Stakeholders in the environment sector on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, converged on Abuja to expedite actions on addressing impact of climate change ahead of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holding in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11 to 22.
Climate change justice campaign rally
The stakeholders gathered under the aegis of the African Climate Caravan which featured the first inaugural Climate Media Spotlight Award and Arts for Climate event.
The event was organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) and OXFAM.
Rep. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Environment, said that the house would address coastal challenges, issues of climate change and farmers/herders conflicts through the speedy passage of bills.
He said that Nigerians should take responsibilities and learn to adapt to all forms of climate change.
Dr Michael David, Executive Director, GIFSEP, said that climate change reporting for journalists in Africa was essential for educating the public, driving policy change, empowering communities and fostering resilience.
“It provides a platform for the continent’s unique climate challenges to be heard and addressed, paving the way for a more informed and proactive society,’’ he said.
On his part, Mr John Makina, Country Director, OXFAM, expressed worries about carbon emissions and called for urgent actions to reduce emissions.
“We are here to sensitise the public on climate issues as Nigerians move to COP29,” he said.
Some schools in the FCT were given arts exhibition awards while some journalists were given climate media awards for their publications between Aug. 1 and Oct. 1.
The Lagos State Government (LASG) has commended the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) for its advocacy in promoting renewable energy solutions as a key response to Nigeria’s energy crisis.
Some dignitaries at the 2024 Renewable Energy Conference in Lagos
Mr Abiodun Ogunleye, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, said this in his keynote address at the 2024 Renewable Energy Conference organised by the association on Tuesday, November 5, in Lagos.
The theme of the conference is “Unlocking Affordable Energy for All”.
Ogunleye, represented by Mrs Abiola Kosegbe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, praised REAN for its role in raising awareness about sustainable energy initiatives and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
He said that this would ensure affordable and accessible energy solutions for both businesses and households across Lagos State.
Ogunleye also said that the conference served as a platform to discuss innovative strategies for improving Nigeria’s energy landscape.
He highlighted the importance of making affordable energy a fundamental right for all Nigerians, not a privilege.
“Affordable energy must be accessible to every Nigerian household, including those in low-income urban and rural areas.
“By adopting hybrid systems that combine solar with mini-grids, we can address the unique energy needs of these populations,” Ogunleye said.
He emphasised the necessity of inclusivity in energy strategies, specifically focusing on gender-positive programs that involve women in the energy transition process.
“Women, who are often most impacted by energy poverty, can be transformative leaders in their communities, Ogunleye added.
The commissioner also provided an update on the state’s ongoing energy initiatives, including the passage of the Lagos Electricity Bill 2024 by the State House of Assembly, which awaits the governor’s assent.
He said that this bill was expected to provide a legal foundation for the state’s clean energy projects.
Ogunleye also highlighted the Lagos Integrated Resource Plan and the Energy Transition Plan as key documents guiding the state’s shift toward renewable energy, as well as ongoing collaborations with local distribution companies to refine the state’s energy strategy.
In his remarks, Mr Ayo Ademilua, President of REAN, called for more concerted efforts to ensure that affordable renewable energy solutions are accessible nationwide.
He stressed that transitioning to renewable energy was not only critical for Nigeria’s sustainable development but also essential for economic growth, job creation, and energy security.
Ademilua appealed to the government and financial institutions to increase funding and financial support to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies across the country, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
“Access to finance remains one of the biggest challenges in expanding renewable energy in Nigeria.
“To tackle this, we need tailored funding models and increased investment in the sector,” Ademilua said.
He emphasised the importance of creating innovative financing mechanisms, including concessional loans, subsidies for renewable energy systems, and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) options that have been successful in other African countries.
These solutions, according to REAN, could make renewable energy more affordable for small businesses and low-income households, who are most vulnerable to high energy costs.
The association also advocated for the creation of a dedicated Renewable Energy Fund, which would provide low-interest loans and grants for renewable energy projects, particularly in off-grid areas where traditional electricity infrastructure is inadequate or absent.
“The potential for renewable energy in Nigeria is enormous. However, to fully harness this potential, we need more investment and stronger policy support,” Ademilua said.
He also recommended tax incentives, import duty exemptions, and public-private partnerships as essential tools to support the renewable energy transition.
He called for increased funding and policy support highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive, collaborative approach to Nigeria’s energy challenges.
According to him, the association believes that with the right investments, renewable energy can drive economic growth, create jobs, and help Nigeria achieve its climate goals.
“As Nigeria grapples with its ongoing energy crisis, the need for sustainable, affordable, and accessible energy solutions has never been more pressing.
“Both the government and the private sector must work together to ensure that renewable energy becomes a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future,” he explained.
Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says adopting green technologies practices can assist Nigeria in reaching its net-zero emission targets by 2050 to 2070.
Sustainable transport: Achieving zero emission from electric cars
Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General, ACCI, stated this at the workshop on Green Technologies and Digital innovations on Tuesday, November 4, 2024, in Abuja.
The workshop was on the presentation of the research report by the EU, ACCI, and National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC) on the potential of green technologies and digital innovations to drive economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability in Nigeria
Jideani said that green technologies are crucial in minimising pollution and decarbonising Nigeria’s economy.
“Achieving Net-Zero Targets, adopting green practices can assist Nigeria in reaching its net-zero emission targets by 2050 to 2070,” he said.
Jideani said adopting green technologies and integrating sustainable practices within industries, aligned with ACCI’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
He said that ACCI’s collaboration with the European Union showcased the strength of partnerships in pooling expertise and resources.
“Together, we analyse key sectors such as energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation to uncover sustainable business opportunities and empower stakeholders in integrating green technologies.
“As the voice of the business community in Abuja and its surroundings, ACCI is dedicated to driving initiatives that promote economic growth and sustainable development,” he said.
Jideani thanked European Union for their support and collaboration that would benefit entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
In a presentation, An EU expert, Dr Folake Anjorin, Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, said the use of digital technology was changing the face of agricultural practice in Nigeria.
She said that leveraging on digital and technology innovation could help to minimise waste from the agricultural sector.
“Agricultural wastes are by-products from various agricultural activities and if not properly manage could lead to environmental pollution,” she said.
Anjorin said that digital technology provided online platforms where farmers could be empowered on circular economy principles through training on sustainable and waste management practices.
The UN has said that more than two billion people currently living in cities could be exposed to an additional temperature increase of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2040.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat
A new UN report published on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, revealed that the temperature increase would most urban residents.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, in a statement said almost no urban resident would be unaffected, with billions of people subjected to hotter temperatures or exposed to the risks of flooding and other threats.
The report also highlights a significant funding gap for resilient urban infrastructure.
Cities overall need an estimated 4.5 to 5.4 trillion dollarrs investment annually to build and maintain climate-resilient systems, yet current financing stands at just $831 billion — only a fraction of the required amount.
This shortfall leaves cities, and especially their most vulnerable populations, exposed to escalating risks.
While climate action in cities is failing to match the scale of the challenges faced, those most at risk are “also those already facing persistent and chronic structural inequalities,” Rossbach said.
“Informal settlements and slums – typically situated in environmentally sensitive areas and lacking in protective infrastructure – often bear the brunt of climate related disasters or extreme events,” she said.
She added that these vulnerable communities are not only more exposed to risk in the first place but also less likely to receive support once a shock does occur.
“Accelerated transformation of slums and informal settlements, as well as addressing the needs of the most vulnerable territories in cities is thus a priority,” Rossbach said.
The pressures of poorly managed growth have also resulted in the steady attrition of green space in many urban areas, with the average share in urban areas worldwide falling from 19.5 per cent in 1990 to 13.9 per cent in 2020.
Even more troubling is the evidence of climate interventions that have either failed to protect the most vulnerable communities or made their situation worse.
These instances include so-called “green gentrification”, when beneficial measures such as the creation of parks either result in the direct displacement of poor households or push up property values, effectively pricing them out.
However, despite the complex barriers cities face amid the deepening climate emergency, the report also highlights the importance of seeing urban areas not just as part of the problem, but part of the solution too.
“With bold investments and good planning and design, cities offer immense opportunities to slash greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the effects of climate change and sustainably support urban populations,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said in the report’s foreword.
He noted that hundreds of cities are “leading the way by expanding inclusive green spaces, reducing emissions through smart planning and building and investing in renewable energy to power civic services like transportation networks”.
The report is calling for a sharper urban focus to advance ambitious national commitments, highlighting the importance of aligning climate action with broader development goals, such as improved services, settlement upgrading, poverty reduction and public health.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd.) has called for more collaboration and transparency among parties in the global quest to phase out carbon emissions across the oil and gas value chain.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari
The NNPC Ltd. said more collaboration in the global energy industry was paramount to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, said this at the on-going Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2024) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Kyari, represented by NNPC Ltd’s Executive Director, Upstream, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, addressed a Strategic Panel Session titled: “Decarbonising Operations across Upstream, Midstream and Downstream.”
Kyari said beyond collaboration, transparency and openness, there was the need to ensure that the gaps between all parties were bridged.
“Africa is currently facing the challenge of tackling the twin problem of decarbonisation and energy poverty and to deal with such challenge, Nigeria made two fundamental policy shifts to support the nation’s decarbonisation process.
“One is declaring the decade of gas as transition fuel from a predominantly diesel and fuel economy to a gas-driven economy, while the second is the removal of fuel subsidy.
“The NNPC Ltd. has relied on these two policies to drive the nation’s decarbonisation agenda,” Kyari said.
He said that as a signatory to the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), Nigeria was focused on achieving gas flare-out by 2030 through the utilisation of gas for automotive and power generation.
According to Kyari, Nigeria sits on huge gas reserves of up to 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf), and access to capital for funding gas projects has been a challenge.
He said that the balance sheet which could be easily used for raising money to fund gas projects, comes mostly from the International Oil Companies (IOCs), which was also largely focused on export gas.
“If we must solve this existential problem, then, there should be a provision for the global south (less energy endowed countries) to access capital to enable them address their problems,” he said.
Kyari decried all parties being placed in the same bracket in the quest to decarbonise, because the pace of progress was based on current state of the countries.
According to him, the OGDC must continue to provide a level playing field.
With more than 180,000 participants in attendance, ADIPEC is adjudged to be the world’s largest and most inclusive gathering of energy professionals.
This year’s edition, the 40th in the series of the annual event, holds under the theme, “Connecting Minds. Transforming Energy”.
A new World Health Organisation (WHO) study published on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in eBioMedicinenames 17 pathogens that regularly cause diseases in communities as top priorities for new vaccine development. The WHO study is the first global effort to systematically prioritise endemic pathogens based on criteria that included regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk and socioeconomic impact.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
The study reconfirms longstanding priorities for vaccine research and development (R&D), including for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis – three diseases that collectively take nearly 2.5 million lives each year.
The study also identifies pathogens such as Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as top disease control priorities in all regions, highlighting the urgency to develop new vaccines for pathogens increasingly resistant to antimicrobials.
“Too often global decisions on new vaccines have been solely driven by return on investment, rather than by the number of lives that could be saved in the most vulnerable communities,” said Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of the Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals Department at WHO. “This study uses broad regional expertise and data to assess vaccines that would not only significantly reduce diseases that greatly impact communities today but also reduce the medical costs that families and health systems face.”
WHO asked international and regional experts to identify factors that are most important to them when deciding which vaccines to introduce and use. The analysis of those preferences, combined with regional data for each pathogen, resulted in top 10 priority pathogens for each WHO region. The regional lists where then consolidated to form the global list, resulting in 17 priority endemic pathogens for which new vaccines need to be researched, developed and used.
This new WHO global priority list of endemic pathogens for vaccine R&D supports the Immunisation Agenda 2030’s goal of ensuring that everyone, in all regions, can benefit from vaccines that protect them from serious diseases. The list provides an equitable and transparent evidence base to set regional and global agendas for new vaccine R&D and manufacturing, and is intended to give academics, funders, manufacturers and countries a clear direction for where vaccine R&D could have the most impact.
This global prioritisation exercise for endemic pathogens, complements the WHO R&D blueprint for epidemics, which identified priority pathogens that could cause future epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The findings of this new report on endemic pathogens are part of WHO’s work to identify and support the research priorities and needs of immunisation programmes in low- and middle-income countries, to inform the global vaccine R&D agenda, and to strategically advance development and uptake of priority vaccines, particularly against pathogens that cause the largest public health burden and greatest socioeconomic impact.
WHO Priority endemic pathogens list
Vaccines for these pathogens are at different stages of development.
Pathogens where vaccine research is needed
Group A streptococcus
Hepatitis C virus
HIV-1
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pathogens where vaccines need to be further developed
Cytomegalovirus
Influenza virus (broadly protective vaccine)
Leishmania species
Non-typhoidal Salmonella
Norovirus
Plasmodium falciparum (malaria)
Shigella species
Staphylococcus aureus
Pathogens where vaccines are approaching regulatory approval, policy recommendation or introduction
Greenpeace Africa activists disrupted the Africa Energy Week (AEW) conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with banners and a disruption of speeches to protest expansion plans by energy companies across the continent.
Greenpeace activists at the Africa Energy Week
The 12 activists blocked the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) entrance, where AEW is being held, until being evacuated by security. The blockage used banners and remains of tragic extreme weather events, fuelled by emissions of international oil and gas companies, such as the catastrophic tornado in Tongaat, Durban, to create a powerful visual representation of the destruction caused by Big Oil.
This included twisted metal, shattered wood, and other remnants of climate-induced devastation, making it impossible for attendees to ignore the damages that climatologists attribute to emissions by the oil and gas industry.
They also interrupted the keynote speech by event organiser, NJ Ayuk, before being removed from the main hall.
Sherelee Odayar, Greenpeace Africa’s Oil and Gas Campaigner, said: “We are protesting against one of the most egregious gatherings of fossil fuel profiteers. The AEW brings together the biggest polluters, including TotalEnergies, BP, ExxonMobil, and others, who continue to push Africa further into the climate crisis while reaping billions in profits. This is a shameless platform for multinational oil corporations to strike deals that line their pockets at the expense of African communities.”
At the conference centre, prominent banners read “No New Oil and Gas in Africa,” “Extreme Weather Events, Proudly Sponsored by Fossil Fuel,” and “Make Polluters Pay,” as the activists chanted, “Climate Justice Now.”
Cynthia Moyo, Greenpeace Africa’s Climate and Energy Campaigner, said: “We are returning debris from extreme weather events, symbolic of the damage caused by Big Oil, to the very corporations responsible. Africa will not remain silent while oil giants profit from our suffering. We cannot allow Africa to be sacrificed on the altar of fossil fuel profits. The voices of our communities must be heard, and the corporations responsible for this crisis must be made to pay for the harm they have caused.”
Abdoulaye Diallo, Co-Head of Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, said: “Together with communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, we are protesting outside the sheltered offices of some of the world’s largest polluters. We reject Big Oil’s assault on people and democracy and demand governments finally redress this by forcing oil and gas companies to stop drilling and start paying for the damage they have done.”
Africa Energy Week, organised by the African Energy Chamber (AEC), is marketed as the solution to Africa’s energy poverty. Led by the lobbyist NJ Ayuk, the AEC pushes policies that appear to prioritise fossil fuel exploitation over the needs of the African people. Such policies are believed to have left more than 600 million Africans without access to electricity and nearly one billion without clean cooking solutions while destroying local ecosystems and increasing insecurity.
Greenpeace Africa demands a stop to the expansion of fossil fuels – no new oil, gas, or coal, adding that fossil fuel corporations must also pay for the destruction they have caused across Africa.
“We call for a just transition that redirects investment from fossil fuel energy projects to renewable energy solutions that uplift African communities, create green jobs, and protect our ecosystems.
“We also demand that global financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank, and private investors, immediately stop funding fossil fuel projects in Africa, which exacerbate the climate crisis. It is time to support a clean, green future for the continent,” stated Greenpeace.
Last week, at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), private capital investment advisors and policy advisors called for the establishment of a Just Transition Investment Fund to support countries and regions committed to phasing out fossil fuels and foster a regenerative future for all.
Participants at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Columbia
The call was coupled with the announcement that a working group comprising investment and policy advisors from the Global South, North America, the UK, and Australia has been formed to develop the fund.
Calls for a Just Transition Investment Fund were welcomed by the Government of Colombia hosting the CBD, alongside Small Island States, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Organisation, and other leaders at COP16 across government, business, and civil society.
In September 2024, during New York Climate Week and the Summit for the Future, over 30 investors and advisors from family offices, impact investing networks, philanthropy, asset managers, and academia met at a private roundtable to discuss the formation of this fund, agreeing to work together and announce initial plans by COP29 in Baku, with a launch in 2025 at COP30.
“The proposed ‘Fund’ would provide catalytic investment to help create inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economies. By supporting the shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to one founded on regenerative principles, nature-based solutions, and renewable energy, the Fund aims to foster the long-term macroeconomic stability needed to fulfill the Paris Agreement and advance our global plan for nature as we move beyond Net Zero to a truly regenerative economy,” said Professor Rajiv Joshi from Columbia University, who serves as Executive Director of Project Regeneration and Lead Author of the Decisive Decade Inquiry into the future of climate action, commissioned by Christiana Figueres, architect of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Joshi, who was a co-founding board member of the We Mean Business Coalition, a founding member of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, and a founding member of The B Team, moderated the inaugural roundtable meeting with investors to support the Fund’s development. This effort builds on his work with Scotland’s Just Transition Commission alongside Professor Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in developing Scotland’s recent report on delivering a Just Transition.
Central to the Fund’s development strategy is the integration of diverse perspectives to address systemic barriers that limit private capital investment in the Global South. The Fund focuses on building bridges between communities and regions most impacted by fossil fuel extraction, those under-invested in for energy access, and global investment and policy advisors, ensuring that private capital and local communities are equal stakeholders.
Peter Hall, Managing Director of Resonance Climate Impact Advisory, expressed his support for the Fund, stating, “The private sector is uniquely positioned to unlock capital, create solutions, and catalyse action for projects urgently needed to protect the estimated 3.6 billion people in the Global South currently facing climate impacts. With global adaptation finance representing only 5% of total climate finance, the urgency for a fund like this could not be greater.
“The Just Transition Investment Fund provides a platform to access aligned private finance, fully leveraging scale, innovation, and local impact, and is strategically positioned with a risk-return profile that meets the requirements of a broad spectrum of investors while supporting vital projects across the Global South. I am excited to support this Fund and the impact it will create as we prepare for its launch at COP30, uniting climate funding, projects, and the community of practitioners dedicated to financing a regenerative future for all.”
Nigel Lake, co-founder and Executive Chair of Pottinger, echoed Peter’s sentiment: “This is a critically important initiative – not only for the nations involved but for everyone. Many of the investments needed to accelerate the energy transition and address ecological degradation and biodiversity collapse already make commercial sense on paper. However, financial barriers often undermine their viability and impede the flow of benefits to local communities. This new fund can serve as a powerful catalyst to overcome these challenges.”
The Fund aims to accelerate investment in renewable energy and regenerative, nature-positive solutions by increasing private capital participation and enabling co-investment on a project-by-project basis. Projects and technologies that demonstrate commercial viability in real-world operational environments, and deliver a fair sharing of benefits, will be prioritised.
By aligning stakeholder interests, coordinating commercial and technical support, and building capacity for projects to generate predictable cash flows, the Fund will help de-risk initiatives, supporting them through to financial close and beyond, and enabling more robust, scalable transitions to regenerative economies. This structure is designed to provide critical support not only to middle-income economies like Colombia but also to small island developing states.
“There is a growing recognition that direct investments in nature and climate hold substantial commercial potential. However, these investments often present an atypical risk profile. We need a blueprint for innovative financial instruments that can scale public and private investment in high-quality, nature-positive and climate solutions aimed at phasing out fossil fuels. The ambition to create an investment fund that pools private capital and fosters collective knowledge sharing to support these solutions will boost market confidence, and I am fully supportive of this endeavour,” said Hannah Cool, Chief Operating Officer at B4NZ (formally Bankers for Net Zero), who convened the UK chapter of the Net Zero Banking Alliance.
Jeroen Rijpkema, CEO at Triodos Bank, a B4NZ member and Treaty endorser, also showed support of the launch, stating, “The launch of the working group to develop the Just Transition Investment Fund marks an important milestone to advance the Treaty’s mission and realize its vision by creating a stable business environment with a long-term perspective to support countries and regions committed to phasing out fossil fuels.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to actionable progress, creating the stability needed to foster investments aimed at accelerating the energy transition. By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders – from family offices and asset managers to local communities and capacity-building resources – we’re building essential bridges to overcome barriers and mobilise capital.”
At an official side-event hosted by the Colombian Government at COP16 on “Phasing Out Fossil Fuels to Make Peace With Nature,” Dr. Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Organisation, welcomed the call for the Fund and the support it has quickly garnered:
He added: “One of the ways the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Organisation initiative is advancing efforts to make peace with nature is by welcoming calls from investors and private capital to establish a Just Transition Investment Fund that invests in energy diversity and economic diversification in jurisdictions committed to a fair fossil fuel phase out.
“The mobilisation of private capital must be matched by long-overdue commitments and obligations of public finance from Global North countries. We hope these private capital mobilisation efforts will add momentum toward a global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty – a legal mechanism essential for all to genuinely protect life on Earth.”
Colombia is among more than a dozen countries, over a hundred municipalities and sub-national governments, 3,500 organisations, including private sector actors such as the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, and nearly a million individuals who have endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Organisation’s campaign for a global treaty. One objective of the Treaty is to establish financial mechanisms to support, encourage, and accelerate the just transition globally for participating countries.
The Fund’s working group has already begun conducting due diligence on a shortlist of Colombian projects, assessing them against initial investment criteria. The Ministry of Mines and Energy provided the following information on a project titled “Amazon Movement”. This initiative combines energy communities and e-mobility as sustainable and productive alternatives to the extraction of natural resources, supporting river mobility and fostering new local economies for Indigenous communities in the Amazon region.
Amazon Movement promotes renewable energy projects that contribute to the territorial development of the Amazon through electric river mobility and energy access in non-interconnected areas (ZNI), harnessing the region’s water potential (hydropower) with a socio-environmental approach. The project guarantees participation rights, a healthy environment, and the cultural integrity of Indigenous populations.
The Amazon Movement project transcends a purely technological scope, aiming to be a transformative solution for beneficiary communities. It addresses their needs and expectations, strengthens productive projects and local economies, and enables access to green mobility and sustainable transportation. Additionally, the project contributes to peacebuilding in territories most affected by internal armed conflict.
Additional projects, such as one titled Energy Stations – a new concept for charging infrastructure that includes not only energy for e-vehicles but also additional income models like “Energy as a Service” – and another titled E-Mobility for 2 and 3-Wheelers, which aims to implement a sustainable e-mobility program by replacing internal combustion engine bicycles, motorcycles, and 3-wheelers with electric vehicles, are also being evaluated.
“Now is the time to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to accelerate genuine climate action and regenerative solutions,” said Dylan Malloy, Managing Director of Bridging Ventures and Director of the working group to establish the Just Transition Investment Fund. “We need to harness the wealth of information and resources available today, even though they may be fragmented across various stakeholders and organisations, to address barriers to transition finance. Our approach must prioritise effective communication among stakeholders to foster common ground. This requires a commitment to clarity and transparency, enabling us to align interests. Ultimately, this collaborative effort will yield a compelling business case for investors and mobilise the flow of capital to regenerative solutions in global communities,” added Malloy.
The call for the Just Transition Investment Fund came as governments and observers at COP16 reiterated the need for developed country governments to fulfill their commitments under both the biodiversity and climate conventions, to scale appropriate financing in line with their legal and historical responsibilities, and to support G20 research into the formation of Life Economies. It is also being issued prior to the US election, acknowledging the potential impact of American private capital on accelerating the transition.
The overall aim of the talks that concluded in Cali was to drive the development of a global plan to protect nature, focusing on targets to reduce extinction rates. However, with emissions still rising and a new UN report indicating that global temperatures are on track to increase by 2.5 to 2.9 degrees Celsius by the century’s end, governments risk falling short of their commitments under both the biodiversity pact and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Cali has also set the stage for the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Baku (COP29), where leaders will discuss financing the transition away from fossil fuels before looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil next year. COP30 in Belém will serve as a critical accountability milestone, marking ten years since the Paris Climate Agreement and providing an opportunity to review progress on global climate commitments, while also underscoring the importance of complementary instruments such as a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and pools of patient capital to enable a fast and fair transition.
International calls to scale up private finance have been growing for some time. Initial momentum for these efforts began with the inclusion of a Just Transition Work Programme in the Paris rulebook at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 and continued at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.
Then, at the Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Nairobi in 2023, leaders such as Mary Robinson, Graça Machel, and a coalition of intergenerational advocates prepared for the Africa Climate Action Summit later that year, which featured the launch of the Independent Expert Group on Just Transition and Development’s report on Africa’s Just Transition.
This groundwork laid the foundation for COP28 in Dubai, where countries agreed on language supporting a transition from fossil fuels, further bolstering momentum for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty to guide nations in negotiating the terms of this transition.
UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, on Monday, November 4, 2024, launched a landmark report at a growth and renewable energy reception in Lagos on the opportunities for Africa in the global battery value chain.
UK Foreign Secretary (left) listens to Yusuf Umar, CEO of RIPLE (clean energy investment platform of Nigeria’s National Sovereign Investment Authority) highlight where the U.K. can continue to support Nigeria’s energy transition
The report, titled “From Minerals to Manufacturing: Africa’s Competitiveness in Global Battery Supply Chains”, was undertaken through the UK’s Manufacturing Africa programme in partnership with the UK’s flagship research organisation on batteries and energy storage, the Faraday Institution, and reveals cost-competitive investment opportunities in the battery supply chain in Africa.
Key findings indicate that, with the right investment and policy environment, refining locally extracted lithium, nickel, manganese and copper in Africa could be up to 40% more competitive than the rest of the world by 2030. With just one high-quality refinery for each of these minerals, Africa could generate an additional $6.8 billion in annual revenues and create approximately 3,500 good quality jobs operating in the battery supply chain.
Beyond mineral refining, initial analysis suggests that countries like Tanzania and Morocco could produce batteries that are cost-competitive with Europe under certain conditions. For example, Morocco could achieve production costs of $72/kWh and Tanzania at $68/kWh, compared to $68/kWh in Europe, where production benefits from subsidies.
The report also estimates battery demand, identifies additional opportunities in battery packs and in battery assembly and recycling, maps where companies are operating in battery value chains across Africa and provides recommendations for policymakers and investors on how to advance these initiatives.
This report follows the Foreign Secretary’s speech at Kew Gardens on September 17, 2024, where he announced his intention to work with partners to create a Global Clean Power Alliance.
At the event in Lagos, the Foreign Secretary met with investors, development partners and companies in the clean energy sector, including UK smart-meter firm SteamaCo, and UK e-waste firm Hinckley Recycling, with whom he assembled a second life battery. Both firms are invested in Nigeria.
Director for Economic Development and Partnerships at the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Helen King, said: “This report shows that investors should give serious consideration to Africa’s potential as a future manufacturer of batteries, not just a buyer. The UK Government has a clear mission to support global growth that is inclusive of people and planet, and this sector presents real opportunity for African growth and jobs. We look forward to engaging with policy makers and investors on taking forward the outcomes of this report and doing the hard work to realise the opportunity it represents.”
The Managing Director of Nigeria’s Sovereign Investment Authority, Aminu Umar-Saqid, said:“With Nigeria’s growing demand for electricity, bridging the gap between the traditional energy infrastructure and renewable energy solutions, enhanced by energy storage, is as vital as localising the supply chain. The NSIA, through its subsidiary – RIPLE – is piloting the development of an integrated battery manufacturing facility to bolster Nigeria’s industrial base and support the nation’s Energy Transition Plan. This report, sponsored by the FCDO under its Manufacturing Africa Programme has been instrumental in calibrating our strategy thus providing a solid base for the development of our initiative.”
The CEO for the Faraday Institution, Professor Martin Freer, said:“Given the abundance of critical natural minerals in Africa, African nations could play a significant role in the global battery supply chain if they could overcome investment, infrastructure and workforce challenges. The report contains a wealth of information and analysis on the subject that will be valuable to a variety of stakeholders including potential investors in projects in other parts of the battery value chain beyond mining.”
Manufacturing Africa Programme Nigeria Country Lead, Kemi Onabanjo, said: “This report shows that investment in battery manufacturing in Africa can be a win-win, creating jobs and growth locally while driving down production costs and supporting global climate goals. Translating Africa’s abundance of critical mineral wealth into jobs and growth means African economies capturing a greater share of the manufacturing process once minerals are out of the ground. The UK-Aid funded Manufacturing Africa project does exactly this, and we have already mobilised £1.2 billion in FDI for local manufacturing and created 95,000 jobs across the continent through similar support.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to minimise environmental waste and promote a circular economy, supporting sustainable development.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, made this declaration at a sensitisation workshop for FCT Judiciary on Circular Economy in Abuja on Monday, November 4, 2024.
The event was organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the European Union.
Lawal, who was represented by Mrs Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director, Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Ministry of Environment, said the workshop was timely and essential.
Lawal emphasised the judiciary’s vital role in advancing environmental sustainability and fostering a circular economy transition.
“By embedding circular principles, Nigeria can create opportunities for innovation, job creation, and resource conservation.
“This approach prioritises sustainable production, responsible consumption, and innovative waste management solutions,” he stated.
Lawal stressed that Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy was crucial for achieving sustainable development goals and honoring global commitments.
“The judiciary plays a pivotal role in upholding environmental laws, ensuring enforcement, and promoting sustainability,” he said.
Dr Innocent Barikor, NESREA Director-General, highlighted the importance of strengthened legislative frameworks and enforcement for effective implementation.
Mr Isa Abdulssalam, NESREA Director of Inspection and Enforcement, emphasised the enormous benefits of circular economy and the judiciary’s valuable role in advocating for sustainable practices.
The workshop aims to deepen judicial officers’ understanding of circular economy, explore legal frameworks, and identify ways to promote sustainability.
