Qatar on Monday, September 17, 2018 said that the country had plans to produce first Qatari electric cars by 2023, local media reported.
Sustainable transport: Achieving zero emission from electric cars
The Qatari electric vehicles will be manufactured by the factory which will be established at a cost of nine billion dollars, said Qatar Tribune newspaper.
The project will be the first-of-its-kind in the Middle East as it is a whole new brand, said Ali al-Misnad, Chairman of the Qatar Quality company, which is responsible for this project.
Al-Misnad also said that the new giant project aims to manufacture more than 500,000 cars by 2024 with plans to export the electric vehicles to countries all over the world.
As part of the project, the plan will include establishing of six factories and each will be specialised in different production line.
Royal Dutch Shell announced on Monday, September 17, 2018 plans to limit emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, across its oil and gas operations.
Royal Dutch Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, Ben van Beurden
Shell aims to maintain methane emissions intensity below 0.2 per cent by 2025, it said in a statement, joining British rival BP, which last year set a similar goal.
Methane is released into the atmosphere mostly through leaks in gas infrastructure such as pumps and pipelines.
The gas has a bigger impact than carbon dioxide, even though the oil and gas industry produces less methane and the gas also has a shorter lifetime.
The methane target will be measured against a baseline leak rate, which is currently estimated at range from 0.01 per cent to 0.8 per cent across the company’s oil and gas assets, it said.
The Anglo-Dutch company set out last year an ambitious plan to halve its carbon emissions by 2050, far exceeding rivals. Investors have called on the company to set binding targets to reach those goals.
The Acting Director-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Ahmed Mabudi, said the rumor making rounds about the release of water from the Lagdo Dam by Camaroonian authorities was untrue.
Lagdo Dam
There have been reports circulating that people living along the water banks of the Rivers Niger and Benue should run for their lives with the release of water by the operators of Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
According to the report, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Police are quoted as warning those living along the water banks to run for their lives “between now and Saturday’’ or many houses will be over run.
Mabudi, however, told NAN on Sunday, September 16, 2018 in Abuja that the news was false.
“We’ve have spoken with the operator in charge of the dam in the Southern Cameroon region, Mr Abdullahi, and we are in constant discussion with him.
“There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Cameroon that the Cameroonians must give us a long notice in the event that they want to release water from the dam, so we can take precautionary measures to contain any havoc as a result of the release.
“As at Tuesday when we spoke with Abdullahi, he said the water level at the dam was 12.1m, so it has to get to 12.6m before they start any release.
“So, when we alerted him about the stories making the rounds, he was shocked and refuted the claims.
“Yes, we know that there are rising water levels in Adamawa, Taraba and the Benue axis, but this is basically due to the torrential rain fall being currently experienced in the country,” he said.
He urged people living in high level water areas to remain vigilant and calm, adding that the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adams, as well as NIHSA, were in touch with operators of the Lagdo Dam.
As at Sunday, the water level in Lokoja is 11.2m as against 10.66 on Wednesday.
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has picked Nigeria youth campaigner and digital media expert, Olumide Idowu, to manage Social Media and Communications during the upcoming 1st Africa Environment Partnership Platform Kenya holding from September 20 to 21, 2018. He will support the Social Media and Communications team of NEPAD.
Olumide Idowu
The coming into force of the Paris Agreement and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals provides a unique opportunity for Africa to strategically address its environment and sustainable development goals as contained in the African Agenda 2063 and other development priorities of the continent. Therefore, the goal of the Africa Environment Partnership Platform is to promote sustainable environment management through enhanced partnership, coordination and harmonisation of activities on environment and pooling of resources at various levels.
The overall objectives of the platform are to place a premium on partnership to establish synergies and a more vibrant global partnership to drive Africa’s environmental sustainability agenda and strengthen the continental architectures for sustainable environment management.
The platform is expected to enhance synergies and to standardise discussions with other stakeholders such as RECs, civil society, private sector as well as important multilateral and bi-lateral partners that are working on environmental issues in Africa. The work and priorities of the platform will be guided by the Environment Action Plan as well as periodic decisions by the AU System.
The objectives of the Africa Environment Partnership Platform, under the theme, “50 years of Environmental Governance and Sustainability in Africa”, are:
To enhance coordination of environmental management among stakeholders at all levels on the continent.
To mobilise enough resources for the implementation of Africa’s priority environmental programmes/projects in Africa.
To enhance linkages between Africa’s environment and key productive socio-economic sectors such as trade, infrastructure and the extractive industry.
To harmonise and synchronise AUC/NPCA and RECs programmes/projects for effective and efficient implementation as well as development partner coordination.
To raise the profile of environment by building a collision of partners across the continent.
To engage governments and partners to prioritise environment in their development strategies and mainstream the EAP national environmental planning processes.
To enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development initiatives on the environment.
To facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of environmental priority programmes/ projects at regional and continental levels.
Companies representing around one-eighth of total global market capitalisation are now using climate science to define their future direction of travel.
Businesses are embracing science-based targets to reduce their emissions in line with the levels required to prevent global warming
Nearly three years on from the landmark Paris Agreement and with time running out before greenhouse gas emissions must peak, 2018 has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of companies committing to reduce their emissions in line with the levels required to prevent dangerous global warming.
Between January and August 2018, over 130 new companies joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi independently assesses and validates corporate emissions reduction targets against the latest climate science.
The jump represents a more than 39% increase compared to the same period in 2017. Nearly a fifth (17%) of Fortune Global 500 companies have now committed to set science-based targets, with new joiners this year including French tyre manufacturer Michelin, US food producer The Kraft Heinz Company, global brewer AB InBev and Japan’s Yamaha Motor Company.
The combined market capitalisation of all companies that have joined the Science Based Targets initiative is nearly $10 trillion, comparable to the NASDAQ stock exchange.
The news was announced on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at the Global Climate Action Summit in California by summit co-chair Anand Mahindra, CEO of the Mahindra Group.
Mr Mahindra said: “This is a pivotal year for global climate action. Nearly three years after the world came together for the historic Paris Agreement, the race is on to meet its goal of restricting global temperature rise to below 2°C and heading off the worst effects of climate change.
“Targets based on science are the only effective way to meet the challenges we face. Around the world, hundreds of businesses are already showing that this is possible with substantial benefits to brand reputation and the bottom line. I urge all other companies to join this initiative immediately; the time for science-based action is now.”
Over 480 global corporations, from 38 countries, have now committed to set emissions reduction targets in line with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement. They include companies from the economy’s highest-emitting sectors, many of which will have to undergo radical transformation in order to meet their low-carbon goals.
Major Indian cement manufacturer Dalmia Cement, whose sector is responsible for more emissions than Japan or Canada, today joins the ranks of leading companies that have committed to set a science-based target.
Dalmia Cement Group CEO Mahendra Singhi said: “The global low-carbon transition is underway, and we are gearing up to unlock innovation and create the sustainable business of the future.
“The Paris Agreement has shown us the direction of travel. Science-based targets provide the roadmap to navigate the transition and ensure we play our part in delivering on the world’s low-carbon goals.”
Meanwhile, companies across the USA are stepping up to fill the void left by their national government. Some 90 American companies have joined the Science Based Targets initiative, more than any other country and ahead of Japan (64), the UK (51), France (35) and India (24).
Nearly a quarter of the US companies (24%) are in the Fortune Global 500, with over half (50) signing up since June 2017, when President Trump announced the US would withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Apparel company PVH, which owns brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, engineering firm AECOM and cloud computing company Salesforce are among the latest US companies to commit to set a science-based target.
American apparel company Levi Strauss & Co. has a goal in place to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2025 from a 2016 base year. The company has also committed to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services 40% by 2025 from a 2016 base year.
“Climate change is a serious threat that requires urgent action,” said Liz O’Neill, executive vice president and president of product, innovation, and supply chain at Levi Strauss & Co. “We believe now is the time for the apparel industry to set science-based targets and collaborate on effective emissions reduction programs in our shared suppliers.”
The Rice Famers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kano State says the recent flood has destroyed over 5,000 hectares of rice farm in some local government areas of the state.
Rice farming
The RIFAN state chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, the state capital, on Thursday, September 13, 2018 that the rice farms were affected in 10 local government areas of the state.
Aliyu, who spoke through his Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Ado Yakasai, listed the affected local government areas as: Warawa, Minjibir, Bunkure, Wudil, Gaya, Garko, Gabasawa, Kabo, Rimin Gado and Ajingi.
He said the disaster, which occurred in August affected most of the rice farms situated in Fadama areas, pointing out that only farms located upland were not hit by the disaster.
“Each hectare of farm was expected to produce between six and seven tonnes of the commodity but with this disaster, the production will be seriously affected.
“You know most of the rice farms are situated at Fadama areas which are water settlements. So when the incident happened many farms were submerged by water,” he said.
Aliyu said that the farmers, who collected loan facility under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower Programme, had lost over N5 billion as a result of the flood.
“Each of the farmers collected fertilizer and other inputs worth N210,000 as the total loan package while some of them have even spent additional amount of money on top of the total loan package.
“The association has already reported the incident to the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAISL) since the farmers are covered by the insurance company,” he said.
He noted that the collapse of an earth dam in Bunkure local government area aggravated the situation.
The chairman, however, called on the Federal and state governments to come to the aid of the affected farmers in view of the huge loss they incurred.
He disclosed that no fewer than 44,800 rice farmers benefited from the Federal Government’s agricultural loan under the Anchor Borrower Programme this wet season.
Gaya community in Niger Republic has appealed to the Kebbi State Government in Nigeria to allow its residents utilise the access road in Bagudu Local Government pending the repair of its bridge that was washed away by flood.
Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State
The governor of Gaya city, Samaila Usman, made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit to Kebbi Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, September 13, 2018.
He said: “I have come to pay you a courtesy visit and appeal to your government to permit our people to use the alternative route which cut across Bagudu, Suru and Dandi Local Government Areas.
“This will be just for the time it takes to reconstruct the collapsed Gayan Bridge.
“The bridge, which served as route to our people coming to Nigeria for economic gains and exchange of relationship and brotherliness, collapsed as a result of the flood along River Niger.”
Usman said that despite being in separate countries, the people of Gaya and Nigerians have remained like family.
He said that the kinship had been sustained by mutual faith and belief in one another, in view of similarities in culture, beliefs and values.
“We are still family and we always are,’’ the Gaya governor said.
Usman commended the Kebbi government for ensuring peace and unity amongst the people in the towns bordering Niger Republic and Nigeria.
In his remarks, the deputy governor expressed appreciation for the visit and assured that the request would receive appropriate attention.
“We consider people from Niger Republic, especially in Gaya and Dosso cities part of our extended family.
“We will not leave you alone as we will do all it takes to assist as much as we can,’’ Yombe assured.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gaya is a city in the Dosso Region of Niger located 254 km south-east of the capital, Niamey.
It is located on the banks of the Niger River, near the Benin and Nigeria borders.
Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Arinze Awogu, has directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to cut supply to flood-prone areas for fear of massive electrocution.
Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State
Awogu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday, September 16, 2018 that most electricity installations in the areas had been submerged due to incessant rains.
He said that no fewer than 9,000 persons from 1,500 households had been displaced from their homes in Ogbaru council.
Awogu noted that there were dangers of possible health hazard as many sewage pits had been ripped open by the flood.
He described the flood situation in Ogbaru as an emergency that demands swift response from the National and Anambra State Emergency Management Agencies.
The chairman requested that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state be properly equipped for evacuation of flood victims.
“NEMA, SEMA and Red Cross officials have visited Ogbaru for on-the-spot- assessment, we are still awaiting their intervention to minimise loss of lives and property.
“The flood is having all the signs of the devastating 2012 flood and we request that IDPs camps be equipped so that the over 9,000 affected persons can move into the camps.
“We can only access people’s homes by canoe because everywhere is massively flooded, the flood comes in the night and by morning people are scampering for safety.
“There is need to sand fill some areas within the IDP camps, and at the moment no single relief material has been brought to any of the designated camps.
“The worse seem not to have been seen as we are only battling with the water released from Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba dams, the Cameroonians have not released theirs and they will do so in couple of days and when that happens, it will be a disaster for us here,” he said.
The chairman appealed to both Federal and State ministries of health to respond urgently to the health challenges posed by the flood,” he said.
As judicial activities resume on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Federal High Court in Awka, the Anambra State capital, occupants and property face a critical exposure to subsidence as gully erosion continues to eat up part of the premises.
The Federal High Court, Awka is under serious gully erosion threat and at the verge of imminent collapse
Already, the perimeter fencing on one part of the premises, the generator house and borehole facility have collapsed into the gully erosion.
The ravaging erosion had already cut off access to the Judges quarters, its Boys Quarter and the adjoining buildings including the abandoned Anambra Government House project.
Some members of judicial staff who pleaded anonymity feared that the court would not be conducive for judicial activities when the courts resumes on Monday.
They said the surge in human population would make the effect of the disaster to be increasingly felt as the structure would come under more pressure.
According to the staff, the entrance into the court premises may collapse as erosion had crept to the gate.
They wonder why no respite had come their way despite their outcry and media reports.
“Nothing has happened up till now, rather more of the fence is falling and that has increased the speed of the erosion, the existence of the main building is seriously threatened now.
“Court will resume on Monday and that means more people and vehicle will be coming in, the erosion is almost at the gate and soon the entrance will be cut off.
“As it is now, we do not have water, so I wonder how the Judges, the staff, litigants and their counsels will work effectively.
“No part of the complex is safe now because they already had visible cracks due to underground vibrations; we need immediate assistance because we cannot afford to lose this building to erosion,” one of the sources said.
When contacted, Mr Emeka Achebe, Head of Communications in NEWMAP in Anambra State, urged calm as efforts were on to address the challenge.
Achebe said NEWMAP had already approved a special intervention plan known as “Gully Rapid Action and Slope Stabilisation (GRASS)” for the site and would be activated soon.
“GRASS will control damage and immediate threat to houses and other critical infrastructure.
“We urge them to remain calm, in no distant time, activities will commence at the site,” he said.
Mrs May Esealuka, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, had lamented the looming disaster, saying efforts to get intervention had failed.
“We have sent letters to the Anambra State Government in November last year and all the people and agencies that matter in Anambra, including NEWMAP came and saw things for themselves.
“What is happening here is sad, every moment my heart jumps that the worst will happen; there is no road to the Judges Quarters anymore,” she said.
Pentagon deployed two amphibious warships – USS Kearsarge and USS Arlington – to offer disaster relief and search and rescue assistance for Hurricane Florence following Hurricane Florence’s landfall.
Hurricane Florence: Union Point Park flooded with rising water from the Neuse and Trent Rivers in New Bern, N.C., from the outer bands of the hurricane. Photo credit: NJ.com
The U.S. Department of Defense said about 7,000 troops were also deployed to respond to Florence in the coming days after it caused catastrophic flooding in North and South Carolina.
Pentagon said U.S. Northern Command, the National Guard and military services were actively supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency along with state and local responders.
Florence’s centre was about 75 kilometre west-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina, and about 45 kilometres northeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, North American Aerospace Defense Command and Northcom Commander, said various Pentagon assets had been positioned to surround the storm.
“We have quite literally surrounded the affected area with (Defense Department) capability that will be critical in hours and days following the storm’s impact.
“Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ guidance to me is clear: we are anticipating the needs.
“We are moving forward under our own authorities to be able to respond as soon as a request is made.
“Saving lives and mitigating suffering is a top priority and military forces are well-positioned to respond immediately, O’Shaughnessy said.
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier directed FEMA and law enforcement to respond to the disaster and had commended their responses so far.
“Great job FEMA, First Responders and Law Enforcement – not easy, very dangerous, tremendous talent. America is proud of you. Keep it all going – finish strong!” Trump tweeted.
At least five persons have been killed as Florence, now downgraded from Hurricane to a tropical storm, continued to ‘wreak havoc’ on East Coast battering North Carolina and South Carolina.
Trump also tweeted to mourn those who died in the Hurricane: “Five deaths have been recorded thus far with regard to Hurricane Florence!
“Deepest sympathies and warmth go out to the families and friends of the victims. May God be with them!”
