The Federal Government says that 7.68 million crude oil barrels were either stolen or lost in 2023, urging civil society organisations (CSOs) to focus on significant findings for environmental protections.
Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, NEITI
Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), said this at a CSOs Roundtable, in Abuja on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
The programme was organised by the NEITI in partnership with Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC).
Orji said that there was a 79 per cent drop in the crude oil theft in 2023 compared to 2022.
He urged the gathering to focus on the significant findings in the recently released NEITI 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Reports, where several critical issues call for civil society engagement.
“CSOs should monitor the government’s strategies to combat oil theft and advocate for more robust environmental protections.
“The civil societies have a crucial role in creating forums that include government, private sectors and community groups.
“This is to ensure that the concerns of impacted communities, particularly regarding environmental and social issues are considered in national resource management policies,” he said.
Orji said that CSOs must push for improved revenue collection mechanisms to ensure full value of Nigeria’s oil resources benefits the nation.
He also urged the CSOs to use the report’s environmental data to advocate stronger protections and corporate accountability, particularly in Niger Delta.
He said the CSOs have a crucial role in ensuring that Nigeria’s wealth from natural resources were managed to benefit all citizens, not just a select few.
He said that the CSOs could identify gaps in governance, revenue management and environmental protection in analysing advocacy for policy reform.
“Their issue-based advocacy helps push for legislative reforms that address these challenges.
“A key priority is to ensure that NEITI’s reports, particularly the 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Reports, are used constructively to promote public debate and policy reform.
“While NEITI publishes the reports, it is the duty of civil society to ensure that the data leads to action,” he said.
The executive secretary said that the roundtable was put together to ensure that transparency and accountability lead to tangible policy changes and public welfare improvements.
He said that the NEITI would soon complete its data centre, which would serve as a one-stop shop for extractive sector information, housing all industry reports from 1999-2004 onwards.
“This centre will facilitate public access to data and analysis, enhancing NEITI’s compliance with the EITI Open Data Protocol,” he said.
Orji called on the CSOs to collaborate actively with both urban and rural people to help them share resources and strategies to ensure the voices of all Nigerians were heard.
“The future of Nigeria’s extractive industries depends on the active engagement of civil society.
“With the 2022/2023 NEITI reports providing a roadmap, we stand at a critical juncture.
“Let us seize this opportunity to empower CSOs urban and rural alike to drive the change we seek.”
Dr Erisa Sarki, CSO Representative on the NEITI Board, said that the forum was designed to encourage open dialogue, innovative thinking and actionable steps.
Sarki said that the actionable steps aligned with NEITI’s vision of a Nigeria where extractive resources would benefit all citizens.
The European Union (EU), Germany and Nigeria on Thursday, October 31, 2024, unveiled the third phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s sustainable energy sector.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu
The programme seeks to support the federal government’s effort by fostering investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification.
Speaking at the event, which was also the first NESP III Steering Committee meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, appreciated the EU and Germany for their support.
According to him, attracting more investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, is in accord with the objectives of Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2013, which aims at stabilising the nation’s electricity market.
“The Ministry continues to appreciate the EU and German Government for their continuous support to Nigeria, especially for ensuring energy security in the most affordable and sustainable manner.
“The third phase of the programme is “a welcome idea” that will build on the achievements of NESP Il by attracting more investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency,” Mamman said.
Ms. Inga Stefanoeicz, Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Green and Digital Economy, said the EU would continue to support Nigeria to achieve its energy security plans.
According to her, this will go a long way to achieve a sustainable energy future for the country through the increase of renewables in its electricity mix.
Stefanoeicz said that achieving a cleaner future was the business of all stakeholders, adding that the EU would continue to support the Nigerian government to achieve its energy security plans.
“This is to also achieve a sustainable energy future through the increase of renewables in its electricity mix.
“The EU is pleased to have commissioned an additional funding for the third phase of the programme to continue supporting the development of various frameworks and innovative models.
“The EU is bringing a new landscape to the concept of electricity franchising, attracting renewable energy investments and ensuring reliable power supply to its beneficiaries,” she said.
Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Johannes Lehne, in his remarks, re-affirmed the German government’s commitment to Nigeria toward achieving its energy transition targets.
The envoy added that Germany and its partners would continue to support Nigeria’s set targets in the nation’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP).
“Technologies and investments for renewable energy and energy efficiency will be key for diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix and decarbonising the five critical sectors identified in the Energy Transition Plan (ETP).
“The third phase of NESP was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with 8.9 million Euros in May this year.
“The EU has recently commissioned an additional 9 million Euros, which increases the total budget of the NESP programme to 17.9 million Euros,” he said.
Mr Duke Benjamin, Head of Programme, NESP, noted that active participation of (and collaboration with) the public and private stakeholders were critical to improve availability and reliability of energy in Nigeria.
He said NESP Ill would offer support, ranging from sustainable energy generation for rural communities, healthcare centres and businesses, efficient utilisation of energy, bridging the energy and electricity data gaps.
Benjamin added that it would also strengthen private sector investments and develop the capacities of regulatory agencies and local financial institutions.
“So far, NESP has supported the Nigerian government in creating an enabling environment for local and international investments to thrive in energy efficiency, renewable energy and rural electrification investments.
“These efforts have fostered investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification, as part of NESP’’s framework on in Nigeria,” he said.
The NESP, which was first commissioned in 2013, is a technical assistance programme co-funded by the EU and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The NESP is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Power.
In what looks like a remarkable opening to the 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, the president of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and his counterpart at the World Bank, Ajay Banga, stressed the need for more global action against hunger, a goal slipping further away due to the combined effects of conflict, economic challenges and climate change.
African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (left), and his counterpart at the World Bank, Ajay Banga
The two leaders were guest speakers at the opening plenary on Tuesday, October 29, entitled “Achieving a Hunger-Free World,” at which they reiterated their institutions’ commitments to ending food insecurity in Africa, highlighting innovative partnerships and financial solutions.
“There is nothing more important than feeding the world. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) play an important role in that,” Adesina declared. He stressed the crucial role of international financial institutions in helping achieve this task.
Interviewed by Roger Thurow, senior fellow for global agriculture at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Adesina and Banga discussed the transformative actions from MDBs in meeting Africa’s annual $1.3 trillion development needs.
Giving examples of innovative instruments to stretch balance sheets, Adesina said International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights or SDRs, if channeled through MDBs, could enable them to become leveraging machines, multiplying resources up to eight times.
“And that’s how you recycle capital to do all the things you need. Think of that,” he said.
Banga praised Adesina’s leadership and expressed confidence in joint initiatives like “Mission 300,” an ambitious project to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
“When you want to solve a problem, you work in partnership,” Adesina stated, lauding Banga’s collaborative spirit.
Both leaders highlighted the urgency of engaging Africa’s youth in agriculture. The African Development Bank’s “Enable Youth” programme and the World Bank’s focus on youth employment initiatives, reflect a shared commitment to harnessing Africa’s demographic dividend for agricultural transformation and economic prosperity.
“If we don’t put finance behind young people’s ideas, that’s the biggest risk,” Adesina warned.
The 2024 Borlaug Dialogue, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation, gathers experts worldwide to inspire innovative solutions to global hunger. With this year’s theme, “Seeds of Opportunity, Bridging Generations and Cultivating Diplomacy,” the event champions collaboration, legacy, and hope in the fight for food security.
Adesina also underlined the importance of partnerships such as the G20’s Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty of which the African Development Bank and the World Bank are partnering. The campaign will see SDRs channeled through MDBs to fight hunger. He cited Mission 300, a joint initiative by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030, as another example of MDB cooperation.
Banga stated his confidence in Adesina’s leadership for initiatives like M300: “We have six years to get it done,” he said.
Scale and ecosystems to address climate change and improve farmers’ livelihoods Addressing the topic of climate change and farmers’ livelihoods Banga noted that in Africa, only 4% of global climate financing goes to agriculture.
He stressed the need for scalable solutions to support Africa’s small farmers. “The focus must be on scale and ecosystems,” he said, pointing to the World Bank’s efforts to enhance farmers’ access to energy, internet, and credit guarantees, creating a comprehensive support network.
The World Bank is putting the demographic dividend of Africa’s youth population to the fore by making job creation a specific outcome of all its development work, along six specific pillars, Banga said.
Earlier, Mashal Husain, Chief Operating Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation, said the theme for this year’s Borlaug dialogue: “Seeds of Opportunity, Bridging generations and cultivating diplomacy,” pointed to a world of potential to achieve the goal of ending hunger worldwide.
“That seed represents hope, innovation and courage to dream. This week at the Borlaug Dialogue we are not just talking about the seeds of opportunity. We are planting them,” Husain said.
Adesina’s engagements at the Borlaug Dialogue include the Africa Agriculture Dialogue, engagements with the presidents of Sierra Leone and Tanzania and addressing Global Youth Institute Students and Youth Program Alumni. He will also moderate a high-Level panel Discussion on Thursday, October 31, entitled: “Bold Measures to Feed Africa”.
The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation friend of the month is Lieutenant-Colonel Amandine Gnido Assogba Deleke, the current EPI focal point for Benin, and a doctor (PhD) in conservation ecology and professionally, the Director of Wildlife, Biodiversity, and Nature Conservation (DFBCN) at the Direction Générale des Eaux, Forêts et Chasse du Bénin (DGEFC). Benin has been a member of the Elephant Protection Initiative since 2020
A portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Amandine Gnido Assogba Deleke
Please introduce yourself briefly, telling us what you do professionally.
My name is Amandine Gnido Assogba Deleke, the current EPI focal point for Benin. I am a doctor (PhD) in conservation ecology and, professionally; the Director of Wildlife, Biodiversity, and Nature Conservation (DFBCN) at the Direction Générale des Eaux, Forêts et Chasse du Bénin (DGEFC).
The Technical Directorate that I head helps to achieve the objectives of the DGEFC by promoting and implementing biodiversity conservation strategies in collaboration with other specialist bodies (Forest Inspectorate, Universities, Civil Society Organisations, NGOs, etc.); organising the rational management of vegetation fires; proposing strategies and plans for safeguarding protected areas, including marine areas and wetlands; and monitoring and capitalising on the results of wildlife reserve management.
We are responsible for ensuring compliance with procedures and standards for the exploitation of natural resources; for ensuring compliance with measures, standards, and procedures for the import of species of fauna and flora and derived forest products; for participating in the promotion of improved production systems and the conservation management of water and soil; and for monitoring the implementation of activities relating to the Convention on International Trade in endangered species of Flora and Fauna. As a forester, I am very attached to social forestry and the participatory processes implemented in the various classified forests in Benin.
Tell us about your background and the influence it has had on your passion for wild flora, fauna and conservation.
I was born in Natitingou, in the northwest of Benin, Zou Department, in the city of Abomey. I’m naturally passionate about nature, thanks to my father, who loved sport hunting and travelling as a primary school inspector at the time. It was my father who instilled in me the love I have for flora and fauna. This was reinforced by my academic and professional career. After graduating as a forestry engineer, I was admitted to the Water, Forestry, and Hunting Corps. A few years later, I obtained a professional master’s degree in Natural Resource and Biodiversity Management and then a doctorate in ecology and species conservation at the UAC in 2018.
My professional career in water, forestry, and hunting has given me an understanding of many aspects of working life in relation to the environment and, more specifically, natural resource management. Haven’t you noticed that the environment is being disrupted by its daily degradation? We are witnessing an increasing loss of biodiversity. If nothing is done, future generations will hardly know about some of the key wild species that make up this world, and that is the motivation driving my career in wildlife conservation and the fight against wildlife crime.
What are your most memorable experiences of working to protect endangered wildlife species, especially elephants?
One of the most memorable moments of my career was the day I fulfilled my duty as a good citizen by applying the regulations in force to illegal holders of timber from endangered native species such as Pterocarpus erinaceus and Afzelia africana, for which my then Minister, Juliette Biau Koudenoukpo, congratulated me. I also helped to seize a large shipment of elephant ivory from one of our parks, shark fins, Pandinus imperator scorpions, and crowned cranes, destined to be sold illegally. It was a complex and risky operation, but the coordination between non-governmental organisations and the local community enabled us to stop this trafficking. Seeing the concrete results of our efforts and knowing that we had saved many animal lives was a deeply satisfying experience.
Despite the many efforts made to protect the elephant, its safety and the restoration of its habitat remain under threat from poaching. The strategy drawn up in 2025 for the conservation of this emblematic animal has set itself five objectives, namely:
• To know the elephant populations;
• To set up an effective system for monitoring the species’ vital areas and migration corridors;
• To promote management systems that ensure the growth of Benin’s elephant populations;
• To strengthen regional and international cooperation on the management of the species; and
• To develop the capacity of stakeholders for the sustainable management of elephant populations, their habitats, and their migration corridors.
The efforts made by EPIF since 2020 in Benin, coupled with national protected area management measures, have certainly contributed to the growth and stabilisation of the elephant population, even though deplorable acts of poaching have been recorded in recent months.
During your tenure, you have been at the forefront of research and policy aimed at creating healthy, balanced, self-generating communities where animals and people live in harmony. What is closest to your heart and why? Tell us more.
What’s closest to my heart and motivates me in species conservation is my desire to protect the environment and make a difference in the world. I’m passionate about nature, and protecting the environment is one of Benin government’s major concerns. For example, Benin’s coastal zone is home to significant biodiversity, and this diversity is much more concentrated in the protected areas, with threats to their conservation.
These threats include the spread of vegetation fires, extensive livestock farming, the abusive extraction of woody stands, the practice of transhumance characterised by overgrazing, the spraying of pesticides, the intensification of poaching activities, and agricultural expansion. These factors are compounded by climate change and an inappropriate institutional and regulatory framework.
In your experience of coordinating conservation projects in Benin, what obstacles have you come up against at community or social level when it comes to protecting the African elephant?
Difficulties in implementing policies and strategies for the conservation of natural ecosystems and the lack of funding for the management of human-elephant conflicts. In addition, there is a lack of appropriate equipment to meet the complex challenges of monitoring and combating wildlife crime.
On a personal level, what are your dreams and ambitions for the conservation of Benin’s ecosystems?
There are many of them. For example:
• The conservation of all of Benin’s biodiversity in a system of wildlife reserves; effective and efficient management of wildlife reserves;
• The search for sustainable funding for wildlife reserves and their judicious use; and,
• The efficient implementation of sustainable conservation strategies throughout the country.
Massive investment in tertiary institutions of technologies by way of provision of subsidised credit from National Development Banks and other measures will go a long way in improving Nigeria’s technology drive towards attaining sustainable development.
Dignitaries at the 33rd National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the National Environmental Society (NES)
Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law, made this submission on Wednesday, October 30, in his keynote address at the 33rd National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the National Environmental Society (NES), tagged “Eko 2024”.
Prof. Fagbohun who is also a former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), noted that, to make this achievable, government must provide reliable and affordable electricity, substantial investment in infrastructure, public guarantees of risk insurance incentives that can lower upfront costs, such as subsidies, rents, green bonds with preferential rates, policy consistency over the long term, and also deliberately remove barriers improving coordination and abiding related policies.
According to him, the event, themed “Environmental Resource Management, Conservation and Protection in the Global Emerging, Innovative Technology for Sustainable Development”, reflects the present challenges and opportunities of our time.
In his remarks, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, lauded the NES for its efforts in environmental protection, sustainable development and the advancement of environmental professionalism within Nigeria and beyond.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), disclosed that “this year’s theme is highly relevant to our current reality because It’s a call to responsibly manage and protect natural resources using advanced technology to achieve sustainable development. Today, the need for Environmental Resource Management, conservation and protection has become urgent and complex as populations grow and industrial activities increase, and natural resources face unprecedented pressures, and therefore responsible management of these resources is essential.
“Lagos is 0.1% of the landmarks of the entire country and 10% of the population of the entire country lives here. It’s 3500 square kilometres, 20% of that is water. Therefore, the Lagos state government takes environmental matters very seriously, as it has no choice but to do so, the approach requires strategic planning, intentional stewardship and a commitment to practices that balance human needs with ecosystem health, ensuring these resources remain vibrant and available for future generations. Other administration, Lagos State has made significant strides in advancing environmental sustainability and setting new standards for urban resilience across Africa.
“Facing the challenges of rapid organization and climate change, we are committed to innovative policies and strategic programs that aim to build a cleaner, greener and more sustainable lakes. Our first major area of focus has been waste management through the Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA), we have expanded waste collection efforts, launched the Blue Box Recycling Initiative, and implemented Waste to Energy Buildings. These initiatives are reducing our reliance on landfills and fostering a circular economy that benefits both the environment and our people.
“Lagos is also proud to be one of the few African cities with a climate action plan. For those who don’t know, we have also launched action plan in the middle of this year, and it is aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050, this ambitious plan includes clean public transportation, renewable energy development and sustainable urban Planning, all of which reflect our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
“Additionally, we have prioritized greening and reforestation efforts, planting thousand trees annually and encouraging citizens to participate through initiatives like one house one tree programme, these efforts are essential for improving air quality and reducing urban heat, both crucial for the well-being of our communities. Recognising our vulnerability to flooding, we have also invested significantly in sustainable drainage systems and shoreline protection to better manage water and reduce flood risks. Equally important is our commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability through public awareness campaigns such as the cleaner Lagos, initiated by engaging residents, schools and businesses in environment stewardship among others.”
In his submission, Dr Efegbidiki Okobia, National President, National Environmental Society (NES), stressed that the 33rd National Conference and Annual General is aimed at bringing environmental consciousness and sustainable projects into the fore.
He, however, charged all stakeholders to join hands with NES in maintaining its position as the foremost environmental watchdog in Nigeria.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Dr. Eugene Ituah, Prof. Babajide Alo, Dr (Mrs) Mfon Usoro, Dr. Dorothy Bassey and representatives from states across the country, among others.
The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) on Thursday, October 31, 2024, unveiled critical findings from its three-year initiative, the “Putting Countries Back on the Path to Sustainable Development Goals” (Back-on-Track) project.
Dr Estella Waiguru, Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health, ministry of health gave remarks when she represented Dr Edward Serem, head of the division
The project, supported by the UK-based Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), aims to realign Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) targets, focused on promoting health and well-being.
The event, themed “State of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Progress in Kenya,” convened leaders in public health, policy, and development at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Nairobi to discuss innovative solutions to scale up MNCH services.
AFIDEP’s Back-on-Track project employs rigorous data analysis and evidence-based methodologies to map Kenya’s maternal and child healthcare progress and challenges. Leveraging a combination of Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Geographic Information System data, and stakeholder insights, the project evaluated critical indicators like child immunisation rates, antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and modern contraception usage among women (including sexually active adolescent girls and young women). These findings spotlight urgent areas for action to ensure accessible, quality healthcare services for mothers, newborns, and children across Kenya.
Dr. Michael Chipeta, the project lead, explained: “Back-on-Track builds a data-driven roadmap of essential interventions that can truly transform lives on a large scale. By prioritising the availability, accessibility, quality, and utilisation of MNCH services, we aim to address critical challenges in Kenya and drive meaningful progress toward achieving SDG 3.”
The project’s findings underscore the profound impact of COVID-19 on MNCH service accessibility and utilisation. While national child immunisation coverage remained largely resilient, eight counties experienced a significant decline in antenatal care visits, and several saw decreases in skilled birth attendance. These disparities underscore the need for more resilient health systems that can withstand future crises. The research indicates substantial variations in maternal and child healthcare access at sub-national levels, with disruptions most prominent in underserved regions across Kenya.
Dr. Edward Serem, Head Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health at the Ministry of Health, noted: “The Back-on-Track project aligns closely with Kenya’s health priorities and provides us with clear evidence on where our focus needs to be – particularly in areas like maternal mortality, child vaccination coverage, and reproductive health services. As we move closer to 2030, achieving SDG 3 is urgent, and these insights are invaluable for aligning our health programmes with these goals.”
AFIDEP’s findings reveal a mix of achievements and areas needing critical attention. Kenya is on track to meet SDG 3 targets in neonatal and under-five mortality reduction, skilled birth attendance, and family planning demand satisfied through modern contraceptives. However, reaching targets in maternal mortality, basic vaccination coverage, and antenatal care remains a challenge.
Dr. Serem emphasised the importance of robust data collection, stating: “Effective health interventions are built on accurate, timely data that reflects realities on the ground. This evidence strengthens our ability to enact impactful, life-saving policies.”
In reproductive health, modern contraceptive usage has seen notable progress, with demand for family planning satisfied increasing to nearly 75% by 2022, and several counties surpassing national average. Yet, disparities persist, particularly in rural and underserved areas, stressing the importance of targeted initiatives to bridge these gaps and guarantee equitable access to reproductive health services.
AFIDEP’s findings identify systemic challenges within Kenya’s health sector, particularly around funding shortfalls and data quality. Despite increased investment in MNCH, Kenya’s health sector funding remains below the 15% target established in the Abuja Declaration, with only 9% of the national budget allocated to healthcare. Additionally, data collection remains inconsistent, and healthcare utilisation is still below SDG targets in key MNCH indicators. AFIDEP advocates for improved data systems, digital tools, and increased funding to strengthen Kenya’s health sector, among others.
Dr. Chipeta highlighted that this project reinforces AFIDEP’s commitment to bridging research, policy, and practice. “With the insights gained from the Back-on-Track project, we aim to empower public institutions to implement evidence-driven policies that foster sustainable improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health.”
Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of the African Group of Negotiators, Amb. Ali Mohamed, has reiterated the urgent call for a need-based climate finance framework to support adaptation initiatives ahead of the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Ali Mohamed, Chair, African Group of Negotiators (AGN)
Speaking when he received the position document of Kenyan Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in his office in Nairobi on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Amb. Mohamed noted that the Baku summit “is a very important COP, and we hope it will deliver on the finance mandate”. He said climate action relies on funding, and that all mitigation and adaptation ambitions need to be matched with the needed means of implementation.
“Kenya, which chairs the African Group of Negotiators, will speak on behalf of the continent, and it is important that CSOs support the lead country and speak on behalf of Africa as well,” said Amb. Mohamed. “The climate crisis is a major concern for the whole of the continent, and Kenya in particular. Climate-induced vagaries continue to afflict us, from floods and severe drought cycles to damage to infrastructure that bleeds the economy. This, of course, is worsening Africa’s debt crisis, which is why the conversation on New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) is crucial for us.”
A team from the Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (PACJA-Kenya), which presented the position statement on behalf of Kenyan CSOs, urged global leaders to prioritise financing mechanisms that empower grassroots climate action, particularly in vulnerable African communities, to address the escalating impacts of climate change.
The Kenyan CSOs noted that COP29, which has come to be referred to as the “Climate Finance COP”, presents a unique opportunity to reshape global climate finance policies, moving beyond past financial commitments toward a robust framework that directly supports adaptation and resilience efforts in developing nations. With urgent emphasis on community-level initiatives, Kenya’s civil society is advocating for a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) that centres the needs of marginalised populations – including women, youth, and Indigenous groups – who are at the forefront of climate adaptation efforts.
Amb. Mohammed urged the CSOs to use their grassroots representation advantage to highlight the impacts of the climate crisis on communities. He reiterated that the inaugural African Climate Summit, held in Nairobi under the leadership of President William Ruto in 2023, declared that Africa has the resources and capacity to take charge of its common climate future, and that negotiations at the global stage must shift from the culture of handouts and tokenism to that of development and growth.
Key Issues Highlighted by Kenyan Civil Society Organisations
1. Climate Finance Realignment for Sustainable Development: Kenyan CSOs are calling for an NCQG that directs climate finance to people-centred initiatives. These funds should primarily come from public sources and be accessible to communities without burdening developing nations with additional debt. “Climate finance must be new and additional, with mechanisms that reduce intermediaries and enhance accountability to ensure funds reach those most in need,” stated Ms Faith Ngige, the national coordinator, Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (PACJA-Kenya).
2. Urgent Investment in Adaptation and Resilience:
With an estimated $6 trillion required to fund developing nations’ climate action plans by 2030, and Africa alone needing over $3 trillion, Kenyan CSOs are urging global leaders to allocate 50% of all climate finance towards adaptation and resilience initiatives. This funding will empower local communities to lead adaptation efforts, ensuring resources are channelled to address the disproportionate climate impacts felt by African nations.
3. Enhanced Support for Locally Led Climate Actions:
The CSOs are calling for direct funding pipelines to rural and indigenous populations. Locally led solutions, particularly in sectors such as sustainable agriculture, waste management, and renewable energy, leverage local knowledge and strengthen community resilience against climate impacts. This approach fosters equitable development and reduces social instability stemming from climate-related resource conflicts.
4. Equitable Global Climate Governance and Accountability:
Kenyan CSOs are emphasizing the need for an inclusive approach to climate governance, ensuring that developing nations have a seat at the table in shaping global climate policies. The Kenyan delegation urged COP29 to establish accountability mechanisms that enforce climate commitments and protect the most vulnerable communities, with a focus on justice, transparency, and equitable outcomes.
Roadmap to COP29: Key Recommendations from Kenyan CSOs
In the lead-up to COP29, Kenyan CSOs outlined a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at fostering climate justice and equity:
1. Implementing a Need-Based NCQG to support transformative, people- centred climate actions, particularly for marginalised communities, and reduce dependency on high-interest private loans.
2. Prioritising Adaptation Financing to safeguard vulnerable populations, advocating that half of all climate funds focus on adaptation.
3. Accelerating Renewable Energy Adoption to support clean, people- centred energy solutions that reduce emissions, create green jobs, and drive sustainable development.
4. Strengthening Nature-Based Solutions to tackle biodiversity loss and climate impacts, with an emphasis on community involvement in conservation and restoration efforts.
5. Fostering Inclusivity and a Rights-Based Approach to climate action that protects Indigenous rights, promotes gender equity, and enhances local decision-making.
A Call for Collective Action
Amb. Mohamed expressed his support for the CSOs’ plan to champion the “Keep Your Promise Campaign” at COP29, urging global actors to honour their commitments and adopt an NCQG that empowers grassroots climate action. This framework will support local solutions and contribute to a just and resilient future for Africa and the world.
Sustainable lifestyles, green-tech innovation, and government-led transformation each offer promising routes to make significant progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The team of researchers examined how these strategies could transform consumption and production across different sectors, identifying both benefits and trade-offs for enhancing human well-being within planetary boundaries. Contrary to the belief that the path to sustainable development is increasingly out of reach, the results show that humankind has a variety of pathways to depart from its current unsustainable trajectory.
“Sustainable development pathways are strategies that prevent dangerous climate change while at the same time moving towards a world that allows people to prosper on a healthy planet,” explains Bjoern Soergel, scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK and lead author of the study published in Environmental Research Letters. This is the essence of the 17 SDGs agreed by the United Nations in 2015.
“Our analysis shows that all three sustainable development pathways are far more effective than our current ‘business as usual’. They drive substantial progress towards the SDGs, for example reducing the number of people in extreme poverty by two thirds until 2030 and to virtually zero in 2050. They also curb global warming and avert further degradation of the environment. Importantly, they also avoid the unintended side effects of simplistic climate protection strategies, such as relying heavily on bioenergy or carbon capture and storage without taking into account potential conflicts with food production or public acceptance,” adds Soergel.
Three powerful ways to accelerate sustainable development
In the study, the scientists look at three possible pathways to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals used by governments, companies, and NGOs worldwide to guide action towards a sustainable and just future. The study is the first to systematically compare such different sustainable development pathways, analysing results from four models: two integrated assessment models of the global energy, economy, land and climate system and two models focused on the global buildings and materials sectors, respectively.
“All scenarios we looked into share the same set of goals, but the question is how to get there,” explains Isabelle Weindl, PIK scientist and co-author of the study. She points out that all the pathways examined in the study stand out in their own way. “For example, the sustainable lifestyle pathway includes a rapid shift towards a flexitarian, largely plant-based nutrition, which is known to also have substantial benefits for human health.”
This pathway would further include a reduction of global final energy use per capita of around 40% by 2050, with wealthier countries contributing the largest share to decrease energy inequality. Such changes might pose challenges in terms of how realistic they are for people to adopt, the researchers point out.
However, they would also come with large benefits, as Soergel adds: “The sustainable lifestyle pathway has the lowest reliance on unproven technologies and the most positive outcomes for biodiversity and climate protection.”
The other pathways foresee a more gradual change in diets and energy consumption but assume more rapid innovation in green technologies or greater orchestration of system-wide changes by governments, which each comes with their own challenges.
“Even though the pathways differ in what they emphasise, they all can deliver,” says Elmar Kriegler, Head of the research department Transformation Pathways at PIK and co-author of the study. “This is important because the path to sustainable development is often narrowed to individual worldviews, making it more difficult to find common ground to embark on this journey.”
He concludes: “If we stick to our current trajectory, none of the SDGs will be achieved. By 2030, 660 million people could still be living in extreme poverty, and environmental crises like biodiversity loss and global warming will only get worse. So, it is clear we must act now. We can still choose which sustainable path to pursue but ignoring them is no longer an option.”
Throughout history, human survival has greatly depended on sourcing, preparing, and consuming different kinds of food. Food is the third basic need of man after air and water. It supplies our bodies with nutrients for growth, tissue repair, maintenance, and the regulation of vital processes.
Bukola Olukemi-Odele
Food is not just for nourishment; it is also an integral part of our cultural heritage and national identity. It is a social lubricant that promotes bonding amongst people regardless of diversity, fostering interpersonal relationships and contributing to community and nation-building. Considering the pivotal role food plays across the globe, issues pertaining to it must be addressed carefully.
Traditionally, food was largely produced by local farmers, prepared from scratch and freshly consumed at home. However, with the advent of technology and the proliferation of industries, came the urbanisation of diets accompanied by an increased burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases.
In recent times, food production has gradually been hijacked by the food industry, a complex, global network of diverse businesses that supplies most of the food consumed by the world’s population. This has led to increased production and sales of ultra-processed foods and the introduction of genetically modified foods.
Consequently, there is now a corresponding shift in dietary patterns from traditional grains, dairy, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits towards foreign, ultra-processed and convenience foods characterized with low nutritive value and often high in salts/sodium, sugars and fats. The majority of these highly processed foods are relatively cheap, readily available, and marketed by big food companies, the private sector, and small and medium enterprises to influence the dietary preferences of a critical segment of the population – children, adolescents and young adults.
A major pathway through which some food industries increase demand for their products is “fortification”. Fortification involves the enhancement of widely consumed staples with vitamins and minerals to deliver nutritional benefits with minimal or no health risks and address micronutrient deficiencies within a target population.
As much as this public health initiative is intended for the public good, evidence abounds that the adoption of fortification by food industries especially in Nigeria is done to increase demand, drive sales and enhance profit accumulation. In Nigeria, one of the most pressing issues surrounding the practice of fortification and its promotion is the misleading marketing strategies frequently deployed to promote these products.
Manufacturers tend to exaggerate and embellish the purported advantages of fortified foods, consequently, leading unsuspecting consumers to harbour the misguided belief that these items are significantly healthier than they truly are. Sometimes, they amplify the presence of a micronutrient as a halo effect to cover the health risks associated with other ingredients added to increase the shelf life or palatability of the heavily processed product.
This health halo effect has been deployed in the advertisement of products like bouillon cubes (commonly called stock or seasoning cubes) and breakfast beverages to sway consumers towards unhealthy choices, showcasing these products as nutritious and fortified with one or more micronutrients and in the same vein, concealing the dangerous amounts of salts, sugars or chemical additives, that could trigger the risks of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, amongst others.
Most of these fortified foods frequently claim to be miracle workers for health or remedies for nutritional gaps. These advertisement gimmicks can be curbed by the enforcement of warning labels on processed and prepackaged foods.
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that overconsumption of fortified foods can lead to serious repercussions for public health. When consumers ingest quantities of a specific nutrient through different channels such as government-led supplementation programmes and industry-led fortification exercises, that exceeds their body’s requirements, the consequences can manifest in a variety of adverse health effects.
For instance, an excessive intake of iron can lead to stomach upset, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, ulcers and diarrhoea. Similarly, an overabundance of vitamin A can trigger hypervitaminosis A, a condition known to cause liver damage and a range of other significant health issues that could further complicate the present health and nutrition crisis in the country.
To safeguard public health and curb the rise of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) should discourage the use of unhealthy ultra-processed food products such as bouillon as vehicles for fortification as this has the potential to increase the intake of sodium and the burden of high blood pressure.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must collaborate to implement nutrient profile models and enforce front-of-pack warning labels, marketing and advertisement regulations that align with global best practices to protect citizens from straying towards unhealthy dietary choices as well as curb the potential effects of misleading nutrition and health claims made by industries.
The enforcement of mandatory salt targets alongside the aforementioned public health strategies should be implemented before considering industry-led nutrition initiatives such as the fortification of bouillon cubes and other ultra-processed foods. All relevant MDAs responsible for safeguarding health, improving nutrition outcomes and protecting consumers must improve collaboration, coordinate efforts and align all policy decisions and interventions with the country’s public health and social development goals.
More importantly, there should be close communication and intra-collaboration within the various units of these MDAs, as working in silos could lead one department to approve and implement interventions that inadvertently undermine the goals and efforts of another department within the same government body.
By Bukola Olukemi-Odele, food scientist, Programme Officer, Sodium Reduction, at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
The Federal Ministry of Health has released findings from its first Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, highlighting severe impact of climate change on the nation’s health sector.
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare
Conducted between January and July 2024 and supported by UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the assessment projected a 21-per-cent increase in disease burden, with northern states facing the highest risk due to extreme climate vulnerabilities.
In an interview on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in Abuja, Godwin Brooks, the Director of Climate Change and Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said “climate change is set to heighten health risks across all regions of Nigeria.”
Brooks added that northern states such as Kebbi, Zamfara and Yobe are especially vulnerable, while southern states are also experiencing escalating risks.
He highlighted the potential doubling of heat-related deaths by 2080, with rising temperatures, possibly up to +3°C, expected to worsen conditions for vector-borne diseases.
He explained that increased rainfall is likely to fuel waterborne diseases, with diarrheal deaths in children under 15 projected to contribute to nearly 10 per cent of such fatalities.
He said that coastal areas face greater flooding risks due to rising sea levels, affecting hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.
He added that “this exposure is likely to alter the spread of infectious diseases, impacting health systems across the nation.
“Findings from the Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment are now forming the foundation of Nigeria’s first Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP).
“The plan will guide strategies to strengthen healthcare resilience and enhance response capacity for the evolving climate-related health challenges.”
He, therefore, called for swift government action and underscored the importance of community-driven adaptation measures, especially in high-risk regions.
He said that “with increased risks anticipated across the country, Nigeria’s health system must adapt to a ‘new normal’, where climate change continuously shapes the health landscape.”
According to Ideas.repec.org, climate change poses significant challenges worldwide, with human activities directly and indirectly affecting health.
In Nigeria, the impacts are especially severe due to high vulnerability and limited capacity to adapt.
Research on the health effects of climate change in Nigeria is limited, motivating study to investigate these impacts.
Findings indicate that climate change contributes to increased health risks from rising temperatures, rainfall, sea level rise, and extreme weather.
Key health risks identified include meningitis, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders among the elderly, skin cancer, malaria, high blood pressure and morbidity.
The study urges government to raise awareness of climate-related health risks, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women, children and rural communities.
