Stakeholders in Nigeria’s climate and environmental sector have resolved to develop an action plan and intensify advocacy to fast-track the operationalisation and implementation of a regulatory framework for the country’s carbon market.
Stakeholders at the research dissemination workshop
The resolution emerged at a recent Research Dissemination and Stakeholders’ Workshop organised by the Environment for Development (EfD) Nigeria, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
EfD Nigeria is participating in broader international study on the Potential and Challenges of Voluntary Carbon Market in seven developing countries.
The Centre had an earlier engagement with the stakeholders at the commencement of the project in January 2025. The recent workshop was to update them on the findings of the study as it concerns Nigeria and to seek their input and validation.
Participants included representatives from relevant government agencies, the private sector, academia, and climate policy experts.
Absence of regulation hinders sale of carbon credits by investors
Presenting preliminary findings of the study, Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone and Dr. Chizoba Oranu of EfD Nigeria highlighted that Nigeria currently lacks an operational regulatory framework for its carbon market. The regulatory gap has stalled critical processes, such as the issuance of letters of no objection, which is an essential requirement for project developers to trade carbon credits.
The report further revealed that unclear land and forest ownership rights continue to discourage community participation in voluntary carbon market projects. In many instances, affected communities are excluded from crucial decision-making processes, including the development of governance frameworks.
Some of the other challenges identified by the study include limited capacity among policymakers in key aspects of carbon market operations such as Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), pricing, validation, and carbon registries; over-reliance on foreign consultants, which raises costs and limits local ownership and the fragmentation of ongoing voluntary carbon projects due to the absence of a national policy direction.
Awareness on carbon market is needed
Some of the recommendations from the study include the integration of carbon market curricula in Nigerian universities; establishment of certification hubs in academic and research institutions; creation of a national carbon registry and MRV system to ensure data integrity and reduce dependence on foreign platforms; support for local institutions to undertake project validation and auditing, thereby lowering certification costs; and the formation of independent technical committees and action groups to lead reform implementation.
Despite current obstacles, including market volatility, delayed financial returns, limited local financing, and low technical capacity, the study notes that Nigeria has significant potential to become a major player in the global carbon market. Realising this, however, requires urgent reforms anchored on political will, institutional collaboration, and strategic public-private partnerships.
“In Nigeria, the carbon market concept remains vague to many. It is often perceived as an elusive promise tied to undelivered climate finance from developed countries,” said Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Director of EfD Nigeria.
He emphasised the need for widespread awareness creation and capacity building to enable meaningful Nigerian participation in the global carbon economy.
“The University of Nigeria stands firmly behind REPRC–EfD Nigeria in its mission to generate critical data and recommendations for shaping an effective and inclusive carbon market framework for the country,” said Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria.
Next steps and advocacy strategy
The stakeholders agreed to use the report of the study as a launch pad for advocacy to influence the operationalisation and implementation of Nigeria’s carbon market regulatory framework
They proposed using influential platforms, such as the Nigerian Governors Forum, to escalate awareness and policy influence of the study.
One immediate goal of the advocacy is to urge relevant government agencies to begin issuing letters of no objection to project developers, a practice already adopted in some countries without formal frameworks. This would enable Nigeria to unlock the economic and environmental benefits of carbon markets while a full regulatory structure is being anticipated.
They requested that a final report of the study and the advocacy plan should be made to them in August 2025.
Founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a listening president whose policies are restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer, Independent Project Monitoring Company Limited (IPMC), Robert Ade-Odiachi; President / CE, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, during the Minister’s visit to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Ibeju Lekki Lagos on Saturday July 26, 2025
Dangote made the remarks on Saturday July 26, 2025, during a visit by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, to the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Commending President Tinubu’s efforts to address crude supply challenges to domestic refineries, Dangote praised the Naira-for-Crude initiative and the Nigeria First policy as bold and transformative steps capable of revitalising the economy.
“I believe we must sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for ensuring that there have been improvements in the supply of crude oil. His insistence that all crude oil transactions be conducted in naira has been particularly commendable. For us to effectively meet market demand – which we have the capacity to do – it is essential that crude is priced and purchased in our local currency,” he said.
The leading industrialist noted that these initiatives, along with other economic reforms, have brought a measure of stability to the naira-to-dollar exchange rate. He expressed optimism that the naira would continue to strengthen in the coming weeks as the effects of the reforms become more visible. According to him, the improved market predictability has helped investors make sound business decisions and restored confidence in the investment climate.
“We are also beginning to see some stability in the naira-to-dollar exchange rate, which has had a positive impact. There is now less fluctuation, and this has brought a degree of predictability to the market
“For those of us in the business sector, this is a welcome development, as it allows us to plan more effectively. Looking ahead, as market conditions continue to improve, we can expect to see a more favourable exchange rate,” he said
Dangote also commended the Federal Government for establishing a One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative to improve coordination among regulatory and security agencies, thereby facilitating smoother operations under the Naira-for-Crude programme. He emphasised that the OSS had significantly reduced bottlenecks and allowed for real-time resolution of issues, in line with President Tinubu’s directive.
“The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has established a One-Stop Shop that is working diligently. I am confident that the government intends to replicate this model in other sectors, particularly to streamline the clearing of goods – an essential area of business.
“At present, we are not experiencing any significant issues with loading. All the relevant agencies have been brought together under one roof, including the Navy, NIMASA, NPA, and others. This coordination has greatly improved efficiency. Whenever issues arise, they are promptly addressed through the leadership of the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr Zack Adedeji, who is doing an excellent job.”
The business magnate further disclosed that the refinery is set to launch a new initiative involving the deployment of 4,000 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) tankers to distribute petroleum products more efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. He explained that the move would reduce logistics costs and ensure Nigerians receive products at more affordable prices, closer to their locations.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting domestic investment and addressing the challenges faced by local investors.
“We are here today as a result of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s clear focus on domestic investment. As you are aware, we held a Domestic Investment Summit on Monday – the first of its kind. Today, we are gathered at the invitation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a leading investor who has committed an extraordinary number of resources to Nigeria’s development,” she said.
Dr Oduwole hailed the refinery as a landmark project, noting that even governments shy away from initiatives of such scale. She said the administration is demonstrating real support for domestic investors by taking practical steps to reduce constraints and foster growth.
“He has taken on a project of such magnitude—one that even governments often hesitate to undertake. As an administration, we do not take this lightly. We are here to show our full support for him, both as a foremost domestic investor and as a prominent champion of African investment on the global stage.
“Our support is not limited to words; we are demonstrating our commitment through action. We are encouraging other domestic investors by recognising and backing those, like Alhaji Dangote, who put Nigeria first. This is not mere rhetoric – our time, attention, and effort are fully aligned with our priorities.
“That is why we have dedicated an entire day to immersing ourselves in this project – the Dangote Refinery.”
She added that the Federal Government is continuously engaging with stakeholders and reviewing regulatory and legislative frameworks to reduce business costs and stimulate industrial development.
Global gas flaring surged for a second year in a row, wasting about $63 billion in lost energy and setting back efforts to manage emissions and boost energy security and access. Flaring, the practice of burning natural gas during oil extraction, reached 151 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024, up 3 bcm from the previous year and the highest level in almost two decades.
Gas flaring. Photo credit: eleonimages/Shutterstock
An estimated 389 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent – 46 million of that from unburnt methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases – was needlessly emitted.
While some countries have reduced flaring, the top nine largest-flaring countries continue to account for three-quarters of all flaring, but less than half of global oil production. Satellite data compiled and analysed in the World Bank’s annual Global Gas Flaring Tracker shows that flaring intensity – the amount of gas flared per barrel of oil produced – has remained stubbornly high for the last 15 years.
“When more than a billion people still don’t have access to reliable energy and numerous countries are seeking more sources of energy to meet higher demand, it’s very frustrating to see this natural resource wasted,” said Demetrios Papathanasiou, World Bank Global Director for Energy and Extractives.
The report highlights that countries committed to the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) initiative have performed significantly better than countries that have not made the commitment. Since 2012, countries that endorsed ZRF achieved an average 12% reduction in flaring intensity, whereas those that did not saw a 25% increase.
To accelerate progress, the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership is supporting methane and flaring reduction projects through catalytic grants, technical assistance, policy and regulatory reform advisory services, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. For example, in Uzbekistan, GFMR allocated $11 million to identify and fix methane leaks in the gas transportation network, cutting methane emissions by 9,000 tonnes annually, and potentially reaching up to 100,000 tonnes each year.
“Governments and operators must make flaring reduction a priority, or this practice will persist. The solutions exist. With effective policies we can create favourable conditions that incentivise flaring reduction projects and lead to sustainable, scalable action. We should turn this wasted gas into an engine for economic development.” said Zubin Bamji, World Bank Manager for the Global Flaring & Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership.
The Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) says it has commenced the issuance of court summons to defaulters of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 waste management fees.
Gov Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State
The agency also said the court summon applied to all property owners and occupants in Enugu State.
Mr. Joshua Ozioko, the ESWAMA’s Head of Public Relations, stated this in a statement on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Enugu, the state capital.
He said that ESWAMA had already begun the exercise and warned residents to take immediate action to avoid court appearances.
“Once a court summons is pasted on your property, you are required to appear before the Environmental Protection Court sitting at the New Magistrate Court Complex, State Secretariat, Enugu, on the assigned date.”
“Failure to appear before the court is an offence punishable by imprisonment or fine, and enforcement will follow,” he said.
Speaking further on the agency’s renewed efforts to maintain a clean Enugu, Ozioko said ESWAMA remained dedicated to ensuring that streets and communities stayed clean under hygienic environment.
This, he added, was in line with the agency’s mission of enhancing public health and environmental sustainability.
Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have raised the alarm over the relentless increase in house rents across the territory.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria
A cross section of the residents said the excessively high rent in the territory and its districts is pushing them to brink of displacement.
They said the unaffordable housing costs is forcing them to move out of their homes and neighbourhoods, often to areas with fewer resources, infrastructure and vulnerable to violent attacks.
They appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Government to urgently step in and regulate the housing market in the territory.
The growing concern arose, as landlords, aided by “shylock” estate agents in several districts of the territory continue to hike rents, agent agreement and caution fees, arbitrarily.
According to Mr. Moses Danjuma, a civil servant, the low and middle-income earners in the FCT are finding affordable housing very challenging due to high rental cost with arbitrary fees, especially in areas, hitherto known to be budget friendly.
Danjuma said that the situation is fast becoming unsustainable, particularly in areas like Kubwa, Lugbe, Gwarimpa, and Lokogoma and many more, where most middle class reside.
“I was living in Lokogoma before, where rent for a two-bedroom flat was between N1 million to N1.2 million, suddenly my landlord increased my annual rent to N2 million.
“Where am I supposed to get that kind of money, when minimum wage is just N70,000?
“I had to move to Zuba where I paid N700,000 for a two-bedroom flat, but the challenge, however, is the longer period and higher cost I spend going to work daily.
The distance between Lokogoma and Abuja city centre is about 10km while the distance from Zuba to the city centre is about 36km.
“If I drive my car, a Toyota Camry, to work, I spend an average of N10,000 for fuelling to and fro, daily. On days I don’t drive, I spend up to N4000 on public transportation .
“This is overwhelming because the farther you go to get a cheaper house, the more expensive your transportation becomes; so I don’t know which is better.”
Danjuma, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government and Mr Wike to intervene and regulate rents in FCT.
Mr. Auwal Idris, another civil servant living in Kubwa, said: “My landlord just increased my annual rent in a one-bedroom apartment I occupied, from ₦500,000 to ₦700,000, without any justification.
“This is an apartment I have lived for two years. Salaries are not increasing, yet rent keeps going up. How are we supposed to survive?”
Idris said that when he tried to look for another apartment, he was shocked by the amount of the rents and the conditions attached.
“In the course of my search, I discovered that a self-contained flat in Kubwa now, cost between N600,000 to N800,000, a one-bedroom flat is between N1 million to N1.2 million while a two-bedroom is between N1.5 million to N2 million.
“Before you can secure any of these, you will pay additional mandatory 20 per cent agent/agreement fee and 10 per cent caution fee,” he said.
To rent an apartment in the FCT, besides the actual rent, agent fee is paid to the real estate agent who facilitates the rental process while the agreement fee is for drafting, reviewing, or processing the tenancy agreement.
The caution fee, also known as a security deposit, is a refundable amount held by the landlord to cover potential damages or unpaid bills
Idris said, considering the frustrating development, he had no choice but to quickly renew his rent with the increased amount before the landlord would issue him a quit notice.
More pathetic is the story of Mr. Akanni Ogundipe, another civil servant who said his landlord, in a two-bedroom apartment he lived in Kubwa, notified him of 30 per cent increase in his house rent.
He said his wife encouraged him, that, rather than paying the increased rent of N1.5 million, they should use the money, to complete their house project in Kaginni, a developing community close to Kubwa.
“In addition to my savings for the annual rent, I took N2 million loan from the cooperative society in my office and used it for the housing project.
“Though, not fully completed, I made the house habitable, and I moved in with my family happily, at least, we got a reprieve from landlord “palaver”.
Ogundipe said their joy was, however, shortlived, because within six months they moved into the new house in Kaginni, they were attacked, twice by armed robbers.
He said during the attacks, the armed robbers made away with their phones, money and other valuables.
He added that the robbers carted away their household equipment, and wounded his first son who was recalcitrant during the second operation.
Ogundigbe further narrated the ordeal of his friend, he simply identified as Michael, who equally moved to his new house, under the same circumstances as his.
According to him, Michael hurriedly completed his house in Chikakore, another community in Kubwa, to escape the onslaught of Shylock landlord and agent, and moved in with his family members.
He said less than a year in the new house located at a remote site, they were attacked by bandits who kidnapped Michael and his wife.
“When the kidnappers demanded ransom for their release, we rallied round and paid N20 million.
“Unfortunately, after spending over a month in captivity, it was only Michael that returned alive, his wife was killed by their abductors,” he narrated.
Ogundipe said, both of them had abandoned their houses and moved to respective smaller rented apartments in Gwarimpa.
The civil servant appealed to the FCT authority to promptly address the challenges of high rental costs, limited availability of suitable options and insecurity, resulting in displacement of residents.
Mrs. Aniete Umanah, a teacher in Gwarinpa, lamented: “People are being evicted because they can’t afford the unreasonably inflated rents.
“This is not just a housing issue, it is a humanitarian crisis waiting to happen in the FCT.
“House owners who have built their houses long ago, are giving excuses of present high cost of land and building materials to increase rents as if they just built a new house.
“This is not fair and the government needs to intervene,” she said.
Many residents called for legislation or housing policy to cap rent increments and address housing deficit in the FCT.
They called on the FCT minister to rescind his earlier pronouncement that he could not regulate tenancy in the territory because “it is market driven’”.
The residents said they believed that government’s intervention is the only way to restore balance and protect vulnerable tenants.
They frowned at the situation, where there is no department or a unit in the FCTA designated for housing and tenancy regulation in the territory.
Specifically, they called on the FCT authority and the elected representatives in the National Assembly to take cue from the Lagos State Government which has gone far in passing a Bill for a Law to regulate tenancy in the state.
The Lagos State Tenancy Bill, which has passed second reading before the State House of Assembly, is aimed at redefining the legal framework for tenancy agreements, rights, responsibilities, and eviction processes in Lagos State.
If passed, the law will ensure that landlords, tenants, and agents fully understand their rights and responsibilities
House owners, on the other hand, attributed the rent surge to a combination of inflation, inadequate housing supply, and high demand.
Mr. Moshood Aremu, a landlord, explained that, although, he built his house long ago but the low rent he was collecting could not meet his needs.
“Things are high in the market and I have no other sources of income, so I have to use what I have to make ends meet,” he said.
Mrs. Edna Yakubu, a landlady, in Dutse Alhaji, said that estate agents, sometime were to blame for the hike in house rent, as well as the desperation of some people to live in certain areas.
“These people succeeded in defining high brow areas and attaching some kind of price tags to houses in those areas.
“Sometimes too, estate agents do some sort of manipulations to make extra money off both house owner and tenant
“My two-bedroom flat was going for N800,000, but for two years the agent was collecting N1 million and keeping the extra N200,000 for himself.
“He felt the house should be higher than N800,000, and the tenant was paying, before I discovered,” Mrs. Yakubu said
On the other hand, some house agents said it was not their fault that house rents are expensive.
Mr. Abdullahi Gambo, an agent in Gwarinpa, said that most landlords don’t compensate them when they introduce tenants to occupy their vacant apartments
He said the 20 per cent fee for agreement and legal fees was devised in order to get paid for their services, before the tenant could move into the house.
Gambo justified that the fee was increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent because of the nation’s economic reality, characterised by persistent challenges, headline inflation and for them to make ends meet.
The justification by the landlord, agent and tenant, as stated above, is better captured by a Yoruba proverb which says, “Oyin se, Agbon se, oju oloko si ree, gbudugbudu lo wu”
Literally, it means, “The bee denied, the wasp denied, yet the farmer’s face is badly swollen with stings”.
The proverb is used to express dissatisfaction with the fact that there is a crime committed, and no one seems to take responsibility.
The exploitation of tenants by landlords and agents with its attendant consequences is no less crime to be redress by binding regulations.
It is a generally accepted concept that, “where there is no law, there is no transgression” meaning, without a specific law or rule, there can be no violation or breaking of that law.
Therefore, for the common good, and to address these anomalies in the sector, the FCT minister should rescind his earlier pronouncement on tenancy regulation.
The minister should consider the clamour by residents on the urgent need to cap rent increments, address housing deficit and regulate the relationship between landlords, estate agents and tenants in the FCT.
Bogotá has been selected to host the global celebration of World Cities Day on October 31, 2025 – a United Nations observance that highlights the role of cities in advancing sustainable development. This year’s theme is “People centred smart cities”. The announcement was made at a press conference in the Colombian capital, with representatives from the city and UN-Habitat.
Bogotá, Colombia
World Cities Day is marked each year to celebrate the achievement of cities in addressing pressing global challenges. By 2050, nearly 70 per cent of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas, placing increased demands on housing, services, infrastructure, and climate resilience, while raising questions about social equity and inclusion.
“We are proud to celebrate World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá, a city that exemplifies how innovation can serve people and communities. This is a moment to come together, recognise urban progress, and reaffirm our shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred cities,” highlighted Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
“The global celebration in Bogotá will be a unique opportunity to foster international dialogue on people-centered smart cities, where technology and data serve to enhance quality of life, strengthen citizen participation, and bring communities closer to adequate housing,” said Elkin Velásquez, Regional Director for UN-Habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bogotá was selected for its efforts to integrate inclusion, resilience, and sustainability into urban development. The city has implemented policies promoting social inclusion, housing access, sustainable mobility, and climate action, while adopting approaches that use data and citizen participation to improve public services and quality of life.
“For Bogotá, hosting World Cities Day is both an honour and a great responsibility. We’ll welcome the world with a city that puts people at the centre and shows it’s possible to build resilience, sustainability, and inclusion through trust and citizen participation,” said Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá.
The 2025 edition of World Cities Day will be the second tme the global celebration takes place in Latin America, following its 2016 commemoration in Quito during Habitat III. Previous host cities include Shanghai, Ekaterinburg, Liverpool, Luxor, and Alexandria.
The event will bring together representatives from national and local governments, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Participants will share lessons, best practices, and practical approaches to strengthening the role of cities as engines of sustainable development.
World Cities Day concludes Urban October, a month-long UN-Habitat campaign that mobilises people and organisations worldwide to promote dialogue and action for more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.
If Nigeria is to win the war against climate change and secure a sustainable future for its citizens, both living and unborn, it must immediately review its current strategy and shift its fight from the glasshouses in Abuja, the country’s capital, where most climate talks are usually held, to the subnational level spread across the various states.
Participants during the unveiling of the Climate Governance Performance Ranking report, which evaluates Nigeria’s 36 states, in Abuja, the country’s capital. The event was organised by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change under the Federal Ministry of Environment
Rainfall patterns in Katsina State, in the northwestern region, have become more unpredictable, leading to the disruption of agricultural cycles and endangering lives and food security. Similar to this, the constant flooding that still dominates the lives of the people in Bayelsa, another state in the South-South part of the nation, has resulted in the displacement of numerous communities.
These are the everyday realities that are taking place all around the country, not predictions from climate theories. The issue of climate change in Nigeria has become urgent, tangible, and deeply localised. Sadly, however, the infrastructure for responding remains heavily centralised, mostly in urban areas.
As Nigeria advances its climate objectives, from updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to implementing the Climate Change Act and detailing a net-zero pathway, one thing becomes increasingly clear: our 36 states hold the key to implementation. A national goal is meaningless if states are structurally underprepared to act.
In order to tackle this issue, the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) carried out an extensive training needs assessment of climate change desk officers, directors, and focal persons throughout Nigeria. With 48 contributions from 34 states and the FCT, the response was overwhelming and provided the most comprehensive image to date of the capacity gaps impeding successfully implementing climate action at the state level.
From what the states told us in the assessment, three core gaps emerged as top priorities:
Accessing and managing climate finance (29 states)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and reporting skills (28 states)
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) for climate projects (25 states)
These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They are foundational capabilities, essential for designing fundable climate projects, tracking impact, and mainstreaming climate into state policies and budgets.
Respondents also highlighted further areas for support: climate budgeting, carbon markets, digital monitoring tools, stakeholder coordination, gender integration, and effective engagement strategies. This points to a growing awareness among state actors of the complex, interlinked demands of modern climate governance.
Yet, despite this motivation and readiness, many states still face systemic barriers such as
• Underfunded or poorly structured climate desks
• Limited technical capacity, especially on climate finance
• Absence of reliable data systems or over-reliance on external consultants
• Weak integration of climate priorities into broader state planning
This implementation gap, between ambition and ability, undermines Nigeria’s credibility and progress where it matters most.
To move from diagnosis to delivery, as a framework to bridge the gap, the SPP/DCC team is launching a Capacity Building Implementation Framework, a practical roadmap to equip states/climate desk officers with the tools, skills, and support needed to lead local climate action.
But this cannot, and should not, be a standalone effort. Thus, in the Call to Collective Action,
Federal MDAs must:
• Institutionalise annual training and capacity-building for subnational actors
• Provide standardised toolkits, data frameworks, and benchmarking models
Donors and Development Partners must:
• Prioritise state-level technical support in GHG inventory, MER systems, and climate finance.
• Build readiness for Article 6 and results-based climate budgeting
State Governments must:
• Establish and fund dedicated climate change desks
• Mainstream climate into development planning and inter-ministerial coordination
Civil society and academia must:
• Drive peer learning, mentoring, and knowledge exchange
• Co-develop digital tools and community-responsive engagement strategies
The evidence is clear: Nigeria’s states are ready. What they need now is coordinated, sustained, and strategic support. That’s why we propose the creation of a National Subnational Climate Training Compact, a bold, collaborative initiative bringing together public, private, and development partners to ensure every state is equipped to lead climate action from within.
This is because it is not the beautiful glass palaces of Abuja, where most high-level climate talks are conducted, but rather the decisions made and the capacities built in places like Abia, Zamfara, and all points in between that will assure Nigeria’s climate resilience. The time to act is now, and we are all responsible for it.
By Timothy Ogenyi, who leads the SCGPR 2.0 project and coordinates subnational climate governance initiatives for the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP)
Southern Africa on Friday, July 25, 2025, took a significant leap in regional environmental co-operation with the official launch of the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI) at the ongoing 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), being held in Victoria Falls, Zambia.
Victoria Falls
The launch event was marked by the presence of high-level dignitaries and technical experts, signalling a strong and united front by Sadc member States to safeguard the region’s wetlands.
The initiative is aimed at promoting wetland conservation and sustainable use across borders, in alignment with the Ramsar Convention’s global objectives.
Speaking on behalf of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Water and Sanitation Development minister Collins Nzovu emphasised the ecological and socio-economic importance of wetlands.
“Wetlands are critical to our biodiversity, our livelihoods and our resilience to climate change. Zambia is proud to co-host this historic launch and stand united with our Sadc partners in protecting these ecosystems,” he said.
Zambia leads the SARRI Steering Committee as Chair, with South Africa serving as co-chair – a leadership structure that was endorsed earlier this year, following a series of consultations and workshops, including the pivotal meeting held in La Réunion in May 2024.
That meeting resulted in the La Réunion Declaration, which laid the groundwork for the governance framework and operational strategy of SARRI.
Yesterday’s launch served as a formal introduction of SARRI and an appeal to stakeholders — from governments and civil society to the private sector and donors — to collaborate on wetland restoration and protection.
Musonda Mumba, the secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention, commended Sadc countries for institutionalising regional co-operation through SARRI, which she described as a model for other regions.
The Sadc Secretariat, represented by senior programme officer for environment and climate change, Sibongile Mavimbela, and IUCN’s eastern and southern Africa regional director, Luther Anukur, also delivered remarks supporting the initiative.
A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of SARRI’s Draft First-Order Strategic Plan, which outlines its conservation priorities, funding needs and a roadmap for operationalising wetland-related policies.
The plan positions SARRI to support Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) and aligns its goals with broader Sadc frameworks on biodiversity and climate resilience.
During a short panel discussion, Sandra Ponde, chair of SARRI, and partner representatives from NatureXpairs and OFB reflected on the initiative’s progress since its adoption at COP14 in 2022.
They acknowledged achievements in governance, partnership building, and regional consensus, while also identifying funding gaps and capacity needs as pressing challenges.
The event concluded with closing remarks from government representatives of Seychelles and Mozambique, delivered in French and Portuguese respectively, reinforcing the inclusive and multilingual spirit of the initiative.
The launch of SARRI is expected to catalyse increased technical co-operation, resource mobilisation and policy harmonisation across southern Africa, ensuring that wetlands remain protected, resilien and central to regional development agendas.
It also builds momentum toward the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration, which is set to be the key outcome document of COP15, positioning wetlands at the core of climate and biodiversity strategies globally.
With SARRI now officially operational, the region sets a precedent for co-operative action and ecological diplomacy – a clear signal that southern Africa is ready to lead by example in wetland conservation.
Protesters have suspended themselves from the Forth Road Bridge, a suspension bridge in Scotland, as part of a demonstration over plastic pollution.
Some of the suspended Greenpeace protesters. The public has been urged to avoid the area
Police Scotland has closed the bridge in South Queensferry to all traffic following reports of the protest around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Greenpeace say 10 protesters are suspended off the structure with the aim of stopping an INEOS tanker from reaching Grangemouth oil refinery.
The campaign group intends to remain there for the next 24 hours.
The Greenpeace climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge’s service walkway, unfurling six giant “Plastics Treaty Now”’ banners.
The group says they will remain suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth, preventing the tanker from reaching port.
They are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below.
Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: “Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point: it’s poisoning our land, seas, air, even our bodies.
“The Global Plastics Treaty offers us a once in a generation chance to tackle the problem for good, so it’s no surprise INEOS and its billionaire boss, Jim Ratcliffe, are doing everything they can to stop it.
“Ratcliffe tries to distract us with sports teams and sponsorships, but we’re not going to let him fill our planet with plastic, so he can fill his pockets with profit. Ratcliffe is trying to block a strong Global Plastics Treaty, so today we’re blocking him.”
The action comes less than a fortnight before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for the sixth and final round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty.
Greenpeace is calling for these talks to agree to a cut in global plastic production of at least 75% by 2040, and for the UN to exclude lobbyists from INEOS and other fossil fuels companies from the treaty negotiations.
Road users are advised to use Queensferry Crossing.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The Forth Road Bridge is closed due to a protest reported to us around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25.
“Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved.
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA US)’s new report, “Traffickers Leave No Stone Unturned“, exposes the large-scale trafficking of mercury from mercury mines in Mexico – located in a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Biosphere reserve, to gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru in violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director at EIA US
According to EIA’s findings, from April 2019 to June 2025, approximately 200 tons of mercury have been trafficked – resulting, by conservative estimates, to the production of at least $8 billion worth of illegal gold, at current prices. The investigation shows how mercury and gold trafficking intersect with organised crime in both Mexico and Colombia.
Acting on EIA’s intelligence, Peruvian customs authorities stopped approximately 4 tons of Mexican mercury in June 2025, the largest seizure ever reported by an Amazonian country. This groundbreaking case sheds new light on the enforcement gaps and loopholes of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, raising urgent questions about its effectiveness to face the often highly covert and organised criminal groups that control mercury and gold trafficking.
Due to a combination of economic, geopolitical, and market factors, the price of gold has risen sharply since 2023, reaching a historic high in April 2025 with a price of $3,500 per ounce. This was largely attributed to trade tensions between the United States (U.S.) and China, which led investors to look for safe investment opportunities, like gold.
A significant portion of the gold being produced globally each year comes from illegal sources. Estimates for illegally extracted gold in Amazonian countries run from roughly 28% to nearly 90% of total production, depending on the country, while illegal gold mines have spread in recent years, becoming a significant regional driver of deforestation.
Recent studies show that the cumulative deforestation footprint from gold mining across the Amazon reached over 2 million hectares (nearly 5 million acres) by 2024, having increased by over 50% in the past six years. A third of the impact is located in protected areas and Indigenous territories, including on Yanomami, Munduruku, and Kayapó territories.
The current onslaught of illegal gold mining in the Amazon wouldn’t be possible without mercury. Miners use mercury to form an amalgam with gold-bearing sediments. The amalgam is then heated, vaporising the mercury and leaving behind gold. This process, while rudimentary, is central to illegal mining operations across the region and is the main driver of mercury pollution in the Amazon.
This process also releases large amounts of mercury into the environment. Gold mining is now the world’s largest source of airborne mercury pollution, releasing over 800 tons annually into the atmosphere. The mercury used in these operations contaminates soil, waterways, and forests. Mercury, which is a highly dangerous neurotoxin, enters the food chain, bioaccumulates, and causes severe neurological disorders and multiple other serious health problems for Amazonian communities.
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director at EIA US, explains: “The toxic flow of mercury to the illegal gold mines in the Amazon has been presented and accepted as inevitable for too many years, it is time to challenge this status quo that affects Amazonian communities and benefits organised criminals.”
From April 2019 and June 2025, EIA has investigated and documented the smuggling of approximately 200 tons of illegal mercury, which represents the largest flow of illegal mercury ever reported globally. The mercury route starts in the state of Queretaro in Mexico where a few active mercury mines are producing dozens of tons of mercury each year in order to feed gold mining demand in the Amazon. Several of these mines are located within the Sierra Gorda UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Evidence collected by EIA indicates that some of the mines are controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. As of May 2025, sources from the Queretaro mines told investigators that a new “mercury fever” has hit the region since 2025, triggered by record high prices ($330 per kilogramme of mercury) offered by mercury traffickers, as a consequence of skyrocketing gold prices.
According to EIA’s investigation, Mexican mercury flows to often cartel-controlled gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, with some transhipment via the U.S. For instance, drug cartels in Colombia control an important part of domestic mercury trafficking routes. According to conservative estimates, the smuggled Mexican mercury has been used for the extraction of, at the very minimum, $8 billion worth of illegal gold (at the current price of $3,300 per ounce).
Based on EIA’s intelligence, Peruvian customs authority (Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria – SUNAT) disrupted the Peruvian branch of a transnational organised criminal network via the seizure of a shipment of approximately 4 tons of smuggled mercury transhipped in Peru and inbound to Bolivia. The shipment was transported by Ocean Network Express (ONE) on a Hapag Lloyd vessel. This mercury seizure represents the largest ever reported by an Amazonian country.
Alexander von Bismarck comments: “As long as mercury mines remain open, in Mexico or elsewhere, smugglers will find their ways around. The problem must be addressed at its roots.”
While the Peruvian success against organised smuggling is a major step forward in the effort to combat illegal gold and mercury in the Amazon, EIA’s findings raise serious questions regarding the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and in particular its implementation in Mexico.
Several critical issues must be urgently addressed – particularly at the upcoming 6th Conference of the Parties of the Convention in November 2025 – including: the grace period that allows mercury mines to remain open and continue to produce primary mercury fueling illegal gold mines around the world; the lack of effective enforcement that allows mercury mines to remain active albeit formally illegal or unauthorised; the fact that ASGM is considered an “allowable” use of mercury under the Minamata Convention – a loophole that every day hurts ecosystems and hundreds of families across the Amazon.
