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G20 summit: Tinubu endorses global alliance against hunger, poverty

Michael Simire
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G20 summit: Tinubu endorses global alliance against hunger, poverty

President Bola Tinubu on Monday, November 18, 2024, said the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, was pivotal in the global fight against hunger and poverty.

G20
President Luiz da Silva of Brazil, Brazil’s First Lady, Janja da Silva, welcome President Bola Tinubu and First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, during G20 Leaders at Museum of Modern Art, Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil

Tinubu said this at the 19th G20 Leaders Summit opening session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

He lauded the initiative and described it as the right step to address one of the world’s most significant challenges. 

“This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today. 

“The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, and it also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe.

“By fostering collaboration between governments, international organisations, and civil society, this initiative offers a comprehensive approach not only to addressing immediate needs but also tackling the structural causes of hunger and poverty,” he said.

Tinubu compared the global initiative to one of the eight priority areas he outlined at his inauguration 18 months ago, expressing Nigeria’s eagerness to adopt international best practices to advance its economic development.

According to him, Nigeria’s endorsement of the declaration of commitment to join the Global Alliance is a significant step in its efforts to address hunger and poverty by leveraging international cooperation and resources to bolster domestic strategies.

He added that by supporting the initiative, Nigeria also demonstrated a solid commitment to realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty, and SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger.

“These goals are at the core of Nigeria’s development agenda, and the Alliance offers a platform to accelerate progress towards them. 

“By collaborating with international partners, Nigeria aims to leverage best practices, innovative solutions, and financial support to enhance its efforts to combat poverty and hunger.

“The endorsement reinforces Nigeria’s role as a key player in global efforts to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all its citizens,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council reform to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions. 

He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within this elite group.

President Tinubu called on the G20 to champion this noble ideal, having admitted the African Union as a group member.

“The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality. Africa deserves priority in this.

“The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality better. 

“Africa deserves priority in this process, and two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities. Nigeria stands ready and willing to serve as a representative of Africa in this capacity,” said Tinubu.

Tinubu, in a statement read on his behalf by Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that, “the G20 now wears a toga of a forward-looking international institution that upholds reform-minded multilateralism.”

He commended the decision of the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group. 

This broad participation, he said, allowed the opportunity for more inclusive and effective discussions to address shared global challenges.

“Some permanent members of the Council have shown promising signs of support for this process, which is a positive development. We welcome this shift in attitude and call for a faster pace to the long overdue change.

“The world faces various challenges, including extreme poverty, inequality, climate change, terrorism, and global conflicts,” said the President.

According to him, these issues are exacerbated by longstanding inequities in the global governance system.

He added that they had led to unsustainable sovereign debt and distortions in access to capital markets, trade imbalances, unfair representations and hindered development in the Global South. 

“It is our responsibility to find pragmatic solutions to fix these imbalances.

“Particularly pressing is global taxation, which profoundly impacts developing countries. 

“The current international tax system, largely shaped by the interests of more affluent nations, often leaves developing countries at a disadvantage, especially in taxing digital economies. 

“This systemic imbalance has led to significant revenue losses, hampering our efforts towards sustainable development and economic self-reliance,” the Nigerian leader said.

He highlighted that Nigeria, alongside other African Group member states, championed a historic initiative at the United Nations: calling for a framework Convention on Tax to establish a more equitable and inclusive global tax system. 

He urged the G20 to heed the call by countries, especially those of the global South, to reform the international financial architecture.

“Multilateral institutions must be revamped to bridge the gap between the Global North and South.

“This is the path for the future and one the G20 must champion. Nigeria is committed to being part of that future through active participation in the G20 and our steadfast support for achieving SDG 2030 targets,” the President added.

By Salif Atojoko

G20 leaders back scaling up climate finance from ‘billions to trillions’

Michael Simire
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0
G20 leaders back scaling up climate finance from ‘billions to trillions’

The high-level diplomatic push for climate action shifted southward on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, as G20 leaders meeting in Rio, backing scaling up climate finance.

G20 Summit
President Luiz Lula da Silva of Brazil (left) with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at the G20 Summit in Brazil

The leaders sent a clear signal to negotiating teams at stalled UN climate talks in Baku on the need to rapidly and substantially ‘scale up climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources.’

While the statement from the world’s leading economies – and biggest emitters – stopped short of explicit reference of “transitioning away from fossil fuels”, to which all nations agreed last year at COP28 in Dubai, the G20 leaders did “welcome the balanced, ambitious outcome” of those talks.

The G20 communiqué comes as the clock ticks down on COP29, which is set to wrap up this Friday in the Azerbaijan capital, Baku.

The complex negotiations on new and significantly scaled-up funding for loss and damage and accelerated clean energy goals are moving slowly, as some countries dig into their positions while waiting for others to pull back from their own.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell, who earlier warned against brinkmanship and what he called ‘you-first-ism’, said that G20 leaders sent a clear message to their negotiators at COP29: “A successful new finance goal… is in every country’s clear interests.”

By Cecilia Ologunagba

G20 communiqué fails to deliver strong commitment on fossil fuel phase-out, climate finance

Michael Simire
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G20 communiqué fails to deliver strong commitment on fossil fuel phase-out, climate finance

Leaders of the G20 nations meeting in Rio in Brazil on Monday, November 18, 2024, issued a communiqué which observers believe fails to make a stronger mention of fossil fuels and climate finance.

G20 leaders
G20 leaders

Despite recognising the outcome of last year’s COP28 in Dubai, which commits countries to “transition away from fossil fuels” among other things, the somewhat vague and buried reference obfuscates the action that’s really needed by avoiding any specific obligations around fossil fuel phase out or a just transition.

The statement falls short of a strong outcome expected from the group that has given more than $1.4 trillion in support to the coal, oil and gas industry in 2022 alone. The omission of further commitments to phase out fossil fuels and a strong signal on finance for climate action, which is critical to underpin a global, just energy transition, is particularly concerning in the context of COP29 being held this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, where nations’ biggest focus is to negotiate the new global goal on climate finance, and where the Dubai agreement is expected to be upheld, especially by wealthy nations.

Although the declaration reaffirms the need for trillions of dollars in climate finance and “hopes for a successful new climate finance goal” at COP29 in Azerbaijan by the end of this week, it fails to specifically call for the public, grant-based finance that is an integral demand of developing countries in ongoing negotiations.

While G20 governments mentioned the importance of the Paris Agreement to limit global heating, and the commitment made at COP28 to phase out fossil fuels and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, it also failed to specifically mention the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels in their communique.

In addition, heads of state collectively agreed broad support to tax “ultra-high net worth individuals”, reflecting a decision made by G20 Finance Ministers in July. The declaration signed by G20 governments acknowledges the need to reform international finance rules and emphasises the responsibility of the wealthiest countries to provide financial support for developing countries to transition to renewable energy, but questions over the structure of this climate finance remain.

This announcement from the G20 adds to the growing support for taxing the ultra-wealthy as a means of delivering social and economic justice, which are goals directly in line with climate justice. Taxing the super-rich is a fair means of financing the global, just transition away from fossil fuels to safe renewable energy and providing quality finance for the loss and damage caused by climate impacts.

People around the world are demanding that governments commit to at least $1 trillion a year for quality climate finance at COP29 – with activists taking to the streets in over 26 countries over the weekend. In coordinated marches thousands of people expressed their demand for climate justice, creative, collective and guerilla actions in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Munich put Billionaires in the spotlight, demanding that governments Tax Their Billions to unlock huge sums to tackle the climate crisis.

In response to the communiqué, Harjeet Singh, Global Engagement Director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “World leaders at the G20 Summit displayed a stark failure in leadership, neglecting to reaffirm their commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels – a critical pivot for global climate action. Their rehashed rhetoric offers no solace for the fraught COP29 negotiations, where we continue to see a deadlock on climate finance.

“Developed nations who have significant historical emissions and planned fossil fuel expansion, remain unmoved, failing to quantify the trillions needed or to ensure these funds are provided as grants – essential for achieving climate justice. Without decisive progress on finance at COP29, we are steering towards a catastrophic temperature scenario, where the most vulnerable will bear the gravest consequences.”

Ilan Zugman, Latin America Managing Director at 350.org, said: “Brazil has shown leadership during its G20 presidency, and this signal could pave the way for unlocking a transformative finance deal at COP29, one that should mobilise at least a trillion dollars per year for climate action. This will be a drop in the ocean compared to what governments are already paying and people are already suffering around the world due to climate catastrophes. However, this funding must come in the form of grants and public money, not private finance. Private finance in its very nature is about making profits, before meeting genuine human needs.

“While Brazil’s G20 presidency has shown promise – particularly with the discussion of taxing the ultra-wealthy – true climate leadership demands more. For Brazil to become a true climate leader, President Lula must commit to no further oil or gas projects in the Amazon and ensure investments are made in renewable energy initiatives that are led by local communities. His gas importation deal made with Argentina at the leader’s summit does not match the climate ambition we need or expect from the COP30 presidency.”

Khaliel Moses, Senior Campaigner at 350.org, said: “We urge South Africa to advocate for increased climate finance in order to meet the trillions of dollars needed for equitable climate action and carry forward Brazil’s proposal to tax the super-rich. This money, often spent on yachts and far-right lobby groups, could instead be used to directly support impactful community-driven renewable energy initiatives like REPower Afrika. This campaign exemplifies how localised solutions can address energy access gaps while promoting sustainable development and climate resilience.

“South Africa has the opportunity to set a bold example of leadership, leveraging its G20 presidency to secure policies and resources that uplift economically marginalised communities, address intersecting crises, and demonstrate the power of African innovation in advancing global energy transitions and equitable climate solutions.”

Kate Blagojevic, Associate Director for Europe Campaigns and Organising at 350.org, said: “In a positive move given the challenging political landscape, the G20 leaders gained consensus for one of the most logical solutions to one of the world’s most pressing issues – taxing billionaires to pay for climate action. Now these governments must build on the growing popular support for taxing extreme wealth by putting words into action.

“To unlock this cash from the deep pockets of billionaires, governments need to work with the next G20 South African Presidency to set clear rules and close loopholes for taxing the super-rich and start delivering strong wealth taxes on billionaires. We will be back louder and stronger and more united than ever to hold both leaders and billionaires to account.”

COP29: TotalEnergies, Oil India collaborate on methane emissions detection, measurement

Michael Simire
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0
COP29: TotalEnergies, Oil India collaborate on methane emissions detection, measurement

TotalEnergies and Oil India Limited (OIL) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, signed a Cooperation Agreement to carry out methane emissions detection and measurement campaigns using TotalEnergies’ pioneer AUSEA technology at OIL sites in India.

Patrick Pouyanné
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies

State-owned enterprise OIL recently joined the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), a global industry initiative launched at COP28, co-chaired by TotalEnergies’ CEO. The OGDC’s ambition is to work towards net-zero operations by 2050, as well as near-zero upstream methane emissions and zero routine flaring by 2030. Moreover, OGDC members are said to be committed to measuring and publicly reporting progress.

In line with the OGDC’s principle of sharing good practices, TotalEnergies makes this technology available to other operators among the signatories, as an effective and recognised tool to detect, measure and eventually abate methane emissions on their own assets.

AUSEA, a one-of-a-kind technology by TotalEnergies

Mounted on a drone, the AUSEA gas analyser, developed by TotalEnergies and its R&D partners, consists of a dual sensor capable of detecting methane and carbon dioxide emissions, while at the same time identifying their source. This technology marks a step change in methane emissions detection and measurement compared to traditional techniques. By allowing access to hard-to-reach emission points, on all types of industrial facilities, both offshore and onshore, AUSEA is reputed as one of the most accurate technologies in the industry.

“We are delighted that OIL has joined the growing list of national companies we are collaborating with by making our AUSEA technology available. This is a clear demonstration that the Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter launched at COP28 has gained momentum, thanks to the promotion of industrial best practices.

“Today, AUSEA performs campaigns on every continent and contributes to the OGDC signatories’ ambition to aim at near-zero upstream methane emissions by 2030,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.

Commenting on the pact, Dr. Ranjit Rath, Chairman & Managing Director of OIL, said: “By joining our peers in the OGDC, OIL reiterates India’s commitment to the global community, while underscoring OIL’s dedication to reducing emissions. OIL is pleased to be collaborating with TotalEnergies, an industry pioneer in methane emissions detection and measurements.”

Why GMOs do not serve interest of Nigerian people – Alliance

Michael Simire
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Why GMOs do not serve interest of Nigerian people – Alliance

The GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance in a Memorandum calls on the Nigerian National Assembly, which is investigating the impacts of genetically modified crops in the country, to ban GMOs in Nigeria and to, instead, invest in Agroecology comprising of Organic Agriculture, Regenerative Agriculture, Agroforestry and other practices that are proven to be able to transform the Nigerian food system to sustainability

National Assembly
National Assembly

GMOs do not Improve Productivity

In September 2024 the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) reported that they “did not record any significant increase in their yields compared to the local seed varieties but instead, since the introduction of GM cotton seeds during the 2020/2021 farming season, yield per hectare has remained almost the same”.

They also reported that no other plant has been able to germinate on the farmlands where the GM seeds were planted, even after four years.

Across the country, farmers have complained that with GMOs, productivity reduces in the second planting season, meaning farmers cannot replant these seeds but have to continuously purchase the seeds every new season.

While some GMOs are designed to have increased levels of some nutrients, studies have revealed that other essential nutrients or functions can be reduced in the process. An in-depth scientific comparison of GM crops and their non-GM varieties shows that the assumption of substantial equivalence is false, as unexpected differences has been found. Examples include that GM soy had 12–14% lower amounts of isoflavones than non-GM soy; GM soy had 27% higher levels of a major allergen, trypsin-inhibitor, than the non-GM parent variety.

Burkina Faso, in 2016 phased out GM Cotton because it produced a poor-quality lint which fetched low prices for the farmers and amounted to millions of dollars of losses. The same variety was approved for commercial release in Nigeria, that same year.

In India, poor productivity and other failed promises of GMOs have led to thousands of farmer suicides. The story of the failure of Bt cotton in India is a classic example of this destructive technology being promoted as a solution. In Punjab alone, the area under cotton has declined by 46 per cent in 2024, a testament to the failure of Bt cotton to control pink bollworm and other pests. Chemical use in cotton cultivation has increased while yields have stagnated or fallen, while almost all cotton seeds are being controlled by the multinational corporation Bayer/Monsanto.

No Sufficient, Long-term Risk Assessment Conducted

Till date there is no evidence of long-term risk assessment including clinical trials conducted before release of the GM crops introduced in Nigeria so far.

This is not peculiar to Nigeria but observed in several other African countries. This suggests a strategic effort to silent the negative implications that GMOs present while opening up market and increasing profit for the multinational biotech corporations.

After a nine-year battle with Monsanto, the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and indeed the South African people on Thursday, October 22, 2024, won a pivotal decision in South Africa’s Supreme Court where the court agreed with the ACB that South Africa’s Executive Council of the GMO Act had approved Monsanto’s drought-resistant maize without fully assessing its safety for human health and the environment, disregarding evidence from other experts.

This ruling marks South Africa’s first judicial decision on GMOs and highlights a longstanding issue: for 28 years, the Executive Council of the GMO Act has licensed western GMOs without adequate health and environmental impact assessments.

This applies to the Nigerian government where over 25 GM products have been approved for various purposes without adequate long term risk assessment. We cannot claim to be immune to the dangers that GMOs and attendant chemicals such as glyphosate pose to human and environmental health.

Risks to Human Health: Several studies have linked the consumption of GMOs to a myriad of diseases including antibiotics resistance – the commercially approved Bt Cowpea expresses an enzyme which confers resistance to antibiotics – neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII). Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of cytokines (protein molecules involved in immune responses) associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation.

Multiple toxins from GMOs have been detected in 93% maternal and 80% fetal blood including non-pregnant women’s blood. These toxins designed to kill crop pests are reaching humans and babies in the womb and could lead to allergies, miscarriage, and cancer.

Threats to Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability: There is the severe threat of irreversible genetic contamination due to cross-pollination which could also lead to production of uncontrollable plant varieties and mutated plant varieties. Over 80% of GMOs are designed to be herbicide tolerant. These herbicides do not only destroy the target weeds but also non-target organisms that are essential for soil health and overall ecosystem function. These chemicals can also run off to contaminate drinking ground water and surface water including drinking water sources.

Mexico has in 2024, placed an indefinite ban on genetically engineered corn. The courts said from the evidence before it, genetically engineered corn posed “the risk of imminent harm to the environment.” Furthermore, they will “suspend all activities involving the planting of transgenic corn in the country and end the granting of permission for experimental and pilot commercial plantings.” The ruling provided a protection for the 20,000 varieties of corn grown in Mexico and Central America.

Nigerians’ Right to Safe Food

Decisions made by the government should be in the interest of the Nigerian people. Since this year, 2024, there has been increased demands from the Nigerian people in online media and several other fora for a ban on GMOs. Nigerians do not want this technology in our food and the government’s persistent approval of GMOs, means a total disregard for the rights of the people and exposes the vested interest in this technology.

GMOs are not currently being labeled in Nigeria. Although this is important, it is not a realistic practice considering of socio-economic context; with food mostly sold in basins in open markets and in processed forms.

Additionally, Nigerians are consuming imported processed foods bought from supermarkets without any idea that they are made from the genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The manner in which these items are imported into the country calls for serious concern.

Although the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has said illegal importation of GMOs into the country is being checked, these products are abundant in our market shelves (over 50 different brands including cereals, vegetable oils, spices, ice-cream, cake mixes etc) as revealed by a survey which Health of Mother Earth Foundation carried out across 10 Nigerian cities in 2018, 2019 and 2023.

Key Demands of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance

  1. A ban on all GMOs for planting for food or feed and processing in Nigeria.
  2. A ban of all imported processed foods containing bioengineered ingredients in our market shelves.
  3. A nullification of permits so far granted without sufficient risk assessment
  4. An investment in Agroecology which assures food security and food sovereignty while strengthening the Nigerian economy.

COP29: Experts share vision for a greener Africa through hydrogen

Michael Simire
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COP29: Experts share vision for a greener Africa through hydrogen

As part of the ongoing UNFCCC Climate Change Conference (COP29) hosted by the government of Azerbaijan in Baku, a multisectoral group of experts have articulated a clear vision for a greener Africa, leveraging hydrogen as an energy alternative.

Side event
A cross section of panelists during the side event. Photo credit: Mayowa Adebote

These insights were shared on Monday, November 18, 2024, during a two-part panel session titled “Catalysing an Evidence-Based Just Transition: Towards Realising Zero Emissions in Africa’s Maritime and Blue Economy Sector.”

The session featured international experts focused on African solutions, including Prof. Bamidele Adebisi from Manchester Metropolitan University, Mr. Maarten Ooms from the Green Climate Fund, Ms. Amna Awan of Centre of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR), Ms. Winfrida Shonde of TEEMO, Tanzania, Ms. Maria Ogbugo, an Associate of Maritime Africa, Mr. Michael Mbaru of the Kenya Maritime Authority, and Dr. Oma Ofodile of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Africa’s maritime sector currently faces several challenges, such as aging vessels, inadequate infrastructure, and limited ownership of shipping fleets – only about 2% of the global shipping fleet is owned by African nations, despite the continent being coastal with hundreds of ports. This issue is linked to Africa’s economic situation, given that over 90% of the continent’s trade relies on international shipping.

Opening the session, Dr. Dolapo Oluteye, principal investigator of the Leading Effective Afrocentric Participation (LEAP) Project and moderator of the session, pointed to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) ambitious goals for decarbonising international shipping.

“IMO’s contribution to the global fight against climate change in support of the United Nations Sustainable Goal 13, has led the organisation to set ambitious targets with milestones for 2030, 2040, and 2050 to reduce GHG emissions,” explained Dr. Oluteye.

Highlighting the gap between Africa’s realities and global green transition policies, Dr. Oluteye expressed that, “in the midst of a plethora of related regulatory pressures, African nations contend with energy poverty, food insecurity, social economic barriers, limited access to advanced technologies, expertise and constraints on financial resources, limiting the ability to engage effectively and efficiently with the energy transition drive to zero emission shipping.”

Professor Bamidele Adebisi, a Director at the African Hydrogen Partnership, discussed the potential of hydrogen to promote sustainability in Africa.

He stated, “Hydrogen comprises about 70% of the universe and can serve as a renewable energy source. It also presents an attractive alternative for maritime transport. Beyond production or generation of electricity, hydrogen is also a product for making ammonia, fertilisers, and other valuable substances.”

Speaking about available financial mechanisms, Mr. Maarten Ooms from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) explains that supporting developing countries to make the paradigm shift towards climate resilience is one of the GCF’s missions.

“Till date, we have invested $16 billion, across 133 countries and over 286 projects. In the context of transport, over the last 10 years, we have invested $1.2 billion over 27 projects. Our strategy is underpinned by three pillars: one is to make transport climate resilient, the second is creating social economic benefits, and the third, is decarbonising the sector.”

Additionally, Professor Adebisi urged Africa to seize the moment and accelerate its readiness to explore greener energy sources. “This is the moment for Africa. While we may not be where we want to be in terms of energy access, that doesn’t mean we must rely solely on fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. We have the potential to leapfrog and industrialise through greener alternatives.”

The experts collectively emphasised that with appropriate policies and infrastructure, Africa has the potential to harness its renewable energy resources, particularly hydrogen, to enhance its maritime capabilities and establish itself as a leader in the global transition to green energy.

By ‘Seyifunmi Adebote, seyi@climatetalkpodcast.com (Environmental Communicator and Host, Climate Talk Podcast)

COP29: Alliance of Champions calls on govts, financial institutions to prioritise climate finance for food systems 

Michael Simire
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0
COP29: Alliance of Champions calls on govts, financial institutions to prioritise climate finance for food systems 

The Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF) reconvened on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, one year after its launch at COP28, to highlight progress since Dubai and to unite in urging governments and financial institutions at COP29 to prioritise climate finance for food systems. 

COP29
COP29 entrance

Speaking on Food, Agriculture and Water Day, co-chairs Brazil, Norway and Sierra Leone, alongside founding members Cambodia and Rwanda, released an ACF Ministerial Statement, as well as a series of “Progress Snapshots”, highlighting key successes in each country and setting out priorities for further work. 

The ACF governments stated in a joint call to action at COP29: “We need to see a rapid and sustained increase in both the overall quantum of climate finance and the proportion going towards transforming food systems, which are estimated to require $500 billion per year over the next decade. Despite being responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions, 90% of deforestation and 60% of biodiversity loss, Food systems received just 3.4% of the total $115.9 billion climate finance mobilised by developed countries in 2022. 

“At Baku this year the focus – rightly – is on the need to urgently mobilise substantial additional finance, both public and private, to achieve climate goals. Within this, as a coalition of ambitious developed and developing nations, the ACF is calling for governments and financial institutions to prioritise climate finance for food systems transformation, via both concessional and innovative funding mechanisms.”

The snapshots, which showcase progress from across the ACF member countries since launch, include:

In Brazil, a National Programme for Productive Forests (Programa Nacional de Florestas Produtivas) to promote sustainable agroforestry practices, enhance food production, generate employment, and restore degraded areas. The programme’s initial phase targets the state of Pará and supports Brazil’s wider commitments to restore 12 million hectares by 2030 and create up to 2.5 million jobs.

In Cambodia, the deployment of 1,600 agriculture officers in agricultural communes across the country, developing modern agricultural cooperatives to improve access to markets, capital and water, whilst also increasing the economic efficiency and sustainability of smallholders;

In Norway, an annual policy dialogue with farming unions to negotiate policy measures that are tailored to farmers’ needs, delivering a “bottom up” participatory approach that is designed to deliver against the country’s national and international commitments;

In Rwanda, a commitment by 2030 to halve per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels and to reduce food losses in farm production and along supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

In Sierra Leone, the implementation of the national flagship “Feed Salone” strategy is sustainably driving local food production by making agriculture more competitive for investment, decreasing food imports and supporting smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.

Alliance members are calling on other governments to join them and unite in the urgent task of food system transformation. Within the ministerial statement, they declared: “Today, we are also calling for governments who share our ambition to create a fairer, healthier and more prosperous future to join us. The actions that each of us take within our borders can enhance our peoples’ food and nutritional security, boost equity and livelihoods, increase climate resilience, protect and restore nature, and help mitigate climate breakdown.”

In response to this ask, Tanzania has officially announced today its intention to join the ACF and is set to become the newest member of this pioneering coalition committed to transforming global food systems. 

Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, Brazil, and co-chair of ACF, said: “As Brazil looks towards COP30 next year, I am proud to be part of this important Alliance which continues to make the case for fairer, more sustainable food systems. Whether it is tackling hunger, supporting family farmers to produce nutritious food sustainably, driving the agro-ecological transition or protecting the rainforest, we can only improve outcomes in the long run if we look at the system holistically. To do that, we must address the climate finance gap for food systems at COP29.”

Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development, Norway, and co-chair of ACF, commented: “It is imperative that we, the international community, do not take our eyes off food systems, which are so fundamental to combatting the climate crisis, but also the nature crisis and the hunger crisis. As co-chairs of the Alliance of Champions, we will ensure this critical issue continues to rise up the agenda, shining a light on what is possible when countries commit to working together. We need to unlock the necessary finance to transform our food systems onto a more sustainable, equitable and resilient path.”

Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Sierra Leone, and co-chair of ACF, stated: “Over the past year, Sierra Leone has forged ahead with the transformation of our food system, securing over $1 billon investment to sustainably enhance food sovereignty, boost farmer livelihoods and reduce post-harvest losses. But this is just the beginning. We now need other countries to join us in making their food systems fairer, more productive, and an engine for growth and development. We also need to significantly increase climate finance and make a major shift in directing more of it toward transforming food systems.”

Dr Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment for Cambodia, said: “In Cambodia, we have long understood the importance of cross-government working if the issues of nutritional security, climate change and biodiversity are to be tackled successfully. Through the Alliance of Champions, we will continue to enjoy close collaboration with Brazil, Norway, Sierra Leone and Rwanda on the difficult but essential task of transforming our food systems to deliver better outcomes for people, nature and the planet.” 

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda, added: “To transform food systems is to take action on climate, nature depletion, hunger, livelihoods and resilience, all at the same time. Through the Alliance of Champions, we will continue to emphasise the importance – and the potential – of this crucial issue.”

COP29: Stiell urges parties to step forward faster and closer to common ground

Michael Simire
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COP29: Stiell urges parties to step forward faster and closer to common ground

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, speaks during the opening plenary session (week 2) of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday, November 18, 2024

Simon Stiell
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell. Photo credit: UN Climate Change | Kiara Worth

Dear colleagues, I urge you, wrap up less contentious issues as early as possible this week, so there is enough time for the major political decisions.

We’ve worked closely with the Presidency, who have just laid out a clear approach to get us to the finish line.

We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees.

Nor can we afford an outbreak of “you-first-ism”. Where groups of parties dig in and refuse to move on one issue, until others move elsewhere.

This is a recipe for going literally nowhere. And could set global climate efforts back at a time when we simply must be moving forward.

We will only get the job done if Parties are prepared to step forward in parallel, bringing us closer to common ground.

Bluffing, brinksmanship, and pre-mediated playbooks burn up precious time and run down the goodwill needed for an ambitious package.

So let’s cut the theatrics and get down to real business.

Yes, there are headwinds, everyone knows that, but lamenting them won’t make them go away.  Now is the time to focus on solutions.

I know we can get this done. The Presidency is working round the clock, with diligence, determination and even-handedness.

The secretariat will continue to be the steady guide by their side, while also supporting Parties, with a focus on inclusivity.

So, I urge everyone – now’s the time to get to work.

Oyo, firm urged to halt destruction of Ogunpa Forest Reserve

Michael Simire
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Oyo, firm urged to halt destruction of Ogunpa Forest Reserve

As world leaders gather for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Nigeria’s environmental challenges demand immediate attention. The devastating impact of climate change on Ogunpa River, a vital lifeline in Ibadan, Oyo State, underscores the need for collective action.

Seyi Makinde
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

Climate change poses significant threats to Nigeria’s ecosystem, economy, and human well-being. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events exacerbate flooding, drought, and food insecurity. Ogunpa River, once a thriving watercourse, now faces waste crises, deforestation, and destructive infrastructure projects.

The Oyo State Government and Baywood Infrastructure’s destruction of the Ogunpa Forest Reserve for a private estate prioritises private interests over public needs, disregarding environmental concerns and the Minister of Environment’s advice. This project threatens the livelihoods of over 100,000 people living along the Ogunpa Channel.

Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its pledge to limit emissions by 25% unassisted and 47% if assisted necessitates bold action. However, the country’s progress is hindered by inadequate climate governance, insufficient funding, and lack of public awareness.

The Way Forward

To address these challenges, Nigeria must adopt a participatory governance approach, involving local communities in decision-making processes. Indigenous knowledge and traditional environmental practices should be recognised and valued. Environmental justice must be prioritised, addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Call to Action

We urge the Oyo State Government, Baywood Infrastructure, and relevant authorities to:

1. Immediately halt the destruction of the Ogunpa Forest Reserve.

2. Conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

3. Engage in participatory governance with local communities.

4. Prioritise environmental justice and sustainability over private interests.

Conclusion

The fate of Ogunpa River and Nigeria’s climate resilience hangs in the balance. COP29 presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reaffirm its commitment to climate action. We must balance economic growth, population explosion, and environmental protection. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) should be empowered to halt poor and environmentally unfriendly projects.

By Nature and Future Eco-Green Initiative, info@ecogreen.org.ng

INC-5: Why world needs an ambitious Global Plastic Pollution Treaty – WWF

Michael Simire
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INC-5: Why world needs an ambitious Global Plastic Pollution Treaty – WWF

Coming on the heels of lackluster performances at two major global environmental summits on nature and climate, INC-5 – the fifth and final round of negotiations for a treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution – is seen as a critical opportunity for governments to inspire hope for the future and turn around this year’s so far bleak mandate on the state of our environment by establishing a strong and effective global plastic pollution treaty.

Kirsten Schuijt
Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International

WWF warns that unless governments get serious in streamlining processes and agreeing on making specific core measures globally mandatory, world leaders will not be able to deliver on their promise two years ago to create a binding instrument that can end plastic pollution.

“At its core, plastic pollution is a non-partisan issue – evident by the vast majority of countries who have called for decisive measures to tackle the primary drivers of this crisis,” said Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business, WWF-US. “In the final round of treaty negotiations, countries must come to the table ready to deliver the most ambitious treaty possible, prioritising binding commitments that will move us toward a just transition and a brighter future. The world is watching, now is the moment for our leaders to put differences aside and let nature win.”

In particular, WWF urges governments to include in the treaty explicit text to ban and phase out the most harmful plastic products and chemicals of concern; mandatory product design requirements to ensure remaining products are safe and easy to reuse and recycle; identify the level of funding that governments need to commit and how such resources will be disbursed; and mechanisms for strengthening the treaty over time.

If such measures are not mandated globally, projected increases in plastic production by 2050 could account for 21-30% of the world’s carbon emission budget required to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This adds pressure on an already tenuous undertaking to stop the planet’s temperature from breaching a threshold beyond which many species may perish.

Regulating and reducing plastic production and consumption through binding global bans and design requirements that ensure the circularity of high-risk products can therefore yield enormous benefits that would reduce the demand of virgin plastic production and could give the planet a fighting chance at keeping global warming below the crucial 1.5°C threshold.

By WWF’s count, a majority of governments have already called for, or support such measures. It’s a question of whether they will keep their promises.

Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International, said: “To protect current and future generations from a world overwhelmed by plastic pollution and the unequal burden it places on the most vulnerable communities, we need binding global rules. Negotiators have the backing of not only scientific evidence, but also a majority of governments, citizens and businesses that a global treaty with legally binding obligations, and not voluntary guidelines, is the only way to end the global plastic pollution crisis. This is absolutely possible. Negotiators must prioritise the most urgent and essential measures so we can get to the heart of the issue – what a strong treaty should include – faster and more impactfully.”

WWF urges governments to reject any attempts at watering down or excluding core measures that must be included in the treaty. Should disputes arise or if a treaty borne out of consensus yields weak measures, governments must be willing to vote to get the treaty that we need.

Ahead of the negotiations next week (November 25 to December1, 2024), the INC-5 Chair has published a streamlined “non-paper” text. This text creates a basis for negotiations that allows governments to focus discussions and prioritises the measures that must be included in the treaty within INC-5’s short time frame of a week.

Eirik Lindebjerg, Global Plastics Policy Lead and Head of Delegation for WWF at INC-5, said: “The majority of governments have been calling for the right measures, and at INC-5, they need to turn these words into action by cementing such measures in the treaty text unambiguously. There can be no room for alternative interpretations, borne out of certain governments’ economic self-interests, to take precedence over the health and safety of the world.

“Those that want a strong treaty must therefore push ahead with one, even if this means not all governments will ratify it or be ready to take the decision to another forum. A treaty with binding measures supported by the majority of governments will be far more effective than a voluntary-based treaty supported by all governments.” 

The WWF aded: “For the eventual treaty to be fit for purpose, governments must include several core measures, currently only included as placeholders in the ‘non-paper’. In addition, governments must use stronger language to denote when clear-cut actions such as global and legally binding bans must be mandatory.

“This is to ensure the treaty does not revert to business-as-usual practices of only implementing voluntary national initiatives, which have dominated our collective response over the last three decades yet yielded little success.”

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