The Federal Government on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to achieving zero biodiversity loss in Nigeria by the year 2030.
Participants at the Validation Workshop on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in Abuja
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, made this known at the Validation Workshop on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in Abuja.
Lawal was represented by Dr Amah Moses, Director, Forestry Department in the ministry.
According to him, the validation workshop marks a crucial milestone in the country’s efforts to align national strategies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“By 2030, all areas will be effectively managed to reduce the loss of high biodiversity areas to near zero.
“As a country blessed with diverse flora and fauna, it is our responsibility to develop a strategic framework that promotes the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of these invaluable resources,” he added.
Lawal stressed that Nigeria’s biodiversity is not only vital for ecological balance but also plays an important role in the country’s economy, culture, and food systems.
“Biodiversity is not just about conservation; it is the foundation of our ecosystems. It provides food, medicine, clean water, and healthy soils,” he noted.
He reiterated that the health and well-being of all Nigerians depend on a healthy environment, and called for collective efforts to lay the groundwork for a more resilient and ecologically sustainable nation.
“As we move to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its ambitious goals, it is worth recalling Nigeria’s active role, along with ECOWAS, during its development between 2020 and 2022,” he stated.
In her remarks, Dr Agnes Asagbra, Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.
“The private sector also has a key role to play, especially in biotech and agriculture-based industries, to support biodiversity through corporate social responsibility,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, Coordinator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), highlighted the programme’s extensive support for biodiversity initiatives.
“Biodiversity has always been a priority. To date, we have supported between 60 and 70 biodiversity projects in Nigeria,” she said.
She added that the programme has worked in nearly all the national parks and supported non-governmental organisations and local communities across the eight traditional national parks in the country.
As Nigeria navigates rising energy costs and the growing urgency of the climate crisis, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across the country.
L-R Yasmin Osaghae, James Fabola , Bukola Badmos, Yewande Adewusi, Temilola Adepetun, Affiong Williams, and Sarah Ogbewey.
He made this statement at the second edition of W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, a high-level forum for Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition and key stakeholders, hosted by Alitheia Capital, a pioneer in gender-lens impact investing private equity firm, in collaboration with Manufacturing Africa, a UK government programme focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the manufacturing sector, at his residence in Lagos.
Themed “Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing & Energy Transition for Women-led SMEs in Africa,” this year’s edition brought together a dynamic mix of industry leaders, women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and energy solution providers to explore the pivotal role of women-led businesses in Africa’s sustainable industrial transformation.
The discussions addressed the acute pressures SMEs face amid surging fuel prices and electricity tariffs – conditions that have made sustainable energy adoption both an environmental and economic imperative. Insights from Alitheia’s own portfolio reveals that adopting renewable energy can cut operational costs by as much as 60%, underscoring the financial viability of clean energy for scaling women-led businesses.
Participants examined practical pathways for women entrepreneurs to access clean energy solutions, scale sustainable manufacturing practices, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s green economy.
In his remarks, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, stated: “We are proud to collaborate with Alitheia Capital on W.O.M.A.N. (Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition) to drive Africa’s green industrial future. We recognise the indispensable role of women in this transition and are committed to expanding access to capital and capability to ensure sustainable growth. This event reflects our shared vision for inclusive and transformative development, and we are committed to supporting this journey through targeted investments and strategic private partnerships.”
Also speaking, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Alitheia Capital, Tokunboh Ishmael, said: “We are no longer just talking about sustainability as a nice-to-have. It’s an economic imperative, especially for women entrepreneurs at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial transformation and through W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, we’re not only spotlighting solutions – but we’re also scaling them. In our own portfolio, we’ve seen up to a 60% reduction in energy costs among businesses that have adopted clean energy. This is proof that green transition is not only possible but profitable.”
The event also featured keynote addresses and panel discussions with industry leaders including Yemisi Iranloye (CEO, Psaltry), Affiong Williams (CEO, ReelFruit), Temilola Adepetun (Managing Director, SKLD), James Fabola (CFO, Arnergy Solar), Bukola Badmos (Executive Director & CFO, Starsight Energy), and Sarah Ogbewey, (Head, Strategic Partnerships, Renewable Energy & Mobility, Sterling Bank).
Alitheia Capital also launched Nzinga, its SME capacity-building platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with tools for scaling their businesses sustainably. In parallel, Manufacturing Africa unveiled its Green Business Building (GBB) accelerator, which will drive the growth of green businesses through strategic support on core business problems, leading to the development of an ecosystem for green manufacturing and green jobs in Nigeria.
The day closed with an ESG knowledge session, exhibitions from green energy and manufacturing solution providers, and a resounding call to action: expand access to capital, strengthen ecosystems, and enable policy that supports inclusive green industrialisation.
Construction work at the long-awaited Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMPRC), Otuabagi, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is set to begin as the project promoters on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, handed over the project site to Julius Berger Plc, a renowned construction company, at a well-attended ceremony at the Otuabagi community town hall.
Officials of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Julius Berger Plc at the site of Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMPRC).
The event marked the completion of formalities and alignment of all key stakeholders, thus ensuring that the project would proceed without hitches at the exact location where oil production began in Nigeria in 1957.
Elated at the development, the project lead and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the multi-billion-naira project, which consists of a world-class Oil and Gas Museum Centre and a Research Testing Centre, was in fulfilment of the expressed desire of the project promoters to place Otuabagi community, the location of Oloibiri Oil Well 1, on the world map.
He noted that the tradition worldwide has been to immortalise the beginnings of the oil and gas industry by citing projects of significant socio-economic worth in communities where exploitation and production of petroleum began, and that the project promoters, namely Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company (now Renaissance Africa Energy Limited), and Bayelsa State Government, believe that the case of Nigeria did not have to be different.
Citing Pennsylvania, United States, reputed to be the birthplace of America’s oil industry, and a number of other cities across the world, he said, “You see museums, research centres, tourist attractions,” among other things, as distinctive features that give deserved prominence and material benefits to such communities.
The NCDMB boss was represented by the Board’s Director of Corporate Services, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, and he told the community that “history is in the making” as Julius Berger moves to the 55.05-hectare project site to commence construction, assuring them that a project management team has been constituted to ensure that timelines and other expectations were strictly adhered to by the construction giant.
He disclosed that a governance structure has already been drawn up for the Museum Centre for purposes of efficient and effective management, and that the community would be given a sense of belonging at all times. He charged youths of the community to prepare to take advantage of training programmes to be provided in diverse skill sets to be able to secure employment in the facility.
The Executive Secretary commended the Otuabagi community, particularly its Stakeholder Committee led by Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Professor Teddy Adias, for the remarkable maturity and comportment exhibited during earlier disputes relating to the project location.
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Bayelsa State, Peter Akpe, who represented the Bayelsa State Government, said the handover ceremony signaled the transition from drawing board to action and that a project that had been so long in the pipeline is finally coming to fruition. He commended the NCDMB, and other promoters as well as the community’s Stakeholder Committee for their commitment thus far.
A representative of Julius Berger, Mr. Rimon Marisho, Deputy Regional Manager, South and East, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB, Bayelsa State Government and the Otuabagi community for all they have done to bring the plans for the project to execution phase. He described the handover ceremony as “a perfect beginning,” while assuring all, “we are here for development.”
Goodwill messages were given by the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, and the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, who pledged maximum support for the project and also assured of a safe environment for the construction work.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman of the community’s Stakeholder Committee, Professor Adias, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB, PTDF, Shell and Bayelsa State Government for their efforts in actualising the project, which has been on the drawing since 1981, during the administration of the then President Shehu Shagari.
He said the handover of the project site to Julius Berger was a momentous event in the history of the Otuabagi community, which has long yearned for due recognition and development projects as the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Among the project promoters, namely, PTDF, NCDMB, Shell (now Renaissance Africa) and Bayelsa State Government, is a contribution ratio of 40:30:20:10, respectively.
Key features of the project concept include an imposing Oil and Gas Museum, within which is a display of geological formations, platforms, early equipment and tools marking successive stages in the evolution of oil and gas operations in Nigeria, an interactive screen for digital engagement with professionals, students, tourists and historians across the globe in search of knowledge.
The Research Testing Centre, which is the second arm of the complex, will have an open field around one of the abandoned wells, where field trials of prototypes of oil- and gas-related indigenous research will be conducted, in fulfilment of the requirement for product acceptance in industrial application. It will also provide access to university students in oil- and gas-related disciplines to potentially appreciate an active oilfield.
Other NCDMB personnel at the event were the General Manager, Human Capital Development, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile; General Manager, Midstream Monitoring, Mr. Silas Ajimijaye; and General Manager, Facility and Logistics Division, Mr. Suleman Ozhimede. The Bayelsa State Government team also included Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Perepuighe Biewari; Technical Adviser to the State Governor on Treasury, Revenue and Accounts, Mr. Timipre Seipulo; and Director General, Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Ms. Patience Abah.
In a bid to promote energy efficiency in line with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in Lagos on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, sought to enhance stakeholder capacity to comply to the newly approved Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners (ACs) in the country.
A cross section of stakeholders during the training of stakeholders on newly approved minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for Air Conditioners in Nigeria held in Lagos.
In his remark, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General, ECN, the workshop, implemented under the project “Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate- Friendly Cooling in Nigeria NDC Review” is being executed with technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funding from the Clean Cooling Collaborative.
Represented by Dr. Shehu Mustapha, Acting Director and ECN’s Head of Energy Transition Unit, the Director-General noted: “The main objective of the project is to accelerate the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly (low-GWP refrigerant) ACs in residential, commercial and public buildings which contribute to meeting Nigeria’s climate targets in our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) in a cost effective and sustainable manner. This is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on enhancing efficiency and fostering the development of renewable energy sources.”
He said one of the key outcomes of the project was the review of the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for air conditioners.
“The Technical Committee meeting to review the draft MEPS was held in June 2024 and the standards had since been approved by the Federal Government, so it is necessary to communicate the contents of the new standards to all relevant stakeholders, including end-users of air conditioners. Among these stakeholders are manufacturers, importers, and distributors, who play a critical role in bringing the product to the market. To promote compliance with the newly approved MEPS, it is essential to build the capacity of these critical stakeholders,” he stressed.
Lawal Ismaila Ayanda, an engineer and Head Electrical, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in his submission noted that SON developed a standard in compliant with the international body such as ISO and IEC in order to improve the efficiency by phasing out all the dangerous gases and those dangerous refrigerants in the environment.
His words: “There is need for us to domesticate this standard and create awareness for manufacturers, importers, users and all of us to be very much aware the dangers inherent in the old air conditioners which has to do with dangerous gases. Apart from this, old air conditioners consumes so much power while the new ones consume very less power and more efficient, more cooling, and of course environmentally friendly.
“In the course of developing the standard, we engaged members of the Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Practitioners (NARAP) as part of the stakeholders before coming up with the MEPS which centres around energy management and environmental protection.”
Mr. Etiosa Uyigue, National Coordinator, Nigeria Sustainable Cooling Project, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), while taking a look at the project overview noted that the project under the Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete RAC Equipment in West Africa otherwise called the AGORA project is going to be referenced to the standards that have been put in place.
He said: “Essentially, we have not done a precise standard for refrigerators yet, but it’s likely going to be that the AGORA project will focus more on the air conditioners than the refrigerators. We already have a revised standard for that. So, beyond that, we are talking about the architect bans of the use of pollution and air conditioning. We have to stop it but the policy we have on that allows you to bring in used air conditioners. And this is not an architect ban yet. But we are also working towards putting an architect ban on the use of used air conditioners and refrigerators.
“The AGORA project will also be looking at what to do with these used air conditioners. These air conditioners, which are nice and smart. You know, people just go and dump them somewhere. Maybe in the efficient solution, but leave them there. So, it’s also looking at recycling of those products. So, that’s part of what the AGORA project will also be addressing.
In his submission, Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, SRADev Nigeria, noted that for a country like Nigeria that suffers from energy poverty to a large extent, we need to key into what we call efficient means of energy supply.
“We are a nation trying to move towards net zero which covers every component of equipment as far as energy supply is concerned, the workshop is very key, and timely because we are in an era where there’s a kind of synergy happening towards the sector of air conditioners and refrigerators. MEPs is to put in place a standard which says if any importer is going to bring in any air conditioner into this country, it must meet the standard specified in terms of both energy consumption and also in terms of environmental friendliness”.
Dr. Adogame who is also a member of the Technical Committee while baring his mind on the advocacy that birthed the workshop stated that since all this effort started from the first MEP, which is now being reviewed by ECN, not much was known about the MEP sector as far as air conditioner is concerned.
“But it has to be all hands-on deck. We noticed this gap as civil society, and that’s why we came into this space. We partnered with SON to help to support the MEPs development for the lightning sector. We completed that about two years ago. We are beginning to have discussions to see how we can even look at other sectors like motors. But, again, we are using other projects, activities to address the same issue.
“For example, under the Montreal Protocol, which focuses on ozone-depleting substances and HFCs, that is another project we are using to address the issue of awareness raising for MEPs. It’s about standard to efficient system. It’s a win-win for everyone, irrespective of where you’re addressing it from. SON and ECN cannot do it alone. So, we, the NGOs, are approaching air conditioners and refrigerators from the ODS point of view, as well as from the HFC point of view. So, it’s purely a collaborative effort that will help to push the message,” he maintained.
Apart from the awareness that was created among critical stakeholders in the AC sector on the newly approved AC MEPS, ECN in partnership with SON further boost the technical capacity of manufacturers, importers and distributors of ACs to ensure effective compliance with the newly approved AC MEPS.
They also provide a platform for dialogue, clarification, and feedback to facilitate smooth implementation of the newly approved standards as well as strengthening collaboration between SON, ECN and the private sector to support Nigeria’s energy efficiency and climate goals.
A recent initiative by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, involving the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel and other petroleum products to marketers, petrol station operators, manufacturers, telecommunications companies, the aviation sector, and other large-scale users, with free logistics support, has been hailed by experts as a move with the potential to reduce inflation, create thousands of jobs, and lower the cost of petroleum products across Nigeria.
Dangote Refinery
Crucially, the refinery’s plan to deploy 4,000 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers is expected to not only address the country’s long-standing distribution inefficiencies but also reduce the influence of intermediaries and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Dr Abimbola Oyarinu, a university lecturer and public affairs analyst, stated that, if successfully implemented, the policy could significantly reduce the power held by middlemen within the oil and gas distribution chain. He observed that these intermediaries, including tanker drivers, have historically held the sector, and sometimes even the state, to ransom.
“This initiative has the potential to dismantle the dominance of powerful middlemen, who have in the past stalled progress and held entities like the NNPCL hostage,” said Oyarinu. “However, Nigerians will judge it by its impact on fuel prices. If it leads to cheaper petrol at the pump, it will ease inflation considering fuel costs and exchange rates are key inflationary drivers in Nigeria.”
Ibukun Phillips, an energy analyst, described the move as “revolutionary”, stating that it could reshape Nigeria’s energy landscape by improving accessibility and affordability, especially in rural areas.
“Logistics currently account for between 10% and 30% of fuel prices,” she explained. “Eliminating this cost will naturally reduce pump prices. Rural dwellers often pay more for fuel than those in urban areas, despite earning less. This initiative could revive disused filling stations and ensure more equitable distribution.”
Phillips added that the scheme will also generate employment, with at least 8,000 drivers expected to be hired to kickstart the operation.
Speaking on a national television programme, energy expert and co-founder of Dairy Hills, Kelvin Emmanuel, said Dangote’s move to cover logistics costs marks a critical shift that could allow Nigerians to finally benefit from domestic refining. He argued that concerns about the refinery becoming a monopoly are misplaced, pointing instead to systemic inefficiencies that have plagued the sector for decades.
“People have valid concerns,” Emmanuel acknowledged. “But let’s be clear: the real business marketers have been involved in isn’t selling PMS with margins of N5 to N15. Their real gains have come from exploiting arbitrage opportunities, often with substandard imports that don’t meet the sulphur specifications outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).”
He highlighted how logistical and regulatory failings have hampered fuel distribution.
“For instance, I can confirm that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) currently owes independent marketers N1.8 billion in outstanding bridging claims. Whether these claims are valid is another matter – an independent forensic audit would be required to determine that.”
According to Emmanuel, the Dangote Refinery is stepping in to address long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s fuel distribution system. He emphasised that fuel supply across the country remains inconsistent, with only Lagos, a few states in the southwest, and Abuja enjoying relatively stable and fair pump prices
“Dangote is taking on the burden of transportation, storage, and bridging costs that should have been streamlined long ago. This is in response to the resistance from vested interests who have tried to frustrate fair and efficient distribution,” he said.
He further explained that the refinery’s current reliance on road transport is a strategic move to bypass infrastructural and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“The immediate fix is the deployment of CNG-powered trucks to ensure last-mile delivery while avoiding delays caused by existing structural inefficiencies,” Emmanuel added.
The President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms. Maureen Chigbo, has stated that the organisation’s primary objective is to sanitise the online media space and establish standards for the industry.
The GOCOP book launch and fundraiser in Abuja
She spoke at the launch of GOCOP’s maiden publication, “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing,” and a fundraising event for the GOCOP Media Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, June 17, 2025,
Chigbo emphasised the need for collaboration with stakeholders to achieve this goal.
As a group of professional journalists with over two decades of experience in mainstream media, GOCOP is committed to promoting ethical online publishing practices.
Chigbo noted that the organisation’s members are dedicated to upholding the principles of truth, fairness, and balanced reporting, and have introduced a self-regulatory mechanism to ensure compliance.
To maintain high standards, GOCOP has established several committees, including a Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman to address public complaints and ensure accountability.
Chigbo stressed that the organisation takes its self-regulation responsibility seriously and is committed to weeding out unprofessional conduct.
The GOCOP President acknowledged the contributions of members, contributors, and supporters, including Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, who wrote the foreword to the book as well as the reviewer, and president, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku.
She also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, state governments, institutions, and corporate organizations for their support.
Chigbo appealed for generous donations to strengthen GOCOP and build the Guild’s Media Centre, which will empower members to run their businesses profitably.
She also urged public relations practitioners, advertisers, governments, and civil society organisations to support GOCOP businesses, emphasising the critical role that online media plays in building a society where justice, peace, and individual rights are respected.
By promoting ethical online publishing practices and collaborating with stakeholders, GOCOP aims to establish itself as a leading voice in the online media industry and contribute to the growth and development of the sector.
While claiming leadership on the international climate agenda at the pre-COP30 climate conference in Bonn, Germany, the Brazilian government, through the ANP (National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), held the 5th Cycle of the Permanent Concession Offer on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 — an auction of 172 oil and gas blocks, including 68 in the Brazilian Amazon.
Of the 47 oil blocks offered in the mouth of the Amazon, one of the most environmentally sensitive areas on the planet, 19 were concessioned for oil and gas exploration. A total of 16,312 km² of marine areas in the Amazon were auctioned, distributed across four sectors. Chevron and CNPC acquired nine blocks, whileExxonMobil and Petrobras secured 10 blocks, deepening the oil companies’ push into the Amazon biome.
These blocks were said to have been acquired without the completion of an Environmental Assessment of Sedimentary Area (AAAS). While not mandatory, the lack of this assessment has been repeatedly highlighted by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the country’s Ministry of Environment as a factor that hinders the licensing process in the region.
A detailed AAAS mapping would facilitate both the work of the environmental agency and energy planning, as it would identify areas where oil activities should be avoided due to environmental sensitivity, according to scientists.
The auction alsodid not comply with the recommendations of Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, which filed a few days ago an injunction to suspend the auction, citing serious flaws in the process, such as the lack of adequate preliminary studies, failure to consult affected parties, and the risk of irreversible socio-environmental damage.
In addition to violating the rights of local communities and going against theglobal agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, the government has allegedly disregarded warnings from the global scientific community, which are clear: there is no room for new fossil fuel projects if we are to avoid climate collapse.
The decision, it was gathered, undermines the credibility of the Brazilian government, which advocates for climate commitments on the international stage but continues to expand the fossil fuel frontier domestically – including in the Amazon, the region set to host the world’s most important climate conference this year, COP30.
Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities, and civil society organisations argue that a just energy transition must prioritise highly biodiverse and environmentally sensitive areas such as the Amazon and must be built on a clear plan that does not rely on the expansion of oil and gas or the financing of fossil fuels.
Representatives of civil society organisations and Indigenous Peoples offered the following comments:
Chief Jonas Mura, leader of the Mura People: “If the Great Creator left oil and gas deep underground, out of our reach, it’s because it is not something good – it brings only destruction, pollution, poverty, greed, disease, and conflict. Bringing that rotten, polluting mass up from the depths is bringing everything bad into our territories. We want the Amazon free from oil and gas!”
Gisela Hurtado, senior Amazonia campaigner at Stand.earth: “At the very moment the world gathers in Bonn to advance climate solucions and preparing for the first Cop in the Amazon, the Brazilian government is auctioning the Amazon to the fossil fuel industry. This ‘Leilão da Morte’ – Auction of Death – threatens not only Indigenous territories, but the global climate system itself. It defies the principles of the Paris Agreement and the ambition for the Cop30.
“We stand here to say: there is no climate justice without Indigenous rights, no just transition without keeping fossil fuels in the ground, and no sustainable future if the Amazon becomes a sacrifice zone. The world must demand coherence – words at the COP must match actions at home.”
Ilan Zugman, director of 350.org Latin America and the Caribbean: “Time will tell whether Brazil will have the political courage to align its rhetoric with action and leave a true legacy of climate leadership. This auction, in the very year Brazil is hosting COP30, marks a critical moment in which the government opens the doors to the fossil fuel industry in one of the most sensitive biomes on the planet. Today 19 blocks were concessioned without prior consultation with Indigenous and traditional communities, violating both constitutional and international rights.
“This decision contradicts the environmental protection promises made by a government elected under that very banner, and it undermines the country’s credibility on the global stage. Rather than leading a just energy transition based on Brazil’s vast renewable potential, the government is doubling down on an outdated fossil fuel model – one that jeopardises the future, blocks sustainable development, and repeats the mistakes of the past.”
Carolina Marçal, projects coordinator at Instituto ClimaInfo: “While demanding effective action from wealthy nations on the energy transition, Brazil has just sent a terrible signal to those who care about life and the future of this planet. By auctioning off 19 blocks in the mouth of the Amazon – an environmentally sensitive area critical to the global climate – the country is fueling the climate crisis. Beautiful words and empty agreements will not save the world from the growing wave of extreme weather events. Brazil has everything it needs to lead a just transition – and oil is certainly not part of the future in a world on fire.”
Mauricio Guetta, director of law and public policy at Avaaz: “With the world on the brink of reaching the 1.5°C threshold, the decision to auction off dozens of oil blocks in areas essential to global ecological and climate balance puts Brazil at odds with global efforts to address the climate emergency, undermining its leadership at COP30. The damage to the climate, biodiversity, and Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities will be irreversible.”
If we continue business as usual, land almost the size of South America (16 million square kilometres) will show continued degradation by 2050. Yet, bringing 1.5 billion hectares of land back to health could unlock a trillion-dollar restoration economy, the United Nations noted on this year’s Desertification and Drought Day, urging world’ leaders to step up action.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
In his message, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated: “What’s good for land is good for people and economies. But humanity is degrading land at an alarming rate, costing the global economy nearly $880 billion every year – far more than the investments needed to tackle the problem.”
“I urge governments, businesses, and communities to answer the call and accelerate action on our shared global commitments on sustainable land use. We must reverse degradation, and boost finance for restoration — including by unlocking private investment,” he declared.
This call for action was highlighted during this year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day in Bogotá, Colombia, held under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities”.
UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw, said: “This year’s observance highlights the enormous benefits of reviving our land – benefits we can’t afford to overlook as the global population is set to reach 10 billion by 2050. There is much at stake in curbing the competition over shrinking natural resources: without nutritious food, clean water and raw materials there are no livelihoods; and without them, there can be no economic prosperity, political stability, or lasting peace. A restored land is a land of endless opportunities, and it depends on all of us to unlock them.”
Unlocking global land restoration potential
According to the latest analysis by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), restoring one billion hectares of degraded land worldwide could generate up to US$1.8 trillion annually, with every dollar invested returning between US$7 and US$30 through improved ecosystem services and livelihoods. Already, the combined effects of land degradation and drought cost the global economy US$ 878 billion each year, three times the figure for official development assistance (ODA) in 2023.
Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 45 per cent of the world’s degraded lands, leads global land restoration commitments with more than 440 million hectares pledged, which could create up to 10 million decent land-based jobs in sustainable agriculture and forestry sectors in vulnerable areas like the Sahel.
Latin America and the Caribbean, which accounts for 14 per cent of the world’s degraded lands, has the second largest restoration target of more than 220 million hectares, showing strong potential and commitment to reviving vast swaths of degraded land.
In Western Asia and Northern Africa, where nearly 90 per cent of land is already degraded and a combination of rising temperatures, water scarcity, and stressed agricultural systems are placing increasing strain on people and ecosystems alike, more than 150 million hectares have been earmarked for restoration.
Land degradation is largely driven by deforestation, unsustainable farming, and urban sprawl; it is further exacerbated by climate change and underpinned by the dual challenges of poverty and overconsumption.
Meeting global land restoration targets requires one billion dollars a day between now and 2030, including a much bigger contribution from the private sector, which currently accounts for only 6% of the global investments to revive the world’s land as the foundation for our societies, economies, and functioning ecosystems.
Colombia puts land at the centre of development
Colombia, which hosted today’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, is one of the countries putting land at the centre of its development, reconciliation, and climate agenda. Land degradation affects nearly 30 per cent of its territory and more than 40 per cent of its soils are vulnerable to salinisation, directly impacting the livelihoods of one in ten Colombians. Hence the urgency to conserve, sustainably manage, and revive the land.
Today, the country is restoring more than 560,000 hectares of land, expanding agroforestry systems, and advancing land use planning in rural areas. In the past five years, the country has rallied farmers, civil society, and scientists around initiatives to restore critical watersheds, encourage sustainable coffee growing and cattle raising, and improve the quality of productive soils with focus on the Caribbean and Andean regions.
The Minister of Agriculture of Colombia, Martha Carvajalino, emphasised the country’s integrated approach to land reform and restoration: “In Colombia, we know that equitable land distribution is not enough; we must also heal our land and soils. Around the world, land restoration lays the foundation for food security and employment, underpins climate and biodiversity action; and is essential to cementing peace and democracy. As we host the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, we reiterate our commitment to prioritizing land and soil restoration in the spirit of ‘land for life’.”
UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary, Andrea Meza, said: “I commend Colombia for putting healthy lands at the centre of the country’s development, biodiversity, and climate agenda. Restoring the land is not only an environmental necessity, but an environmental justice imperative and a prerequisite for stability and prosperity.”
The global observance is part of the Global Land Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, the Centre for Research and Popular Education/Peace Program (CINEP) as lead for a National Organising Committee of civil society actors, the European Union and the International Land Coalition.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa, has said that the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) will be instrumental to catalyse solutions for a resilient future.
Ethiopian Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa
The summit is pursuant to the decision adopted at the recent African Union Summit and aims to accelerate global solution and financing.
The summit, organised in collaboration with the African Union Commission, will be held from September 8 to 10, 2025 in Addis Ababa, aiming to catalyze global climate solutions and enhance access to climate financing for Africa’s sustainable development.
In a media briefing on Monday, June 16, 2025, Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum emphasised that Ethiopia’s election to host this summit reflects its longstanding commitment to climate resilience and sustainable development.
“The Government of Ethiopia has long demonstrated its commitment to climate action, which is evidenced by initiatives such as the Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy, launched in 2011, which has since become a cornerstone of the country’s 10-Year Development Plan,” she emphasised.
The minister also noted that Ethiopia continues to translate its climate commitments into tangible results through nationally recognised flagship initiatives.
According to her, these include the Green Legacy Initiative, which saw over 40 billion tree seedlings planted between 2019 and 2023, and ambitious programmes in renewable energy, e-mobility, climate-smart urban planning, sustainable land management, and watershed development.
She emphasised that the summit would serve as a platform to showcase nature-based solutions, promote climate finance, and explore investment opportunities.
The event is expected to bring together approximately 25,000 participants, including heads of state, global climate leaders, civil society organizations, academics, and private sector representatives.
The summit’s theme, “Green Talks and Green Actions”, underscores its focus on actionable, scalable solutions for climate resilience.
Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, stressed the urgency of the summit given the continent’s vulnerability to climate impacts.
“Although Africa contributes just 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it bears the brunt of climate change’s consequences,” he said, adding, “The continent is facing unprecedented threats to food and water security, public health, and critical infrastructure.”
Vilakati noted that Africa requires $250 billion annually to finance climate adaptation and mitigation but currently receives only $30 billion.
He emphasised the need for innovative funding mechanisms and global cooperation to address this massive financing gap.
“The summit will foster high-level dialogue and action to support Africa’s transition toward a climate-resilient and green development pathway,” he stated.
President of the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), Anthony Akpan, who participated in the recently held 2025 UN Ocean Conference, has made a case for the actualisation of a network that will champion public awareness of oceans in Africa.
President of the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), Anthony Akpan
In a poster presentation at the conference co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica and held from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice, France, Akpan urged the need for change as a result of consequences of widespread ignorance about the oceans.
The presentation was titled: “Proposal for the Establishment of the African Ocean Literacy Civil Society Action Network: A Key Necessity for Uplifting Voices of Local Actors, Creating Public Awareness and Increasing Ocean Education and Literacy in Africa (OOS2025-75)”.
Akpan said: “In Africa, most of us live our lives unaware of how our day-to-day actions affect the health and sustainability of the ocean and its many resources on which we depend. Nor do the majority of us recognise how the health of the ocean affects our daily lives.
“Most citizens are not aware of the full extent of the medical, economic, social, political, and environmental importance of the ocean and seas. However, what some scholars have called ‘ocean blindness’ can be countered by improving access to accurate and compelling ocean education that strengthens the learner’s connection with the ocean. This is the essence of ocean literacy: an understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean.”
According to him, the proposal seeks to address Challenge 10 of the Ocean Decade, which states: “Ensure that the multiple values and services of the ocean for human wellbeing, culture, and sustainable development are widely understood, and identify and overcome barriers to behavior change required for a step change in humanity’s relationship with the ocean.”
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference focused on “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. It sought to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), with three main priorities, to produce an ambitious Nice Ocean Action Plan:
Priority 1: Working towards completion of multilateral processes linked to the ocean
Priority 2: Mobilising finance resources for the SDG14 and supporting the development of a sustainable blue economy
Priority 3: Strengthen and better disseminate knowledge linked to marine sciences to enhance policy-making.
