The Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of Abubakar Abdulsalami University of Agriculture and Climate Action, Mokwa, Niger State, as the 65th state university and 277th in Nigeria.
Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State
The certificate of recognition was presented to Gov. Umaru Bago by the Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University Minna, Prof. Muhammad Kuta-Yahaya in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
The governor appreciated Kuta-Yahaya for the good work he has been doing for the state, especially in the education sector.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards revamping the sector.
The General Manager of Production, NLNG, Mr Nnamdi Anowi, says the company plans to replace all its vessels with modern ships within the next decade.
Panelists at the 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards
Anowi disclosed this during the World Leaders’ Panel session on Tuesday, December 10, in Berlin, Germany, as part of the 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards.
The 2024 summit has “Achieving the Balance Between Energy Security and Decarbonisation” as its theme.
“We are making significant strides in our shipping operations. Over the next 10 years, we aim to transition from our current steam-powered vessels to modern ships.
“Earlier this year, we took a major step by entering into a long-term chapter of our first modern ship Aktoras, and we are already planning to acquire a second ship next year,” he said.
On the critical issue of net zero (NZE) emissions, Anowi said that NLNG’s aspiration is to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
According to him, this goal is attainable through the implementation of a combination of solutions that include operational efficiency, natural sinks/offset projects, CCS, net zero expansion, digital solutions and shipping efficiency.
“Our pathway to net zero aligns with Nigeria’s target of reaching net zero by 2060, while many major players in the industry are aiming for 2050.
“We are actively expanding our initiatives in this area, including several low-carbon projects,” he explained.
Regarding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Anowi noted that the company had committed 100 per cent of its LPG production (propane and butane) to the Nigerian market.
He pointed out the urgent need for cleaner energy, citing a report that revealed that not less than 100,000 Nigerians died yearly from smoke inhalation caused by cooking with firewood, predominantly affecting women and children.
“This underscores our commitment to sustainability.
“It’s important to recognise that about 80 per cent of Africans lack access to cleaner energy.
“When discussing sustainability, we can not overlook the necessity of providing energy to these communities,” he added.
He further elaborated on NLNG’s strategy, stating, “Our objective at Nigeria LNG is to maintain safety, enhance capacity, foster growth, and future-proof our business.
“The recent transformation programme includes a rebranding initiative, evidenced by the unveiling of a new logo and the company’s renewed purpose: ‘Providing energy for life’s sustainability’.”
Anowi noted that NLNG was working diligently to improve its production capacity from 23 million tons to 30 million tons through its Train 7 Project.
“We are actively engaging with stakeholders and the government to ensure our LNG trains are filled by the end of next year,” he said.
On sustainability, Anowi explained that 75 per cent of NLNG’s emissions result from its operations, with the remaining 25 per cent coming from its shipping activities.
He emphasised the importance of measurement, reduction, avoidance and mitigation strategies in their sustainability efforts.
He said that the company was also exploring carbon capture and storage (CCS) opportunities through partnerships with the government and other international oil companies.
“We are in the early stages of CCS implementation, assessing potential reservoirs for this purpose,” he said.
In terms of renewable energy, Anowi said that NLNG was investigating solar power projects at its offices in Abuja and Port Harcourt as part of its broader sustainability initiatives.
“We are committed to abatement efforts and are collaborating with experienced private companies to explore carbon credit opportunities.
“We must balance sustainability with affordability and reliability in energy supply.
“The African region must progress at its own pace, prioritising immediate energy needs before addressing long-term sustainability goals.” he explained.
The 24th World LNG Summit and Awards, organised by DMG Events, attracted 750 attendees and featured 200 speakers from 500 companies across the energy value chain.
Two carcinogenic chemicals used in cleaning products and other common household goods have been banned in the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
Michael S. Regan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
The chemicals – trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE or perc) – can cause multiple kinds of cancers and damage to the kidney, liver and immune and nervous systems at high exposure levels.
The EPA’s bans against the substances have been a long time coming, but industry groups have fought hard against legislation.
“It’s simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff.“These rules are grounded in the best-available science that demonstrates the harmful impacts of PCE and TCE. EPA continues to deliver on actions that protect people, including workers and children, under the nation’s premier bipartisan chemical safety law.”
PCE and TCE are both nonflammable chlorinated solvents that are volatile organic compounds. PCE can biodegrade into TCE, and PCE may contain trace amounts of TCE as an impurity or a contaminant. The chemicals can often serve as alternatives for each other. For several uses of TCE that will be totally prohibited, there is an analogous use of PCE that can continue safely in perpetuity under workplace controls.
Some examples of uses that will be prohibited under the TCE rule but will continue under the PCE rule include industrial and commercial use as an energised electrical cleaner, in laboratory use for asphalt testing and recovery, use to make refrigerants and other chemicals, and for vapor degreasing.
“Over 40 years ago, a mother named Anne Anderson from Woburn, Massachusetts, approached me and started a crusade to keep any more children like Jimmy Anderson, her son, from dying from cancer caused by toxic chemicals. Anne’s work directly led to this announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency that I am overjoyed to celebrate today alongside her and every community that stands to benefit – a finalised ban on trichloroethylene and most uses of perchloroethylene, two chemicals that cause cancer, affect reproductive systems, are neurotoxic, and compromise immune systems,” said Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).
“Despite their dangers, these chemicals could still be found in industries like dry cleaning, automotive repair and manufacturing. With no doubt that these chemicals are deadly, there is no doubt that this final rule will save lives – especially our children’s lives – around the country,” added Markey.
“The Camp Lejeune contaminated drinking water issue has dragged on over the better part of forty years ever since TCE, PCE and other organic solvents were first documented in the base’s drinking water supply in October 1980,” said Jerry M. Ensminger, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant. “My daughter, Janey, was conceived aboard Camp Lejeune during the drinking water contamination and died of leukemia in 1985, at the age of nine. I first began my fight for justice in 1997, and was later joined by Mike Partain in 2007, who was also conceived aboard the base and diagnosed with male breast cancer at the age of 39. Mike and I welcome this ban on TCE by the EPA and this is proof that our fight for justice at Camp Lejeune was not in vain.”
TCE is an extremely toxic chemical known to cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. TCE also causes damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive organs, and fetal heart defects. These risks are present even at very small concentrations. Under today’s rule, all uses of TCE will be banned over time (with the vast majority of identified risks eliminated within one year), and safer alternatives are readily available for the majority of uses.
PCE is known to cause liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer, as well as damage to the kidney, liver and immune system, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. Today’s final rule will better protect people from these risks by banning manufacture, processing and distribution in commerce of PCE for all consumer uses and many commercial uses, while allowing some workplace uses to continue only where robust workplace controls can be implemented.
Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Housing, Ms. Bakarat Odunuga-Bakare, says the state has implemented key measures to tackle challenges in its real estate sector.
Ms Bakarat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State at the 5th edition of the Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Two-Day Conference and Exhibitions on Tuesday in Lagos
Odunuga-Bakare disclosed this on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, while delivering a welcome address at the fifth edition of the Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Two-Day Conference and Exhibitions.
The theme of the conference is “Reimagining the Lagos Landscape: Ensuring Sustainable Real Estate Development Practices”.
She stated that the measures were implemented under the guidance of the governor.
The special adviser acknowledged the challenges in the sector, which include building collapses, fraudulent practices and environmental issues, while emphasing the need for urgent and collaborative action.
According to her, the state has reinforced its regulatory frameworks by improving building codes, adopting disaster-resilient urban planning, and promoting the use of sustainable building materials and technologies.
These efforts, she said, were testament to the state’s dedication to creating a future where the safety and wellbeing of residents were prioritised.
The legal practitioner highlighted that the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) remains instrumental in fostering professionalism, transparency and accountability within the real estate sector.
Odunuga-Bakare stated that, by registering practitioners and enforcing compliance with global best practices, LASRERA ensures that the real estate market remains trustworthy and investor-friendly.
She appreciated Sanwo-Olu for his exemplary leadership and unwavering support for the growth of the sector.
“The governor’s commitment to the principles of sustainability and innovation has made Lagos a shining beacon of progress in Nigeria and across Africa.
“Worthy of mention is the unwavering support of Governor Sanwo-Olu towards the resolutions and proposals presented at the previous editions of this event.
“His dedication has significantly contributed to the progress achieved so far.
“I am even more optimistic that the outcomes of this year’s Marketplace Conference will further catalyse impactful collaborations and innovative solutions that drive sustainable development and economic growth in our state,” she said.
According to her, the theme of the conference is both timely and vital, underscoring the pressing need to align real estate development with sustainability principles while ensuring safety, innovation and resilience in the state’s built environment.
Odunuga-Bakare said that the annual gathering had consistently served as a cornerstone for innovative ideas, robust discussions, and strategic collaborations that shape the real estate sector in Lagos state and beyond.
She charged stakeholders in the real estate sector to collectively reimagine the Lagos landscape as the state continue to build a smart, sustainable and inclusive city where housing and urban development meet the needs of its growing population.
“Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and set new benchmarks for excellence,” Odunuga-Bakare said.
The Lagos Real Estate Marketplace Conference brings together industry leaders, policymakers, investors and stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop innovative solutions to these challenges.
In the next two days, participants will engage in meaningful dialogue, leverage diverse expertise and forge partnerships that will advance the real estate sector in the state.
The ECA Office for North Africa on Monday, December 9, 2024, launched in Lusaka the second phase of the Morocco – DRC – Zambia Regional Electric Mobility Value Chain Development Project, with the participation of Moroccan, Congolese and Zambian representatives.
Electric vehicles
“The complementarities between our countries’ resources and experiences are sufficient for the development of robust battery and precursor production value chains. This can play a key role in the transition of our economies to a post-fossil fuel era. We are also aware that we cannot achieve socio-economic transformation alone: strategic partnerships such as this are important for accelerating the positive trajectory of our development agenda,” said Crusivia Hichikumba, Permanent Secretary for Investment and Industrialisation at the Zambian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade at the opening of the proceedings.
The development of carbon-free transport is essential to limit global warming. In Africa, vehicles are often older, high emitters of greenhouse gases, and public transport infrastructure is in a deplorable state: Africa should take advantage of electric mobility to improve its economic, environmental and social conditions, explained Marie Pascale Diatuka Malanda, Coordinator of the Congolese Agency for Ecological Transition and Sustainable Development.
Richly endowed with strategic minerals including cobalt and copper, the Democratic Republic of Congo has a central role to play in the development of electric mobility value chains, she stressed, insisting on the need to reflect on the opportunities for synergies of the technical capacities of the three countries, transfer of technologies and knowledge, and sharing of good practices for green, low-carbon industrialisation.
Electric mobility is a vector of economic, social and environmental development, said Idriss Addahbi, Head of the Monitoring and Strategy Division at the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade, who discussed how his country has become in 20 years one of the most competitive platforms in the world in the automotive sector and an African leader with one million vehicles produced per year including four models of electric cars: “By developing a regional value chain, we create jobs, we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and we contribute to the fight against climate change. By joining forces, we can become a world leader in the field of electric mobility.” he stressed.
“This workshop is not just about dialogue; it is a call to action. Together, we must align our visions, pool our resources and leverage the unique strengths of Zambia, Morocco and the DRC. By developing concrete policies, measures and initiatives, we can unlock Africa’s potential in the global e-mobility value chain, create jobs, foster innovation and contribute to sustainable development,” said Adam Elhiraika, Director of the ECA Office for North Africa.
The meeting aims to develop a detailed roadmap and implementation plan, as well as a partnership framework that will guide these regional value chains. The AfCFTA is a central pillar of this initiative as it provides a platform to harmonise policies and enable functional regional integration. It can serve as a catalyst to scale up electric mobility solutions, improve the flow of goods, expertise and capital, and boost regional economic growth, he explained.
Organised from December 9 to 11, 2024, the workshop on “Development of the regional value chain for electric mobility (DRC – Morocco – Zambia)” was held as part of a project initiated in 2023 by the ECA Office in North Africa with the ambition of facilitating the establishment of regional value chains for electric mobility in Africa and positioning the continent as a central player in the global market for electric vehicle batteries.
Drawing on the continent’s abundant mineral resources and the expertise of countries such as Morocco, the project focuses, in its current phase, on strengthening the technical capacities of the countries concerned and establishing a partnership framework to facilitate the development of value chains in the areas of battery production, vehicle assembly and the development of charging infrastructure.
Organised with the participation of public decision-makers, representatives of the public and private sectors and technical experts from the DRC, Morocco and Zambia, the workshop aims to strengthen the expertise of public decision-makers and technical committees in charge of the project; facilitate the exchange of knowledge through the creation of networks and platforms dedicated to each regional value chain; facilitate the validation of partnership frameworks, roadmaps and action plans; and encourage the sharing of good practices as well as the development of projects and initiatives between the project member countries.
The work will culminate on Thursday, December 12, 2024, with the organisation of a high-level policy dialogue on the development of regional automotive and electric mobility value chains, jointly organised by the ECA Offices in North Africa and Southern Africa.
The Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE, Chair of the Climate Action Coalition, reflects on COP29, the COP process and recent data on the public perceptions of the climate threat in the UK and US
Chris Skidmore, Chair of the Climate Action Coalition
The key announcements of COP29, including the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance of $1.3 trillion annually to be spent by 2035, including $300 billion annually for developing countries, and the agreement to Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Rule Book are perhaps what COP29 will be remembered for.
Yet many other initiatives outside the formal UNFCCC process were either agreed or begun, that highlight the opportunity that the convening power COP can deliver, ensuring that it is a gathering greater than the sum of its parts. For the UK, this included further announcements on the Global Clean Power Alliance, with potential partnership work with Brazil, and the publication of a new ambitious National Determined Contribution of 81% emissions reduction by 2035 on 1990 levels.
In between COP29 and COP30, other countries will also be required to publish their new, revised, NDCs 3.0 to be formally agreed at Belém in November 2025. These are due to be submitted in February 2025 and will likely be the critical moment of reckoning for climate policy next year.
Whether all countries who have previously submitted NDCs at COP26 in Glasgow will continue to do so for COP30 in Brazil is a different matter. COP29 took place against the backdrop of the US Presidential election, where climate related policy had been a clear dividing line between parties. With President-elect Trump having confirmed that he intends to pull the USA once more out of the Paris Agreement, any agreed outcome at COP29 was going to be foreshadowed by the potential lack of future participation by both the largest investor in green and clean technologies and the largest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions.
Without US involvement in the Paris process, and with others such as Argentina pulling their delegation from the COP talks, the future outcomes of COP hang in the balance. Yet a deal at COP29 was better than no deal: globally, countries recognise not only the vital importance of taking climate action to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change, and adapt to existing warming, they also understand that there is no turning back on the energy transition.
Solar power is expanding exponentially, at the same time as the costs of renewable technologies coming down sharply to be cost-competitive with fossil fuels. China, having previously announced that it would be net zero in 2060, is now on track to deliver net zero by 2050.
Neither net zero, nor the energy transition, nor indeed wider climate action will be delivered by talks and negotiation alone. COPs provide direction, inspiration and influence, yet the delivery and implementation of policy lies with national governments, business, industry and the establishment of new net zero markets. It was for this reason that Secretary John Kerry launched the Climate Action Coalition earlier this year at the Guildhall at London Climate Action Week, in order to focus on real world, real economy, solutions to deliver recognisable and achievable solutions at scale to meet our climate commitments, not for 2050 but also for meeting the trebling of renewables and doubling of energy efficiency measures as set out at COP28 in Dubai.
Having already held meetings with Germany’s Climate Envoy Secretary Jennifer Morgan, and Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN Director General’s Net Zero Taskforce, the Climate Action Coalition focused its attention at COP29 on this real-time delivery opportunity: we held roundtables with Vanessa Chan, the US Department of Energy’s Director of Commercialisation, Chris Stark, the Head of UK Mission Control, tasked with delivering the UK’s net zero power mission by 2030, and Simon McWhirter, the Deputy CEO of the UK Green Building Council and now co-chair of the Built Environment Taskforce of the Climate Action Coalition.
The importance of demonstrating not only why climate action needs to be taken, but what can and should be done now to make that action a reality will be a central mission of the Climate Action Coalition. Yet this cannot be delivered without both public acceptance and support for the energy transition and the opportunities that decarbonisation can bring.
With the recent political developments in the US in mind, new polling conducted by Ipsos on behalf of King’s College London and the Climate Action Coalition, comparing the views and perceptions of members of the public both in the UK and the US – the first of its kind since the US Presidential Election – reveals important difference yet also similarities between the public perception and experience of the energy transition, that provides useful reflections for policy makers tasked with building support for net zero and the energy transition.
Most striking, perhaps, is the fact that in the UK, the percentage stating that climate change is the single most important problem facing the country, or one of the most important problems, has risen between 2023 and 2024 from 46% to 52%. At the same time however, the percentage of respondents stating that climate change is not important at all has risen from 5% to 8%.
In contrast, in the US, where only 2024 data is available, the combined percentage of respondents stating that climate change is either the single most important problem or one of the most important problems is 39%, some 13 percentage points lower than the UK. Equally, 21% of US respondents believe that climate change is either not important at all, or not very important, compared to 14% in the UK.
The discrepancy in public opinion between the US and the UK is also striking when analysing the perception of climate change among supporters of political parties. In the UK, Labour voters are most likely to consider climate change as either the most or one of the most important problems, totalling 64% of Labour voters, though still 47% of Conservative voters also consider climate change the most or one of the most important problems also. Nearly a third of Reform voters, 32%, however, consider climate change not to be important at all, in stark contrast to 1% of Labour voters and 9% of Conservative voters.
This is the highest proportion of any political party in the UK or in the US- where 17% of Republican voters consider climate change not an important issue. Yet still, of Reform voters, nearly a quarter, 24%, consider climate change to be the most important or one of the most important issues facing the UK.
For the US, the divides between the two mainstream parties are even more polarised and stark. 66% of Democrat voters consider climate change the most important or one of the most important problems, compared to 15% of Republican voters: in contrast, 40% of Republican voters believe that climate change is not important at all or not very important.
While the polling points to these important distinguishing factors between the UK and the US, there are also interesting areas of commonality: in both countries, women are twice as likely to consider climate change an important issue; in both countries there is also a significant minority (18% in US and 15% in UK) that consider the effects of climate change to have been overexaggerated; in both countries also, more people are pessimistic rather than hopeful that we can combat climate change, though in the UK, more people are both more hopeful and more pessimistic than the US, where there is a larger number of those uncertain.
The polling also provides a fascinating insight into what will drive people to make changes to deliver climate action and emissions reduction: in both the UK and the US, potential cost savings feature prominently as the number one driver of what would influence people to adapt, with 47% of those polled in the UK and 42% in the US highlighting this as a priority.
Practicality and better information about how to implement changes featured more prominently in the UK compared to the US- 37% compared to 30%- yet what also united both countries was the agreement that celebrity or public figures being involved in advocating for climate action had the least possible impact on people’s decisions: 10% in the UK considered that this would influence their decisions, compared to 4% in the US.
What is clear from the polling released is that both in the UK and the US, while there is a risk of increased polarisation on climate change issues, in particular with 55% of those polled who believed they received too much information on climate change agreed that climate change is being used to put forward a political agenda, compared with 45% in the UK, there also remains uncertainty about the future, and a willingness for further action.
I hope that the more detailed findings from this polling can be utilised by policy makers to better understand how to work with, and not against, the grain of public attitudes and opinion, to ensure that there can be greater understanding of how net zero and the energy transition can and will be an opportunity and not a cost.
Already it seems that 2024 will be the warmest year on record: beating only the previous record set in 2023. Global temperature rises are currently 1.7°C above pre-industrial levels, and while it will not be confirmed until the end of the decade, it seems that the hope of limiting global warming to 1.5°C as set out in the Paris Agreement is fading fast.
2025 will mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a year in which all nations will need to step up their ambition to deliver if we are to hope to keep global temperatures even beneath 2°C also set out in the Agreement. Yet hope is not a strategy, while ambition remains just words on a page: what matters is action, action that can only be delivered and implemented across all nations, day in day out: as another COP ends, the hard work continues now across governments, across business and across borders, taking people with us and building the coalitions we need for the future.
Freetown on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, became the second African capital to back the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, joining cities on every continent that are demanding a global just transition away from fossil fuels to an equitable renewable-powered future. Sierra Leone’s capital now joins over 120 cities and subnational governments that have formally endorsed the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal.
Freetown, Sierra Leone
After implementing its first climate action strategy and appointing Africa’s first heat officer to address its high climate vulnerability, Freetown has apparently reaffirmed its climate leadership by becoming the second major African city to join the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, a new legal mechanism that would enable a fair phase out of fossil fuels, with the wealthiest countries leading the way, and facilitate finance and technology transfers for an equitable energy transition, economic diversification and alternative development pathways.
Mayor of Freetown and C40 Cities Co-Chair, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, said:“While COP28 was a crucial step in acknowledging the necessity of transitioning away from fossil fuels, this decision was not reaffirmed at COP29. We find ourselves at a crossroads: one path leads to the preservation of humanity, while the other leads to its annihilation. It is imperative that we take bold and decisive action like the Fossil Fuel Treaty to end our dependence on fossil fuels and harness our unbridled renewable energy potential.
“African cities can play a key role in this fight since our urban centres are not just hubs of economic activity; they are also epicentres of innovation. Together, we can have a global impact, and Freetown stands ready to inspire and collaborate with cities across the African continent and beyond to build a just transition away from deadly fossil fuels to a prosperous renewable future.”
Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities, said:“Freetown’s decision to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a bold and crucial step in the fight for climate justice. This move sends a clear message to the fossil fuel industry, which has long tried to entrench its power, particularly in Africa, that the world’s major cities are fully committed to the phaseout of fossil fuels. Cities like London, under Mayor Khan, have already led the charge in backing this treaty, and now Freetown, with Mayor Aki-Sawyerr at the helm, is showing that African cities will be at the forefront of the movement toward a just and equitable energy future. The time is now long overdue for the wealthiest nations to take responsibility for phasing out fossil fuels, ending subsidies to polluting industries, and working with cities, especially those in the Global South, to build a fairer and greener future.”
Karim Bah, a social justice activist and convener of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty civil society campaign in Sierra Leone, said: “Freetown is one of the oldest modern cities in Africa and played a historic role in the abolition of slavery. It is rather fitting that Freetown is among the first in Africa to answer to the call of activists for the abolition of fossil fuels today by endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Global support for the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal from cities and national governments is only growing stronger. With this recent endorsement from Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr who was elected co-chair of C40 Cities in 2023, alongside Mayor Sadiq Khan, who backed the proposal in 2022, the leadership of the C40 Cities global network of mayors has now formally united their voices behind the urgent need for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
“In the leadup to CO28, in their C40 Letter to Heads of State, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and Mayor Khan, called on governments to gradually end the production of oil, gas and coal, insisting that these three substances are not only the main cause of climate disruption but also of deep associated injustices, both at city and global levels. Following COP29, C40 Cities continues to call for a “clear path for cities to lead a just transition to a sustainable future.”
Lucas Snaije, Cities & Subnational Campaign Coordinator at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said:“We are thrilled to welcome Freetown as the second African capital to join our subnational cohort in 2024. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has firmly positioned Sierra Leone’s capital as a climate leader both locally, through innovative governance such as the appointment of Africa’s first Chief Heat Officer, and globally, as co-chair of C40 Cities alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan. This endorsement is a resounding call for cities across Africa, the Global South, and the world, to follow suit.”
Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns and Advocacy at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, stated: “The fossil fuel industry has hypnotised Africa for decades, promising fortunes while syphoning profits out of the continent and powering foreign nations with our coal, oil and gas, all the while leaving 600 million Africans in the dark. All this takes place on the continent with the highest renewable energy potential on Earth. Freetown has seen through this fossil fuelled hypocrisy and sets the tone for a new future for the continent that is powered by the abundant energy of the sun, water and wind.”
Freetown’s decision has been described as courageous and one that sends a strong message to international leaders who want to hook Africa to oil and gas while the world transitions to renewable energy. The continent has been the target of fossil fuel extraction by the Global North, with the majority of the fossil fuel extraction destined for export to foreign markets.
Civil society organisations have risen against this neocolonial model in which wealthy countries have built their riches by exploiting the continent’s reserves, all while exacerbating Africa’s structural inequalities by increasing the continent’s fossil fuel dependence that has failed to power its people by design.
Fadhel Kaboub, Senior Advisor at Power Shift Africa and member of the Independent Expert Group on Just Transition and Development, stated:“It is imperative that governments prioritise the negotiation of a global framework to support and finance Africa’s – and the world’s – transition to renewable energy. Instead of perpetuating a plan that creates fossil fuel dependence, we must activate and operationalise Agenda 2063 in a tangible manner.
“This entails establishing strategic partnerships on terms that are favourable to Africa’s interests, ensuring that our continent can lead in green industrialisation and achieve the sustainable development goals while safeguarding the health of our planet. It is time for African countries to join the growing bloc of nations already supporting a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
The World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) has launched a new roadmap to expand access to clean cooking solutions across Africa by increasing availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Cooking gas cylinders
The roadmap was authored by S&P Global Commodity Insights and commissioned by the Cooking For Life Africa Task Force (CFLA), an industry initiative including Amtrol Alfa, Equinor, Hexagon Ragasco, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Oryx Energies, Petredec, S&P Global, SHV Energy, and Total Energies.
The “LPG Roadmap for Africa” provides three calls to action for the public and private sectors to achieve full access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. They include: establishing clear, enforceable regulatory frameworks to scale the LPG market in the region; implementing a consumer financing and payment plan to overcome economic barriers; and investing in infrastructure and roads to improve storage, distribution and delivery networks in more remote areas.
Today, nearly 2.5 billion people (one-third of the global population) are without access to clean cooking solutions, including over 900 million people in Africa. In remote villages and urban slums, many families resort to traditional biomass fuels like coal, wood and dung, which emit harmful and toxic fumes and contribute to climate emissions and deforestation.
Benefits of African households switching from firewood to LPG as a cooking fuel include:
Reducing indoor air pollution from particulate matter by 98% – significantly decreasing the number of premature deaths and health conditions caused by household air pollutants
Saving 1.2 million hectares of forest per year – equivalent to nearly one-quarter of current global deforestation
Decreasing emissions of black carbon (or soot), a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG), by 117 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year – nearly offsetting Nigeria’s annual CO2 emissions
Decreasing 279 million tons of CO2 per year – roughly equivalent to the annual emissions from mid-sized countries such as Taiwan and Malaysia
James Rockall, CEO, World Liquid Gas Association, said: “An equitable, fit-for-purpose transition means empowering marginalised communities by reducing global energy poverty and fostering a more inclusive future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Access to clean cooking supplies will increase economic opportunities and standards of living, while reducing carbon emissions and environmental impacts. While the roadmap is an important step forward, the Cooking or Life Africa Task Force will work with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to realise these ambitions.”
Alex Grant, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Midstream and Processing, Equinor, said:“Equinor is committed to contributing to an energy transition that is just and inclusive and brings about long-term social and economic benefits. The WLGA’s Cooking For Life Africa Task Force ‘LPG Roadmap for Africa’ sets out the important contributions that LPG can make in achieving progress towards these goals.”
Huub Stokman, Managing Director, NNPC Retail Limited, said: “A just transition for Africa requires a reduction in energy poverty alongside emissions reduction. The LPG roadmap, which targets about 60% of the continent’s population without access to clean cooking solutions, will simultaneously address economic, health and environmental challenges across Africa. NNPC Retail Limited is fully committed to the Cooking For Life Africa (CFLA) task force as we jointly collaborate to address regulatory, financial and infrastructure problems; and unlock a cleaner, prosperous future.”
Moussa Diao, CEO, Oryx Energies SA, said:“Our participation in the Cooking For Life Africa Task Force is a testament to our commitment to advancing clean cooking solutions across Africa, in addition to the fact that we’ve been a major LPG player in sub-Saharan Africa for over 20 years with several leading positions in West, East and Southern Africa. Half of Oryx Energies’ investments goes into LPG, with half of that going towards LPG cylinders.
“The continued investment in our company’s LPG capabilities helps address not only the immediate health and environmental concerns but also fosters long-term economic and social benefits. With the support from governments, we bring to local populations a cleaner, reliable, more sustainable and affordable energy.”
Jonathan Fancher, CEO, Petredec Global, said: “Every year, 600,000 Africans, primarily women and children, die from indoor air pollution – a preventable tragedy that demands urgent action. At Petredec, we believe LPG is the best solution to Africa’s clean cooking crisis. LPG offers a scalable, affordable, and immediate solution to improve health and the environment.
“As a leading LPG value chain company, Petredec’s superior logistics operations and investment in key LPG infrastructure in the region, reinforce our goal of enhancing security of supply and making LPG more accessible. We are proud to support the Cooking For Life Africa Task Force and the ‘LPG Roadmap for Africa’ to accelerate this vital transition.”
Steven Sels, Chief Operating Officer, SHV Energy, said: “Many households in Africa still rely on traditional cooking fuels like wood and charcoal. Convincing these households to switch to LPG requires significant investment in education, marketing, and infrastructure.”
Biova Agbokou, Vice-President Liquefied Petroleum Gas, TotalEnergies, said: “TotalEnergies aims to impact 100 million people in Africa and India by 2030, investing over $400 million in developing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking. By developing access to clean cooking in the regions, TotalEnergies intends to have a positive impact on the environment and on people’s health, while also helping to reduce gender inequalities. With this new ‘LPG Roadmap for Africa’ with our peers, we are activating another lever to reach more end-users.”
Jimmy Bowes, President, Building Products, Worthington Enterprises, said: “This roadmap is a significant step toward achieving sustainable clean energy access across Africa. It provides a comprehensive strategy to enhance the adoption of LPG as a clean cooking fuel. As a leading global supplier of LPG cylinders that are essential for safe and efficient fuel storage and distribution, Worthington Enterprises and its Amtrol-Alfa and Ragasco products will help ensure accessibility for all communities. We are proud of how our industry has come together and believe by executing this roadmap we will have a profound impact on improving public health and environmental outcomes in the region.”
Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Ltd., Mr. Philip Mshelbila, says Africa’s energy sector needs over $200 billion in annual investments to meet its energy and climate goals.
Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Ltd.
Mshelbila spoke at the networking session reception, hosted by Nigeria LNG in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, December 9, 2024.
The 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards has “Achieving the balance between energy security and decarbonisation” as its theme.
Mshelbila, who was represented by Mr. Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager, Production, NLNG, said this investment was essential to meeting the growing energy needs of a young and dynamic population with a median age of just 20 years.
According to him, in a continent where the average GDP per capita is only a quarter of the global average, the stakes have never been higher.
“The Global Energy Investment landscape requires a critical balancing act: the need for immediate energy access through fossil fuels, alongside the urgent transition to sustainable energy sources.
“At NLNG, we understand this duality. As one of Africa’s leading energy companies, we are dedicated to sustainably producing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a cleaner energy alternative.
“We see natural gas as not only a vital bridge in the energy transition journey but also a sustainable component of the energy mix, enhancing renewable sources like solar and wind.
“However, investment alone is not sufficient. To truly harness Africa’s energy potential, we must foster a collaborative environment,” Mshelbila said.
He suggested that policymakers, private sector players and investors must work together to create enabling frameworks that attract capital.
The NLNG boss said that there was need to enhance transparency, improve infrastructure, and develop human capital that could drive innovation and implementation of energy projects.
He said that it was imperative that these goals were aligned, not just for economic growth but for the welfare of the communities and the sustainability of the environment.
“The time for action is now. Let us invest in Africa’s energies with a shared vision for a prosperous, sustainable future.
“We, at NLNG, are conscious of our sustainability hallmark. We recently refreshed our brand identity with a new logo and tagline that speaks to inspiring a sustainable future.
“Our new logo is not just a visual change; it represents our commitment to innovation, excellence and sustainability.
“It symbolises our dedication to evolving with the times while staying true to our core values.
“Our positioning in the global scheme of things is to provide energy to improve lives sustainably.
“We believe in the strategic strengthening of the natural gas industry’s value in advancing environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.
“Thank you for your attention and together we can create a transformative energy landscape for the world,” he said.
In her remarks, Parul Patel, Operations Manager, DMG Events lauded, Nigeria LNG Ltd., for its investment in LNG and stakeholder support.
Patel said Nigeria LNG Ltd.(NLNG) had made substantial investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
She said that this investment not only enhanced Nigeria’s position in the global LNG market but had also contributed significantly to the local economy.
“As part of their ongoing efforts to foster collaboration and dialogue within the industry, NLNG recently hosted a welcome reception for all stakeholders.
“This event provided an invaluable platform for networking and discussing the future of LNG in Nigeria, showcasing NLNG’s dedication to strengthening partnerships across the energy sector.
“The support from Nigeria LNG Limited is vital as it facilitates growth and innovation, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
“We applaud NLNG for its leadership and commitment to enhancing the LNG landscape in Nigeria,” she added.
The 24th World LNG Summit and wards which, recorded 750 attendees and 200 speakers representing 500 companies from across the energy value chain, is being organised by DMG events.
The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, has called for unwavering commitment to eradicate corruption, particularly in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector.
Komolafe made the call at a workshop organised by the commission to mark the International Anti-corruption Day on Monday, December 9, 2024, in Abuja.
The theme of the event is “United Against Corruption: Building Integrity for a Sustainable Future.”
Komolafe described the consequences of corruption, as a significant threat to the nation’s development and equity.
“Corruption deprives citizens of essential services, discourages investments, and erodes trust in public institutions, thus the importance of safeguarding the upstream petroleum industry,” Komolafe added.
He outlined transformative measures implemented by the NUPRC, such as the Oil and Gas Industry Service Permit (OGISP) portal, competitive bidding for petroleum licenses, and the HostComply platform, which have strengthened transparency and governance.
Komolafe praised the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the NUPRC for fostering a culture of integrity through awareness campaigns, system reviews, and whistleblowing mechanisms.
“These efforts have not only enhanced investor confidence but have also increased revenue inflows to the Federation Account,” he said.
Komolafe emphasised the importance of leadership in combating corruption, urging stakeholders, including government agencies, industry operators, and civil society, to unite in the fight against the menace.
“We must collectively ensure that Nigeria’s oil and gas resources become a blessing for all, not a privilege for a few. I urge Nigerians to embrace transparency as a personal and collective creed,’’ he said.
The NUPRC boss during the event recognised some outstanding staff members of the commission that had shown commitment to integrity with integrity awards.
The renowned Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana, on his part, challenged Nigerians to confront systemic corruption with bold reforms and decisive action.
Falana acknowledged the progress made by anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC and EFCC but emphasised that “corruption thrives where leadership lacks commitment.”
He called for a stronger political will to enforce existing anti-corruption laws.
Falana acknowledged the global complicity in perpetuating corruption, criticising Western nations for harboring stolen funds.
“The bulk of looted resources from Nigeria is warehoused abroad. Yet, these countries frustrate recovery efforts, betraying the ideals of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption,” he stated.
He also advocated for the redistribution of seized assets, suggesting that properties confiscated from corrupt officials be converted into affordable housing for Nigerian workers.
He reiterated the power of young Nigerians, particularly through social media, to drive anti-corruption campaigns, saying “If we can mobilise our youth to demand transparency and accountability, significant progress will be made”.
He also advocated for the redistribution of seized assets within the country, suggesting that properties confiscated from corrupt officials be converted into affordable housing for Nigerian workers.
Falana praised the NUPRC boss and its management for its transparency initiatives, urging other government institutions to replicate these efforts.
“Your leadership sets a precedent for fostering accountability and resisting undue influence,” he said.
Representing Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Adigun Olusegun, lauded the NUPRC for its proactive anti-corruption initiatives.
“The establishment of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) within organisations like NUPRC ensures the implementation of preventive mechanisms, fostering an ethical workforce and addressing lapses in operational systems.
“It is therefore important to sustain these efforts. We encourage ACTU to remain steadfast in its mandate while urging management to continue its unwavering support,’’ Aliyu said.
Delivering a paper on “Understanding and Mitigating Corruption in the Workplace, Mr Chidi Orji of ICPC said corruption eroded public trust and compromised critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.
“Corruption does not just affect the poor or the powerless; it impacts everyone, including its supposed beneficiaries.
Citing examples of procurement fraud and regulatory capture, Orji called for more rigorous enforcement and transparent processes, particularly in sectors prone to exploitation.
He said there was the need for technology-driven solutions to minimise human intervention in regulatory processes.
“We must innovate and adopt systems that eliminate opportunities for unethical practices, especially in sectors like oil and gas, where the stakes are high.
“Leadership must lead by example and the fight against corruption begins with ethical behavior from the highest levels of management and cascades down through all organisational layers.
“Corruption does not pay, it affects us all, and only by standing united can we shape a future of integrity and accountability,” he said.
