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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.

gov-jerry-brown
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

World Population Day: Why Nigeria is world’s 7th most populous

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World Population Day: Why Nigeria is world’s 7th most populous

Experts have attributed poor family planning habits to the escalation of Nigeria’s population over the last decade.

Nigeria Population
Nigeria’s population is said to be equivalent to 2.55% of the total world population

According to data from worldometers, a global real time statistics and data platform, Nigeria added 52.22 million people to its population in the last 12 years, making it the country with the 7th highest number of people in the world.

At a population of 191.89 million (182.2 million in 2015), Nigeria presently makes up 2.55 per cent of the global population.

“I specially implore all partners working with us in Nigeria to eliminate all barriers to access in family planning and improving quality of life of our people,” said Isaac Adewole, Nigeria’s minister of health on his twitter message to commemorate the World Population Day, observed globally on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. “As the federal ministry of health we’re committed to execution of quality family service at all levels of healthcare.”

This year’s World Population Day, themed: “Family Planning:  Empowering People, Developing Nations”, focused on the urgency and importance of population issues.

According to observers, the surge in Nigeria’s population is coming amidst decay in health sector infrastructure and social services, posing grave imminent demographic menace to a country that is already grappling with numerous socioeconomic challenges.

The nation’s National Population Commission (NPC) has reiterated the need for family planning.

Chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, said family planning issues are personal decisions, which are not just about saving life but empowering people and developing nations.

He spoke on Tuesday in Awka through the Anambra State Director of the NPC, Mr Joachin Ulasi, who urged indigenes to deploy the use of family planning to manage the number of children they bear, in line with their income.

According to him, the theme of this year’s World Population Day is targeted at using family planning to ensure quality population in the country.

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that 11 July be observed by the international community as World Population Day, a day to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), access to safe, voluntary family planning is a human right. It is also central to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and is a key factor in reducing poverty, the UNFPA adds.

It went further: “Yet around the world, some 214 million women in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe and effective family planning methods, for reasons ranging from lack of access to information or services to lack of support from their partners or communities. Many of those with an unmet demand for contraceptives live in the poorest countries on earth. Investments in making family planning available also yield economic and other gains that can propel development forward.”

This year’s World Population Day, 11 July, coincides with the Family Planning Summit, the second meeting of the FP2020–Family Planning 2020–initiative, which aims to expand access to voluntary family planning to 120 million additional women by 2020.

Carbon neutrality: France sets 2040 date to phase out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles

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Carbon neutrality: France sets 2040 date to phase out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles

France plans to end the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040 in a bid to become a carbon-neutral nation, Energy Minister, Nicolas Hulot said. They will be replaced with electric cars.

Nicolas Hulot
Energy Minister of France, Nicolas Hulot

Presenting the country’s “Climate Plan” in Paris on Thursday, July 6, 2017, Hulot said France would offer tax incentives to replace diesel autos that are more than 20 years old and gasoline vehicles made before 2001. The government, he added, would likewise end oil and gas exploration on French territory, eliminate coal-fired power plants by 2022 and encourage home owners to produce their own energy.

“The target is a tough one,” Hulot, a former journalist and environmental activist, said. “But France wants to become the No. 1 green economy.”

President Emmanuel Macron’s government unveiled plans to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050 as leaders from the Group of 20 nations, including all the world’s biggest polluters, gathered in Hamburg. U.S. President Donald Trump met Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who criticised his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord last month.

On Wednesday, Volvo Car Group became the first major manufacturer to say it will start phasing out vehicles powered solely by fossil fuels, joining a parade of manufacturers shifting toward electric cars. The Swedish auto brand says it plans to offer only hybrid or full-electric motors on every new model launched in 2019 or later, and it expects to have five fully electric vehicles in its lineup by 2021. That means Volvo will make its last full-gasoline or diesel car in about 2025.

Though electric cars have been around since the 1800s and have gotten a lot of attention in the past half-decade or so, they’re still just a fraction of the overall market as drivers balk at high prices and limited driving ranges. Battery-powered autos made up about 1 percent of sales in the U.S., Europe and China last year. They will outsell fossil-fuel powered vehicles within two decades as the cost of batteries plunge, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecast.

Shares of French automaker PSA Group rose as much as 2.4 percent after Hulot’s speech, while Renault SA gained 1.9 percent, making them the day’s best performers on the Bloomberg 500 Autos Index.

Sales of Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars made by PSA should benefit from tax incentives to scrap older autos, a company spokeswoman said by phone, adding that “switching to another energy source isn’t painless.” PSA plans to offer an electric version of 80 percent of its models by 2023 but isn’t going fully electric anytime soon.

“Nicolas Hulot only speaks for France, but we are a global company and most of the world still runs on combustion engines,” she said.

Courtesy: Bloomberg

CITES welcomes G20 declaration on combating corruption related to illegal wildlife trade

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CITES welcomes G20 declaration on combating corruption related to illegal wildlife trade

In the G20 Leaders Declaration, “Shaping an interconnected world”, released on Saturday, July 8, 2017 after meeting in Hamburg, Germany, G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to address illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, particularly through combating corruption.

John Scanlon
CITES Secretary-General, John Scanlon

The leaders stated: “We will intensify our fight against corruption related to illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Wildlife trafficking is a threat to the planet’s biodiversity, economic development, and, among others, health and security, and is facilitated by high levels of corruption, which the G20 cannot tolerate.”

The High Level Principles on Combating Corruption Related to Illegal Trade in Wildlife and Wildlife Products, adopted as an annex of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, sets out concrete steps to combat this corruption, including through strengthening legislation, law enforcement and capacity building frameworks, establishing preventive measures such as demand reduction and risk mitigation, and implementing concrete actions on investigation, prosecution and sanctioning.

These High Level Principles make specific reference to the historic CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) CoP17 resolution on combating corruption, making the CITES permit system more resilient against corruption, including through the CITES electronic permitting system and enhanced traceability, as well as to the critical role of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) in combating corruption, in which CITES is a partner,  together with INTERPOL, UNODC, the World Bank and the World Customs Organisation.

“CITES is known for its pragmatic and well-targeted approach to regulating legal and sustainable trade in wildlife and in combating illegal wildlife trade. Historic resolutions addressing corruption, law enforcement and demand reduction were adopted at CITES CoP17 last year in Johannesburg, as was recognised by the G20 Leaders’ Declaration,” said CITES Secretary-General, John Scanlon. “We are extremely pleased and encouraged by the strong political commitment and specific steps mapped out by the G20 leaders to tackle the corruption that fuels illegal wildlife trade.”

The Declaration also reaffirms the fundamental legal framework that CITES provides for the regulation of international trade in more than 36,000 listed species of wild animals and plants. It also recognises the threats posed to a number of high-value CITES-listed species that are targeted by organised crime groups.

“The recent record breaking seizures of elephant ivory in Asia, with nearly 10 tonnes of ivory confiscated last week alone by Customs and police officers, reminds us that while good progress has been made in the flight against illegal trade in wildlife, we must continue to further strengthen our collective efforts. With high level commitments and concerted national efforts, including major decisions in source and destination countries, we are clearly on the right track to address illegal trade in wildlife and if we persist we will win this fight,” added Scanlon.

With 183 Parties (182 countries + the European Union), CITES is regarded as one of the world’s most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of trade. It was signed in Washington D.C. on March 3, 1973 and entered into force on July 1, 1975.

Measles epidemic hits Europe, claims 35 lives in 12 months

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Measles epidemic hits Europe, claims 35 lives in 12 months

Ongoing measles outbreaks in the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region have caused 35 deaths in the past 12 months. The most recent fatality was a six-year-old boy in Italy, where over 3300 measles cases and two deaths have occurred since June 2016.

Zsuzsanna Jakab
Zsuzsanna Jakab, Regional Director, World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe

Several other countries have also reported outbreaks which, according to national public health authorities, have caused 31 deaths in Romania, one death in Germany and another in Portugal.

“Every death or disability caused by this vaccine-preventable disease is an unacceptable tragedy,” says Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “We are very concerned that although a safe, effective and affordable vaccine is available, measles remains a leading cause of death among children worldwide, and unfortunately Europe is not spared. Working closely with health authorities in all European affected countries is our priority to control the outbreaks and maintain high vaccination coverage for all sections of the population.”

The Region has been progressing towards measles elimination. A total of 37 countries have interrupted endemic transmission, according to the assessment of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination based on 2015 reporting. However, remaining pockets of low immunisation coverage allow the highly contagious virus to spread among those who choose not to vaccinate, do not have equitable access to vaccines or cannot be protected through vaccination due to underlying health conditions.

In response, several countries are adopting measures, such as school-entry checks, to increase coverage rates for routine vaccinations against measles and other diseases. WHO recommends that every eligible child receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine. It also encourages adults who are not fully immunised, or who are not sure of their immunity status, to get vaccinated.

In line with the Regional Director’s call for intensified efforts, Romania conducted a nationwide campaign of enhanced routine immunisation activities. Italy implemented outbreak control measures including notifying suspected cases, tracing contacts and offering post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccination.

On June 21, 2017 in Rome, Italy, experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe contributed to a consultation with regional public health officials, representatives of the Italian Institute of Health (ISS), and measles and rubella laboratory officials. Together they decided on further strategies to improve vaccination coverage among adolescents, adults, vulnerable population groups and health-care workers. The range of identified activities includes strengthening disease surveillance and communication practices.

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