The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has announced the selection of three renowned scientific experts as co-chairs of a vital new multi-year methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity.
IPBES Officer-in-Charge, Neville Ash
This groundbreaking “Spatial Planning and Connectivity Assessment” will provide decision-makers around the world with insight and options for avoiding land- and sea-use change that negatively affect biodiversity, as well as exploring pathways to improve the use of spatial planning for the effective conservation, restoration and sustainable use of nature and its contributions to people. The work will pay particular attention to different regional and national circumstances, and to how spatial planning and connectivity underpin sustainable outcomes for people and nature.
Prof. María José Martínez-Harms (Chile), Dr. Luis Inostroza (Chile and Czechia), and Prof. Peter Verburg (the Netherlands) have been appointed to steer a balanced, interdisciplinary team of experts in spatial planning and ecological connectivity in relation to biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people. The dozens of other authors from around the world who will work with them on this landmark assessment will be announced by IPBES in the coming weeks.
The assessment will look at participatory approaches to spatial planning, including those involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries. The authors will address approaches for the identification of areas for conservation, sustainable use and restoration, including protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.
Making the announcement, IPBES Officer-in-Charge, Neville Ash, said: “As countries around the world work to deliver on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, this assessment is directly relevant and timely. It will illustrate the potential and importance of spatial planning in achieving a range of national and international ambitions, including directly informing the delivery of Targets 1-3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework by decision-makers at every level.”
IPBES also announced the selection of the institution that will host the Technical Support Unit for the assessment: the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The first author meeting of the assessment is already planned for September 2025 in Laxenburg, Austria, with a first draft of the report expected to be ready for open expert review in the second quarter of 2026.
The United Nations Habitat Assembly has adopted UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, placing adequate housing, land, basic services, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums at the heart of global efforts to build inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities.
Governments and key stakeholders engage in discussions on UN-Habitat’s strategic plan for the period 2026–2029 during a high-level dialogue on housing at the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly on 29 May 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo credit: UN-Habitat/Peter Ndolo
The adoption – by a strong majority vote of 105 in favour – marks a milestone in the fight against the growing global housing crisis and sets the direction of the Programme’s work over the next four years.
The strategic plan was endorsed during the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, which brought together ministers, local authorities, civil society, and other key stakeholders. It outlines a clear path to support Member States in expanding access to land and housing, improving basic services, and fostering inclusive prosperity and climate resilience in cities worldwide.
“An estimated 2.8 billion people worldwide are affected by different forms of housing inadequacy. The pandemic and inflation have opened the doors to the worst housing affordability crisis in more than a decade. The plight of 1.1 billion people living in informal settlements and slums and more than 300 million homeless people, in particular, calls for urgent and effective collective action,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
“This is why UN-Habitat’s strategic plan 2026–2029 prioritizes housing, land, and basic services for all. Without access to adequate housing, dignity and development are out of reach for billions. We must act urgently, boldly, and together,” added Rossbach.
A global priority rooted in rights
By 2050, 68 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities – driving the need for at least 40 million new homes, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
Housing deficits are especially acute in regions experiencing rapid urban growth. Asia, with over 842 million homes, still faces a shortfall of more than 100 million units. Africa has over 190 million homes but a deficit of 70 million, reflecting deep under-provision, particularly in informal settlements where basic services are lacking. In sub-Saharan Africa, 53.6 per cent of urban residents live in slums – the highest rate globally – and the region could see an additional 360 million people living in these conditions by 2030 if action is not taken.
Through access to housing, land and basic services, UN-Habitat aims to have an impact on three major global challenges:
Equitable and inclusive prosperity for poverty eradication
Preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction
Environment and climate action
These areas reflect the urgent need for integrated urban solutions that link housing with livelihoods, climate resilience, and peacebuilding.
Housing as the foundation of development
The Assembly also held a high-level dialogue on adequate housing during its resumed session. Co-chaired by Kenya and France, the session showcased political commitment and featured ministers, city leaders, civil society, and housing experts who shared good practices and innovative policies.
“Housing is a catalyst for social inclusion, equality, and sustainability,” said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. “It is urgent to see cities not as a local issue, but as a global lever – for climate action, for social justice, and for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“Housing is extremely important in any society, especially societies with inequalities,” said Sakaja Arthur Johnson, Governor of Nairobi City County. “Housing is at the top of our agenda because we want to give our people dignity, we want them to be able to have hope.”
Participants reaffirmed that adequate housing is not just a roof over one’s head but the foundation for safety, health, and opportunity. They called for rights-based housing policies, scalable financing mechanisms, and stronger partnerships with communities, the private sector and international development banks.
UN-Habitat will support governments and partners through integrated action on planning, finance, governance, innovation, and capacity-building. The strategic plan provides a roadmap to accelerate impact, align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and respond effectively to overlapping crises – from climate shocks and conflicts to economic instability.
The United Nations Habitat Assembly, the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation, is composed of all 193 UN Member States and meets every four years to determine strategic directions for the organisation.
The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has forged a strategic partnership with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to strengthen enforcement of construction standards.
From left: Chairman of CORBON, Samson Opaluwah and COREN President, Prof.Sadiq Abubakar, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday in Abuja
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two building regulators on Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Abuja aimed at addressing building collapse and other systemic challenges plaguing Nigeria’s construction industry
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chairman of CORBON, Samson Opaluwah, said the collaboration underscored a shared commitment by the two bodies to address the systemic challenges in the building sector.
“This signposts a milestone in our joint endeavour to foster professional excellence, collaborative delivery and the optimisation of human resources in the built environment in Nigeria.
“This MoU lays a foundation for the forging of a strong partnership for mutual collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity building and joint delivery of national development outcomes by Builders and Engineers in related fields.
“Infrastructure development and management which is the bedrock of modern civilisation requires that every nation optimises their resources in their delivery especially the human capital component which our members represent.
“Through our joint efforts, we shall encourage best practices and strive towards improved project management, quality delivery and innovative practices in the nation’s building and engineering industry,” he said.
According to Opaluwah, the partnership also aimed at maintaining the highest levels of professionalism and the deployment of best expertise in the development and management of Nigeria’s infrastructures.
He listed some benefits of the MoU to include mutual understanding and appreciation of specific and special expertise and boundaries and enhanced capacity building for registrants to improve professional expertise.
The benefits also included, sharing of best practices and innovations in the building and engineering industry; improved regulation, monitoring of standards, increased opportunities for collaboration in research, innovation and development of efficient and effective infrastructure.
He commended COREN for the willingness to collaborate towards mutual growth, rather than competition and confrontation.
On his part, the COREN President, Prof.Sadiq Abubakar, said the council had existed for over 53 years and saddled with the responsibilities of regulating engineering in Nigeria, among others.
“The area we are addressing today is the construction industry, where we have several regulators. CORBON and COREN are just two of the seven regulators in the industry.
“We innovatively created FORBEN, the Forum for Regulators in the Built Environment of Nigeria for effective collaboration.
“This is because if we are going to become competitors, and be confronting ourselves, Nigeria is going to lose.
“While we are bickering and competing, we are going to definitely leave regulatory gaps that people will exploit,” he said.
Abubakar said that building collapse has become a monster, and urged CORBON to join hands with COREN to bridge regulatory gaps.
Communities, civil society, businesses, and governments around the world on Thursday, June 5, 2025, marked World Environment Day under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, with official celebrations held in the Republic of Korea’s Jeju Province.
World Environment Day 2025 celebrations in Jeju, Korea
Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet. By 2040, plastic leakage to the environment is predicted to grow by 50 per cent, and that pollution creeps into our bodies through the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air that we breathe. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution. It comes exactly two months before countries resume negotiations towards a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
In his message for World Environment Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife. And as it breaks-down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk.
“Yet there is a movement for urgent change. We are seeing mounting public engagement…
“Steps towards reusability and greater accountability… And policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management. But we must go further, faster,” he added.
The official ceremony for World Environment Day in Jeju, Republic of Korea, highlighted the urgency of ending plastic pollution, a global crisis that affects much of life on Earth.
“Governments, businesses, citizens, and the international community alike are all key players in making the circular economy for plastics a reality,” Lee Byounghwa, Vice Minister of Environment for the Republic of Korea, said at the official commemoration in Jeju. “Before plastic pollution ends us, we must beat plastic pollution ourselves. Let us set aside the comfort of convenience and start with small actions, together. When everyone acts, change happens.”
Korea has taken important steps to eliminate plastic pollution. Jeju Province is running an ambitious campaign to reduce plastic pollution, drawing on the combined might of governments, businesses, and citizens. The idea: to reduce the number of single-use plastic products used by consumers while reusing and recycling as much as possible, a process known as circularity. The province’s goal is to end plastic pollution by 2040. A pillar of that plan is convincing residents to abandon single-use plastics.
Speaking at the official celebration in Jeju, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “Ending plastic pollution is clearly a human health, planetary health, economic health and business health imperative.”
“Ending plastic pollution is possible. But we cannot lean solely on recycling. Only by tackling the full life cycle, as well as using circular approaches, can we ensure that plastic pollution stays out of our oceans, our soils, and our bodies,” she added. “This means a complete rethink of how we design, make, use and reuse plastics.”
Writing in the Republic of Korea’s Kukmin Daily, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “In my 10 years as Secretary-General of the UN, I realized that plastic pollution is a global problem, and that a universal effort of the international community is needed to solve it. World Environment Day on June 5th should be a turning point for governments, civil society, companies, the scientific community, and the future generation to take action together.”
Governments, businesses, educational institutions, civil society, and communities worldwide joined in efforts to advocate for an end to plastic pollution and addressed plastic pollution in their spaces.
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum launched a National Strategy for Beach and Coast Cleanup and Conservation (2025-2030) on 5 June, aiming to eliminate 100% of plastic waste from the country’s beaches and coasts within five years.
Airports around the world – in Baghdad, Beijing, Brussels, Geneva, and Kansai (Japan) – reached millions of travellers with public messages about plastic pollution, as did other large public transport hubs, including metro stations in Beijing and Mexico City. Several cities lit up to mark World Environment Day – billboards in New York’s Times Square carried World Environment Day messages, while Geneva’s iconic Jet d’Eau lit up in green, as did city halls and prominent buildings in Brussels and other Belgian cities.
On June 4, the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) – for which UNEP serves as the secretariat – launched the Global Plastics Hub, a one-stop platform for data, knowledge, and collaboration to end plastic pollution. The Hub is intended to offer a single point of access for accurate, up-to-date information on marine litter, plastic pollution, and related topics, as well as a virtual forum in which stakeholders can come together.
As part of World Environment Day 2025, UNEP’s initiative, the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge, held a summit in India showcasing inspiring stories and best practices from youth leaders across the country who have taken meaningful steps to reduce plastic waste in their communities.
Tide Turners is one of the largest youth-led environmental movements, mobilizing young people to take action against plastic pollution. Since its inception in Kenya, the programme has expanded globally and has engaged over 980,000 youth in 60+ countries as key drivers of environmental sustainability, particularly in the global campaign to #BeatPlasticPollution.
In Chicago, a 245-foot mural titledStand Tall, created by acclaimed Dutch artist Mr. Super A, was unveiled on May 31 on the iconic Prudential Building (Pru)’s skyline. The mural was curated by the non-profit (SAM), and is part of the global #EcosystemRestorationMurals series, an initiative by SAM in collaboration with UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – a worldwide drive to halt, prevent and reverse the degradation of nature. Street Art for Mankind (SAM), and is part of the global #EcosystemRestorationMurals series, an initiative by SAM in collaboration with UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – a worldwide drive to halt, prevent, and reverse the degradation of nature.
More than 2,500 events marked World Environment Day in virtually every corner of the world, and millions of people engaged with the day’s hashtags – #WorldEnvironmentDay and #BeatPlasticPollution – which were trending worldwide. Notable international figures also lent their voice to the cause, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and several UNEP Goodwill Ambassadors – Jason Momoa, Dia Mirza, Antoinette Taus and Alex Rendell.
Ocean Conservancy and its partner GOAL on Thursday, June 5, 2025, announced the “Protect Where We Play Tour” launch, a partnership across GOAL’s network of venues to reduce their plastic footprint by deploying a reusable cup programme during concerts and sporting events.
Reusable coffee cup
The Protect Where We Play Tour will kick off at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, which is hosting Coldplay on June 6-7. Other tour stops this summer will include Savannah’s Enmarket Arena for The Lumineers, two nights of Billie Eilish at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York and others.
It is estimated that this tour will prevent 1,000,000 single-use cups from entering the waste stream. Bold Reuse, a leading reuse service provider, is supporting the tour by managing all reusable cup operations at participating venues.
“We’re so excited about this activation because it’s the perfect combination of mission alignment and funding for operational changes. We’re grateful for Ocean Conservancy’s collaboration and openness to fund tangible solutions that help facilities implement sustainable change, while also elevating their mission. These are the type of win-win partnerships that enable the positive change that our sports and entertainment industry really need,” said Kristen Fulmer, Executive Director of GOAL.
“With 50% of our oxygen coming from the ocean, whether you live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, the future of your favourite game, concert, or event depends on a healthy, plastic-free ocean. By tapping into the joy of what it means to be a fan, we can inspire action and create a global movement that protects our planet for the next generation,” said Ocean Conservancy’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Jenna DiPaolo.
Select tour dates include:
June 6-7: Coldplay at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
September 27: Lumineers at Enmarket Arena, Savannah, GA
October 25-26: Billie Eilish at UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY
In February, Ocean Conservancy launched the Protect Where We Play Initiative, aimed at rallying sports and entertainment fans to protect the future of our planet, leveraging the reach of athletes, artists, and events to mobilise millions of fans in support of ocean conservation. The programme features “Team Ocean Captains” including WNBA’s Napheesa Collier, NFL’s Kelvin Beachum, MLB’s Brent Suter, Paralympian Ezra Frech, and American ballerina Katherine Barkman.
The Protect Where We Play Initiative is the newest Ocean Conservancy programme among decades of work to protect the ocean from plastic pollution. Since 1986, Ocean Conservancy has led the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), mobilising nearly 19 million volunteers to remove 395 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide.
Ocean Conservancy has also led advocacy efforts to prevent plastic pollution through policies at the state, federal, and international levels.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says about 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide every year.
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres
UNEP, in a report to mark the 2025 World Environment Day on June 5, said half of this plastic was designed to be used only once, and only 10 per cent was recycled.
It said between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and without urgent action, this figure is expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040.
The UN environment agency stressed that plastic pollution was contaminating every corner of the planet, threatening ecosystems, wildlife and human health.
Microplastics are found in food, water and air, with the average person estimated to ingest over 50,000 plastic particles each year and far more when inhalation is included.
UNEP warned that if the climate crisis goes unaddressed, with plastic pollution as a major driver, air pollution levels exceeding safe thresholds could rise by 50 per cent within a decade.
According to the UN agency, plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments may triple by 2040.
To rally momentum, UNEP is leading the 52nd annual World Environment Day on 5 June, the world’s largest platform for environmental outreach.
This year’s commemoration is hosted by Jeju, Republic of Korea, under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.
Since launching in 2018, the UNEP-led campaign has advocated for a just and inclusive transition away from plastic dependency.
World Environment Day brings together governments, businesses, communities and individuals in a shared mission to protect and restore the planet.
The day also advances progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those linked to climate action and sustainable consumption.
A major focus of the day is the ongoing push for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Countries are currently negotiating an international, legally binding agreement, with the next round of talks scheduled for August.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for an “ambitious, credible and just agreement” that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, reflects community needs, aligns with the SDGs and is implemented quickly and fully.
UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, echoed the call, urging nations to unite around innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic use.
World Environment Day serves as a catalyst for action, driving attention toward the UN Environment Assembly later this year.
Hopes are high that nations will finalise concrete steps to curb plastic pollution and address the broader climate emergency at the forthcoming assembly.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has called for collective action among individuals, organisations and governments to combat plastic pollution.
The call comes as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, made the call at an event to mark the day on Wednesday, June 4, in Kano, the state capital.
He was represented by his Special Assistant on Environmental Sanitation, Abdullahi Shehu -Bichi.
Hashim said the World Environment Day, established by the United Nations in 1974, was marked annually on June 5 to raise global awareness and encourage action for environmental protection.
“The theme for 2025, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, focuses attention on the urgent need to reduce the use of single-use plastics and to adopt sustainable alternatives,” he said.
He noted that though plastic was a cheap, lightweight and durable material, it posed serious threat to the environment due to its long degradation period.
“Most plastics are used only once and discarded within minutes, ending up in landfills, water bodies or as litter.
“The pollution takes various forms from marine debris and microplastics in water to plastic netting that endangers aquatic life,” he said.
Hashim said the theme stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to tackle the plastic menace, which affected not only the environment but also human health.
Earlier, Mr. Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, said plastic pollution remained one of the biggest threats to the planet, with over 400 million tonnes produced annually.
He warned that much of this plastic ended up in rivers, oceans, soil, and even the food people consumed.
Farah said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” was a global call to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics while seeking greener alternatives.
“In Kano today, we are planting trees and engaging in plastic trash collection as part of our activities to mark the day,” he said.
“These efforts align with UNICEF’s global Green Rising initiative, which mobilises youth for climate action through volunteering, green skills development, and environmental advocacy,” he explained.
On World Environment Day, Greenpeace Africa activists staged a demonstration outside Coca-Cola’s corporate offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa, with a striking 3-metre by 3-metre glass bottle cap installation and activists wearing elaborate costumes constructed from plastic waste. The action highlighted Coca-Cola’s status as the world’s number one plastic polluter for six consecutive years.
The visual spectacle included activists displaying banners reading “Cap it Coke” and “It tastes better in glass” as a demonstration for Coca-Cola to return to its iconic glass bottle packaging. The centrepiece was a towering glass bottle cap prop, symbolising the transition from single-use plastic bottles back to refillable glass alternatives that Coca-Cola once championed.
Hellen Kahaso Dena, Project Lead, Pan-African Plastics Project for Greenpeace Africa said: “If Coca-Cola is really serious about solving the plastic and climate crisis, it needs to stop its greenwashing, cap its plastic production and invest in refill and reuse. Ending Coca-Cola’s addiction to single-use plastic is an important step in moving away from fossil fuels, protecting communities in Africa, and combating the climate crisis.”
One activist, dressed in an elaborate theatrical costume constructed entirely from discarded plastic bottles and waste, moved through the demonstration space as a living embodiment of the pollution crisis caused by the beverage giant’s relentless production of throwaway packaging. The costume, created in collaboration with local artists, transformed plastic waste into an artistic statement about corporate responsibility and environmental destruction.
“While big corporations like Coca-cola keep churning out single-use plastics and reaping millions in profit margins, waste pickers are left to deal with the consequences, sorting through mountains of waste for the tiny fraction that can be recycled,” added Dena.
The timing of the action is particularly significant as it comes at a time when the Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5) negotiations failed to deliver a binding document, after which Coca-Cola lowered its environmental commitments. The company extended its sustainability timeline to 2035 and reduced its targets, now aspiring to achieve only 40% recycling in primary packaging and collect 75% of bottles and cans marketed.
However, Coca-Cola has continued what activists describe as a “greenwashing spree,” making superficial design changes rather than addressing the root cause of plastic pollution. In 2023, the company changed its green Sprite bottle to a clear colour claiming improved recyclability. But critics suggest this merely changed the colour of plastic waste entering landfills and oceans.
“This is corporate greenwashing at its worst. Instead of performative solutions, Coca-Cola should implement robust refill and reuse systems, cap plastic production, and advocate for a strong Global Plastic Treaty that addresses the crisis at its source,” concluded Dena.
Over 99% of plastics derive from fossil fuels, directly linking plastic production to the climate crisis. The crisis affects the same communities that consume Coca-Cola products. The company’s business model relies heavily on fossil fuel extraction, contradicting any meaningful climate commitments.
The action concluded with activists attempting to deliver their demands directly to Coca-Cola’s senior management, including CEO Sunil Gupta, CFO Norton Kingwill, and Sustainability Officer Layla Jeevanantham. No Coca-Cola representative appeared to meet the activists, and the memorandum was left at their doorstep alongside a trophy for World’s No. 1 Polluter.
As the world celebrates the 2025 World Environment Day with this year’s theme, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution”, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) is calling on governments at all levels to focus on laws and policies that control plastic production, as a way of curbing its danger to environmental and human health.
Prince Chima Williams
Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, while speaking on this year’s theme, stated that the uncontrolled production of single-use plastics and the uncontrolled release of plastic debris onto the land and marine ecosystems are facilitating widespread plastic pollution.
According to him, single-use plastics are dangerous to the environment due to their massive number in the ecosystem, which has found its way to our rivers, water ways, rivulets and drainages, destroying natural habitats and causing flooding across the country.
“Scientifically, it takes at least 400 years for a single-use plastic to decompose. It can only break down into micro plastics, polluting water and food sources. Also, the plastic production and disposal processes releases greenhouse gases which is also a major contributor to climate change.
“Plastic waste contaminates soil and water sources, posing as a threat to food production and human health. In rural areas, plastic pollution disrupts farming activities, as plastic waste impedes farming and contaminates farmlands. Furthermore, plastic waste in water bodies threatens aquatic lives, as marine animals ingest or become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury and death.”
Williams pointed out that plastic waste will continue to be a hot environmental issue in Nigeria because production and distribution rates are not checked or regulated. He added that plastic pollution is bound to worsen in the country, due to the ever-increasing population that also drives consumption rates.
While proffering solutions on curbing plastic pollution in Nigeria, Williams called for laws and policies that hold producers accountable for every plastic waste they produce.
“Due to the wide use of plastic in the society, an outright ban on plastic may not be achievable immediately. However, the government can place restrictions on plastic production rates, and also hold companies who use plastics as their source of packaging responsible for the plastic waste they produce.
“Beverage companies and other producing brands can adopt a plastic recall system or engage waste pickers to collect their plastic waste from the environment.”
Williams also called on the government to promote effective waste management systems, encourage zero-waste policies and invest in recycling and repurposing plants that convert waste to other reusable materials.
He also charged CSOs and environmental groups to engage in more awareness campaigns on environmental protection and healthy waste management practices while also encouraging adoption of nature-based solutions as nature has provided effective alternatives to single use plastics.
Meanwhile, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and CNL, has said that it supports the global initiative to curb the plastic pollution menace as it aligns with the organisation’s commitment to protecting the environment while providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress.
Jim Swartz, CNL’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), explains that this year’s theme is consistent with the company’s values and environmental principles, which are anchored on considering the environment in decision-making, minimising environmental footprint, operating responsibly, and stewarding sites.
According to Swartz, “At Chevron, our commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in the responsible design, development, operation, and retirement of assets. We strive to implement business practices that support effective waste management activities and reduce the potential environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with plastic waste. We continue to assess and implement the reduction of single-use plastic water bottles by providing water dispensers. We have also invested in waste management equipment to shred, crush, and compact waste for recycling and re-use by third-party service providers. These actions have prevented our used plastics from leaking into our immediate natural environment.”
Swartz stated that CNL’s Operational Excellence Management System delivers industry-leading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability, and efficiency.
“Our focus on the environment during decision-making lays the foundation for sound environmental management. The company protects the environment through the entire lifecycle from responsible design, development, operations, and asset retirement,” he stated.
CNL’s CMD noted that CNL is advancing its lower carbon strategy by focusing on lowering the carbon intensity of its operations and by implementing methane detection and reduction capabilities.
“CNL utilises high-tech Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras for detecting fugitive emissions, and in the past 10 years, CNL has reduced routine gas flaring by over 97% in its operations,” he highlighted.
In 1992, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), established the Lekki Conservation Centre.
“This 78-hectare facility serves as a centre of excellence in environmental research and education, providing a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula,” disclosed the organisation.
In 2005, CNL began supporting an annual postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation, instituted by the NCF. Additionally, the company hosts the annual S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness and partners with the Lagos State Government and NCF to sponsor the annual Walk for Nature event, aimed at creating awareness for nature conservation and sustainable environmental management.
Olusoga Oduselu, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, emphasised the importance of protecting and conserving biodiversity.
“We have a long history of working in collaboration with communities, industry groups, regulators, and conservation groups to identify and protect biodiversity in parts of the world where we operate. For over 60 years, the company has remained an active agent of sustainable development and a strong advocate of partnerships in support of the environment,” Oduselu said.
As the world focuses on beating plastic pollution, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) says it will continue to partner with stakeholders to raise public awareness and create the transformative environmental change needed to advance towards a more sustainable world.
“This commitment aims to beat plastic pollution for ourselves and future generations,” says Swartz.
The Project Developer Forum (PD Forum) and leading carbon market experts are calling for a review by the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism’s (CDM) Board of the science behind the default Wood to Charcoal Conversion Factor (WCCF) and the charcoal emission factors used in carbon credit methodologies.
Charcoal
WCCF measures how much wood is required to produce one ton of charcoal, a key parameter for carbon credit accounting as it determines the deforestation and emissions attributed to charcoal production.
New scientific evidence suggests that the proposed 4:1 default value does not reflect real-world data and could potentially under-credit clean cooking projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. Low emission factors would underestimate the deleterious impact of the charcoal industry on deforestation.
During a webinar hosted by PD Forum on June 4, 2025, Dr. Nordica MacCarty of Oregon State University presented field research from Malawi and Ghana showing that actual WCCFs consistently exceed the current 4:1 default set by CDM Tool 30 and 33. Her study analysed 12 kiln runs in each country, measuring charcoal yield, distribution, and usage inefficiencies across the value chain.
“Our findings clearly show that the majority of emissions and material losses occur during charcoal production, primarily through the release of volatiles, water loss, fines, and wood left at harvest sites,” said Dr. MacCarty. “Actual WCCFs consistently exceeded the conservative 4:1 value. If the goal is accurate emissions accounting, these ground realities must be incorporated into default factors.”
Nick Marshall, Co-Vice Chair of PD Forum, said: “Under the disingenuous label of ‘integrity’, we are seeing the prioritisation of conservative carbon accounting over accuracy. The proposed WCCF default does not reflect sufficient accuracy in the accounting of clean cooking carbon project emissions, leading to an underestimation of their impact which can undermine carbon finance flows to communities that need them most. We are urging the UNFCCC to review this parameter so that it reflects real-world conditions and ensures fair crediting for projects delivering climate solutions to low-income households.
“This is not only about carbon accounting – it’s about fairness and equity. The communities adopting cleaner technologies deserve recognition for their contribution to global climate goals.”
Dr. Rob Bailis from Stockholm Environment Institute added, “”The 4:1 default is not based on actual field data, but rather a misreading of outdated IPCC text. Using 4:1 not only underestimate emission, but it also undermines project viability. If the goal is environmental integrity, we should follow the data. On that basis, 6:1 is a much more defensible default value.”
Nathan Gachugi, Director of Carbon Operations Africa at BURN, explained how conservative defaults limit carbon finance potential: “At BURN, we are seeing firsthand how these conservative defaults are limiting the potential of carbon finance to transform the lives of hundreds of millions of low-income households in Africa. Revising the WCCF and the direct charcoal emission factors to reflect science-backed field data is critical to ensuring climate finance reaches the communities that need it most.”
Traditional low-efficiency kilns in Sub-Saharan Africa consume far more wood than current methodologies account for, yet outdated defaults remain in use. While methodologies like Verra’s VMR0050 and the Clean Cooking Alliance’s CLEAR methodology now recognise a 6:1 WCCF, the CDM Tool 33 and the ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles take the 4:1 value. These risks underestimating the emissions from upstream charcoal production, disincentivising investment in cleaner technologies and perpetuating unsustainable charcoal practices.
The PD Forum is circulating research to key stakeholders including UNFCCC, ICVCM, Gold Standard, Verra, ICAO, national carbon market authorities, and rating agencies, urging alignment of charcoal emission factors with empirical data.
For decades, the people of Ogoniland in Nigeria’s Niger Delta have borne the brunt of environmental degradation caused by incessant oil spills. Once lush and fertile, the land has become a toxic shadow of itself. Rivers that once teemed with life are now blackened with crude oil, and the air is heavy with the stench of pollution.
A group of leaders from multi-faiths during an event hosted in Abuja by the Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report of 2011 laid bare the scale of devastation, describing it as one of the world’s worst oil pollution disasters. Yet, more than a decade later, the cleanup process has been slow, marred by bureaucracy and insufficient political will.
The consequences are dire: contaminated drinking water, loss of livelihoods, rising health problems, and the erosion of cultural identity tied to the land. Communities feel abandoned, their cries drowned out by economic interests and political silence. In the face of such injustice, there is an urgent need for moral voices to rise – and faith leaders can no longer remain on the sidelines.
Faith leaders wield immense influence in communities across Nigeria. They are trusted voices who provide hope, direction, and a sense of justice to their congregants. Their intervention is crucial not only in advocating for environmental justice but also in holding government and corporate actors accountable. By framing the oil spill crisis as not just an environmental or political issue but a moral and spiritual one, faith leaders can stir conscience and drive collective action.
Islamic, Christian, and traditional religious leaders must unite to demand a comprehensive and transparent cleanup of Ogoni land, reparations for affected communities, and long-term sustainable development. They can also lead in healing the land – mobilising communities around conservation, environmental awareness, and resilience through faith-inspired initiatives.
The suffering in Ogoni land is not just a regional tragedy – it is a stain on our shared humanity. Now is the time for faith to meet action, for pulpits to echo the cries of the Earth and the poor, and for spiritual leaders to champion the cause of justice for Ogoni and all marginalised communities affected by environmental abuse.
By Nweze Emmanuel Obinna, Director of Programmes, Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF)
As the world celebrates the World Environment Day (WED) on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution”, the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST), a not-for-profit, has endorsed the urgent need to address the global menace of plastic pollution.
Plastic waste pollution in Akobi Crescent, Lagos, Nigeria
The organisation disclosed in a statement authorised by Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman, Board of Directors, that it recognises that this is an issue that humanity can dispense with, without significant loss nor damage to human wellbeing, but with numerous benefits to the environment.
NEST therefore supports ending plastic pollution, he declared.
Nwajiuba submitted: “Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most important global environmental issues. Nigeria is not spared, as evidences stare us in the face. All around our cities, in high, as well as lower income neighborhoods, plastics litter. Streets cluttered with non- biodegradable materials, and the increasing prevalence of micro-plastics in our food chain are clear reminders of the urgent need for bold action.
“What was hitherto an urban problem in Nigeria, now pervades rural areas. In rural streets, markets, farmlands and elsewhere, plastics litter. Nigerians wrap and cook with plastics oblivious of the health risks. Plastic packaging, and single use plastic shopping bags are not just common but all pervading. Disposal of these plastics is also problematic. Open burning by street corners and homestead is common, with adverse consequences for human health, especially respiratory challenges.
“These plastics end in sewers and drainages, creating blockages. They are implicated in flooding in many places. Plastics find their way into rivers, seas and oceans, and adversely affect aquatic lives and health. They also end in farms, adversely affecting soil characteristics and crop yield. This has therefore become an unprecedented threat to ecosystems, human health, and sustainable development.
“Ending plastic pollution does not have to mean end use of plastics. It calls for responsible use and disposal of plastics. We call on everyone to take responsibility for changing the way plastics are made, used, and disposed of.
“Ending plastic pollution calls for urgent actions, and not mere words. All hands should be on deck in this regard.
“Individuals, families, trade groups, market associations, and government, and civil society should urgently embark on measures to end plastic pollution.
“We acknowledge that a few states, notably Lagos state, have started taking action towards ending single use plastic shopping bags. NEST endorses this. We also call on other states of Nigeria to urgently take action along the same line.”
NEST acknowledges that ending plastic pollution necessitates a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond increasing public awareness, adding that it calls for knowledge generation, technological advancement, financial investment, regulatory changes, and community empowerment and inclusiveness.
In advancing this, NEST recommends action in the following ways:
Promoting Sustainable Alternatives by advocating for the adoption of bio- degradable and reusable materials across communities and industry.
Community Education through organizing grassroots initiatives to raise public knowledge of the effects of plastic pollution and workable solutions to cut back on plastic use.
Promoting Policy Advocacy by working with stakeholders and the government to improve waste management, plastic production, and enforcement procedures.
Promoting Research and Innovation via supporting scientific investigations and advancements in recycling and sustainable plastic waste management technology.
A Call to Action for Nigeria
According to NEST, ending plastic pollution is not the responsibility of one institution or sector alone, and every Nigerian must work together to achieve this. It called on the government to enhance waste management infrastructure and expedite the implementation of laws against single-use plastics.
“The Federal Government should revisit its suspension of the Implementation of the Green Taxation that imposed tax on single use plastics,” submitted NEST, adding:
“Again, companies should invest in sustainable alternatives and reduce their use of plastic packaging in order to embrace the circular economy. The 5Rs of waste management – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink – should be embraced by communities and individuals and incorporated into day-to-day activities.
“In conclusion, as we celebrate World Environment Day 2025, we are all encouraged to recommit to eradicating plastic pollution in Nigeria. Through this, we can preserve public health, protect our environment, and guarantee a sustainable future for coming generations by working together via innovation, education, and legislative action.”
In a related development, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the youth wing of Volunteer Advocates (U-Report), has inaugurated the planting of 1,000 trees in Sokoto State to commemorate World Environment Day 2025.
The initiative, launched at Rumbukawa Primary Health Centre on Thursday, was led by Mr. Ibrahim Adamu, the U-Report Coordinator in the state.
He explained that the project aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme heat in the region.
“We selected the PHC for the inauguration due to the growing number of patients who visit the facility daily.
“There is a need to enhance shade and maintain a conducive temperature to support patient recovery and improve the surrounding environment,” Adamu said.
He added that the group, in response to global calls for environmental action, has been actively advocating and sensitising communities on the importance of tree planting as a long-term solution to environmental degradation.
Adamu assured that U-Report members would continue planting trees across Sokoto and ensure proper care and maintenance of every plantation.
Also speaking, Mr. Mustapha Umar, the Community Health Officer (CHO) of the facility, expressed appreciation to UNICEF and U-Report for selecting the PHC as the site for the initiative.
“This gesture will significantly help in addressing the environmental challenges faced by our facility and improve the overall atmosphere.
“Personally, I have a passion for planting and caring for trees, so I assure you that these trees will be well taken care of,” he said.
The World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 and has the theme for 2025: “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
