an ambitious Just Transition decision that embeds equity across all pillars of climate action; and formal recognition of Africa’s Special Needs and Circumstances, given its extreme vulnerability, low progress on the SDGs, and limited capacity to act without support.
Experts have said that Nigeria will need to implement what they called the “three Cs solution” – capacity, capability and competence (CCC) – to enhance the nation’s readiness and make it eligible for international funding to address its climate challenges.
Their statement is predicated on the idea that putting the three Cs strategy into practice would provide a strong base for a community of partners that would help in resolving the climate-related problems hindering the country’s socioeconomic development.
Participants from various ministries, departments, agencies, enterprises, media, civil society groups, and financial institutions gathered in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, for the validation of the coordinated mechanism and capacity building workshop
Speaking at a two-day validation of the coordinated mechanism (CM) and capacity-building workshop held in Abuja by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and NIRSAL PLC, the stakeholders commended the organisers for putting together the programme, particularly because it has improved their knowledge on how they can access climate finance to carry out various projects across the country.
“I will build on those three Cs because, with them, you can achieve everything,” Dr. Osita Aniemeka, a director with Shine Bridge Global, Nigeria, responded when asked what he would do differently if in the position to help solve Nigeria’s climate crisis.
This is significant, he explained, because, instead of wasting time, this knowledge will guide the country on its direction, how to reach its goals, and what it needs to achieve.
Although it may appear impossible from the outside, the expert assured that Nigeria won’t have any issues once the country starts doing that, builds the foundation for success, and sustains it through commitment. That commitment, which he contends must come from the three tiers – “national, subnational, and the rest of us” – is what will help the nation sustain its achievements for as long as it should.
He cited the failure in the Niger Delta region to highlight a significant knowledge gap, which he claimed has hindered Nigeria’s ability to connect environmental concerns with development.
“And that knowledge gap that we talk about all the time is what will take us to where we should be, show us how to get there, and what to achieve,” Aniemeka said in response to a previous question about what he would do differently if in the position to bridge that divide.
In the same vein, Comrade Eche Asuzu, National Coordinator of Climate Change for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), underscored the importance of prioritising capacity building, retraining, and reskilling of the workforce if Nigeria truly wants to access climate finance from organisations such as the GCF.
He was therefore delighted that the workshop had met two of GCF’s thematic goals, which are inclusivity and transparency through stakeholder engagement. It was also a vital step toward ensuring Nigeria’s readiness to access and manage climate finance effectively.
According to him, “The whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to Nigeria’s programme idealisation on climate finance is primed at preparing Nigeria to meet the tough conditions for accessing the GCF.”
How these problems can be resolved continues to cause controversy inside the government, which is why six series of events, including the CM validation meeting, have been set aside to address the issue.
Mrs. Bennie Ejiofor, an officer in the Climate Finance Desk at the NCCC, revealed that before the establishment of the CM, individuals typically submitted proposals to the Council, many of which did not come to fruition.
However, the MC has set a framework for coordination among relevant stakeholders, which, according to her, will ensure that when a project arises, it is not just one individual or organisation that conducts the review; instead, those who matter examine it and provide input that enriches the proposal so that it becomes bankable.
“We are now having a principle, kind of, with this mechanism to help us produce more bankable projects and attract more global funds – that is basically the essence.”
There is no doubt that Nigeria faces a significant knowledge deficit in terms of accessing global funding to meet its climate demands, but Samira Richards-Agulu, a representative of NIRSAL PLC at the event, acknowledged that the validation of the CM and capacity building for MDAs had established the groundwork for a thousand-mile journey.
She also emphasised that in order to sustain this journey, the NCCC, NIRSAL, donor agencies, NGOs, and financial institutions must streamline the MC to develop viable climate-resilient projects and ensure the effective mobilisation and management of climate financing. This will promote transparency, inclusiveness, and the readiness to scale climate-smart initiatives for national benefits.
The Global Methane Hub has launched a new globally coordinated research accelerator to fast-track innovations that reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation without compromising yields and profitability.
The Hub announced a $30 million commitment towards the Rice Methane Innovation Accelerator during Singapore International Agri-Food Week, and the Global Climate-Smart Agriculture Conference in Brasília, Brazil, in two countries where rice plays a significant role in diets.
Rice farming
The Accelerator aims to raise at least $100 million in philanthropic, public and private sector funding, and is already supported by funding from the Gates Foundation, Philanthropy Asia Alliance, Quadrature Climate Foundation, and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, among others. It is dedicated to expanding the suite of current options for reducing emissions, and improving resilience, focusing on four key areas of research: plant genetics and physiology, soil microbiome, agronomy, and emissions measurement.
Rice is a vital staple food for half the global population, especially in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, making up to 70 per cent of daily caloric intake for millions. More than 75 per cent of rice produced globally directly serves as food for people, which is significantly higher than wheat at 66 per cent and maize at 12 per cent.
However, rice paddies, the dominant flooded system responsible for more than 90 per cent of global rice production, are a significant source of methane emissions. They account for approximately eight per cent of anthropogenic methane emissions and consume about 40 per cent of the world’s irrigation water. The submerged conditions in these paddies create an oxygen-free environment where specific soil microbes flourish. These microbes consume organic matter and produce methane as a byproduct, most of which is subsequently released into the atmosphere via the rice plants.
For close to four decades, strategies like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), in which fields are intermittently drained, have been promoted as ways to save water and, more recently, reduce methane emissions. However, their effectiveness is heavily dependent on local infrastructure, agronomic conditions, and the farmer’s capacity to implement them. As a result, these strategies have not delivered the necessary reductions at scale to significantly bend the curve of rice methane emissions.
Without new low-emission strategies that are adaptable across diverse contexts and able to balance productivity, water-use efficiency and sustainability with improved farmer resilience, rice methane emissions could increase by an estimated seven per cent by 2030.
“Methane is a powerful but short-lived greenhouse gas. Reducing methane emissions from all sectors is critical, not just for climate action but also for protecting global food security, and agriculture and rice farming is no exception,” said Hayden Montgomery, director of the Global Methane Hub’s Agriculture Programme.
“But the transition to low-emissions agriculture cannot come at the expense of food production and livelihoods. The Rice Methane Innovation Accelerator aims to give farmers new, viable options, suitable for their growing conditions and cultures, to grow rice with lower methane emissions, while saving water and building resilience.”
The Accelerator strategy, expected to be released in early 2026, will develop a roadmap for improving the readiness and real-world performance of various solutions identified under the four key research areas for rice systems.
The outputs of this work will complement existing mitigation solutions including the AWD method, which was developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and has demonstrated an emissions reduction potential of 30 to 70 per cent.
“Rice is one of the world’s most important crops, and is deeply embedded in cultural, social, and economic traditions. Farmers urgently need new tools and methods to adapt to new conditions and improve the sustainability of cultivation,” said Dr. Yvonne Pinto, Director General of the International Rice Research Institute.
“The Rice Methane Innovation Accelerator is an exciting new investment which will enhance and support the existing research ecosystem for sustainable rice production.”
The existing research ecosystem includes other specialist rice research centres like AfricaRice and The Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, as well as national agricultural research institutes and universities involved in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases.
The Accelerator is the Global Methane Hub’s second flagship research initiative under its agriculture programme after its Enteric Fermentation Accelerator, which focuses on reducing livestock emissions.
Amid record heat and worsening climate impacts on people’s lives, 2025 is a turning point for global climate action, as countries renew their climate commitments – known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – under the international Paris Agreement. This process reveals whether global ambition to tackle climate change is rising fast enough to meet the crisis head on.
Over the past decade, the Paris Agreement has delivered meaningful progress. Prior to the agreement, the world was hurtling toward 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming by the end of the century. Ten years after the agreement’s adoption, the latest NDCs and current policies bring us closer to a 2.3-2.8 degrees C (4.1-5.0 degrees F) trajectory – modestly better than the previously projected 2.6-3.1 degrees C (4.7-5.6 degrees F) path.
During the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, countries will need to reaffirm their commitments and create climate plans that will bring the world closer to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree C goal. Photo credit: Luis War
Yet even with this shift, we remain far above the 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) guardrail set by the Paris Agreement that can prevent some of the most serious damage from a warming planet. And while some sectors are showing real momentum – including the renewable energy, transport and land-use action reflected in many countries’ NDCs – overall progress is still dangerously slow.
Every fraction of a degree of warming the planet avoids helps secure a safer, greener future. And the investment required to achieve this is far less than the costs of the alternative path, which would bring increased floods, wildfires, insecure food supplies and destroyed lives.
At the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, nations must confront the gap between current climate pledges and what is needed to unlock a new economy that’s better for both people and the planet.
Here, we propose five key actions that countries can rally behind for a credible response:
Reaffirm 1.5 degrees C and commission a global roadmap for ambition and implementation.
Accelerate near-term sectoral action to deliver 2030 global goals.
Mobilise long-term strategies for equitable, resilient transitions to net zero.
Strengthen intergovernmental initiatives for greater impact.
Deliver a credible finance package to back ambitious climate goals.
With countries gathered under one roof, a clear political response will be needed that faces up to the shortfall in ambition and seizes the economic, social and other opportunities that assertive action can provide.
1) Reaffirm 1.5 Degrees C and Commission a Global Roadmap for Ambition and Implementation
Acknowledging both the progress underway and the remaining gaps will be essential for sustaining global cooperation for deeper, faster action. As a starting point, COP30 should reaffirm that 1.5 degrees C remains the guiding star for global climate action. By doing so, it can send a clear political signal that the goal continues to be the benchmark for assessing progress toward achieving a healthy, livable and resilient world.
But underscoring those objectives alone will not be enough; COP30 will also need to spur implementation and drive ambition toward 1.5 degrees C in ways that ensure a just and inclusive transition. At COP30, countries could agree to develop a “Global Roadmap for Accelerated Implementation” – a forward-looking gameplan that identifies the pathways, policies and enabling conditions needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.
The roadmap can draw on findings from the Global Stocktake and insights from the NDC Synthesis Report to identify specific near-term and transformational opportunities for accelerating emissions reductions across key sectors such as energy, forests, transport and methane, while scaling up adaptation, resilience and just transition efforts – with a particular emphasis on the tremendous economic, social and other benefits that can be seized from taking climate action.
To underpin this process, the COP30 and COP31 presidencies could convene a high-level dialogue, anchored by technical analysis, to examine how different pathways, timelines and investment conditions can shape an equitable, systemwide transformation. The process could culminate next year at COP31 with the publication of a clear, actionable roadmap that identifies opportunities for urgent action, the sectors with the greatest potential for impact and the actors best placed to drive it forward.
2) Accelerate Near-Term Sectoral Action to Deliver 2030 Global Goals
Building on the roadmap for accelerated implementation, COP30 will also need to encourage countries to achieve near-term sectoral delivery by 2030. The task will involve translating collective signals from the Global Stocktake and the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience – along with the direction provided by the proposed global ambition and implementation roadmap mentioned above – into concrete economic planning, national policies and investments that can accelerate on-the-ground progress and deliver on the benefits of taking action.
At COP30, countries could be called upon to voluntarily develop near-term sectoral strategies and progress updates that translate and build upon their existing NDCs, turning national climate goals into concrete pathways for implementation. These strategies and updates could be submitted on a voluntary basis by countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to inform the second Global Stocktake, which begins at the end of 2026 and concludes in 2028.
For the greatest impact, these strategies should be focused on the priority areas highlighted in the Global Stocktake for 2030 (e.g., tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, transitioning away from fossil fuels, driving down transport emissions, and halting and reversing deforestation, among others), as well as the thematic areas of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (e.g., water, health, ecosystems and biodiversity, and infrastructure).
While these global priorities are shared, their emphasis will naturally vary by country. Sectoral strategies can be used to set each country’s own specific plans, policies, investment priorities, support needs and enabling reforms needed to strengthen near-term actions. Most importantly, these strategies are a key opportunity to describe the actions that can seize the substantial benefits for the economy and people’s lives.
3) Mobilise Long-Term Strategies for Equitable, Resilient Transitions to Net Zero
Long-term climate strategies – or long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LT-LEDS or LTS) – are a critical bridge between NDCs and the collective objective to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C. Countries have already established 2030 targets and this round of NDCs sets emission-reduction targets through 2035, a key waypoint on the path to mid-century and the net zero goals set by many countries, most notably all of the Group of 20 major economies (G20).
As countries move toward net zero, LT-LEDS allow them to outline key sectoral transformations and show how these steps can drive economic growth in the decades ahead, informing and spurring the policy decisions that governments take now.
Now more than ever, these strategies are essential for helping countries focus on the sectors that have a domino effect across the wider economy such as energy, food and agriculture, and transport. So far, nearly 80 countries have developed and submitted long-term strategies – but fewer than 10 have updated their initial plans, and more than 100 have yet to produce one.
COP30 can be a turning point, calling on all countries to submit or update LT-LEDS by COP31, treating the strategies not just as paperwork but as catalysts for real sectoral transformation, fully integrated into economic policies, development strategies and finance plans. G20 countries, in particular, should lead by example by developing implementation pathways that align their near-term goals (e.g., 2030 and 2035) with just transition toward their national net-zero and resilience goals. These pathways should also be integrated into national development objectives and processes.
4) Strengthen Intergovernmental Initiatives for Greater Impact
Throughout the year, the COP30 presidency has brought renewed attention and momentum to the Action Agenda of initiatives outside the UNFCCC negotiations. Most important, it has sought to connect climate action initiatives and coalitions – including those involving national governments – to the formal COP process by aligning them with the themes of the first Global Stocktake on energy, forests, and more.
At COP30, there’s an important opportunity to place greater attention on the role of intergovernmental cooperative initiatives and coalitions and integrate them more fully into the Action Agenda, which has previously focused on initiatives by non-state actors. The number of these initiatives and coalitions has grown rapidly in recent years, and governments should now explore their impact and lessons.
COP30 can also play an important role in fostering transparency for these intergovernmental initiatives and coalitions, encouraging and driving regular reporting, including through the UNFCCC Global Climate Action Portal. During future COPs, dedicated events can allow these initiatives to share their successes, experiences, lessons and best practices.
5) Deliver a Credible Finance Package to Back Ambitious Climate Goals
Delivering a strong package of finance outcomes at COP30 will signal that the support needed to turn ambition into action is within reach. This includes progress on the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap – a collective pathway for scaling climate finance for developing countries from all sources through 2035 – which can spur action on key issues such as the cost of capital. Such progress would send a powerful signal that international public and private finance will flow to countries that step-up ambition and translate this into strong domestic finance and public policy signals.
A key signal at COP30 would be the creation and further strengthening of country platforms as a way to align domestic and international finance, facilitate an enabling policy environment for investment across key sectors, develop investible pipelines, engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders and optimize the use of concessional finance to de-risk projects and unlock capital flows.
This way, countries can integrate proposed climate plans into broader economic frameworks and promote an enabling environment for all finance flows to support progress towards climate commitments while strengthening countries’ development pathways.
Building an Actionable Future
The gaps are clear, but so is the opportunity for getting closer to the goals of the Paris Agreement. COP30 gathers the world’s leaders armed with the tools to close the emissions and ambition gaps. What’s needed now is bold political action and a strong response to the NDCs to restore confidence in multilateralism, set the world more firmly on course to achieve climate goals and ensure shared prosperity from taking that action. The legacy of the Belém COP will rest in large measure on doing so.
By David Waskow, Jamal Srouji, Kiyomi de Zoysa, Cynthia Elliott, Nathan Cogswell, Deirdre Cogan and Natalia Alayza (World Resources Institute)
