Leading shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine and technology builders and suppliers, big data providers, and oil companies have signed up to a new Global Industry Alliance (GIA) to support transitioning shipping and its related industries towards a low carbon future.
Participants at the launch ceremony of the Global Industry Alliance
Thirteen companies have signed up to launch the GIA, under the auspices of the GloMEEP Project, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-International Maritime Organisation (IMO) project aimed at supporting developing countries in the implementation of energy efficiency measures for shipping.
Together, the GIA partners will collectively identify and develop innovative solutions to address common barriers to the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures. Focusing on a number of priority areas including energy efficiency technologies and operational best practices, alternative fuels, and digitalisation, activities likely to be undertaken or promoted by the Alliance will include, inter alia: research and development; showcasing of advances in technology development and positive initiatives by the maritime sector; industry fora to encourage a global industry dialogue; and the implementation of capacity building and information exchange activities.
The GIA was officially inaugurated on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at a launch ceremony held at the headquarters of the IMO, the United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. The launch was held in London, United Kingdom at the margins of the first meeting of the IMO Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships.
In his GIA launch speech, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the new alliance would help shipping to make its contribution towards greenhouse gas reduction and the mitigation of climate change, a key target for the United Nations under its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“What we are witnessing today is the formal start of a tried and tested partnership concept which has the potential to boost still further our efforts to kick-start the change that society demands and create a firm, tangible basis to transform the shipping sector for the better,” Mr Lim said.
“Under this new public-private partnership initiative, these ‘industry champions’, which come from different sectors of the industry and may have different business strategies within the same sector, are coming together to contribute to tackling the challenges of decarbonising the shipping sector.”
Following the announcement by the GloMEEP Project of its intention to establish the GIA, thirteen companies have agreed to become the founding members of the GIA, although it is expected that more companies may join the GIA even after the launch.
The 13 members that have formally committed to joining the alliance are: ABB Engineering (Shanghai) Ltd.; DNV GL SE; Lloyd’s Register EMEA; MarineTraffic; MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.; Ricardo UK Ltd; Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited; Silverstream Technologies; Stena AB; Total Marine Fuels Pte Ltd; Wärtsilä Corporation; and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.
The companies are said to be supporting the overall goals of the GIA by providing their expertise and know-how in the area of maritime fuel efficiency, as well as contributing financially towards the GIA Fund from which GIA activities will be funded.
Following the official GIA launch, the first GIA Task Force meeting was convened to discuss work modalities and kick-off the GIA work.
The Cross River State Government has some explanation to do regarding a handful of fauna it claims in the proposed Superhighway Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report exists within its confines.
Contrary to claims by the Cross River State Government in the proposed Superhighway’s EIA, the roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway) is not found in Nigeria. Photo credit: Sébastien Meys, La Palmyre Zoo
In a move that appear to call the authenticity of the report to question, the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEv) has categorically stated that such wildlife do not exist in Cross River State – some not even in Nigeria – and therefore wants state officials to address such queries in the updated report that is expected to be submitted in two weeks.
For instance government explained that the Bunbundi bat (Chalinolobus egeria) has not been recorded from Cross River and the pitch shrew (Crocidura picea) has only ever been recorded from Cameroon.
Additionally, noted the FMEv, while the long footed shrew (Crocidura crenata) has not been recorded from Nigeria, the Eisentraut’s mouse shrew (Myosorex eisentrauti) is only found on the island of Bioko.
Similarly, the forest chameleon (Chamaeleo camurunensis) – assumed to be Trioseros camerunensis is restricted to Cameroon, while the Cameroon worm lizard (Cynisca shaeferi) has not been recorded from Nigeria.
Furthermore, both the Schneider’s banana frog (Afrixalus Schneider) and the Dizangue reed frog (Hyperrolius bopeleti) have only ever been recorded from Cameroon.
Also mentioned were the Werner’s river frog (Phrynobatrachus werneri) which FMEv officials say has only been recorded in Nigeria from the Obudu Plateau, and the worm lizard (Cynisca gansi), which is said to have only ever been recorded from Okoloma village near PortHarcourt.
The FMEv wrote: “Many of the species listed in Table 6.1 such as the Indian Malimba, Sclater’s guenon and the Anambra waxbill are not present in Cross River State, though known from Nigeria.
“Appendix A2 is clearly not the work of PGM Nigeria Limited and has merely been copied from elsewhere. This is unacceptable. The list contains many species not known from Cross River such as the Niger Delta red colobus monkey (Procolobus epieni); others such as the roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway) are not found in Nigeria and some are not even known from Africa such as the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbaeianus).
“There is no hedgehog (Erinaceus or Atelerix) (listed on Table 4.56) found in the rainforests of Cross River State; it likely confused with the brush-tailed porcupine.
“Table 4.60 lists threatened mammal species, but Cercopithecus erythrogaster is not found in Cross River and Cercopithecus roloway is not found in Nigeria.”
Designed to link Calabar, the state capital, to the neighboring Benue State, the $3.5 billion Superhighway will pass through biodiversity rich forests in the Ekuri community as well as the Cross River National Park (CRNP), a development observers feel will have far reaching implications for thousands of families and their livelihoods, as well as flora and fauna.
Speaking at the 9th Africa Carbon Forum in Cotonou, Benin, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa, said that the Paris Climate Change Agreement can be a catalyst for transformative change across Africa, given that Africa’s climate action plans under the agreement are blueprints for attracting private sector investment. She added that integrated action on climate change and sustainable development opens vast potential for social and economic gains
Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa, speaking at the 9th Africa Carbon Forum in Cotonou, Benin
This is the first Africa Carbon Forum since the Paris Climate Change Agreement entered into force last November just before the UN climate change conference in Marrakech. This united the world in action on climate change.
To date, 151 nations have ratified the Paris Agreement, being Togo the latest country to do so just yesterday. I would like to therefore congratulate the delegates of Togo for this commitment and to thank them. It is very exciting. There is unprecedented political will to meet the climate challenge. The era of implementation has begun.
This alone should spark the country-level policy that points development towards lower emissions and higher resilience. But there are several more reasons why every nation should move quickly towards this new and dynamic model of development.
First, in 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals were agreed, as were the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Addis Ababa Action Agenda for financing sustainable development. Together, these landmark agreements set an agenda and – along with the Paris Agreement – provide a framework for implementation.
This sustainable development agenda is incredibly important. Action towards sustainable development ensures people’s needs are met as the population swells – basic needs such as food water and energy. And needs that keep societies healthy and strong, such as public health, education, economic opportunity and equality for women and girls.
Honorable ministers, climate action is squarely at the centre of sustainable development as action on sustainable development is at the centre of climate.
The enabling frameworks, including support to developing countries to achieve their Paris Agreement plans, are key for scaling-up ambition at speed and at scale across nations, economies and sectors. This in turn will deliver benefits to every community in every country.
This brings me to the second reason why we must urgently implement the Paris Agreement – integrated action on climate change and sustainable development opens vast potential for social and economic gains, while protecting the one planet we share and depend on.
The OECD Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth report says that ‘bringing together the growth and climate agendas’ could lift 2050 output by up to 2.8 percent in G20 countries.
And the Better Business Better World report says that an integrated approach to implementation can unlock $12 trillion or more in economic opportunity. This opportunity would present itself in particular in the sectors that are in focus for this Africa Carbon Forum: energy, agriculture and cities. The advantages of moving quickly on implementation are waiting for those who take the lead.
Forward thinking investors and companies and governments at all levels – cities and states in addition to nations – are aligning with the principles agrees in Paris.
This alignment to a multilateral agreement by all actors is truly unprecedented in the history of multilateralism.
This is the third reason the Paris Agreement must be a catalyst for transformative change – across Africa and the entire world. The risk is recognised. The opportunity is clear. And the momentum is growing. In fact, it is accelerating.
In April, UN Environment released their annual renewable energy assessment, which showed that in 2016 new renewable power capacity installed world-wide was up 8 percent as costs continued to fall.
The growing global share of clean energy was cited by the International Energy Agency as one reason why greenhouse gas emissions have stayed flat for three years while global economic growth grew by more than 3 percent.
Oil and gas is also on board. Saudi Arabia announced a $50 billion push to develop renewables; the head of OPEC confirmed support for the Paris Agreement and Exxon shareholders recently voted to review climate-related risks.
In finance – green bonds, carbon risk disclosure and the environmental, social, and corporate governance principles are promoting long-term prosperity.
In businesses – sustainable supply chains, efficient operations and clean energy, all make a real, bottom-line difference at a moment when consumers want responsibility.
This momentum is apparent in our growing understanding of the economic and human value of “soft-infrastructure” – the world’s forests, soils and agricultural systems.
We see this momentum right here in Africa.
From last year’s COP 22 in Marrakesh, in a country where they are building one of the world’s largest solar power plants and where women are harvesting fog to adapt to a climate change – a project we recognised this past year through the Momentum for Change awards. To South Africa, where the work plan for the Paris Agreement was set… and all points in between, we see action.
The African Risk Capacity agency of the African Union is facilitating risk management that is both cost efficient and responsive to people’s needs. Solar Sisters – another Momentum for Change recognised project – is empowering women to lead in the renewables revolution. And determining the human and economic value of the Mau forest complex in Kenya was a crucial step in its sustainable management.
The momentum is here. Yet to truly rise to the challenge, there must be more.
Africa will see explosive growth through to the middle of the century. Not only that. Africa IS one of the most important engines for growth worldwide in the coming years, with is wealth in natural resources and young, thriving, creative population. African people are at the core of this growth. But the growth needs to be shaped on the basis of related climate and sustainable development criteria.
Implementation of the Paris Agreement is the foundation for stability, for security and prosperity as the population grows to nine billion people or more by 2050. It is food and water and energy for everyone. It is good jobs. It is the foundation for building sustainable, resilient communities powered by clean, renewable energy.
This is crucial for megacities like Lagos, just down the coast, which is set to double in population by mid-century. It is crucial for Cotonou here in Benin. And it is crucial for every community on the continent – in the Sahel, in Southern Africa and in all the vulnerable communities and places already hit by climate impacts.
Climate and sustainability action delivers on the promise of Paris – the promise of a future where opportunity is open to all and peace and prosperity flourish. It is a vision of a world where growth and development does not come at the expense of other people, the planet we share or future generations.
We must move forward towards that vision together.
The Paris Agreement was made stronger last year in Marrakech. It will be made stronger still this November in Bonn, where the Government of Fiji – a small island developing state – will preside over the UN climate change conference with the support of Germany, a shining example of cooperation.
Today, I encourage you all to make the Paris Agreement stronger still by accelerating implementation in your own countries.
The Paris Climate Change Agreement can be catalyst for transformative change across Africa, given that Africa’s climate action plans under the agreement are blueprints for attracting private sector investment and pushing forward rather than backwards. This is our best bet for securing support and firing up the multitrillion dollar transition.
In this transition, serious decisions on carbon pricing must be taken. Carbon pricing reinforces the full realisation of the nationally determined contributions and is an essential key for a strong, real, useful implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The UN climate change secretariat remains committed ensuring that developing countries in Africa and beyond are well supported as agreed by developed countries, regional banks and others. This is why I have put forward a vision for the Secretariat to engage individually with all of you to facilitate interactions, partnerships with other UN agencies, the private sector, financial institutions, among others, in order to fully realise the implementation phase that we have recognised.
As you know, the Secretariat is in a transitional moment – just as we all are. For the full content of the Paris Agreement to impact our societies and catalyse action, the Secretariat will continue supporting negotiations to shape our rules and interactions, but it also needs to put all its knowledge and capacity behind implementation at the country level.
I count on your support to get to this next stage. I count on your guidance and your vision. We need to deliver to the people.
This is a moment of great change and a moment of great opportunity. We need champions like Hakima El Haite and the solar sisters and so many more. We need effective engagement of the private sector to spur innovation and transformation.
We need every country and company, city and citizen on board. Together we can make this happen. The Africa Carbon Forum represents almost a decade of experience. Thousands of successful projects and real-world results that are already making a positive difference in people’s lives and livelihoods.
We have the foundation. Let’s build a better future together.
Environment Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, in Abuja on Thursday, June 29, 2017, received the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations Nigeria & United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria Resident Representative, Edward Kallon, and his team.
Discussions centered on areas of cooperation as well as numerous topical issues related to the environment and the many climate change challenges faced in Nigeria.
Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations Nigeria & United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria Resident Representative, Edward Kallon (middle), with a colleague (left) and Environment Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibri (right)The Government (left) and UNDP teams deliberate under the chairmanship of the MinisterThe Minister shares a point during the meeting
The Ogun State Government has revealed plans to begin tree planting within cities towards mitigating the effects of climate change, as well as beautifying the scenery of areas through its Urban Forestry Programme (UFP).
Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal
Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal, made this known at the flag-off of the tree-planting exercise at Federal University of Agriculture, International School, Abeokuta.
Chief Lawal said the programme was aimed at transforming the landscape of the state, especially those of cities, affirming that the ministry was partnering with Green Mobilisation Initiative (GMI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to plant trees in secondary schools across the state. He added that the ministry would soon embark on tree planting in public places within urban centres.
“Apart from secondary schools, we also want to take tree planting to hospitals, houses and around the towns. We just have to see that people embrace tree planting,” he said.
Coordinator of GMI, Gabriel Aborell, said the initiative, apart from the aesthetic purpose, would also educate young ones especially secondary school students on the importance of tree planting while they would also be trained on the technical knowhow of tree planting.
The 12 nations of the Sahel and West Africa Programme in Support of the Great Green Wall Initiative (SAWAP) a couple of months ago converged on the Ghanaian capital city of Accra on the occasion of the project’s 4th Conference.
Each nation presented the success stories of their projects, as well as the lessons learnt from their experiences.
Afterwards, participants moved to the northern part of the country on tour of implementation sites of the Ghana Sustainable Land and Water Management Project (SLWMP), which aims to support farmers in the Northern Savannah Zone to adopt sustainable land management practices to help reverse land degradation and desertification in that part of the country.
Bora Masumbuko, Programme Officer, Protected Areas, IUCN speaking during the opening of the 4th SAWAP conferenceIntroducing the dignitaries: Seated L-R: Mr. Henry G.R. Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Ghana; Dr. Djime Adoum, Executive Secretary, Permanent Interstate Committee for drought control in the Sahel (CILSS); Prof. Frimpong Boateng, Minister for Environment of Ghana; Mr. Elvis Paul Tangem, Great Green Wall Coordinator, African Union Commission (AU); and Mr. Jean-Marc Sinassamy, Representative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), during the opening sessionA view of participants at the conferenceParticipants/project officials being briefed at one of the project sitesTraditional dancers entertaining guestsBy a partly dried river channel at Sissala East District, Upper West RegionAwaiting official briefing at a projects site in Kunchogu Community, Sissala East District, Upper West Region, Ghana
It appears the Cross Rivers State Government (CRSG) has a high mountain to climb in its bid to build its much-vaunted but controversial six-lane, 275km long Superhighway.
Environment Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril (left), receiving the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu, in his office in Abuja on Thursday, June 29, 2017
Designed to link Calabar, the state capital, to the neighboring Benue State, the $3.5 billion highway will pass through biodiversity rich forests in the Ekuri community as well as the Cross River National Park (CRNP), a development observers feel will have far reaching implications for thousands of families and their livelihoods.
But this route may now be jettisoned for another, going by fresh conditions given by the federal government to the state government.
According to one of the 23 conditions to be met by Cross River before the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is approved and work can fully commence on site, the CRSG is to ensure that the updated maps in the new EIA must show that the “re-routed road corridor cognisance of the boundary of Cross River National Park and Ekuri Community Forest as well as conform to international best practices on setbacks for highways in critical ecosystems such as the proposed corridor.” In other words, state authorities were told that the road should neither cut through Ekuri nor the CRNP.
The Federal Ministry of Environment on Thursday, June 29, 2017 in Abuja handed the conditionally-approved EIA report (along with the conditions) to the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu.
Environment Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, said that all conditions must be met before a final approval is given to the EIA report to signal commencement of work. He added that there would be a review within the next two or three weeks.
Besides demanding that the report/plan be revised and resubmitted within two weeks, the Ministry also stated that the EIA approval shall cover only the construction of a 275km long by 70m width Superhighway of six lanes including setbacks and other associated infrastructures such as eco-friendly bridges, culverts, drainages from Calabar to Katsina-Ala junction in Cross River State.
Government also demanded that the CRSG shall ensure that the diverse management plans, which include Environmental Management Plan (EMP); Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP); Resettlement Action Plan (RAP); Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP); Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (GHGMP); Public Consultation Plan (PCP); Waste Management Plan (WMP); Traffic Management Plan (TMP) as well as Labour and Human Resources Plan (LHRP) put in place for the road project are strictly adhered to as required throughout the project lifecycle.
Besides engaging a group of accredited consultants to effectively manage the diverse management plans for the proposed road project, the CRSG was likewise asked to ensure the realignment of the 275.344km road corridor from the boundary of the Cross River National Park is in line with the National Park Service (NPS) Act CAP LFN 2016.
The CRSG is also to gazette the reversal of revocation order on the acquisition of 10km on either side to the 70km span of the road corridor as well as the gazetting of the boundary of Cross River National Park within two weeks.
Furthermore, it should ensure that the initial land clearing of the road corridor that was carried out without due inventory of the third party properties/farmlands is revisited to adequately compensate the project affected persons (PAPS) in line with national and international standards of practice on resettlement and restoration plans. This shall be done prior to project commencement.
Some other conditions were identified to include:
CRSG shall ensure that the construction of the entire road project and associated infrastructures conform to standard engineering codes and international best practices.
CRSG shall identify all proximate communities to the road corridor within the established area of influence as well as the project affected persons (PAPS) and ensure that every community/PAP is regularly consulted with throughout the project lifespan.
The environmental offsetting should be one of the guiding principles for the proposed road construction as the proposed project area of influence is noted for endemic, threatened and endangered flora and fauna. There shall be development and funding of Biodiversity offset by CRSG.
CRSG shall ensure that all relevant non-governmental organisations both local and international are consulted with regularly during the project lifespan to ensure among others biodiversity protection and project sustainability.
CSRG shall ensure that the highly technical eco-friendly bridges to be constructed at strategic points/biodiversity hotspots/critical ecosystem on the road corridor are intensively monitored by specialised accredited consultants.
CSRG shall ensure that the borrow pits proposed for the road project are provided with coordinates for ease of location, site identification number, reclaimed and converted to alternative environmental-friendly uses in line with regulatory standards as well as international best practices.
CRSG shall ensure that the proposed road setbacks from third party structures, farmlands, critical ecosystem and green areas confirm to engineering code of practice/regulatory standards as well as international best practices.
CRSG shall ensure that cautionary signs are appropriately placed at strategic points along the road corridor during implementation and throughout the lifecycle especially for wildlife crossing.
CSRG shall ensure proper drainage termination for the flow route of run-off/storm water to protect the road corridor from erosion, ensure that the road embankment is constructed in a way that allows free-flow of surface water run-off, that any existing access road to neighbouring villages and settlements are not blocked, create appropriate buffer zones to prevent damage to unique ecosystems as well as enhance forest cover.
CSRG shall put in place appropriate road furniture and safety standards in line with international best practices.
CRSG shall ensure that the proposed project protects the hydrology of wetlands, streams and channels through restoration of natural drainage pattern and reduce disruption of of ecological processes by providing wildlife corridor.
CSRG shall provide adequate personal protective equipment for workers, ensure that every worker on the project is adequately trained on Health; Safety and Environment procedures for Highway and provide sanitary facilities and mobile clinic during project construction.
CSRG shall ensure that the maintenance and management of the road corridor is in line with international best practices.
There shall be Impact Mitigation Monitoring (IMM), Post Impact Assessment (PIA), Environmental Audits and Compliance Monitoring on the project by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with other relevant regulatory agencies.
CSRG shall put in place a robust contingency plan for the proposed road project.
CSRG shall update 4th version of the EIA report to also include the following: (a) To exclude flora and fauna that are non-existent in the proposed project area of influence as per the attached; (b)A comprehensive list of the actual affected communities along the proposed road corridor; (c) List of borrow pits with coordinates and site identity for the proposed road project; (d) Map clearly showing the preferred road corridor with coordinates as well as major crossings along the entire stretch; (e) The EIA report should consider indirect long term impacts of hunting and habitat loss on Cross River National Park proximity to the Superhighway with improved access to the forest; (f) The updated 4th version of the EIA report shall be submitted to the Ministry within two weeks.
Reacting to the development, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), said: “The lesson of the conditional approval of the EIA for the superhighway is that it took four attempts at EIA submission before the proponents of this project could come up with something close to passable. Stakeholders note that the CRSG took many decisions without adequate prior informed consultations.
“At a recent Community Dialogue at Akpabuyo, the community people all said they just woke up one day to see bulldozers destroying their crops, land and properties. In other words, they were not consulted. And they were not compensated. One of the conditions given before the EIA would be fully approved is that this anomaly must be corrected. Moreover, the Superhighway is to re-routed away from protected and community forests.
“We are also pleased to note that CRSG is to ensure that the updated maps in the new EIA must show that the ‘re-routed road corridor cognisance of the boundary of Cross River National Park and Ekuri Community Forest as well as conform to international best practices on setbacks for highways in critical ecosystems such as the proposed corridor.’
“Another point in favour of the communities who were badly shaken by the move to grab 10km on either side of the superhighway is that the CRSG must ‘gazette the reversal of revocation order on the acquisition of 10km on either side to the 70km span of the road corridor as well as the gazetting of the boundary of Cross River National Park within two weeks of receipt of this letter.’
“The entire Superhighway episode is a superstory on the vital need for citizens to be remain alert and fight for their rights irrespective of how powerful the forces ranged against them may be.”
The newly launched Endangered Species Rescue (ESR) has said that its priority area of focus is to save cheetahs, the African painted dogs, pink dolphins, and the climate change-threatened coral.
Cheetahs
The New York-based not-for-profit outfit says it partners with leading conservation scientists to raise money for urgent projects that protect endangered animals and help local people economically.
“After a year of hard work with the world’s greatest scientists, we are proud to announce our launch,” says founder, Peter Gottesman, in a statement.
He adds: “The Endangered Species Revenge makes people laugh while teaching them about animal biology and behaviour. Our scientists lead small to medium-sized grassroots non-profits, which spend nearly all their money on fieldwork, with little overhead. This ensures donations are working efficiently. A Board of scientific advisors vets each project.”
Expressing concern over the fauna and flora under focus, he laments: “While 90% of the world’s cheetahs have vanished in the last 100 years and pink river dolphins across Bolivia are becoming stranded and are dying each year due to shallower river levels, 75% of the world’s coral reefs are already dead or damaged due to climate change. Also, African poachers hide deadly snares to catch antelope, but these snares are killing the last 4,500 painted dogs.”
According to Gottesman, ESR works with scientists like Dr. Greg Rasmussen (who has reportedly designed a cutting edge collar to save painted dogs), Dr. Laurie Marker (devised a way for dogs to protect cheetahs), Dr. Ruth Gates (seeking to discover “super corals” which will regenerate the world’s coral reefs), and Dr. Enzo Aliaga Rossel (creating an emergency rescue fund to save the freshwater dolphins).
Speaking at the Roundtable on Food Security in the Niger Delta on Thursday, July 29, 2017 in Abuja as part of the EU Climate Diplomacy Week, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), says that food is a human right, hunger arises due to a complex of socio-political realities
Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
We are approaching this conversation on Food security in the Niger Delta from the premise that we must own our food narrative. We shouldn’t be adjudged malnourished or hungry simply because we do not eat certain prescribed foods, in what manner and in what quantities. This requires that we consider the crucial need to approach food security in the context of food sovereignty.
The implication is that we have to focus on food that is produced by the people and that are culturally appropriate. This is vital, because food availability does not necessarily address the issue of food security if the people end up eating junk or are force-fed on foods they don’t really want. In the Niger Delta, as in the overall national situation, while we have spots where few citizens battle with mountains of food, the majority are drowning in the ocean of hunger.
Hunger arises due to a complex of socio-political realities
Food is a human right. A good way to look at food security is to approach it in terms of agriculture, property rights and environmental management. The deep link to agriculture is inescapable, as the majority of our people are engaged in the production of food in one form or the other. And the story of the despoiled Niger Delta environment is well told.
In 1996, SERAC filed a case against the Federal Government of Nigeria at the African Commission Human and Peoples’ Rights, denouncing “the widespread contamination of soil, water and air; the destruction of homes; the burning of crops and killing of farm animals; and the climate of terror the Ogoni communities had been suffering of, in violation of their rights to health, a healthy environment, housing and food. In terms of the African Charter, these allegations included violations of Articles 2 (non-discriminatory enjoyment of rights), 4 (right to life), 14 (right to property), 16 (right to health), 18 (family rights), 21 (right of peoples to freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources) and 24 (right of peoples to a satisfactory environment)”.
When the Commission reached a decision in 2011, the FG was found culpable, violating the people’s right to food. Thus, when we consider the food security in the Niger Delta, we must keep in mind that there is a continued failure of the governments to uphold the right of the people to safe and satisfactory food and by extension, all the other rights.
Absence of food is a major threat to human security.
Food is available when food producers are able to invest their time, energy, resources and skills in farming, herding or fishing and attain good harvests for subsistence or for commercial purposes. Food is accessible when it can be found within reach of the hungry, and critically so when they have the purchasing power to acquire it. Food availability is also anchored on the appropriateness of the items within the cultural context.
Production and consumption of food depend not just on current realities, but also on the collective and cultural memories of the people. These include how seeds are acquired and from whom, as well as how they are sown and by whom. Are the seeds purchased or do farmers get them from what they had saved? Is planting solely individual effort or does it include the cooperation of neighbours and other communal configurations?
For farmers to supply food in quantities that cover their needs and leave surpluses for the market, they have to sow sufficient seeds of good quality and on good quality soil. The impoverishment of farmers could lead to reduction in the scope of their productive ability – including farm size, quality and quantity of seeds, as well as their capacity to work.
Soil and Seeds
When soils are of poor quality, the best efforts of the farmers would be largely futile and unproductive. When the soils are bad, the harvests would be bad and seeds saved to be planted would be of poor quality and are bound to yield poorer harvests. In situations of this nature, farmers engage in farming as a routine, on automaton, expecting little and getting nothing. With the depth of pollution in the Niger Delta, farming is often mere tradition.
Over the years, local food varieties have been lost or abandoned. Massive deforestation due to logging, land use conversion, infrastructure development and industrial activities threaten vital food sources.
What Changed?
Oil exploration and extraction have brought about major changes in food production and access in the Niger Delta. The impacts come through the entire chain: from seismic activities of the exploration stage to the production, transportation and eventual usage stages. Seismic activities in the seas have direct impact on aquatic life forms and drilling wastes impact both land and water bodies.
Dumping hundreds of millions of barrels of produced water into the environment adds to the deadly pollution. Oil spills from equipment failure and from third party interferences add to the tragic situation. Gas flares diminish agricultural productivity and the use of the furnaces to process foods contaminate and poison the people.
Indiscriminate harvesting of fish by international fleets raise unique security issues and wreaks havoc on fisheries, further impoverishing local fishers.
Canalisations for oil sector operations have also damaged fresh water systems by bringing in salt water from the sea. This has marked implications for fish and agricultural productivity.
Coastal erosion is driving less of farmland and infrastructure.
The overall situation is so bad that fishermen and women depend on imported fish for sustenance.
When Security Breeds Insecurity
Paradoxically, the presence of security forces in the Niger Delta to some extent promotes insecurity in the region. This happens in the sense that the citizens are insecure in the presence of these officials. Curtailment of certain undesirable activities may also become impossible if those charged with halting them do nothing or get compromised in the process. Collective shaming and punishment as evidenced in the many checkpoints in the creeks and have been seen in the cases of Ogoni, Odi, Odioma, Gbaramatu and many others attest to this.
Military shields around oil and gas facilities reduce the fishing zones and keep fishers away from customary or known fishing zones. Fisher folks now have to go to international waters, at great cost and risks, if they hope to make any reasonable catch.
Dumping of industrial waste at sea further hampers the productivity of the efforts of the fishers. This has raised concerns for fisher folks in the Niger Delta and in nations with offshore extractive activities.
Biodiversity
The most assured way of ensuring food security in Niger Delta is the protection/management of the environment and the enhancement of her agricultural biodiversity. Agro-biodiversity is one of the basic productive assets of family farmers. This will require a halt of the pollutions, including gas flaring going on in the Niger Delta. On a national scale, it would necessitate the repeal of the National Biosafety Management Act 2015 and the enacting of a National Biodiversity Management Act that would not only protect and ensure the preservation of our agricultural biodiversity but would also help kick start a bio-economy based on nature’s gifts to the nation.
Working the Future
Clean up the Niger Delta, restore the environment and compensate the people for loses suffered
Government to support farming and fishing communities structurally – including agricultural extension services, finance, creation of fish markets, storage facilities and rural infrastructure
Research into and support biodiversity conservation and promote the building of an economy that is based on local knowledge as well as on the principles of Re-Source Democracy
Establish a National Biodiversity Management Agency – and cover Biosafety matters within this agency
Demilitarise the Niger Delta and encourage community policing instead
African countries must work closer together when implementing national climate action plans under the Paris Climate Change Agreement and mobilising climate finance, whilst better integrating climate action into sustainable development planning. This was the key conclusion of ministers and key delegates who convened for the Africa Carbon Forum which ended on Friday, June 30, 2017 in Cotonou, Benin.
Dignitaries at the Africa Carbon Forum in Cotonou, Benin
Over 600 practitioners, experts and policy makers, including ministers from governments across Africa and other high level participants, met in Cotonou to take stock and align strategies on how financial resources should be mobilised to ensure sustainable development and emissions reduction on a continent-wide scale.
“Africa is the continent most affected by climate change. Two thirds of Africans make their living off the land, consequently, it is critical that the continent secures a climate-resilient economic and development path. Hosting this Africa Carbon Forum on the topic of collaborative climate actions for sustainable development demonstrates Benin’s own commitment to the national climate action plans and the broader concern of Africa to promote collective actions for the climate,” said Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, Senior Minister in charge of Planning and Development of Benin.
With ambitious commitments already made by countries under the Paris Agreement, and with more commitments expected, African ministers and other leaders stressed the importance of building momentum that will enable the transformational shift towards low carbon and greater resilience to climate change. They also highlighted the need for new partnerships to develop and further spur sustainable development.
Speaking to delegates in Cotonou, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa, said: “Africa will see explosive growth through to the middle of the century. Not only that – Africa is one of the most important engines for growth worldwide in the coming years. African people are at the core of this growth. But the growth needs to be shaped on the basis of related climate and sustainable development criteria.
“Africa’s nationally determined contributions to the agreement are blueprints for attracting private sector investment and pushing forward. Implementation of the Paris Agreement is the foundation for stability, for security and prosperity as the population grows to nine billion people or more by 2050. It is food and water and energy for everyone. It is good jobs. It is the foundation for building sustainable, resilient communities powered by clean, renewable energy.”
Moving forward, the Africa Carbon Forum is developing into the regional climate action event supporting, in conjunction with Global Climate Action events, non-government (“non-Party”) stakeholder action in the run-up to the annual UNFCCC Conference of the Parties.
Delegates at this year’s Africa Carbon Forum confirmed that non-Party stakeholders, including private sector and cities, stand ready to enhance ambition on climate action and welcomed the event as a unique regional event, which facilitates knowledge and new partnerships which are key to allowing Africa to realise its potential and meet the ambitions goals set in the Paris agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Delegates discussed crucial themes ranging from climate policy options to the future of the existing and widely use mechanisms that are suitable to the different domestic context and can be scaled up at regional level in Africa. Many discussions centered on how to strengthen cooperation between Parties and non-Party stakeholders in key sectors for Africa – notably energy, agriculture and human settlements – including the role of future carbon markets in boosting climate action for sustainable development.
“The private sector is vital in bringing climate finance to Africa,” says Dirk Forrister, IETA’s CEO and President. “Markets are the most efficient way of driving that investment, which in turn aids African nations to grow in a cleaner, more sustainable way.”
“This meeting shows that many countries in the region are advancing on the domestic policy front and a number are finding new innovative ways of engaging their local private sector in project development and finance,” said Miriam Hinostroza from UNEP DTU.
The Forum was organised under the umbrella of the Nairobi Framework Partnership and partners and cooperating organisations involved in this year’s Africa Carbon Forum include the UNFCCC, World Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), UNEP DTU Partnership, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Africa Development Bank Group, Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS Partnership) and Climate Markets and Investment Association (CMIA). The event was supported by the West African Development Bank (BOAD).
The Nairobi Framework Partnership was launched in 2006 by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to assist developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, to improve their level of participation in the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism.
