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TotalEnergies, Air Liquide to decarbonise refineries in Northern Europe with green hydrogen

Michael Simire
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TotalEnergies, Air Liquide to decarbonise refineries in Northern Europe with green hydrogen

In line with its 2030 ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen used in its European refineries, TotalEnergies has signed agreements with Air Liquide to develop two projects in the Netherlands, for the production and delivery of some 45,000 tons a year of green hydrogen produced using renewable power, generated mostly by the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, developed by TotalEnergies (50%) and RWE (50%).

TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies

These projects will cut CO2 emissions from TotalEnergies’ refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands by up to 450,000 tons a year and contribute to the European renewable energy targets in transport.

Green hydrogen production by TotalEnergies and Air Liquide

The two companies have signed an agreement to set up a joint venture, equally held by TotalEnergies (50%) and Air Liquide (50%), which will build and operate a 250 MW electrolyzer near the Zeeland refinery. This project will enable the production of up to 30,000 tons of green hydrogen a year, most of which will be delivered to Zeeland’s platform.

The electrolyser will be commissioned in 2029 and will cut the site’s CO2 emissions by up to 300,000 tons a year. This project represents a global investment of around €600 million for both partners and has made requests for support under European and national subsidy programs. Project funding will also be sought by the partners.

Supplying TotalEnergies’ Antwerp platform with green hydrogen

In addition, as part of Air Liquide’s 200 MW ELYgator electrolyser project located in Maasvlakte (Netherlands), TotalEnergies has signed a tolling agreement for 130 MW to be dedicated to the production of 15,000 tons per year of green hydrogen for the TotalEnergies platform in Antwerp.

Under this agreement, TotalEnergies will supply the renewable electrons produced by the OranjeWind project to Air Liquide to be transformed into green hydrogen. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 and will reduce CO2 emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 tons per year.

“Following the first partnership agreement with Air Liquide to supply the Normandy refinery with green hydrogen, and the agreements to supply the Grandpuits and La Mède biorefineries with renewable hydrogen, the partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonize the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030,” said Vincent Stoquart, President, Refining & Chemicals at TotalEnergies. “By supplying these two electrolysers with renewable electricity from our offshore wind project in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is leveraging its positioning as an integrated electricity company.”

 Emilie Mouren-Renouard, member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, in charge of Europe operations, said: “Flagship projects such as the ones we are announcing today, will play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility. We are proud to lead the way on European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, and to accompany TotalEnergies in their journey to decarbonizing their industrial assets.

“These two projects will complete the five Air Liquide low carbon units already in operation or construction in Europe. This illustrates our capacity to offer concrete solutions to our customers, to reach our carbon neutrality ambition by 2050, and to support Europe’s leadership ambition towards decarbonized growth. It also demonstrates the ability of Air Liquide to develop solid business models in the energy field of low carbon hydrogen.”

TotalEnergies and the decarbonization of its European refineries

According to TotalEnergies, the organisation is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of producing, converting and supplying energy to its customers.

“One of the pathways identified by the Company is using low-carbon hydrogen to decarbonise its European refineries, a move that should help reduce its annual CO2 emissions by around three million tons by 2030,” TotalEnergies submitted, adding that, in order to fully decarbonise the hydrogen used in its European refineries, it has already contracted over 170,000 tons of green hydrogen annually at: La Mède , Grandpuits and Normandy in France, Leuna in Germany and its refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands.

NNPC-SNEPCo donates equipment to support medical surgeries

Michael Simire
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NNPC-SNEPCo donates equipment to support medical surgeries

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) on Monday, February 18, 2024, donated medical equipment to the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF) to enhance healthcare outreach in underserved communities across Nigeria’s South-West, North-Central, and South-South regions.

SNEPCo
L-R: Adviser, Community Relations, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Usman Mohammed; Head, Social Investment and Performance , Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) Elohor Abu ; SNEPCo’s Health Manager and Transformation, Dr. Ajike Oladoyin; Deputy Manager, External Relations, Edith Lawson and Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu during the donation

The initiative will enable the non-profit organisation to conduct nearly 5,000 fibroids and hernias surgeries, alongside dental procedures for an additional 5,000 individuals.

SNEPCo Managing Director, Roland Adams, said the partnership with NNPC and BOF is part of the social investments of the company that is improving lives across Nigeria. Speaking through the Health Manager and Transformation, Dr. Ajike Oladoyin, he reaffirmed SNEPCo’s dedication to improving healthcare accessibility and quality for Nigerians, particularly in regions that lack such services.

The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Oluwaseyi Omotowa, who was represented by Deputy External Relations Manager, Edith Lawson, said: “The donation is a testament of our dedication to corporate social responsibility and the commitment of NNPC Ltd to enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. It aligns with our broader objective of fostering sustainable development and empowering communities across the nation. We understand the challenges faced by healthcare providers, and through this contribution, we hope to alleviate some of these burdens and enable healthcare professionals to deliver even more efficient and effective care.”

The head of BOF, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, expressed gratitude for the donation which would be useful for outreaches planned for this year in Kwara (North-Central), Ekiti (South-West) and Ebonyi and Bayelsa in the South-East and South-South respectively.

The social investments of NNPC-SNEPCo and co-venture partners (Total Energies, ExxonMobil and Nigeria Agip Exploration) have improved lives in internally displaced camps in North-East Nigeria and rebuilt hospital wards and educational institutions in addition to secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards and donation of cancer treatment equipment.

More than 6,000 people benefitted from an eyecare outreach which held as part of the NNPC-SNEPCo Vision First initiative in Bariga Loal Government Area of Lagos State in August last year. The initiative also saw the donation of medical equipment to health centres and charity homes in Badagry, in Lagos State, Oguta in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Stakeholders urge collaboration to boost mining sector

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders urge collaboration to boost mining sector

Mining stakeholders in Nigeria have called for greater collaboration among relevant agencies, sectors, and institutions to advance the sector’s development.

Mining
Mining in Nigeria

This appeal was made on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Abuja at the 60th Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) during a pre-conference panel discussion.

The conference is with the theme “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and Construction Sectors through Innovations”.

One of the discussants, Mr. Olusegun Adedayo, emphasised that Nigeria needed to enhance local collaborations to compete globally in the mining sector, particularly given the rising global demand for energy minerals.

Adedayo, an advisor on mining policy and strategy, highlighted the importance of having concrete data on Nigeria’s mineral reserves to attract investors, which could only be achieved through collaboration.

He identified critical areas for cooperation, including research, funding, geoscience data collection, and prioritising specific minerals for development.

“There is a clarion call for everyone to collaborate, pool funds, research, and focus on particular minerals.

“We don’t need to be a jack of all trades. Let the academicians conduct research, let the geologists handle exploration, and let the investors put money in.

“We need to develop the sector from start to finish,” he said.

Adedayo also pointed out the issue of limited geoscience data, stating that while such data existed, it was fragmented across different agencies.

He emphasised that it needed to be centralised in one repository for easy access by both local and international investors.

“Everyone says there’s not enough geoscience data, but the truth is, data exists in silos.

“If all the data from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and practitioners were stored in one place, we’d have more information to work with.

“We need to focus inward on technology, research, and investment. We can’t expect others to do it for us,” he said.

Another discussant, Mrs. Aisha Gombe, emphasised the importance of collaboration in training institutions, particularly between the departments of geology and civil engineering.

She noted that many Nigerian geology departments lacked engineering geology labs, which were available in civil engineering departments and could be used for joint purposes.

Gombe, a specialist in engineering and geo-environmental practices, also stressed the need for collaboration between the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists.

She emphasised that such collaboration was crucial to ensuring professionalism, safety, and efficiency in the mining and related industries.

In his presentation, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayankele, decried the lack of policy sustainability in the sector, which he identified as a key challenge hindering growth.

Ayankele noted that a Federal Government think tank committee set up in 2016 to develop a roadmap for sector transformation had not seen its recommendations implemented.

He further stressed the need for sustainable policies to attract both local and international investors, alongside technological innovation to facilitate investment and mobilise the necessary funds for the sector.

The conference runs from February 16 to 21.

Sub-themes to be discussed include “Resource Management and Value Addition in the Minerals and Mining Sector” and “Managing Emerging Realities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector.”

The role of geoscience in agriculture and food security will also be discussed.

By Martha Agas

Ogun Independent Power Plant to be ready in eight weeks – Abiodun

Michael Simire
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Ogun Independent Power Plant to be ready in eight weeks – Abiodun

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State in Nigeria says that an Independent Power Plant that will provide 24-hour uninterrupted electricity to most parts of Abeokuta, the state capital, will be ready for inauguration in the next eight weeks.

Dapo Abiodun
Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State

Abiodun stated this on Monday, February 17, 2025, after inspecting the 30 megawatts power plant located in Onijanganjangan, near Ewekoro in Ewekoro Local Government Area.

The governor explained that the project was in collaboration with private sector partnership,and the first phase of the Ogun State Light Up Project.

According to him, the project is in line with his promise to provide uninterrupted power supply to major cities and towns across the state.

Abiodun stated that Abeokuta metropolis required more than 30 megawatts of power, adding that this was the first phase of the planned 100 megawatts power generation capacity.

“I have gone around and have taken note of the progress of work so far.

“I have seen the control room, I have seen the turbines and I have seen what will be responsible for ensuring that the gas is compressed.

“We have seen the gas pipelines that will be completed in three to six weeks. The gas compressor is there, and there is a diesel tank as well.

“I can assure you that once this has been achieved, though we may not be able to supply power to the whole of Abeokuta, substantial parts of the city will now enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

Abiodun observed that the plant, apart from using compressed gas as its main fuel, would also make use of diesel as a backup in case of disruption in the supply of gas.

The power plant, the governor emphasised, would provide constant electricity to government institutions, health facilities, government quarters, police stations, local government offices, and higher institutions.

“It will eventually cascade to private individuals and industries when the capacity is increased.

“The state decided to go into power generation, distribution, and transmission as a result of its removal from the exclusive list by the Federal Government.

“I want to assure that similar plants will be built in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and Ota.

“The Ogun House of Assembly has passed into law the setting up of the Ogun State Electricity Regulatory Commission to oversee all the activities of the power sector in Ogun State,” he said.

Earlier, the Project Manager, Mr. Selvin Leo, said the project was 90 per cent completed.

Leo assured that with the availability of needed materials, equipment, and commitment from the workers, the job would be completed in record time.

By Abiodun Lawal

Orientation agency issues advisory for Akwa Ibom residents on extreme heat

Michael Simire
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Orientation agency issues advisory for Akwa Ibom residents on extreme heat

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom has issued a public health advisory to residents of the state, urging them to protect themselves from the extreme heat, which could lead to life-threatening complications.

Pastor Umo Eno
Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State

In a statement released in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday, February 17, 2025, the State Director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, noted that the region was experiencing unusually high temperatures this dry season, which experts predicted might continue for several weeks.

Mkpoutom advised residents to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and limiting their consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

He also recommended avoiding outdoor activities between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to minimise exposure to the heat.

“Residents should wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and use hats, umbrellas, or sunglasses when outside,” Mkpoutom said.

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining good ventilation in homes and workplaces, using fans, cool showers, and air conditioning when possible.

The state director further advised against bush burning and improper disposal of cigarette butts, warning that flammable materials should be avoided.

Mkpoutom urged people to protect vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and the disabled.

 “Never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles, and ensure that the elderly and invalids stay cool and hydrated,” he said.

Additionally, Mkpoutom recommended consuming light, nutritious meals and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet to strengthen the body against heat-related illnesses.

He said symptoms of heat-related illnesses include dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, confusion, and fainting, which might signal exhaustion or heatstroke.

Mkpoutom urged anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention to prevent serious health issues.

By Isaiah Eka

Lafarge, Lagos sign MoU on solid waste management

Michael Simire
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Lafarge, Lagos sign MoU on solid waste management

Lafarge Africa Plc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, through the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on solid waste management.

MoU
Lafarge and LAWMA officials after the signing of the MoU

The Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said at the signing on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Lagos, that the initiative was in line with the company’s zero waste to landfill objective.

Alade-Akinyemi said the partnership with the Lagos state government is a unique opportunity to take a significant step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

He said that, with the MoU, Lafarge intended to collect non-recyclable and combustible waste and divert it to the Ewekoro Plant as alternative fuel for production.

He added that managing waste effectively remained  critical to environmental stewardship, community well-being, and long-term economic development.

“By redirecting non-recyclable and combustible waste from companies and dump sites across Lagos to our Ewekoro plant, we are taking a significant step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

“All of these will be powered by Geocycle, our waste management arm,” he said.

The Lafarge boss noted that the partnership would strengthen its leadership in sustainable construction and climate action.

According to him, it will allow both parties to make meaningful contributions to sustainable waste management in Nigeria.

Alade-Akinyemi said that by mitigating methane emissions from decomposing waste and reducing CO₂ emissions from traditional cement production, the company was taking a crucial step in combating climate change.

He said: “We have successfully deployed waste-to-energy solutions globally, and today, we are extending that expertise to Lagos.

“The waste sourced through this partnership will be utilised as an alternative fuel in our cement kilns, replacing fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint, and contributing to Nigeria’s decarbonisation journey. ”

He said that beyond the immediate advantages to Lagos state and Lafarge,  the broader environmental impact of the initiative remained profound.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr.  Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental preservation.

Wahab noted that the state is aiming for a zero-carbon footprint, saying that the MoU ticked the box for the ambitious target.

He said the partnership represented a significant step in the state’s journey toward achieving a cleaner and more sustainable city.

Wahab said the state recognised that waste management remained a critical component of its environmental policies.

He added that Lagos State remained committed to fostering innovative collaborations to help reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and create a circular economy.

“This MoU reflects our shared vision for a Lagos where waste is effectively managed and utilised as a resource for economic growth and environmental sustainability,” he said.

Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the initiative as a milestone in the state’s journey toward a zero-waste future.

He said the partnership marked a historic step in the state’s efforts to achieve sustainable waste management.

Gbadegesin said the state had worked closely with Lafarge  through extensive consultations, pilot studies, and site visits to ensure that the initiative is viable and impactful.

He noted that waste management is not just about disposal but about innovation and creating value.

“With this collaboration, we are setting a new precedence on how municipal solid waste is processed and repurposed.

“This development reinforces our vision of a circular economy where waste contributes to sustainable development rather than environmental degradation,” he said.

By Rukayat Moisemhe

New AfDB report highlights Africa’s strengthening economic growth amid global challenges

Michael Simire
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New AfDB report highlights Africa’s strengthening economic growth amid global challenges

Africa’s economic performance is showing signs of improvement but remains vulnerable to global shocks, according to the 2025 Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) report released by the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Friday, February 14, 2025.

AfDB
At the launch of 2025 MEO Report AfDB Bank management and other dignitaries display copies. (Front row: l-r) : AU Commissioner Albert Muchanga, AfDB VP Kevin Urama, Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide (far right), and Bank Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo (2nd left). Back row (center) Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development Beth Dunford, Dr. Alemayehu Taffesse of the International Food Policy Research Institute (far left);Dr. Mothae Maruping, Chair of the African Risk Capacity Group Board (far right)

The report, unveiled on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, projects real GDP growth to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2025 and 4.4 percent in 2026. The forecast is attributed to economic reforms, declining inflation, and improved fiscal and debt positions.

Despite the positive trajectory, the report highlights that Africa’s growth remains below the 7 percent threshold required for substantial poverty reduction. The continent also continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, structural weaknesses, climate-related disasters, and prolonged conflicts in regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. It estimated Africa’s average real GDP growth to be 3.2 percent in 2024, slightly higher than the 3.0 percent recorded in 2023.

The report notes that while inflationary pressures persist, Africa’s average inflation rate is expected to decline from 18.6 percent in 2024 to 12.6 percent in 2025-2026 due to tighter monetary policies. Fiscal deficits have widened slightly from 4.4 percent of GDP in 2023 to 4.6 percent in 2024 but are projected to narrow to 4.1 percent by 2025-2026. Public debt levels have stabilized but remain above pre-pandemic levels, with nine countries in debt distress and eleven at high risk of distress.

The MEO, published by the Bank biannually in the first and fourth quarters, responds to a critical need for timely economic data amid global uncertainty. It serves policymakers, development partners, global investors, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The 2025 report identifies 24 African nations, including Djibouti, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Sudan, as poised to exceed 5 percent GDP growth in 2025. Additionally, Africa remains the world’s second-fastest-growing region after Asia, with 12 of the 20 fastest-growing economies projected to be on the continent.

Ethiopia’s Finance Minister, Ato Ahmed Shide, praised the report’s depth of analysis. “It underscores the fragility of Africa’s economic growth, which is projected to hover around 4 percent in the near term,” he said, emphasizing the need for proactive policy measures to sustain growth and stability. 

He said Ethiopia has taken bold steps to restore macroeconomic stability, build resilience, and accelerate growth, with the government prioritizing economic liberalization, private sector empowerment, and fiscal discipline.

Strengthening Africa’s Resilience

In her remarks at the report’s launch, Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery at the AfDB, highlighted the continent’s potential for driving global economic expansion but said achieving this requires decisive and well-coordinated policies.

“As Africa navigates an increasingly complex economic landscape, policymakers must adopt a forward-looking approach to reinforce resilience and drive sustainable growth. Africa’s economic resilience and growth prospects remain strong, but challenges persist,” said Nwabufo, who represented the Bank Group’s President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

Presenting the report, Prof. Kevin Urama, the Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance & Knowledge Management, underscored the need for stronger coordination between monetary and fiscal policies to manage inflation while fostering economic expansion.

He urged countries to strengthen foreign reserves to shield economies from external shocks and currency depreciations, alongside pre-emptive debt restructuring to prevent defaults and enhance financial stability.  

Medium- to long-term strategies should include increasing investments in integrated infrastructure to drive economic transformation and diversification. Governments must work to enhance the business environment through regulatory reforms and long-term strategies to attract private investment, Urama said.

The 2025 MEO report outlines key policy recommendations, including implementing pre-emptive debt restructuring to enhance financial stability, investing in integrated infrastructure to support economic diversification and improving the business environment through regulatory reforms and investment strategies.

Path Forward

Panel discussions following the report’s launch underscored the importance of fully implementing continental development initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. Discussions also focused on accelerating new initiatives like the proposed Africa Credit Rating Agency and the African Financial Stability Mechanism.

The panel, moderated by Dr Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor (Communications and Stakeholder Engagement) to the Bank Group President, included contributions from the African Risk Capacity Group, represented by its chair, Dr. Mothae Maruping. Gambian Finance Minister, Seedy Keita, highlighted the AfDB’s support in implementing the country’s fiscal reforms and domestic revenue mobilization.

African Union Trade Commissioner, Albert Muchanga, called on the private sector to do more to support the African Continental Free Trade Area, including through increased investments in logistics and manufacturing.

“What I would expect [African businesses] to do is come up with logistics centers and warehouses across Africa; I would also expect the African private sector to start planning to develop an African shipping line… We are sitting on potential; the business sector has not responded,” Muchanga said.

GMO: Harmful gene transfer claims unfounded – NBRDA

Michael Simire
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GMO: Harmful gene transfer claims unfounded – NBRDA

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has dismissed as false the information that gene transfers carried in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) such as crops are harmful.

Dr Rose Gidado
Dr Rose Gidado

Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, who said this during an interview on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Abuja, noted that it was important to approach the topic of gene transfer from a scientific standpoint which is evidence-based rather than speculation.

She said the technology of genetic engineering started after the discovery of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure, which, according to her, is the same in all living things, both plants and animals, except for virus.

DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.

Gidado said gene editing involved taking gene from one living organism to another living organism.

“We believe the trait that you want, what you are looking for is there in another living organism.’’

“It’s just actually gene that you are taking, a gene that would go for that trait that you want and once they get into the host plant, they establish themselves.

“The host environment receives them and once they establish themselves that trait that you want begins to manifest in the new host,’’ she said.

Gidado further said that if the trait was brought for drought or flood tolerance, then the crop ends up being either of flood or drought tolerant.

According to her, the gene of either plant or animal is usually altered for specific beneficial reasons.

The expert said the gene of the genetically modified beans (Bt cowpea) contained a gene called 1Ab gene which gave protection to the crop against the devastating insect pest of beans called “Maruca”.

She said although there were other insects attacking beans, but that the Maruca was the most devastating, of which the 1Ab gene gave protection against pest attack.

“Just as the maruca is the devastating insect pest of beans, so also is the pink bollworm the devastating insect of cotton,’’ she said.

She said it was preferable for farmers to plant a GMO seed for improved yield, cautioning that conventional seeds needed pesticide spray up to 10 times.

She said that with genetically modified seed, the frequency of the spray would be reduced while the yield would improve than the normal seed.

“Before any GMO product is approved for consumption in Nigeria, it undergoes a detailed risk assessment process; evaluated by experts in public health, molecular biology, ecology and toxicology,’’ she said.

By Sylvester Thompson

Nearly 20,000 live animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in largest-ever wildlife, forestry operation

Michael Simire
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Nearly 20,000 live animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in largest-ever wildlife, forestry operation

Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).   

Pangolin scales
Seized Pangolin scaled found packed in 230 bags among packets of frozen beef

Operation Thunder 2024 (November 11 – December 6) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.

Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.

The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.

The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.

Large-scale trafficking of animal parts, plants and endangered species

In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life and arthropods.

Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs.

Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.

More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified.

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General, said: “Organised crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.

“Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations.”

Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, said: “Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies. 

“The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.”

Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General, said: “Operation Thunder exemplifies the power of international collaboration in the fight against wildlife crime. The increasing participation of national authorities year after year is in recognition of the urgency and scale of this global challenge. As part of ICCWC, CITES remains committed to working with Parties to ensure that wildlife trafficking is confronted with a unified response.”

Significant seizures include:

  • Indonesia: 134 tonnes of timber headed to Asia via ocean freight. 
  • Kenya: 41 tonnes of exotic timber headed to Asia via ocean freight. 
  • Nigeria: 4,472 kg of pangolins scales
  • Türkiye: 6,500 live songbirds discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border.
  • India: 5,193 live red-eared ornamental slider turtles concealed in passenger suitcases arriving from Malaysia at Chennai Airport.
  • Peru: 3,700 protected plants intercepted en route from Ecuador.
  • Qatar: Eight rhino horns found in a suspect’s luggage while transiting from Mozambique to Thailand.
  • United States: One tonne of sea cucumbers, considered a seafood delicacy, smuggled from Nicaragua.
  • Hong Kong, China: 973 kg of dried shark fins originating from Morocco seized at the airport.
  • Czech Republic: Eight tigers, aged between two months and two years, discovered in a suspected illegal breeding facility.
  • Indonesia: 846 pieces of reticulated python skin, from the world’s longest snake species, concealed on board a ship.
  • Australia and the United Kingdom reported seizures of bear bile, often used in traditional medicine.
  • More than 300 seized firearms, vehicles and poaching equipment.

Building a global intelligence picture of wildlife and timber trafficking

Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases.

Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies, and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive.

Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real time.

Coalition aims to put Artificial Intelligence on more sustainable path

Michael Simire
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Coalition aims to put Artificial Intelligence on more sustainable path

Over 100 partners, including 37 tech companies, 11 countries and five international organisations, have joined forces under the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to ramp up global momentum to place AI on a more environmentally sustainable path. Spearheaded by France, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Coalition brings together stakeholders across the AI value chain for dialogue and ambitious collaborative initiatives.

AI Action Summit
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris

The Coalition was announced at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, where Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organisations, CEOs, academics, artists, and members of civil society gathered to discuss support for AI innovation, adequate regulation, and respect for rights to ensure development of these technologies in the interests of all, including developing countries.

The Coalition will encourage AI initiatives for the planet, including its role in decarbonising economies, reducing pollution, preserving biodiversity, protecting the oceans, and ensuring humanity operates within planetary boundaries. It will use a collaborative approach – bringing together governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector – to focus on standardised methods and metrics for measuring AI’s environmental impacts, comprehensive life cycle analysis frameworks for reporting and disclosure, and prioritisation of research on sustainable AI.

“We know that AI can be a force for climate action and energy efficiency. But we also know AI power-intensive systems are already placing an unsustainable strain on our planet,” UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said in his remarks at the Summit. “So, it is crucial to design AI algorithms and infrastructures that consume less energy and integrate AI into smart grids to optimise power use.”

While AI may help tackle some of the world’s biggest environmental emergencies – for instance, it is being used to map the destructive dredging of sand and chart emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas – a growing body of research cautions that there is a negative side to the explosion of AI and its associated infrastructure, including the electronic waste produced – and high levels of electricity and water consumed – by the proliferating data centres that house AI servers produce electronic waste.

From data centres to training models, AI must run on sustainable energy that fuels a more sustainable future. The Coalition aims to build sustainable AI into the global discussion in much the same way AI security or AI ethics are studied.

“The AI Action Summit is a turning point: for the first time, the ecological transition has been at the core of the discussions in a international AI summit. I am very proud that France organised this first Forum for sustainable AI with 200 stakeholders present,” said Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention. “Today, my Ministry, with ITU and UNEP, launched the Coalition for Sustainable AI – more than 90 members, including 37 companies, have joined this ambitious initiative on green AI and AI for green.”

More than 190 countries have adopted a series of non-binding recommendations on the ethical use of AI, which covers the environment. In addition, both the European Union and the United States of America have introduced legislation to temper the environmental impact of AI. However, the policy landscape remains sparse.

A number of recent initiatives are working to build the knowledge base around AI and the environment: through the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (INRIA) and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, a community of 36 scientists, companies, public institutions and international organisations have published a position paper identifying the challenges that must be overcome to maximize the positive effects of AI systems while limiting their environmental impact.

The first hackathon combining AI and energy sobriety, the Frugal AI Challenge, also brought together more than 60 teams of data scientists around the unprecedented challenge of designing AI models related to environmental issues, including the detection of climate disinformation, analysis of regions at risk of fires, identification of illegal deforestation) while optimising their energy efficiency. In addition, the first international working group on the use of generative AI to provide access to environmental knowledge aims to develop a best practice guide for the effective and ethical use of generative AI to provide access to environmental documents, while a multi-stakeholder Green Digital Action initiative, convened by ITU, has launched a new thematic pillar on green computing with a dedicated Sustainable AI working group.

In 2024, UNEP released an issue note that explores AI’s environmental footprint and considers how the technology can be rolled out sustainably; it followed a major UNEP report, Navigating New Horizons, which also examined AI’s promise and perils. In 2025, UNEP will publish a guide to encourage public and private purchases towards energy-efficient data centres. These guidelines will be based on international best practices and established global standards (EU Code of Conduct, Energy Star, ISO/IEC 30134, etc.). They will inform investors, development banks and local authorities on the objective elements defining an energy-efficient data centre.

“The power of AI to solve complex global challenges is becoming ever clearer, but so too are its environmental impacts and the need for environmental guardrails to ensure the field grows sustainably,” said Golestan (Sally) Radwan, Chief Digital Officer for UNEP. “The new Coalition brings together critical stakeholders who have the power to work together and build systems that ensure the net effect of AI on the planet is positive as the technology continues to deploy rapidly.”

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