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Niger State to benefit from UN-Habitat’s urban development support

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Niger State to benefit from UN-Habitat’s urban development support

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has disclosed that it will partner with the Niger State Government in Nigeria on an urban assistance programme. The scope of activities and projects will contribute to the achievement of sustainable urban management and development in Niger State.

UN-Habitat_Niger State
UN-Habitat and Niger State officials during the scoping mission in Minna

During a recent scoping mission, UN-Habitat visited towns and emirates of Minna and Suleja and held seminars with federal and state government officials and other non-state stakeholders in urban management to identify priority areas and scope of activities needed to unlock the development potential of the state through sustainability in human settlements.

In his welcoming remarks, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State in a statement read by his deputy, Ahmed Muhammad Ketso, said the state government was committed to the success of the collaboration programme with UN-Habitat.

He indicated that there was dire need to modernise cities in the state, bolster industry, entrench the generation and use of renewable energy, adding that the state was willing to uptake partners and investors to invest and develop its settlements. He noted that the state needed an urban development policy and integrated urban plans to guide development of its urban and rural areas.

Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Abiyu Abdullahi, reported to the mission team that the state had outdated planning documents for two of its major urban areas: Minna and Suleja. These plans need to be reviewed to guide urban growth, he noted, pointing out that urban growth was sprawling in an undesirable manner and most services were not coping with the demand. He called out to all stakeholders for support in their respective roles as residents of the state.

 

State urban policies and a smart new town

Remy Sietchiping from UN-Habitat reassured the state government of UN-Habitat’s commitment to provide technical assistance in urban development matters. The Government of Korea had committed to provide funding for the sub-national urban policy development process in Niger State and requested for the state government to commit its resources too towards the collaboration activities as agreed in the mission.

After meetings and seminars with state and non-state actors in the urban development of Niger State, the following activities were identified for priority implementation:

  • preparation of a State Urban Development Policy (SUDP) for Niger State based on the National Urban Development Policy of 2012 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
  • preparation of an integrated development plan for Minna, the state capital, and Suleja, located next to Abuja, the Federal Capital City;
  • assisting in planning and developing a Smart New Town near Suleja along the proposed bypass between the village of Maje (along Minna-Suleja Road) and Zubra (along Kaduna-Lokoja Road) to decongest Suleja and providing housing for commuters of Abuja; and
  • strengthening and building the capacity  of state institutions, especially the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for the development and management of urban areas through training workshops, exchange visits and tours of officials from Niger State to enhance the urban management knowledge and experience of government officials.

Niger State is said to be Nigeria’s largest state with a total area of 76,363 km2 and a population of over four million people. It has been battling with a burgeoning urban population due to its close proximity to Abuja. The programme in Niger State is likely is to be scaled-up to other areas in offering solutions to local governments to ensure the impact is felt across in urban interventions. At the end of the end of the mission, a roadmap was agreed upon between UN-Habitat and State officials outlining activities that aimed at implementing priority areas.

The programme benefited from technical assistance of Professor Zubairu Mustapha of the Centre for Human Settlements and Urban Development of  the Federal University of Technology in Minna.

GCF broadens global reach with Conservation International agreement

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GCF broadens global reach with Conservation International agreement

The Green Climate Fund has signed an Accreditation Master Agreement with Conservation International, broadening the Fund’s global reach to support climate action.

Howard Bamsey
Executive Director, Green Climate Fund (GCF), Howard Bamsey

Conservation International, an international non-profit organisation and GCF Accredited Entity, is helping to protect nature and encourage sustainable development in over 30 countries across six continents.

Accreditation Master Agreements are critical as they deepen ties between GCF and its Accredited Entities, which propose and carry out the climate finance projects GCF approves. They are also a prerequisite for the disbursement of project funds.

Conservation International President, Jennifer Morris, said the signing of the Accreditation Master Agreement is a critical step in helping the organisation address climate change.

“CI has a long history of using nature-based solutions to combat climate change in countries around the world least able to cope with a changing climate,” said Ms Morris.

“Joining forces with the GCF provides us with additional financial means to expand our reach and increase our impact. This will include the launch of a first of its kind public-private investment programme to stimulate investment in climate-resilient land use in Madagascar, our first approved GCF project.”

GCF Executive Director, Howard Bamsey, said GCF would benefit from the international NGO’s well-established model of conservation based on science, fieldwork and strong partnerships with governments and indigenous people’s organisations.

“Conservation International’s rich experience in reducing deforestation and improving agricultural practices will be a welcome addition to the Fund’s growing capacity to deal with climate change,” Mr Bamsey said.

Wimbledon: Injuries claim Djokovic, Murray

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Wimbledon: Injuries claim Djokovic, Murray

Injuries on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 knocked out two top shots in the ongoing Wimbledon tennis championship as they seek the coveted trophy.

Novak Djokovic
World number four, Novak Djokovic

World number four, Novak Djokovic, retired during his quarter final match against Tomas Berdych with an elbow injury.

The former world number one lost the first set 6-7, to the Czech and was two love down in the second, when he had to retire.

Wimbledon defending champion, Andy Murray, was knocked out of the Open in the quarter final by Sam Querrey, who won 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 to become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam semi final, since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

For Murray, the hip injury that disrupted his build-up to Wimbledon had finally caught up with him.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer is now the favorite after he maintained his bid for a record eight Wimbledon title, as he moved into the last four.

Federer beat last year’s runner-up Milos Raonil 6-4, 6-2, 7-6, with a trade mark display on Centre Court, as he won in his 100th singles match at Wimbledon.

He would now play Tomas Berdych in Friday’s semi final. American Sam Querrey will now play Croatia’s Marin Cilic in the other semi final.
Federer is the second man to play 100 matches at the Wimbledon in the Open era after Jimmy Connors.

By Felix Simire

Gambia may become first sub-Sahara African nation to eliminate malaria

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Gambia may become first sub-Sahara African nation to eliminate malaria

Experts say Gambia could become the first country in sub-Sahara Africa to eliminate malaria on its track record of combating the mosquito-borne disease.

Adama Barrow
Adama Barrow, president of the Gambia

The prevalence of the malaria parasite in children under five has plunged to 0.2 per cent from four per cent in 2011, according to the National Malaria Control Programme (NMPC).

NMCP data shows that the total number of new malaria cases across the West African nation has fallen by about 40 per cent in that time to 155,450 in 2016, down from 262,000 in 2011.

Head of NMCP, Balla Kandeh, said Gambia is aiming to achieve the milestone of having no new malaria cases by 2020, but donor fatigue is a concern with a funding gap of over 25 million dollars.

Kandeh said: “This last mile is the most difficult, we need more support to sustain the gains we have made yet donors often turn their attention elsewhere as cases drop.”

Kandeh said that malaria rates in Gambia may rebound if more funding is not secured soon.

He hoped that Gambia’s new leadership under President Adama Barrow, who won a December election to bring an end to 22 years of autocratic rule under Yahya Jammeh, will attract back donors after many left during the previous regime.

He said: “There is a better working environment under Barrow, with less constraints and less political uncertainty.
“The fear of the unknown has gone.”

According to Carla Fajardo of aid agency Catholic Relief Services, aside from the usual control measures, such as antimalarial drugs, insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying, Gambia has successfully used technology to tackle malaria.

Fajardo said tablets, online platforms and GPS have been used to track delivery of the above strategies, with real-time data enabling decisions to be made on the fly, while internet service providers have boosted bandwidth in remote areas.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the world has made huge strides against malaria since 2000, with death rates plunging by 60 percent and at least six million lives saved globally.

The UN said efforts to end one of the world’s deadliest diseases, which kills about 430,000 people a year, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa, are under threat as mosquitoes become increasingly resistant to measures such as bed nets and drugs.

ACCGhana2017: Africa seeks to translate waste management desires to action

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ACCGhana2017: Africa seeks to translate waste management desires to action

The aim of the recently held African Clean Up Conference was to march up with action the desires of the convener of the conference, African Clean Up Initiative, for Africans to begin to take responsibility in solving their environmental challenges in both indigenous and creative ways.

Clean UP
L-R: CEO, African Clean Up Initiative, Alexander Akhigbe; Lecturer, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, Isaac Mbir Bryant; Manager, Hans Cottage Botel, Betty Arabel Hanson; and Executive Director, Green Africa Youth Organisation, Josua Amponsem

Held from Friday, July 8 to Saturday, July 9 2017, the forum was the second in the series.

Themed: “Exploring New Horizons and Sustainable Best Practice in Waste Management and Recycling”, this year’s conference was attended by delegates from West African countries as well as environmental professionals and intellectuals in Africa who took turns to road map the way to addressing waste management issues, particularly plastic and human waste.

According to the speakers, the problem of Africa is in her inability to manage the waste it produces, even though it does not produce more wastes than the developed countries. They thus proffered solutions that will help Africans best manage their waste and curb the menace caused by improper waste disposal.

Recycling was demonstrated as one of the ways of mitigating the impact of waste in Africa. Afolasade Nubi of the University of Lagos, in a paper titled “Solid Waste Recycling in an Academic Institution: Case Study – University of Lagos” noted how the institution moved from various stages of managing waste to the present recycling.

According to her, the institution no longer burns its waste unlike previously which caused health related issues in the school community. Sorting bins are now located across the school and residential areas which allows for source sorting and, upon collection, reduces the amount of waste that get to the land fill as waste paper, cans, and plastics are sold to recycling companies.

She added that, since 2014, the institution has made huge amount of money from sorting and recycling of waste as well as ensuring a cleaner and healthier school community.

Yahaya Ahmed, the Director/CEO of Developmental Association of Renewable Energy (DARE), revealed how he used plastic bottles to solve real issue of homelessness in the northern Nigeria.  According to the climate change expert, plastic bottles can be used to build homes in rural areas particularly devastated areas due to insurgency or climate change.

The plastic bottle brick, which was displayed during his presentation, is said to be stronger than the usual bricks. It is used in the construction of residential buildings, fence, sitting pavement and for trapping water for areas experiencing drought. The plastic bottle brick project, he added, provides jobs for the Almajaris in the area who now earn a decent living after being trained as masons as they now construct houses and wells using the plastic bricks. At the award night he was awarded a Hero of the Environment for solving homelessness with his plastic bottle housing project in rural areas in northern Nigeria.

Opening delegates’ minds to new horizon in waste management, Issac Bryant of University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana whose interest is in waste to energy technologies and resource recovery from waste, in his presentation discussed the conversion of human waste of urine to fertiliser. He noted and proved with pictorial proofs that human urine is good and better for growing crops than our usual manure. Moreso, he added, it reduces environmental hazards if urine is collected and used on the farm or garden other than unguarded disposal that negatively impacts the surrounding.

Femi Oye, Co-founder /CEO of SMEFUNDS, another Hero award recipient who doubled as a speaker during the conference, examined ways at which Africans can reduce their carbon footprint through clean cook stoves, solar powered bulbs and solar powered refrigerators. The clean cook stove, according to him, does not emit carbon because it burns on gel and not kerosene and the refrigerator is not only environmental friendly but cost effective.

Other speakers at the conference were: Kwame Ofori, the founding director, Ako Foundation; Simon Turner, Country manager, NGO Challenges Worldwide, Ghana; Joshua Amponsem, Executive Director, Africa Youth Organisation and Country host, ACCGhana2017; and Alexander Akhigbe, Founder, African Clean Up Initiative and Convener ACCGhana2017.

The two-day event ended with the award night ceremony that celebrated Africans whose environmental activities have impacted the African space.

“We have to keep encouraging our environmental champions to continue to drive towards environmental sustainability in Africa until we birth good policies and practices that best support living,” Akhigbe said.

The following persons and institutions awarded at the event are:

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State,  Alhaji Yahaya Ahmed (DARE), University of Lagos,  Edith O. Efiok-Offiong, Obinna Okenwa, Access Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank, Taiwo Adewole, Ama Ofori-Antwi, James Mulbah, Sulaiman Hussein Kemi, Ajadi Ganiyu Adedapo, and Dr Ameen Olayiwola.

Lagos will lose 260,000 lives to flood in 10 years, scientists predict

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Lagos will lose 260,000 lives to flood in 10 years, scientists predict

Though the Lagos State Government has given assurances on mitigating future flood disasters, in the aftermath of the recent flooding, a recent report which chronicles flooding hazards of 16 years in the state has shown that such events could result in loss of some 260,000 lives in the next 10 years. This may be accompanied by a GDP (gross domestic product) loss of $5526.2 million and $48.1 million urban damage.

Lagos flood
Motorists and cyclists wade through a flooded Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, during the infamous the July 2011 flooding

The study, titled “Coastal Cities at Risk”, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), was released exactly a year ago on July 10, 2016.

It shows  that anthropogenic factors (rather than climatic) such as removal of vegetation, loss of wetland, obstruction of water ways, as well as a large population of environmentally-ignorant people, will continue to cause flooding.

Conducted by Dr. Ibukun Adelekan of the Geography Department, University of Ibadan, it showed  the July 10, 2011 flood caused an estimated loss of N30 billion (as at then where N150 = $1). Insurance claims following the flood event was the highest recorded from flood incidents in Nigeria. There were 25 lives lost, while many were rendered homeless as houses were submerged by the floods.

According to the study, the July 2011 flood was caused by heavy rains of 233 mm. Incidentally, experts say this year’s rain water collected is about 477mm. “That is equivalent to the rainfalls experienced in other climes for six months,” Mr. Ade Adesanya, Lagos Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, said.

The study spotted inadequate drainage system in most parts of the city and blocked drains resulting from indiscriminate dumping of solid waste as a predisposing factor to future disaster.

“In 2013 about 74 per cent (10,420,717.64 tons) of solid waste generated was left uncollected,” it reported.

Still on anthropogenic factors, the survey shows that 3,647 houses that violated the Building Contravention law in 16 local government (LG) areas, and only 578 (13 percent) has been so far demolished. The implicated LG areas are namely Agege, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Ikeja, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Ojo, Oshodi, Shomolu, Surulere Ifako Ijaiye, and Etiosa.

The study also finds that Lagos is even more vulnerable to flood hazards due to its large population who are unaware of environmental issues, limited information and skill coming from the government and lack of collaboration between relevant institutions.

As per climatic predisposing factors, it stated that sea level had risen by 63.6mm over the 20-year period at an average rate of 3.18mm/year.

It concluded by stating that resilience to flood risks in Lagos is highly dependent on the provision and functioning of basic infrastructure and social services which it presumes is not
yet at an acceptable level.

By Abiose Adelaja Adams

Billions lack safe drinking water, sanitation globally, say UNICEF, WHO

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Billions lack safe drinking water, sanitation globally, say UNICEF, WHO

Some three in 10 people worldwide, or 2.1 billion, lack access to safe, readily available water at home, and 6 in 10, or 4.5 billion, lack safely managed sanitation, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Gallons
Gloria Samuel, 37, a cleaner at Bwari town Primary Health Centre, showing the rain water collected that is used to clean the toilets because there is no water supply to the centre. They also buy clean water to use for cleaning more sensitive sanitation and for patients who need clean water to wash. Upkuduru ward Bwari LGA, Abuja, Nigeria

The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report, “Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2017 update and Sustainable Development Goal baselines”, presents the first global assessment of “safely managed” drinking water and sanitation services. The overriding conclusion is that too many people still lack access, particularly in rural areas.

“Safe water, sanitation and hygiene at home should not be a privilege of only those who are rich or live in urban centres,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “These are some of the most basic requirements for human health, and all countries have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can access them.”

Billions of people have gained access to basic drinking water and sanitation services since 2000, but these services do not necessarily provide safe water and sanitation. Many homes, healthcare facilities and schools also still lack soap and water for handwashing. This puts the health of all people – but especially young children – at risk for diseases, such as diarrhoea.

As a result, every year, 361 000 children under 5 years of age die due to diarrhoea. Poor sanitation and contaminated water are also linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid.

“Safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene are critical to the health of every child and every community – and thus are essential to building stronger, healthier, and more equitable societies,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake. “As we improve these services in the most disadvantaged communities and for the most disadvantaged children today, we give them a fairer chance at a better tomorrow.”

 

Significant inequalities persist

In order to decrease global inequalities, the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for ending open defecation and achieving universal access to basic services by 2030.

Of the 2.1 billion people who do not have safely managed water, 844 million do not have even a basic drinking water service. This includes 263 million people who have to spend over 30 minutes per trip collecting water from sources outside the home, and 159 million who still drink untreated water from surface water sources, such as streams or lakes.

In 90 countries, progress towards basic sanitation is too slow, meaning they will not reach universal coverage by 2030.

Of the 4.5 billion people who do not have safely managed sanitation, 2.3 billion still do not have basic sanitation services. This includes 600 million people who share a toilet or latrine with other households, and 892 million people – mostly in rural areas – who defecate in the open. Due to population growth, open defecation is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania.

Good hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. For the first time, the SDGs are monitoring the percentage of people who have facilities to wash their hands at home with soap and water. According to the new report, access to water and soap for handwashing varies immensely in the 70 countries with available data, from 15 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa to 76 per cent in western Asia and northern Africa.

Additional key findings from the report include:

  • Many countries lack data on the quality of water and sanitation services. The report includes estimates for 96 countries on safely managed drinking water and 84 countries on safely managed sanitation.
  • In countries experiencing conflict or unrest, children are four times less likely to use basic water services, and two times less likely to use basic sanitation services than children in other countries.
  • There are big gaps in service between urban and rural areas. Two out of three people with safely managed drinking water and three out of five people with safely managed sanitation services live in urban areas. Of the 161 million people using untreated surface water (from lakes, rivers or irrigation channels), 150 million live in rural areas.

California launches legislation to reduce air pollution

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California launches legislation to reduce air pollution

Governor Edmund Jerry Brown, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on Monday, July 10, 2017 in Sacramento announced a legislative package that will launch a landmark programme to measure and combat air pollution at the neighborhood level – in communities most impacted – and extend and improve the state’s world-leading cap-and-trade programme to ensure California continues to meet its ambitious climate change goals.

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California Governor, Jerry Brown

“The Legislature is taking action to curb climate change and protect vulnerable communities from industrial poisons,” said Governor Brown.

“These measures represent California’s leadership on climate and air quality. Extending California’s cap and trade program will protect consumers and businesses alike from high energy costs, while reducing the greenhouse gasses and air pollutants choking our communities throughout the state,” said Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León.

“Once again we are showing that in California, protecting the environment and improving public health are inextricably linked. With its strong air quality provisions, this agreement ensures that Californians in underserved communities – and communities most impacted by air pollution – will receive the greatest benefit. All communities deserve clean air, benefits from strong climate actions, and a strong green economy. This package does just that,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

The legislative package establishes a comprehensive, statewide programme – the first of its kind – to address air pollution where it matters most: in neighborhoods with the dirtiest air. This new programme helps dramatically improve air quality in local communities through neighborhood air monitoring and targeted action plans that require pollution reductions from mobile and stationary sources with strong enforcement and timetables.

The legislation also mandates that large industrial facilities, including oil refineries, in California’s most polluted communities upgrade their old, dirty equipment with cleaner, more modern technology by December 2023 at the latest. The legislation also increases the penalties against polluters that the Legislature has not been able to increase in more than 35 years.

In addition to improving air quality in California’s most impacted communities, the package strengthens and extends the state’s cap-and-trade programme, which will expire without legislative action. The programme, along with other state carbon reduction measures, ensures California will meet its SB 32 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This legislation extends the programme by 10 years in the most cost-effective way possible, and makes the following improvements based on years of operation, analysis and input:

  • Ensures that carbon pollution will decrease as the programme’s emissions cap declines.
  • Cuts the use of out-of-state carbon offsets and brings those environmental benefits back to California.
  • Designates the California Air Resources Board as the statewide regulatory body responsible for ensuring that California meets its statewide carbon pollution reduction targets, while retaining local air districts’ responsibility and authority to curb toxic air contaminants and criteria pollutants from local sources that severely impact public health.
  • Decreases free carbon allowances over 40 percent by 2030.
  • Prioritises cap-and-trade spending to ensure funds go where they are needed most, including reducing diesel emissions in the most impacted communities.

Extending cap and trade also ensures that billions of dollars in auction proceeds continue flowing to communities across California. To date, these investments have preserved and restored tens of thousands of acres of open space, helped plant thousands of new trees, funded 30,000 energy efficiency improvements in homes, expanded affordable housing, boosted public transit and helped over 100,000 Californians purchase zero-emission vehicles. Examples of these $1.2 billion in investments, half of which have benefited disadvantaged communities, include:

  • Electric transit buses and charging stations in the San Joaquin Valley.
  • The Mammoth Express bus route serving Inyo and Mono Counties.
  • 110 new units of mixed-income housing near Oakland’s Coliseum BART station.
  • More water efficiency technology on farms.
  • Electric vehicle carsharing programme for disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles.
  • The five-stop Visalia-Fresno Shuttle Project to improve the Visalia Transit system.
  • The MacArthur Park Apartments to increase affordable housing and access to transit near downtown Los Angeles.
  • All-electric buses in the Antelope Valley.
  • New train cars for BART.
  • New electric buses in Porterville.
  • Habitat restoration following the King Fire.
  • 50 new housing units with bike lanes in the City of Lindsay.
  • 44 affordable housing units and a vanpool programme in Dinuba.

The legislative package is said to include AB 617 by Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) and AB 398 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and is the product of weeks of discussions between the administration and legislative leaders with Republican and Democratic legislators, environmental justice advocates, environmental groups, utilities, industry and labor representatives, economists, agricultural and business organisations, faith leaders and local government officials.

Brown, Bloomberg defy Trump, launch Paris Agreement support initiative

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Brown, Bloomberg defy Trump, launch Paris Agreement support initiative

In an apparent defiance of the recent President Donald Trump resolve, Governor Jerry Brown of California State and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg have launched “America’s Pledge on climate change”, a new initiative aimed at compiling and quantifying the actions of states, cities and businesses in the United States to drive down their greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg

“Today we’re sending a clear message to the world that America’s states, cities and businesses are moving forward with our country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement – with or without Washington,” said Governor Jerry Brown, who was recently named Special Advisor for States and Regions ahead of the United Nations’ 23rd Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP23).

Since the White House announcement of its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, an unprecedented number of U.S. states, cities, businesses, and colleges and universities have reaffirmed their support for the Paris Agreement through collaborations including the “We Are Still In” declaration, the Climate Mayors coalition of cities, the U.S. Climate Alliance group of states, and others.

Building on this positive momentum, the America’s Pledge initiative will for the first time aggregate the commitments of these and other “non-Party actors” in a report on the full range of climate-related activities across the whole of U.S. society. The process of developing America’s Pledge will also provide a roadmap for increased climate ambition from U.S. states, cities, businesses and others, and will transparently demonstrate to the international community how and in which ways these entities can help the U.S. deliver on its pledge under the Paris Agreement.

“In the U.S., emission levels are determined far more by cities, states, and businesses than they are by our federal government – and each of these groups is taking action because it’s in their own best interest,” said Michael Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. “Reducing emissions is good for the economy and good for public health. The American government may have pulled out of the Paris Agreement, but American society remains committed to it – and we will redouble our efforts to achieve its goals. We’re already halfway there.”

In 2015, during the lead-up to the Paris conference on climate change, the U.S. submitted its “Nationally Determined Contribution” committing to reduce emissions 26-28% against 2005 levels by 2025. Last weekend, the G20 Leaders’ Declaration took note of the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, confirming that “it will immediately cease the implementation of its current nationally-determined contribution” while underscoring that “the Leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible.” Through the America’s Pledge initiative, Brown and Bloomberg will work to demonstrate continued climate leadership across U.S. society, and that subnational action can significantly reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a time of limited federal leadership.

Commissioned by Brown and Bloomberg, the Rocky Mountain Institute and the World Resources Institute will jointly lead an inclusive analytical effort supporting America’s Pledge, with involvement by a broad set of stakeholders to be announced later this year. In November, Brown and Bloomberg, along with other U.S. governors, mayors, and business leaders, will compile and showcase existing climate commitments of U.S. subnational and non-state actors at COP23, to be hosted by the Government of Fiji in Bonn, Germany.

In addition, the America’s Pledge initiative will work to quantify the aggregate impact of these commitments on projected future emissions, comparing against both a business-as-usual (BAU) trajectory of projected greenhouse gas emissions under likely Trump Administration policies, and the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution of 26-28% reductions against a 2005 baseline by 2025.

Finally, the America’s Pledge initiative will present a game plan for raising the bar and expanding the map when it comes to non-Party actors driving down U.S. emissions. This set of options, which will highlight the significant levers available to states, cities, and businesses to further reduce U.S. emissions, will serve as a playbook for enhanced ambition among U.S. climate leaders who are committed to meeting America’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

“I am convinced that to be effective, action to address climate change must be taken at all levels of society, including by mayors, governors, local leaders, chief executive officers and others,” said United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres. “This is demonstrably not an issue that can be addressed by national governments alone. The effort to aggregate and quantify the actions of subnational authorities and non-Party stakeholders in the United States via ‘America’s Pledge’ is welcome.”

CHAN: 30 players resume camping

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CHAN: 30 players resume camping

The 30 players selected for camping ahead of the qualifiers of the fifth edition of the Championship of the African Cup of Nations (CHAN), which will be hosted by Kenya, are to resume camping next Monday.

Salisu Yusuf
Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf

Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf, who made this known to newsmen, however said the technical crew was yet to decide which city, between Kano and Kaduna, would be used for the camping of the players.

Salisu said selecting the squad was a tough task, following the good form of most of the players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“Every weekend the players are in one form of the league matches or on Continental assignments, thus putting them in good and tough shapes.”

One of the players who made the list, Captain of Lobi Stars, Raphael Orator, said his call-up which he described as a dream come true, will not affect the fortunes of Makurdi side in the domestic League.

“I thank the Makurdi fans and teammates as, without them, I wouldn’t have been selected,” he stated.

The Super Eagles will take on the winners between Togo and Benin Republic next month. The first leg is scheduled to take place in either Cotonou, Benin Republic, or Lome, Togo on the weekend of the 11th – 13th August, with the return return leg on the 19th of the same month.

In another development, on the tennis court, Novak Djokovic reached the quarter final of the Wimbledon Open with a straight victory over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

In a match delayed from Monday, the world number four beat Mannarino, who is ranked number 51 in the world, 6-2,7-6, 6-4 in two hours, 13 minutes.

The Serb appeared unhappy with the condition of Centre Court and also received treatment on his right shoulder during the match.

The 30-year-old will face Czech 11th seed Tomas Berdych in the last eight.

For the Ladies, five-time champion Venus Williams won in her 100th singles match to knock out French Open winner, Jelena Ostapenko, to reach the semi finals.

Venus earned a 6-3, 7-5 victory against the 20-year-old Latvian, in one hour, 13 minutes on Centre Court.

The American is the oldest player to reach the last four since Martina Navratilova in 1994, but said she did not think about her age.

“I love the challenge. I love the pressure. I feel quite capable, to be honest and powerful, “she said.

Venus will now play Britain’s sixth seed Johanna Konta in the last four on Thursday, after Konta knocked out second seed Simona Helep. Konta also became Britain’s first women’s Wimbledon semi finalist, since 1978.

Garbine Muguruza will also play Magdalena Dybarikova in the other semi final.

By Felix Simire

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