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COP29: Why climate finance is top of agenda for Africa

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Another round of climate change talks is here again at Baku, Azerbaijan, to address the rampant climate crisis.

COP29
COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev, speaking at the official opening of COP29

“This crisis is affecting every single individual in the world in one way or another,” acknowledged Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change at the opening of COP29 on Monday, November 11, 2024.

The 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) climate change negotiations has been dubbed the “Climate Finance COP” as a new climate finance target is sought to help developing countries overcome their vulnerabilities to the climate crisis.

“We must agree a new global climate finance goal,” said Stiell. “If at least two thirds of the world’s nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price”.

Civil society organisations like 350.org are making it clear that fair, equitable finance is the bridge to climate action.

At COP29, they are demanding countries pledge to an ambitious climate finance goal, or New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) of at least $1 trillion, which must be in the form of grants and based on the financial, climate and social needs of the Global South.

Countries are also to agree to put forward climate goals – Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – in line with fairly tripling renewable energy capacity and phasing out fossil fuels by 2030.

According to Stiell, if nations can’t build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees, emphasizsng that “no country is immune”.

“Let’s dispense with any idea that climate finance is charity. An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest,” he noted.

There is also an expected acceleration of the shift to clean-energy and climate-resilience.

African CSOs posture

African Civil Society leaders are urging a focus on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to achieve substantial and equitable financing solutions for climate action.

Under the aegis of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), the CSOs highlighted the urgent need for global commitments on adaptation, just transition, critical minerals, mitigation, and transparency in carbon markets.

“We call for the establishment of an ambitious sub-goal for adaptation finance that prioritises public, grant-based support for developing countries, responding to needs outlined in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and other national plans,” reads the statement.

Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, emphasised that COP29’s NCQG negotiations must address Africa’s pressing adaptation needs as well as Loss and Damage.

“If the NCQG fails to consider the adaptation needs of vulnerable populations, COP29 will not meet the threshold to be a genuine Climate Finance COP,” he stated.

The adaptation finance gap for developing nations remains significant – currently 10 to 18 times greater than actual international financial flows, which amount to approximately $20 billion per year. This falls well short of the estimated $166 billion – $366 billion needed annually to meet adaptation demands.

Prof. Seth Osafo, Senior Legal Advisor at the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), said it’s hard to talk about the NCQG leaving behind considerations of other dimensions.

“We must reimagine the quality of finance, moving beyond debt-based approaches – currently at 72% – to include concessional loans, grants, and innovative financing mechanisms.

Additionally, funding must be accessible, predictable, and structured to prioritise essential sub-goals, including Loss and Damage, while aligning on whether a single-layer or multi-layer approach best serves the mobilisation and provision of funds,” Prof Osafo stated.

As the COP29 discussions begin, African Civil Society wants world leaders to prioritise issues that meet the urgent needs of African communities on the frontlines of climate change.

Greenpeace Africa posture

As COP29 opens in Baku, Greenpeace Africa called on world leaders to deliver ambitious climate finance to African nations bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. With climate finance to developing countries dwarfed by fossil fuel industry’s profits and subsidies, African communities – who have contributed least to the crisis – are calling for immediate implementation of a Climate Damages Tax on polluters to fund loss and damage reparation.

Murtala Touray, Programme Director at Greenpeace Africa, said: “Africa stands at a critical crossroads. Establishing an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is crucial for scaling up climate finance to developing countries, particularly in Africa to tackle the scale of the prevailing crisis. As world leaders discuss, they should bear in mind the devastating droughts in the Horn of Africa and catastrophic flooding in West and Southern Africa that continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, and food security across the continent. Without a scaled-up climate finance that is fit for purpose, most African countries will be unable to deliver on their NDCs.”

While Africa contributes the least to global emissions, it suffers the most severe consequences of climate change. The time has come for wealthy nations and fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share. Greenpeace Africa demands the implementation of a Climate Damages Tax on fossil fuel extraction to ensure climate justice for marginalised African communities.

Research shows climate change could cost African economies 15% of GDP by 2030. At the same time, Africa has 40% of global solar potential but receives only 2% of renewable energy investment, while renewable energy projects create 3-5 times more jobs than fossil fuel projects. It stands to reason that more investments should go into the renewable energy sector in Africa.

Fred Njehu, Pan African Political Strategist at Greenpeace Africa, said: “African nations possess immense potential to lead the global transition to renewable energy, but this potential is undermined by continued fossil fuel exploitation and inadequate climate finances. The implementation of the COP29 agreement must deliver concrete plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal, specifically on a new collective quantified goal on finance. We refuse to let COP29 become another platform for empty promises, promoting false solutions and greenwashing.”

Greenpeace Africa’s key demands for COP29 include:

  • Implementation of a Climate Damages Tax on fossil fuel companies to fund loss and damage reparation
  • Significant increase in public climate finance through the NCQG, prioritising African nations’ adaptation and mitigation needs
  • Concrete commitments for a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels
  • Strong safeguards against false solutions such as carbon offsets that threaten Africa’s carbon-dense ecosystems
  • Recognition and elevation of African voices, including youth activists, indigenous communities, and civil society organisations in addressing the climate crisis.

Opening plenary concerns

The 29th Climate Conference (COP29) started on Monday, November 11, and delegates are already expressing reservations over some maneuvers they feel can weaken climate action.

At the opening plenary, states made the unprecedented decision to approve rules on carbon markets early and without due process. In October, a small technical committee mandated to supervise carbon markets (the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body) took the unprecedented move of finalising and putting into effect rules related to carbon removal – mostly speculative approaches intended to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – as part of carbon market mechanisms. This move de-facto bypasses States’ ability to revise and strengthen the standards.

Erika Lennon, CIEL’s Senior Attorney, said: “Today, States allowed this rogue move from the Supervisory Body to prevail in the quest to start COP29 with a ‘win’. But this is hardly a win for people or the planet. Approving these carbon market rules without discussion or debate, sets a dangerous precedent for the entire negotiation process.

“This is very concerning from a procedural standpoint: it bypasses States’ ability to even discuss, much less revise the standards before they go into effect. States’ oversight is all the more critical as the Supervisory Body’s efforts to get this done has resulted in risky rules that will lead to human rights violations and environmental harm.

“While States won’t be able to undo this move, they can still partially correct the wrong by giving strong guidance to the Supervisory Body that ensures further rules are adopted in line with science, human rights, and international law.”

By Kofi Adu Domfeh and Michael Simire

COP29: PIK, KfW launch financing concept for carbon removals 

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Since the reduction of CO2 emissions is too slow to limit global heating to 1.5°C, a great deal of CO2 must be removed from the atmosphere. Depending on the scenario, this will cost up to 2 percent of annual global economic output in 2050. This effort is economically imperative because the climate damage per tonne of CO2 is many times higher.

Ottmar Edenhofer
Ottmar Edenhofer, Chief Economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

However, this would overburden state budgets, so a financial architecture is needed to mobilise private capital. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and KfW, one of the world’s leading promotional banks, are now making a joint proposal at the World Climate Summit.

The economic costs of the climate crisis are already becoming all too clear, according to a discussion paper prepared by PIK and KfW. PIK Director and climate economist Ottmar Edenhofer and KfW CEO Stefan Wintels will present the document on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at a joint event on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 29, in Baku.

According to recent research, annual climate damages worldwide are expected to grow to trillions by 2050, compared to a scenario without climate change. The economic damage caused by the emission of one tonne of CO2 is estimated at 1,000 euros and higher. By comparison, the price of the corresponding permit in European emissions trading – for the operators of coal-fired power plants or cement factories, for example – is currently around 65 euros.

The discussion paper written by PIK and KfW Research outlines the option of integrating carbon removals into the existing emissions trading system. This requires a rapid expansion of the market. Promotional banks like KfW could play a crucial role in advancing market development by launching early purchase programmes and assuming risk.

For example, “clean-up certificates” can create incentives for private-sector demand in the early stages of the new market. Instead of paying money up-front for a conventional emission allowance, companies would use this new instrument to commit to having the CO2 removed from the atmosphere at a later date – preferably using new, high-quality processes such as air filter systems or artificially accelerated weathering of rock.

To ensure a positive impact on the climate, transparent regulation, effective control and quality-assurance systems are crucial. A yet-to-be-established European institution would have to ensure liquidity and stability of the market.

Retrieval and storage of CO2 as the third pillar of climate policy

“Time is of the essence for such an expansion,” emphasises PIK Director Ottmar Edenhofer. “If we now stimulate demand for carbon removals in this way, it can bridge the Valley of Death between technical innovation and marketability in the emerging removal industry, which will have to operate on the gigatonne scale by mid-century. Moreover, operating through the existing EU emissions trading scheme for electricity and energy-intensive industries will only work for a limited time; under current legislation, the number of emission permits will drop to zero in 2039.”

The discussion paper classifies the retrieval and storage of CO2 as the third pillar of climate policy, alongside rapid emission reduction towards zero, and adaptation to climate change. The paper emphasises the need to strengthen the incentive effect of carbon pricing for carbon removal activities through targeted government support.

For example, the public sector could provide grants, premiums or tax incentives to promote research and development. It can also improve the framework conditions for private venture capital. Promotional loans can incentivise pilot projects and the market diffusion of removal technologies.

“The market is currently experiencing a race of discovery, with high uncertainties regarding the technological and economic success of projects,” explains KfW CEO, Stefan Wintels. “In such a situation, creative power is needed. New structures of governance, markets and financing are required to integrate private capital and establish markets.”

In view of the current UN Climate Change Conference, PIK and KfW also highlight how carbon removal can act as a game changer in international climate policy. The Global South has natural advantages as a provider of removals, whereas the bulk of demand has so far come from industrialised countries. This ties in with a hot topic on the agenda of this year’s summit: Article 6 of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which in principle allows voluntary climate cooperation between states, and cross-border crediting of success.

Association urges measures to mitigate impact of climate change

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Green Clean Energy and Gas Practitioners Association in Nigeria (GCEGPAN) has called for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change in the country.

GCEGPAN
National Chairman, GCEGPAN, Mr. Emmanuel Great

The National Chairman, GCEGPAN, Mr. Emmanuel Great, stated this at a news conference on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Abuja.

He said climate change is not just an environmental issue but a profound threat to health, economies, and the very fabric of societies.

“The overwhelming scientific consensus confirms that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, are the primary drivers of this crisis.

“The impacts are already being felt around the globe, from rising sea levels and extreme weather events to biodiversity loss and food insecurity,” he said.

Great said that climate change worsens air pollution, spreads diseases, and increases heat-related illnesses.

“Proactive measures can mitigate these health risks and improve the quality of life for millions,” he said.

He said that earth’s ecosystems were under severe stress, adding that many species are facing extinction, and critical habitats are being destroyed.

“By taking action, we can preserve biodiversity and ensure a healthier planet for future generations,” he said.

“By addressing climate change, we can promote social equity and ensure that all people have access to the resources needed to thrive,” he said.

Great called for reduction in carbon emissions, reduction in environmental waste as well as conservation of energy to support sustainable development.

“Transitioning to a sustainable economy, investing in renewable energy, and promoting green jobs can drive economic growth while safeguarding our environment,” he said.

By Doris Esa

Regulatory authority frowns at alleged extortions of petroleum marketers

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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has frowned at alleged extortions of petroleum marketers by perceived state government agents.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)

The Delta State Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Mr. Victor Ohwodiasa, in an interview in Warri on Monday, November 11, 2024, said that the authority would not tolerate the act.

According to him, “we have been receiving complaint from marketers that some group of persons who claimed to be working for some agents of the government are extorting money from them.

“We will not tolerate that. If there are issues regarding any operation they noticed is not being done well, they should report to us and we will take necessary actions.

He urged the public to respect the provision of Section 48 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 which stipulated that any agency or government that wanted to conduct any activity within the Oil and Gas sector should liaised with the NMDPRA.

He explained that the essence of the provision was to avoid unnecessary disruption in the distribution of petroleum products within and outside the state.

He cited the section to have clearly stated that “Any government ministry, department or agency exercising any power or functions or taking any action which may have direct impact on Midstream or Downstream petroleum operation shall consult with the Authority prior to:

“Issuing any regulation, guideline, enforcement order and directives, exercising any such power or function or taking any such action.

“The authority shall review the recommendation of the government ministry, department or agency, and communicate decisions accordingly, and decision shall be complied with by the relevant government ministry, department or agency”.

Ohwodiasa urged the public to be aware of the provisions of the Section, noting that the NMDPRA had been receiving complaints from petroleum marketers on the activities of some individuals.

“But for people to be going about in the name of working within the Oil and Gas sector, we will not tolerate that,” he said.

The coordinator added that he was yet to get details on the allegations, including the respective government agency involved in the illegal activities.

“Once I get the details, I will address and acquaint them with the provisions of the law. Such act is termed illegal and is against the law of the land,” Ohwodiasa said.

He said that Oil and Gas was in the exclusive list of the government, noting that whoever wants to invest in the industry should approach the authority.

He reiterated that the NMDPRA was ready to collaborate with investors so long as their motive was to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products within the state and the country.

By Edeki Igafe

Yobe to provide solar energy in all secondary schools – SSG

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The Yobe State Government says it will suspend the use fossil fuels for solar energy to provide power for public secondary schools in the state in 2025.

Mai Mala Buni
Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State

Alhaji Baba Malam-Wali, the Secretary to the State Government, disclosed this to newsmen during an inspection of some ongoing government projects in schools in Nguru, on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Some of the schools visited include Government Higher Islamic College, Nguru; Government Day Secondary School, Gashua; Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Yobe Campus; and Government Girls Unity College, Damaturu, among others.

He said that the move was part of government’s broader plan to improve the quality of education in the state.

Malam-Wali highlighted the state government’s multi faceted approach to educational reform, citing several key initiatives undertaken since 2019, including decongestion of schools.

He said that government had constructed new model schools to address overcrowding in urban areas and has collaborated with traditional rulers to improve pupils’ enrolment in primary schools in rural areas.

Malam-wali also said that the state government paid fees for candidates for the 2025 West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) and National Examination Council (NECO), ensuring no financial burden on parents.

He added that state had also established additional secondary schools for girls, empowering young women to pursue their academic aspirations without hinderance.

Malam-wali further said that Yobe government had invested heavily in school rehabilitation, including the provision of furniture and other essential facilities.

The SSG said that the state free feeding programme for secondary school students was underway, costing the government about N500 million monthly.

Some principals of secondary schools visited in Nguru, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, expressed gratitude to the state government for its unwavering support.

The principals acknowledged the positive impact of government initiatives on student enrolment, academic performance, and overall school infrastructure.

One of the principals, Mr Hasibullahi Jogi of NTIC, Yobe Campus, praised the state government’s support and commitment to the education sector.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rajab Ismail, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe Council, who led the team of journalists on the inspection, emphasised the importance of accurate and unbiased reporting.

Ismail urged journalists to prioritise national unity and development by setting aside personal biases and affiliations.

He encouraged them to maintain objectivity in their reporting.

By Ahmed Abba

Murder of Ogunpa Forest Reserve: A monumental environmental crime (2)

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Continued from Sunday, November 10, 2024

The first act of this heinous crime opens with the clear felling of over 50 hectares of a delicate ecosystem; the tree-rich, biodiverse, Ogunpa Forest Reserve surrounding Agodi Gardens.

Ogunpa River Channel
Ogunpa River Channel

This has effectively destroyed:

• A massive watershed for the Ogunpa River

• A strategic flood buffer for the Ogunpa River

• An extensive floodplain for the Ogunpa River

• An important carbon sink forest for Ibadan City

• A natural habitat for up to thirty thousand bats and various migratory birds and small animals

• A precious Gene Bank for teak in Ibadan – all the mother trees have been cut down, uprooted and sold

• A few hundred trees specifically planted for research purposes for students and research scientists alike

• An inland forest space which played a pivotal role in the natural hydrological (water) cycle

• Over 50 hectares of old-growth trees engaged in atmospheric cooling, the preservation of water quality and soil protection.

All in flagrant violation of a federal law, which insists that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out before any activity that may likely, or to a significant extent, affect the environment.

For centuries probably, the hilly watershed area of the Ogunpa River, protected by the rich profusion of trees in Ogunpa Forest Reserve, was an important flood buffer for the well-known excesses of the Ogunpa River.

Even the heaviest rainfall was captured by the millions of tree leaves as they intercepted every raindrop, efficiently directing the large volume of rainwater into each tree trunk and storing it in the extensive underground root network and surrounding soil.

A bit like a giant natural sponge.

This natural sponge action considerably slowed down the rate at which rainwater flowed into the Ogunpa River.

In addition, it gave the trees enough time to extract all the atmospheric and other pollutants from the rainwater and store them safely in their trunks.

While the deep underground root system patiently released the rainwater a little bit a time into the Agodi Lake and Ogunpa River.

One rainy season after the other, those magnificent trees kept the soil firmly in place, preventing soil erosion and landslides, with a minimum of sedimentation along that stretch of the Ogunpa River.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what will happen to all that water in a torrential downpour, every raindrop dislodging particles of the soil it comes into contact with, now that the entire watershed has been shorn of all vegetation.

Millions of gallons of water, with no trees to slow them down, will hurtle down the slopes of Premier Hill, laden with red laterite soil, atmospheric pollutants, surface impurities and anything else that is lying around, and end up in the Ogunpa River as it crosses the floor of the valley.

And the swollen Ogunpa River, moving at full speed, with its riverbed now raised by all the surface sand dumped in it, will obligingly overflow onto its floodplain.

The very flood plain on which Oyo State Government in private partnership with Baywood Infrastructures Limited, is hoping to build a high-end residential estate.

I am frequently astounded that the commissioners and other high-ranking officials in Oyo State Government didn’t think it necessary to read through existing literature on urban forests, watersheds and floodplains, and the consequences of destroying any of these along the path of a river notorious for its violent, high-velocity flash floods.

For one thing, the added knowledge would have justified their high-sounding job titles.

For another they might have been inspired to persuade the executive governor to be a little more circumspect in his dealings with Baywood Infrastructures Limited.

It is possible that they read the literature and didn’t understand a word. Or they read and understood it clearly, and unable to process the enormity of what they were encouraging the Oyo State governor to go ahead with, swung to the side of denial.

Either way, the consequences of their negligence are “showing face” already.

I doubt that anybody fully appreciates the sheer volume of water that can be absorbed by over 50 hectares of old-growth forest.

Or the weight of soil that it’s tree roots can hold in place.

Now that the chainsaws and earth-moving equipment deployed by Baywood Infrastructures Limited have converted the enormous Ogunpa Forest Reserve into a barren desertified landscape, there is absolutely nothing to stop rainwater from hitting the ground with full force and rushing straight into Agodi Lake and Ogunpa River, carrying with it a fair amount of the red earth it has dislodged.

All that excess water, heavy with frank mud, will be included in the turbulent Ogunpa River as it rushes downstream into the densely populated neighborhoods of Ibadan City.

The big question is: what volume of unrestrained mud and water are we to expect?

By Rosalie Ann Modder-Oyefeso, on behalf of The Save Our Green Spaces Group and The Ogunpa Forest Reserve Team

To be concluded

Papua New Guinea leader declines COP29 participation, cites non-commitment to rainforest conservation

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Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, has confirmed he will not attend the upcoming United Nations Global Climate Summit (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, citing the lack of global commitment to rainforest conservation as a primary reason.

James Marape
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape

Prime Minister Marape announced that Minister for Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change, Simo Kilepa, will represent Papua New Guinea at COP29 with a streamlined delegation. The team’s primary focus will be to advocate for PNG’s bid to host the Green Climate Fund Board meeting next year, showcasing the nation’s commitment to climate leadership and green financing initiatives.

Prime Minister Marape expressed concern over the failure of high-emission nations to implement key aspects of the Paris Agreement, particularly Article 5 and Article 6, which focus on conserving greenhouse gas sinks and reservoirs, including forests, and creating a framework for international cooperation on carbon markets.

The Prime Minister emphasised that, despite commitments, large industrialised countries with significant carbon footprints have not fully upheld these obligations, both at government and industrial levels.

“Papua New Guinea is a major rainforest nation, and we are making our stance clear by protesting against these nations who do not prioritise rainforest conservation,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

“The conversation on climate change is incomplete without genuine action on preserving the world’s rainforests, which serve as vital carbon sinks and replenish our atmosphere through oxygen production and carbon removal.”

He further noted that COP summits have frequently overlooked the critical role of rainforests in climate change mitigation. Rainforests, such as those in Papua New Guinea, are home to diverse ecosystems and act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing vast amounts of CO₂ and producing oxygen. Recent studies indicate that tropical rainforests, if adequately protected, could sequester up to 30% of global carbon emissions, highlighting the need for immediate action.

Prime Minister Marape called on high-emission nations to move beyond “meaningless talkfests” and take concrete steps to support rainforest conservation. “We need real sponsors of rainforest conservation, not just rhetoric,” he stated. “The world must take rainforest conservation seriously as a cornerstone of climate action.”

PNG’s decision to protest by not attending COP29 signals its commitment to prioritising impactful climate strategies and holding global stakeholders accountable. Prime Minister Marape expressed hope that COP30, set to take place in Brazil – a fellow rainforest-rich nation – will prioritise rainforest conservation and reforestation.

“We look forward to COP30 in Brazil, where we hope rainforest nations will have a stronger voice,” Prime Minister Marape concluded. “Papua New Guinea has sent our apologies to the COP29 organisers and reiterates our call for more meaningful action in support of global rainforest preservation.”

Oil & gas is solution to the climate crisis, says OPEC

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When it comes to the climate crisis, the global oil and gas industry is part of the solution, not the problem.

Africa Energy Week
Panelists at the OPEC Roundtable at the Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa

This was emphasised by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) roundtable at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Participants emphasised that, through investments in carbon capture and storage, oil and gas operators can take the lead in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.  

With energy demand projected to increase 24% between now and 2050, the roundtable underscored that prioritising investments in low-carbon technology should be top of the agenda in climate discussions. Effectively, the industry can take a leading role in reducing global greenhouse emissions through investments in carbon capture and storage technology. Collaboration with organisations such as OPEC can accelerate the dual goals of meeting rising demand, while lowering global emissions.   

“Our position is that climate negotiations have to take into account the principle of common differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. The Paris Agreement (on climate change) is about reducing emissions, not about choosing a source of fuel above another. It is not about leaving fossil fuels in the ground. Oil and gas are not the culprit but part of the solution,” said Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC.  

Increasing crude production remains top of the agenda for many African countries. With over 600 million people living without access to electricity and 900 million without access to clean cooking solutions, the development of crude oil reserves stands to meet rising energy demand while driving economic growth.  

Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) of Nigeria, posits that the development of oil and gas can serve as a catalyst for the renewable energy industry.

“For countries in Africa, we cannot be told that we should remain in energy poverty, with the low industrialisation that we have. In order to develop solar, wind and green hydrogen, you need financing. Those energy sources currently have limited investment. Our own ambitions are to see how we can raise the funding required for the energy mix, using fossil fuels,” he said.  

Marcel Abeke, Minister of Petroleum of Gabon and President of OPEC, reiterated these remarks, stating: “We should have a unified voice to fight against energy poverty. We have the majority of our population without access to energy, so we need to keep investing in the development of our energies, industries and countries.”  

Gabon aims to increase crude output to 500,000 barrels per day (BPD) in the medium- to long-term and is promoting investment in natural gas exploration. The country is committed to leveraging its oil and gas industry to drive economic growth.  

“We are inviting investors to come and explore so that we can progressively increase our production. There is not only oil, but there are important gas reserves which have been discovered in Gabon. We are open and would like to invest in this sector so that we can drive growth through the development of this sector,” he added.

Murder of Ogunpa Forest Reserve: A monumental environmental crime

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The scene of the crime, variously referred to as the Ogunpa Forest Reserve, the Ogunpa Dam Forest Reserve and the Forest Reserve surrounding Agodi Gardens in Ibadan, is located on the steep slopes of Premier Hotel Hill and the valley surrounding it, as far as Ajibade Street off the main Oyo Road, and Dejo Oyelese Street in Old Bodija.

Ogunpa Forest Reserve
Aerial view of Ogunpa Forest Reserve after encounter with chainsaws and bulldozers

The valley, which is a major flood plain for the notorious Ogunpa River, extends as far as Secretariat Road, and is bordered by the gentle rise towards the Oyo State Fire Brigade Department and the Oyo State Government Secretariat on the same side as Agodi Gardens, and the University College Hospital opposite.

The Ogunpa River, with its source in Ashi village in Ibadan, and infamously known for its extremely destructive, high-velocity flash floods during torrential rainfall, meanders through the valley, flanked by its flood fringe which extends into Agodi Gardens, on its journey past Dejo Oyelese and Francis Okediji streets and beyond, and empties into the Agodi Lake.

A second smaller river, the Onireke, passes under the Secretariat Road in front of the entrance to the OYS Fire Brigade Department and flows within Agodi Gardens parallel to Secretariat Road until it too empties into the Agodi Lake.

This waterway which is also supplied by pure filtrated water from the underlying bedrock is better known to us environmentalists as the Dandaru Tributary.

Several years ago, when it was noticed that the Ogunpa River had a nasty habit of flowing over the lower stretches of the road that climbs up to Premier Hill, each time it rained, a miniature dam was constructed across the river, close to the junction of the Secretariat and Premier Hill roads. Thus, creating the Agodi Lake.

A deep trench was dug and lined with high concrete walls, which passed in front of the Cultural Centre at the bottom of Premier/Mokola Hill and under the road connecting Mokola to UCH.

Through this trench, the Ogunpa River flows downstream through a vast swathe of Ibadan, before it empties into the Ona River on the left-hand side of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, about a 10-minute drive away from Toll Gate, Ibadan.

It is important to keep the proximity of the confluence of the Ogunpa and Ona rivers to Ibadan City in mind, because during the 1980 flood disaster, the turbulent Ogunpa River rushed headlong into the Ona River, causing the two rivers to overflow their banks as they passed through Ibadan.

However, the deep concrete walled trench beginning at the overflow point of the Agodi Lake, followed the Ogunpa River only so far, and the rest of the river’s winding journey had ample scope for flooding it’s banks, as it squeezed between poorly planned open markets and slum neighbourhoods, which have no provision for waste disposal, apart from large scale dumping of refuse into the Ogunpa River as it flowed past.

So, from time to time, during the rainy seasons, the Ogunpa River hemmed in by badly planned neighbourhoods built too close to the river, completely devoid of any flood protecting vegetation, and barely able to breathe through the weight of the refuse in it, would do what any self-respecting river would do under the circumstances.

It would burst its banks, roaring through the City of Ibadan at tremendous speed, and destroy everything in its path.

After a few of these devastating seasonal episodes, the World Bank funded Channelisation Project was drawn up and implemented.

So far, even during heavy downpours, these deep, considerably widened, concrete-lined channels have been able to keep the roaring, turbulent Ogunpa River in check, as it rushes through the city of Ibadan.

However, in the last few weeks, during the first rainy season since the murder of the Ogunpa Forest Reserve, the narrative seems to be changing.

Environmentalists and urban planners alike are starting to get apprehensive over the increase in the number of flooding events in Ibadan, in which two people have died and two are still missing.

And although these seem to have mostly affected the neighborhoods along various tributaries of the Ona River, which has also been extensively widened and channelised, we are keeping in mind the close relationship between the two rivers, and their combined effort in the 1980 flood disaster.

Whatever disturbs the aggressive Ogunpa River will certainly have an impact on the Ona River.

To me it is quite significant that despite the extensive channelisation of both rivers, sections of which were being built with great haste all through the day and night to have them completed in time before the rains started, the volume of water in each river is higher than one would expect.

The concrete-banked channels are considerably wider than the original rivers. The quantity of refuse being dumped in them this year is roughly the same as last year.

We haven’t experienced any heavy, sustained rainfall this year, that has lasted more than, say, five hours. The ONLY variable that has changed is the important flood buffer for the Ogunpa River: the forest protecting the watershed within the Ogunpa Forest Reserve surrounding Agodi Gardens no longer exists.

Now that you have a broader picture of the beginning and the ending of the Ogunpa River, what it does in-between, and how it usually behaves when it is choked and over-full, let us see in Parts 2 and 3 of this story, how the Ogunpa River could react to one of the most monstrous environmental crimes in the City of Ibadan.

First, let me quickly point out that when the Ogunpa River Channelisation Project was first initiated, I doubt that anyone could have foreseen that just a few years down the road, a major watershed for the Ogunpa River would be destroyed and plans made to sand-fill and build on its immense flood plain.

Since this unprecedented and catastrophic event was not considered by the architects of the Ogunpa Channelisation programme, one can only hope that what they have put in place can stand up to the altered behavior of the Ogunpa River, now bereft of both functioning watershed and floodplain.

Especially at a time when global warming and the ensuing climate change is causing unpredictable weather patterns all over the globe.

If unprecedented weather patterns can cause the Sahara Desert to flood, as dry and as hot as it is, what will happen to those of us in the city of Ibadan with its normally high rainfall, now that our flood buffers have been deliberately removed and our landscapes desertified?

By Rosalie Ann Modder-Oyefeso, on behalf of The Save Our Green Spaces Group and The Ogunpa Forest Reserve Team

To be continued

Millennium Oil, Saltspring strike carbon credit deal

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Indigenous oil and gas producer, Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited (MOGCL), has entered a collaborative arrangement with American energy solutions provider, Saltspring Energy LLC, to decarbonise operations at the Oza oilfield.

Cecelia Umoren
Executive Chairman of Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited (MOGCL), Mrs. Cecelia Umoren

The agreement seeks to harness flared gas at the Oza marginal field in Abia State for production of electricity.

Millennium Oil is a Nigerian-based exploration and production company which operates the Oza marginal oilfield hosted in the Oil Mining Lease OML 11.

Saltspring Energy LLC, based in Houston, Texas, United States, is a global energy solutions provider specialising in carbon management.

In a statement jointly issued in Lagos and Houston, the companies declared that they have reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a groundbreaking initiative to cut carbon emissions by converting flared gas to power production.

Executive Chairman of MOGCL, Mrs. Cecelia Umoren, declares: “This partnership represents a significant step forward in addressing one of the major environmental challenges in the oil and gas sector – gas flaring.”

“By collaborating with SaltSpring, we are not only reducing emissions but also creating new revenue opportunities and positioning ourselves at the forefront of the energy transition,” she explained.

Under this partnership, the two companies will develop and implement a carbon credit mechanism based on the existing Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for the Oza Field, curb gas flaring and associated environmental challenges, and generate carbon credits under established global standards.

The earned carbon credits could now be sold on global platforms like Verra, Gold Standard, and the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

In delivering on the objectives of the partnership, SaltSpring commits to assist MOGCL in creating a verified carbon credit mechanism that aligns with global sustainability goals and carbon-neutral certification standards.

The American company will also deploy it’s expertise in assisting MOGCL trade the generated carbon credits and open new revenue streams while strengthening its sustainability profile.

SaltSpring is to also guide MOGCL through the certification process, ensuring that all carbon credits adhere to the standards set by recognised certifying bodies such as Verra and Gold Standard.

The MoU holds that the profits from the sale of carbon credits will be shared equally between MOGCL and SaltSpring Energy, creating a long-term partnership that benefits both parties while contributing to global emission reduction efforts.

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