As countries announced updated pledges to the Paris Agreement at the United Nations this September, more than 150 U.S. businesses and organisations delivered a letter to the incoming COP30 Presidency of Brazil to affirm their commitment to deploy demand-side solutions in the United States and to partner with governments toward achieving the global goal to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
The Alliance to Save Energy and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) sent the letter to COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago. The industry letter brings together 152 signatories, including large companies, small businesses, and trade associations across all sectors of the energy value chain. Businesses supporting the letter represent manufacturers of insulation, heating and cooling, refrigeration, lighting, and digitalization technologies; energy service companies, finance providers, project developers, and consultancies; renewable energy, energy storage, and energy end-users; chemicals; building materials suppliers and construction firms; and more.
Lisa Jacobson, president of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)
“Governments must see that companies are staying the course and committed to delivering the technology solutions needed to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements in five years,” said Lisa Jacobson, president of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). “Saving energy while growing the global economy is good business. Now is the time for continued public-private partnerships to seize on this interest and make real progress toward unlocking new energy resources, improving reliability, and lowering costs worldwide.”
Brazil, as host of the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (also known as COP 30) from November 10 – 21, is prioritising actions to meet UN goals to decarbonise the world’s energy system, which include doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements. Both the Alliance to Save Energy and BCSE will travel to COP30 in Belém to meet with governments and stakeholders. Together, they will build out strategies to partner with the U.S. private sector to reduce emissions and strengthen community resilience.
“As we face growing demand in the United States, energy efficiency is really the first fuel because it can be deployed quickly, offers a significant return on investment, and lowers energy costs for all the world’s communities,” said Paula Glover, president and CEO of the Alliance to Save Energy. “Building massive energy generation projects and transmission is proving to be time consuming and costly, and that’s why we are seeking a doubling of energy efficiency within five years.”
The International Energy Agency predicts that doubling the global rate of energy efficiency improvements will lower energy bills in advanced economies by one third, create 4.5 million new jobs, and meet 40% of the emissions reductions required by the Paris Agreement. Plus, the letter’s signatories highlight that increased efficiency will meet growing energy demand, improve grid resilience, and increase energy security.
Bob Hinkle, CEO of Metrus Energy, an energy-as-a-service provider and signatory to the letter, emphasized how energy efficiency is both a solution and an investment opportunity.
“As an energy project investor, Metrus is keenly aware of the need to scale energy efficiency upgrades to meet growing energy demand, replace aging infrastructure and mitigate the worst effects of climate change,” Hinkle said. “Doubling the rate of energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for businesses and, as this broad coalition of signatories demonstrates, it is a ready-now solution that just makes sense.”
At the recently concluded Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in Washington D.C., the World Bank unveiled its flagship agricultural initiative, “AgriConnect”.
The President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, explained that the flagship initiative is designed to boost global agricultural productivity and enable smallholder farmers to move from subsistence to commercial production.
According to Banga, AgriConnect was conceived to transform smallholder farming into a viable engine of economic growth, job creation, food security, and value-chain development in developing countries.
Ajay Banga, World Bank President
In particular, it seeks to support 500 million smallholder farmers who produce the majority of the world’s food but still operate largely at subsistence levels.
Furthermore, the initiative aims to double the World Bank’s annual investment in agribusiness to nine billion dollars by 2030, while also mobilising an additional five billion dollars from development partners.
Banga noted that the initiative was building an ecosystem around cooperatives to integrate financing for farmers and SMEs, link producers to markets, and harness digital tools such as “small AI”.
This, he added, is underpinned by a pledge to double agricultural financing and attract further resources through strategic partnerships.
He stressed that agriculture had always been central to development.
“Today, the challenge is not only to grow more food, but also to turn that growth into a business that delivers higher incomes for smallholder farmers and creates opportunities across entire economies,” he said.
Banga further observed that over the next 10 to 15 years, about 1.2 billion young people in developing countries would come of age, yet only 400 million jobs were projected to be created.
“Hundreds of millions will either power the global economy or spill over into unrest and migration. That is why the World Bank Group has made job creation our central mission,” he explained.
He noted that although jobs ultimately come from the private sector, they do not all start there.
“Countries move along a continuum: early on, the public sector drives job creation; over time, private capital and entrepreneurship take the lead.
“Our three-pillar strategy reflects that arc of building infrastructure and skills; creating predictable regulations and a business-friendly environment; and supporting investors with risk tools that crowd in capital,” he added.
According to Banga, the World Bank sees potential in five priority sectors of infrastructure, agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
However, he noted that agribusiness remains central to both job creation and meeting the projected 50 per cent rise in global food demand over the coming decades.
Moreover, he highlighted that Africa holds 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land and could significantly boost yields on already cultivated land.
“Latin America already produces enough food for well over a billion people, but faces infrastructural challenges.
“Across Asia, smallholder farmers manage most farmland; an enormous base that can be lifted with better technology, finance, and market access,” he said.
Banga noted that globally, 500 million smallholder farmers produce 80 per cent of the world’s food, yet many remain trapped in subsistence due to inadequate electricity, storage, training, and access to markets.
Similarly, Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, shared insights on his country’s Agri-Finance and Climate Resilience Reforms.
He underscored the crucial role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, which contributes nearly one-fourth of GDP and supports millions of small farmers.
He reaffirmed the government’s policy shift from control to facilitation and empowerment, enabling the private sector to drive agricultural growth.
Ongoing initiatives, he said, aim to enhance productivity, access to finance, and value-chain development from production and storage to exports.
“When the full value chain is considered, agriculture contributes nearly 40 per cent to Pakistan’s GDP,” he added.
In the same vein, Guinea’s Minister of Agriculture, Mariama Cire Sylla, emphasised the need for financing and infrastructure reform to empower smallholder farmers and attract investment in alignment with AgriConnect’s goals.
Earlier in 2025, the World Bank published a Guinea Economic Update highlighting the nation’s economic progress.
The report commended Guinea’s fiscal discipline and economic performance, which helped it secure a B+ credit rating from Standard & Poor’s in September 2025.
However, it noted that while growth was encouraging, it had not yet translated into significant poverty reduction, stressing that domestic resource mobilisation remained critical for long-term development.
Meanwhile, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) pledged to transform the lives of at least 70 million small-scale farmers through the AgriConnect initiative.
The IFAD President, Alvaro Lario, explained that the initiative aims to create jobs in agribusiness, transform livelihoods, and strengthen global food security.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
“Our investments have led to higher incomes, bigger yields, and better market access for small-scale food producers.
“Delivering that triple impact, we will target at least 70 million people in rural and fragile areas,” Lario stated.
He added that IFAD, alongside other multilateral development banks, governments, and private sector partners, shared a common ambition to connect small-scale producers to markets and turn rural areas into engines of growth, jobs, and food security.
Lario highlighted that IFAD brings nearly five decades of experience investing in rural communities, particularly in remote and fragile regions where poverty and hunger are most severe.
“These communities, home to 80 per cent of the world’s poorest people, face challenges from climate shocks to limited access to inputs, technologies, and finance, despite immense untapped potential,” he said.
He observed that meeting the rising global food demand, projected to increase by nearly 60 per cent by 2030, could generate an estimated 10 trillion dollars in annual economic opportunities by 2050.
He also noted that Africa’s agribusiness sector could reach one trillion dollars by 2030.
Furthermore, Lario pointed out that 1.2 billion young people would enter the job market in developing countries over the next decade, adding that agri-food systems already provide employment for 40 per cent of the global workforce.
In addition, the African Development Bank (AfDB) reaffirmed its partnership and support for AgriConnect.
Its President, Sidi Ould Tah, noted that the initiative aligns closely with the Bank’s own programmes aimed at transforming smallholder farming through technology, finance, and value addition.
He mentioned AfDB’s related efforts such as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM), and ENABLE Youth Programme.
These initiatives are designed to improve infrastructure, reduce investment risks, and provide financing to agri-SMEs and young entrepreneurs.
“These initiatives focus on improving infrastructure, de-risking private capital, and supporting farmers and SMEs to increase productivity and create jobs,” he said.
As the World Bank, AfDB, and their partners roll out large-scale agricultural initiatives, some Nigerians have raised concerns over the discontinuation of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).
The scheme, launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in November 2015, was designed to provide financing support for smallholder farmers.
The ABP was designed to boost production, link smallholder farmers with agro-processors, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
Its objectives, which closely mirror those of AgriConnect, included increasing agricultural output, promoting food security, creating rural jobs, and enhancing farmers’ access to credit.
However, the programme was phased out in 2023 and replaced under the new CBN Development Finance Framework.
The framework aims to streamline agricultural financing through deposit money banks and other financial institutions, rather than through direct government interventions.
All in all, the launch of AgriConnect reflects a renewed global resolve to make agriculture a driver of inclusive growth, food security, and rural development.
However, for initiatives of this scale to achieve meaningful impact, experts say they must align with country-level priorities and lessons from past experiences.
In Nigeria, many believe that the phase-out of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme offers valuable insights into the challenges of sustaining agricultural financing and ensuring equitable access for smallholder farmers.
By harmonising local policies with global initiatives such as AgriConnect, Nigeria and other developing nations can strengthen their agricultural systems, boost productivity, and build more resilient rural economies.
By Kadiri Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
An Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria undergraduate, Joshua Christopher, said hardship pushed him into charcoal production, which has now become his main source of livelihood while pursuing his degree.
Christopher, who spoke to newsmen during a field visit to Idon Haya in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State on Thursday, October 23, 2025, explained that he ventured into the business to sustain himself both in school and at home, in spite being aware of its environmental impact.
“I am an undergraduate student, currently running my degree programme in Chemistry at ABU Zaria, and this is what I do to sustain myself both at home and in school,” he said.
Joshua Christopher explaining the process of charcoal production
Christopher explained that charcoal production begins with cutting down trees and dividing them into logs, which are then neatly arranged, covered with soil, and burned under controlled heat.
According to him, the process can take between one and four days depending on the moisture level of the wood, and a single round of production can yield up to six bags of charcoal.
He acknowledged that deforestation was harmful to the environment but noted that economic hardship has forced many young people into the business.
“If you must deforest, then you must afforest, meaning if you cut one tree, you should plant two or three to replace it,” Christopher said.
Similarly, a 25-year-old charcoal dealer, Frank Bala, said he has been in the business for three years, describing it as moderately profitable.
Bala, who operates in Idon community, Kajuru LGA, explained that producers in the bush transport the charcoal to dealers, who then sell to retailers.
“On good days, we sell up to 50 bags, though the number varies depending on the season.
“Charcoal is cheaper during the dry season and more expensive during the rainy season because it becomes scarce,” he said.
He added that there were more than 50 charcoal dealers operating in the area, though the number fluctuates with demand.
Bala, a graduate of Agriculture, said he was aware of the negative impact of deforestation but stressed that the business provides an alternative source of income for many unemployed youths.
“I know the effects of tree cutting and deforestation, but sometimes, you have to work with what is available in your locality.
“This is better than venturing into crimes,” he said.
Bala said the security situation in Idon was relatively calm, making it easier for them to operate, though forest guards occasionally visit.
“Sometimes they come around, but we always cooperate with them and settle issues peacefully whenever necessary,” he added.
Bala appealed to the government and development partners to create alternative livelihood opportunities for young people engaged in the charcoal trade, saying such initiatives would help reduce deforestation while sustaining their income.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has intensified operations to protect forest reserves across the state, deploying forest guards and collaborating with security agencies to tackle illegal logging and charcoal production.
The Assistant Director of Forest Resources in the ministry, Mr. Godwin Michael, said during a spot check in Kajuru that the government remained resolute in enforcing the ban on forest exploitation and promoting sustainable management of forest resources.
Michael recalled that, in 2015, the then Governor declared a state of emergency on forestry after discovering that Kaduna’s forest cover had fallen below 15 per cent, far below the internationally recommended minimum of 25 per cent.
He explained that the Keep Kaduna Green (KKG) Tree Planting Project, launched in 2016, saw over four million trees planted across the state between 2016 and 2019, but insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress.
“Our forest guards are handicapped because they are not armed, and most of these illegal operators come at night to cut down trees,” Michael said.
He added that the ministry has set up checkpoints in collaboration with the police to ensure compliance.
“Anyone caught with forest produce without proper documentation is arrested.
“The goods are confiscated and auctioned, and the proceeds are paid directly into the state government coffers,” he stated.
Michael further disclosed that most of the charcoal and timber entering Kaduna originate from neighbouring states such as Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi.
“About 90 per cent of the charcoal coming into Kaduna is not from within the state,” he added.
Mr. Zakariya Naye, Divisional Forestry Officer for Kajuru LGA, identified lack of logistics and equipment as major challenges facing forest guards.
“Our major problems are lack of mobility and lack of arms.
“Without vehicles or protection, it is difficult to enter the forests and stop illegal activities,”he said.
Naye urged the government to provide the necessary support.
The field trip visit was organised by Bridge That Gap Hope for Africa Initiative (BTG), under the Women Empowerment and Climate Resilience Initiative (WECRI).
It is being implemented as part of the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) programme, funded by the UK International Development.
The programme focuses on building sustainable communities and enhancing climate resilience among vulnerable populations in Kaduna State.
The field trip visit and spot check were the culmination of a three-day workshop on ‘Strengthening Journalism and Reporting on Climate-related Issues’.
During the workshop, environmental experts, including Dr Joseph Onoja, the Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), warned that deforestation contributes about 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and urged journalists to intensify climate reporting.
Similarly, Jonah Birga, an Environmental Data Analyst, presented local case studies and deforestation data for Kaduna.
He revealed that Nigeria loses approximately 350,000 to 400,000 hectares of forest annually, where urban areas, driven by high demand for charcoal, were the major contributors to the problem.
Also, Mr. Michael Simire, Publisher and Editor-in-chief of EnviroNews Nigeria, emphasided that ethical journalism recognised no “two sides” to the proven science of human-caused climate change.
He urged journalists to prioritise scientific consensus and expose misinformation, denial, and greenwashing that obstruct climate action.
He also highlighted strategies for safe and effective climate reporting, urging journalists to use FOI laws, secure tools, and inclusive storytelling.
The Executive Director of BTG, Ms. Gloria Bulus, said the organisation focuses on governance, climate change, and livelihood interventions, with strong commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Bulus explained that BTG prioritises SDG 13 on climate action, undertaking initiatives such as journalist training to enhance environmental reporting and advocacy, while also conducting community engagements to understand local environmental challenges.
She added that the organisation empowers rural women through livelihood support, pre-planting awareness campaigns, and school programmes.
Bulus emphasised that the efforts aligned with poverty reduction and the broader goals of sustainable governance and climate resilience.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and stakeholders have restated commitment to addressing methane emissions through a multi-pronged strategy by 2030.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, made this known at a one-day workshop on Methane Emission Reduction in Abuja on Friday, October 24, 2025.
The workshop is a stakeholder Engagement on Data Mapping of Climate Actors and Inception Workshop on Methane Emission Reduction in Nigeria.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal
The Project title is “Multi- solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria” with focus on cities like Lagos, Abuja Jos and Benin.
Lawal, who was represented by Dr Asmau Jibril, an Assistant Director Department of Climate Change in the Ministry, said that the Nigeria has updated the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term low-emission development strategies.
This, he said, would reduce heat-taped methane emissions from oil and gas operations by 60 per cent by 2030.
“Methane is a coated greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 80 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.”
He added that complementing these policies milestones, the Ministry established sector-specific and a national action plan to reduce the short-lived climate pollutants.
“By addressing methane emissions, particularly from Nigerian oil and gas, waste and agricultural sectors is imperative for safeguarding public health, protecting our environment and meeting our international climate commitments.
“The Department has been actively integrating methane reduction targets as shown in the
“This gathering signifies the peaceful journey to a Nigerian sustained journey towards climate resilience and sustainable development,” the Minister said.
Dr Babatunde Ajani, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) said that the agency recognises that achieving Nigeria’s target of 30 per cent methane reduction by 2030 demands coordinated, sub-national participation.
“We are building an ecosystem of innovation, collaboration and climate accountability. Through initiatives such as the Land Carbon Registry, the Air Quality Monitoring Network across all local government areas.
“The economic solution, Lagos State continues to demonstrate that sub-national entities can deliver measurable, data-driven climate action that complements national commitments under the Global Methane Pledge and the Paris Agreement.
“We affirm our readiness to contribute expertise, share lessons and concrete frameworks that strengthen maintain data infrastructure, enhance dump sites management and promote cross-sectional integration across the waste, energy and agricultural value chains.
“As an agency, LASEPA remains steadfast in advancing policies and partnership that accelerate climate resilience, green jobs and environmental sustainability in Lagos and beyond,” Ajani said.
Mr. Yusuf Kelani, the Special Assistant (SA) to the President on Climate Matters, said that data mapping will give a quick access to know certain stakeholders that are actively engaged in certain areas of activities.
“There are quite a lot of empowerment opportunities in turning ‘Waste to Wealth’ and also trapping the methane and actually making use of them to regenerate other things.”
Kelani said that dump sites are seen as something of threat to the communities but we are working to put these wastes into possible uses for people, especially young people, the women and those who are very active within the ecosystem.
Also on his part, Mr. Aliyu Awal, Director, Communication and Strategy Partnership, Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), said that the association was committed to partnering on converting waste into opportunity and reduce methane emissions to secure a healthier environment for all.
“This gathering is not only strategic but historic. It plays national purpose on one of the most critical contributors to climate change.
“WAPAN has introduced a groundbreaking waste pickers digitalisation app designed to formally integrate waste pickers into the national climate architecture.
“We are final on this commitment to partner with governments and development agencies to implement practical data-driven community-centred solutions that will transform waste management into visual climate action pathways,” Awal said.
Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) Nigeria, said that it is estimated that Nigerians produce a huge tonne of wastes.
“In most cases we are struggling as a country on how to either dispose or use the wastes most of the time disposal of wastes are being done by individuals thereby causing additional problems.
Mr. Abdulrahman Yusuf, a representative from the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency (AEPB), said that the engagement demonstrates the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to climate action and practical realisation of Nigeria’s methane reduction goals under the Global Methane Pledge.
“It also reflects a welcome emphasis on evidence-based coordination, which is critical for aligning diverse climate initiatives. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases,” he said.
The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) says the emergence of Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo and Dr Philip Mshelbila in top positions at Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) affirmed Nigeria’s competence within the global gas community.
Mshelbila, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), was elected as the new Secretary-General of the GECF at its 27th Ministerial Meeting held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, also emerged as the President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting.
President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi
The President of the association, Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, in a statement on Friday said that the twin appointments represented a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping the global gas agenda.
Nwokedi, who is also the Africa Regional Director, International Gas Union (IGU), described the twin appointments as a resounding affirmation of Nigeria’s leadership, competence and growing influence within the global gas community.
“Both men have consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy transition and global gas diplomacy.
“These achievements underscore the nation’s technical depth, visionary leadership and its commitment to promoting cooperation, inclusivity and stability across the gas value chain,” he said.
Nwokedi further praised Ekpo’s leadership at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), commending his efforts in driving policies that strengthen investment, infrastructure and innovation across Nigeria’s gas sector.
“Under his stewardship, Nigeria has continued to demonstrate strong resolve in positioning gas as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development.
“His elevation to preside over the GECF Ministerial Meeting is a well-deserved recognition of his leadership and Nigeria’s policy direction in the global gas ecosystem,” Nwokedi said.
He also described Mshelbila’s appointment as a proud moment for the Nigerian and African gas communities, adding that his wealth of experience and steady leadership at NLNG would bring value-driven collaboration and renewed purpose to the GECF.
“Mshelbila’s appointment is a testament to excellence, consistency and technical brilliance. We are confident that his leadership will further consolidate the Forum’s role in promoting sustainable gas development and equitable energy access,” he said.
Nwokedi emphasised that Nigeria and Africa will continue to play a decisive role in driving a balanced and inclusive global energy transition.
“As a nation and as a continent, we remain committed to advancing gas as the bridge fuel for industrialisation, job creation and climate balance.
“These new global roles for Ekpo and Mshelbila reaffirm Nigeria’s standing as a trusted and forward-looking partner in the global energy dialogue,” he said.
The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has advised dry season farmers to leverage the lessons and successes recorded during the wet season to boost productivity and minimise post-harvest losses.
The Regional Agronomist for WOFAN, Dr Haruna Zakari, gave the advice in an interview in Bauchi on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Zakari said that WOFAN 2025 Wet Season Brown Field and Produce Exhibition was held in Dass Local Government area.
Female smallholder farmers
According to him, the annual Brown Field Day provides a platform to celebrate the harvest period, assess progress, and offer practical guidance for the next planting cycle.
“The essence of this occasion is what we call the Brown Field Day.
“We usually conduct this every year after the season has come to an end to mark the harvest period.
“We share with our community partners, identify with them, and look at what they have achieved based on our partnership,” Zakari said.
He urged farmers preparing for the dry season to apply improved storage and processing techniques to preserve their produce and maintain quality.
He also emphasised the importance of adopting sustainable irrigation practices and diversifying crop choices to ensure continuous income generation during the dry season.
“We assess the potentials of the harvest and provide guidance on how to enhance the harvesting process and reduce post-harvest losses on the products planted this season,” he said.
Zakari assured communities of WOFAN’s continued technical and advisory support.
He said that the brown field and produce exhibition showcased various innovations and success stories.
“This underscores WOFAN’s ongoing mission to empower women farmers, strengthen rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable agricultural practices,” Zakari said.
In the face of divestment plans of multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta especially Shell, and the transfer of assets to indigenous companies, stakeholders have called on all communities affected by oil pollution to band together to hold the multinational companies accountable for the environmental disasters caused by oil exploration, and to demand for reparations and compensation from divesting oil companies and their succeeding companies.
This was stated in a meeting of community representatives from Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Abia states which held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with the aim of raising awareness of community members, to educate local communities on their rights and how to hold Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings and other local oil companies accountable for the continuous pollution of the Niger Delta Region, in the face of divestment by Shell and other oil multinationals.
Participants at the meeting of community representatives from Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Abia states, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Alagoa Morris, who led the meeting, stated that the interactions and shared experiences of affected communities were necessary in order to strategise on how to collectively confront the polluters. He described the divestment of Shell as a ploy to escape the consequences of decades of environmental and human rights abuses, while operating under the guise of local oil companies.
While presenting their testimonies, Okala Preciousfrom Elebele Community in Bayelsa State stated that the oil and gas experience of his community has been really bitter, pointing out that despite the continuous destruction of livelihoods and the near extinction of aquatic life, the succeeding company took over without any information to the people, except for a letter to one of the biggest families in the community to announce their arrival. This he described as disrespect for the community.
“The company keeps tapping our resources without an equivalent dividend to show. Our environment is highly polluted. We’re experiencing health issues like stroke even among young people. Aquatic lives have been washed off, our fishes are gone, and our soil is no longer fertile. Certain crops such as Cocoyam have gone into extinction due to environmental pollution.
“Our youths are not employed or engaged by any of these companies. The only thing that gave us joy was our power supply, but we are experiencing a decommissioning of which the generating set went bad a year ago. Even the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which is supposed to protect the community, prohibits us from protesting against the injustice we are experiencing,” he lamented.
Ngbar Lezin,who represented Korokoro Community in Tai LGA of Rivers State, spoke on how oil and gas exploration has affected the health and quality of life of the people in her community. She lamented that after decades of pollution by Shell, they have neglected the need to carry out a health audit of the people in the community, and a responsive medical care to cater for the multiple issues of stroke, miscarriages’, early menopause and blindness that have swept across the community.
“Shell has been operating in our land since 1958 till today with nothing to show for it. Women from the age of 20 to 30 are experiencing early menopause, and other health challenges. Peace is now a story of the past in our community due to the divide and rule system. We have two chiefs and two youth leaders in our community now. Due to the continuous crisis, all projects in the community have been put on hold. From 1958 till now, we cannot point to one Shell retiree from our community. They don’t even employ our people as casual staff. Now Shell wants to divest and leave us like that without repairing the damages they have caused,” Lezin disclosed.
On his part,Jonah Gbemre from Iwherekan/Otu-jeremi community in Delta State highlighted how even the justice system has failed the host communities, citing the landmark judgement that was given to his community in 2002 to end gas flaring. According to him, this judgement has not been acted upon 23 years later. He added that communities need to work together in the fight for justice and accountability.
“Since we have tried as an individual community to seek justice and it hasn’t worked, we need to come together as a force, just like the three farmers that won a case against Shell and fight these oil multinationals together.”
While proffering solutions on seeking accountability, EDEN’s Programme Manager on Women and Gender, Keziah Okpojo, spoke on the importance of women inclusion in climate and environmental justice system. She added that the voice of the woman who is at the forefront of the consequences of environmental pollution is vital in decision making and advocacy efforts towards seeking justice and accountability.
Comrades Akpotu Ziworitin and Sabastan Kpalaap highlighted the human and environmental rights of the people and the need to continue to speak up to uphold these rights and ensure accountability from oil companies.
Media and Communications Manager of EDEN, Elvira Jordan, spoke on the role of social media in environmental advocacy, and how communities can utilise the internet to expose the injustices of the oil and gas sector. According to her, social media provides a wide opportunity to reach the oil companies, government regulatory agencies, civil society organisations, human rights advocates and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, EDEN, under the Global Greengrants Funds (GGF) carried out research on the impact of the operations of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Akwa Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states, following the divestment of Shell, which involves the transfer of ownership of equity holdings to indigenous companies.
The findings of this research were compiled into a document titled “Shell’s Awkward Divestment in Nigeria’s Niger Delta”. The document serves as an advocacy material to guide the relevant bodies and agencies on how best to ensure that host communities are not shortchanged and plunged further into more environmental degradation through the divestment process.
The Executive Director of EDEN, Barr. Chima Williams, took the advocacy efforts to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), presenting the document to key stakeholders at NEITI including Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji (Executive Secretary), Mrs. Obiageli Onuora (Director of Communications), Comr. Kola Banwo (former CSOs Representative on the NEITI Board), and Dr. Mustapha Mohammed (National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay).
Barr. Williams also presented the publications to key stakeholders at the Environmental Management Disaster Risk Reduction Institute (EMDRRI), connecting with the President and CEO of Stephen Ogboli, and also the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency.
The engagements were geared towards advancing transparency, accountability, and stronger environmental governance for the common people of oil-bearing communities, in the face of divestment plans.
Plastic pollution is one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, and Nigeria, like many other nations, has been working to address its share of the issue. Finally, though, great changes are afoot, and the government has pledged to put a stop to single-use plastic by next year.
With Nigeria being such a football-mad nation, it would be great if the country’s clubs could get behind this important initiative. There’s a great opportunity for the top Nigeria Premier Football League clubs to forge partnerships with green companies.
Nigeria Set to Ban Single-Use Plastic Next Year
According to a recent report, Nigeria has introduced a nationwide ban on single-use plastic, which will be phased out over the next year. This move has come about following research highlighting that more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s 2.5 million tonnes of annual plastic waste currently ends up in landfills.
The crackdown will be on single-use items, which are often discarded immediately without being recycled. These include things like straws and cutlery, and they will need to be replaced with sustainable alternatives. Part of the effort will involve public education on the importance of reducing plastic waste, since greater awareness is key to changing habits. This is where football clubs could come in, as they have the power to reach a massive amount of people and can easily promote green initiatives.
Could Be a Good Opportunity for Green Partnerships
Football has proven to have enormous power for good, with some of the world’s biggest leagues proving what’s possible. For instance, the Premier League in the UK is renowned for promoting equality and diversity, with various initiatives that have become synonymous with the brand. The sport is watched by so many people, and it goes way beyond the action on the pitch. Fans can learn through careful and clever brand sponsorships, along with players acting as ambassadors for good causes.
With Nigeria pursuing this ambitious step toward sustainability, football could play an important role in supporting and amplifying the initiative. The leading clubs in the division should seek out partnerships with green companies so that they can spread the word and do some good for the country.
Companies Related to Football Can Promote This Initiative
It’s not just the football clubs that can get behind the banishment of plastic from Nigeria in the years ahead. There are plenty of related industries that rely on football’s popularity that can also do their part. Betting is a huge part of the sport in Nigeria, and the rise of the online industry has enabled more people to stake on games. The best betting site in Nigeria has stated its commitment to giving back to communities, and one way to do this could be to invest in plastic collecting campaigns.
Food and drink companies involved with the sport need to get behind this drive as well. They are huge contributors to plastic waste, so they need to ensure that they are coming up with solutions to avoid using plastic in the future.
Looking ahead, a plastic-free Nigeria would be an inspiring achievement. Reaching this goal could be supported by collaboration from influential industries such as football, which can help raise awareness and inspire positive change. Clubs should do their bit and promote green initiatives in any way they can.
At a three-day media training workshop held from October 21 to 23, 2025, in Kaduna, Kaduna State, media professionals were presented with an urgent new ethical framework for reporting on the climate crisis, moving beyond traditional norms to counter misinformation, protect sensitive sources and effectively communicate with diverse audiences. The message was clear: climate journalism is a critical public service where the obligation is to truth, not false balance.
In his five presentations at the training workshop on “Strengthening Journalism and Reporting on Climate-Related Issues: Focus on Deforestation” a key message by Michael Simire, conference facilitator, was that a noteable challenge to conventional practice was the new awareness to be hesitant in giving a platform to climate deniers.
Participants at the media training workshop in Kaduna
Under workshop modules such as “Investigative Reporting Techniques”, “Ethics and Challenges in Climate Journalism” and Storytelling and Media Engagement”, Simire, an urban planner and Editor-in-Chief of EnviroNews, delivered papers on “Research methods for climate reporting”, “Using data to tell compelling stories”, “Framing messages for diverse audiences”, “Misinformation and ethical dilemmas”, and “Navigating access to sources and sensitive information.”
Simire argued that ethical journalism dictates there are not two equal “sides” to the established scientific fact of human-caused climate change. “Journalists should platform the scientific consensus and if necessary, frame denial as a political or ideological counterfactual, not a legitimate scientific debate,” he stated.
According to him, “This approach is vital to combat a coordinated ‘infodemic’ of disinformation, including outright denial, ‘climate delay’ tactics, and corporate greenwashing that undermines public trust and delays policy responses.”
He said that, complementing this, journalists were equipped with strategies for handling sensitive information and navigating barriers to access.
The presentations highlighted the risks to both data and journalists themselves, especially when investigating powerful interests like extractive industries. Best practices include using Freedom of Information (FOI) laws, building trust with community sources, and employing secure communication tools like Signal and ProtonMail to protect whistleblowers.
The ethical imperative is to minimise harm while seeking truth, ensuring that the publication of sensitive details always serves the public interest.
To ensure that stories resonate, the workshop emphasised the science of message framing. Journalists were urged to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach by first understanding their diverse audiences, their values, priorities, and cultural contexts. Effective strategies include using positive “gain frames” (highlighting benefits of action) for hesitant audiences and precise, accessible language instead of jargon. The choice of a trusted messenger, such as a community member directly impacted by climate change, can be as important as the message itself in building credibility and connection.
A key dilemma addressed was balancing the severity of the crisis with hope. To combat audience overwhelm and “doomism,” journalists were encouraged to practice “solutions journalism,” which rigorously investigates what is working without becoming advocacy.
Furthermore, a central pillar of ethical climate reporting is to prioritise climate justice, humanising the story by focusing on how impacts and solutions disproportionately affect marginalised, vulnerable, and Indigenous communities.
The workshop concluded by framing climate journalism as an essential public service that cuts across all beats – from economy to health.
“In an era of disinformation, upholding journalistic integrity is not just about reporting facts, but is essential for democracy and a habitable planet,” submitted the facilitator, who challenged attendees thus: “Your voice can change the world. Will you use it?”
The training was organised by the Kaduna-based not-for-profit organisation, Bridge That Gap Initiative.
Developed countries’ latest national climate plans (NDCs 3.0) expose a stark truth: those most responsible for the climate crisis are still refusing to lead its solution. A new analysis by Climate Action Network (CAN) International, a network of numerous NGOs in over 100 countries, finds that every developed economy fails all three tests of a fair and 1.5°C-aligned pathway – ending fossil fuel production, delivering public climate finance, and ensuring a just and equitable transition.
Reviewing developed countries’ NDCs against three tests, the review found that: instead of phasing out fossil fuels, most continue to subsidise or expand them; instead of honouring finance commitments, they defer and dilute them; and that references to “Just Transition” appear largely symbolic, stripped of the measures needed to protect workers, Indigenous Peoples, and communities on the frontline of change.
Fossil fuel pollution from a coal power station:
Among developed countries, the EU failed to submit their NDC on time, while the US submitted their NDC before withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The EU and the US together account for over 40% of historical CO2 emissions.
Nine other G20 countries did not submit their NDCs by the end of September: Argentina, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey. Together with the EU, they account for half of current global emissions.
Given the glaring and alarming ambition gaps across developed and G20 countries, the report calls on leaders to agree to fix NDCs that are not in line with countries’ fair shares responsibilities. Parties were urged tocommit to this at the COP30 Leaders Summit.
Key findings from CAN’s brief
Climate finance remains under-delivered: Just two developed countries (Canada and the UK) specify climate finance volumes beyond 2025 but not beyond 2027, and none outline how they will meet their fair share obligations.
No country commits to increasing international adaptation finance; in fact, only Japan and the UK mention adaptation finance at all. None of the NDCs reference contributing to the UNFCCC Fund for responding to Loss and Damage.
No fossil fuel phase-out: Despite the clear mandate from the UAE COP28 decision, every fossil-fuel-producing developed country omits a timeline to end coal, oil, or gas production. Brazil and Russia, the only two other G20 countries that have submitted their NDCs, do not commit to phase out fossil fuels.
None of the countries that currently provide fossil fuel subsidies have committed to phasing them out completely. Every country plans or is considering using carbon offsets to achieve their targets and/or unproven and risky technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, shifting the focus to reducing emissions from fossil fuel production rather than phasing out production itself.
Just transition and adaptation measures sidelined: Though references to a just transition are present across the majority of analysed NDCs, the phrase is often mentioned only once and is not accompanied by implementation measures, the need to address inequalities, or essential concepts such as social protection, social dialogue, or decent work.
For developed countries, just transition measures are too narrow, mainly focusing on skills training and green jobs. While several NDCs note consultations with Indigenous Peoples, none explicitly commit to upholding Free, Prior and Informed Consent or implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Only two countries analysed mention Loss and Damage in their NDCs (Canada and Brazil), and each only once.
What CAN is calling for at COP30
At the COP30 Leaders Summit, Heads of State from rich countries must publicly commit to submitting strengthened NDCs before COP31, in line with their fair shares and reflecting their legal obligations, including those affirmed by the recent climate action ruling by the International Court of Justice.
These revised NDCs must implement the guidance from the first Global Stocktake in line with equity and the fair shares of each country:
Set whole-of-economy, time-bound fossil fuel phase-out plans in line with a 1.5°C pathway and by 2040 at the latest for developed countries;
Outline contributions to the global goals on renewable energy and energy efficiency, and measures to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030;
Embed just transition and resilience-building measures that uphold human rights and enable sustainable development within planetary boundaries, while addressing inequalities both within and between countries.
In addition, developed countries are tasked to commit to providing new, additional and grant-based finance for mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and just transition measures, with specific details on how they plan to align with their fair shares.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network International, said: “This round of NDCs is an indictment, not a plan. The richest countries on Earth – those who built their wealth on fossil fuels – are still refusing to take responsibility for the damage they’ve caused. They know exactly what justice requires: a time-bound fossil fuel phase-out, predictable grant-based finance, and real Just Transition measures grounded in rights and equity. Instead, they deliver delay tactics dressed up as ambition. Without credible timelines, without money on the table, and without protection for workers and communities, these NDCs are a betrayal of 1.5°C – and of the people already living with the impacts of climate disaster.”
Jacobo Ocharan, Head of Political Strategies at Climate Action Network International, said:“NDCs that dodge production phase-out for fossil fuels, while leaning on offsets and risky emissions reduction technologies, are a recipe for overshoot and global climate injustice. We expect developed countries to lead with concrete end-dates for coal, oil, and gas – and to fund transitions with public, grant-based finance rather than debt and creative accounting.”
David Knecht, Climate expert at Fastenaktion Switzerland, added: “1.5°C-aligned NDCs are not just a technical issue about emissions reductions. Behind every weak target and climate plan are real lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems being lost to floods, droughts, and fires. Communities all over the world – especially communities in remote areas, Indigenous Peoples, women and workers – are already suffering from delayed action. Climate plans must be centered around people and nature, not preserving the profits of the polluters that caused this crisis.”
