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Forensic tools boost Thailand’s drive against illegal ivory trade

Michael Simire
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0
Forensic tools boost Thailand’s drive against illegal ivory trade

Ivory traffickers be warned: the Thai authorities have a powerful forensic tool in the country’s drive to detect ivory of illegal origin entering its markets and ensure domestic traders are complying with new laws.

Ivory trafficking. Photo credit: girlegirlarmy.com
Ivory trafficking. Photo credit: girlegirlarmy.com

A collaborative project between Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has trailed forensic DNA examination of ivory products to assess the origin of elephant ivory products commonly available in local markets.

One hundred and sixty items of small ivory products legally acquired by TRAFFIC researchers primarily from retail outlets in Bangkok were subjected to DNA analysis at the DNP’s Wildlife Forensics Crime Unit (WIFOS Laboratory). The aim of the exercise was to determine whether the ivory products were made from African Elephant or Asian Elephant tusks.  The African Elephant Loxodonta africana found in 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, or the Asian Elephant Elephas maximas found in Thailand and 12 other Asian countries.

Forensic results show that African Elephant ivory accounted for a majority of the items tested.  Whilst the relatively small number of samples cannot be considered as representative of the entire ivory market in Thailand, it indicates that African Elephant ivory is prominently represented in the retail outlets in Bangkok.

This capability supports the enforcement component of Thailand’s revised National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) submitted to CITES in September 2014. The plan was developed to control ivory trade in Thailand and strengthen measures to prevent illegal international trade. It includes a strong focus on law enforcement and regulation, including the execution of a robust ivory registration system.

“The ability to use DNA and other forensic expertise provides great support to law enforcement,” said Mr. Adisorn Noochdumrong, Acting Deputy Director General of DNP. “We are deeply concerned by these findings which come just at the moment a nationwide ivory product registration exercise is being conducted pursuant to recently enacted legislation to strengthen ivory trade controls in Thailand,” added the DNP representative.

In January 2015, the Thai government passed new legislation to regulate and control the possession and trade of ivory that can be shown to have come from domesticated Asian Elephants in Thailand. With the passing of the Elephant Ivory Act B.E. 2558 (2015), anyone in possession of ivory – whether as personal effects or for commercial purposes – must register all items in their possession with the DNP from January 22 until April 21, 2015.  Penalties for failing to do so could result in up to three years imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of Thai Baht 6 million (nearly USD200,000).

“We remind anyone registering possession of raw ivory or ivory products under Thailand’s new laws that African Elephant ivory is strictly prohibited and ineligible for sale in Thailand,” said Mr. Noochdumrong.

TRAFFIC applauds the Thai authorities for using and highlighting the opportunities for DNA testing to determine the elephant species behind the ivory products found locally for sale. “This represents a new front in the country’s capability to police the local ivory market and meet the requirements of CITES, which Thailand joined in 1983,” said Dr Chris Shepherd, the Director of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia.

Greenpeace: Agribusiness firms destroying apes’ rainforest habitat

Michael Simire
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0
Greenpeace: Agribusiness firms destroying apes’ rainforest habitat

Endangered great ape species are having their rainforest habitat destroyed and threatened by the expansion of agribusiness projects in central Africa, according to new evidence from Greenpeace Africa.

Chimpanzees. Photo credit: wired.com
Chimpanzees. Photo credit: wired.com

Satellite images, reportedly obtained by Greenpeace Africa, show that more than 3,000 hectares of rainforest bordering the Dja Faunal Reserve has already been destroyed inside the Chinese-owned Hevea Sud rubber and palm oil concession in Cameroon’s Southern region. The reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to apes such as the western lowland gorilla, chimpanzees and mandrills.

“Agro-industrial developments will soon emerge as a top threat to biodiversity in the African tropical forest zone”, says Dr Joshua Linder, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at James Madison University.

“If proactive strategies to mitigate the effects of large-scale habitat conversion are not soon implemented, we can expect a rapid decline in African primate diversity.”

UNESCO has previously requested for an inspection to be carried out to assess if any damage has been done to the Dja reserve, but permission was denied by local authorities. The plantation lies in the home district of Cameroonian president Paul Biya. The forest clearance is significantly greater than that carried out by US company Herakles Farms for their palm oil project in the country’s South West region that has also deforested vital wildlife habitat and deprived local communities of the forest they depend on for their livelihoods.

A Greenpeace Africa investigation in December revealed that Cameroonian company Azur is also targeting a large area of dense forest in Cameroon’s Littoral region to convert to a palm oil plantation, a large part of which is adjacent to the Ebo forest, a proposed national park that is used by many primate species including the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee sub-species plus the rare and endangered drill, as well as threatened mammals such as the forest elephant.

Greenpeace Africa has twice written to Azur asking they detail their plans and allay environmental concerns over the project, but no response has been provided.

The Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee is one of the most endangered primates in the world and faces numerous threats including destruction of habitat from illegal logging, poaching, the bush meat trade and the effects of climate change. The drill is a rare ape and 80 per cent of the world’s remaining population is in Cameroon and Azur’s plantation project may lead to even more habitat destruction of this already endangered primate.

Industrial-scale agricultural concessions, many foreign-owned, are often allocated throughout West and Central Africa without proper land-use planning. This frequently generates social conflicts when forest clearance takes place without prior consent of local communities. This can result in severe negative ecological impacts and effects on endangered wildlife species as many concessions overlap with forest areas of high biodiversity value.

“Governments need to urgently develop a participatory land use planning process prior to the allocation of industrial concessions” says Filip Verbelen, a senior forest campaigner with Greenpeace Belgium.

“Projects that are being developed without adequate community consultation and are located in areas of high ecological value should not be allowed to proceed and risk further social conflict and environmental damage.”

The Congo Basin is the world’s second largest rain-forested area. Its rich and diverse ecosystem provides food, fresh water, shelter and medicine for tens of millions of people. The conservation of these forests is vital in the fight against climate change. But the area is increasing under threat from rising global demand for resources, corruption and poor law enforcement.

Land-grab: Ugandan farmers sue oil palm project

Michael Simire
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Land-grab: Ugandan farmers sue oil palm project

Farmers in Uganda evicted by oil palm plantations last Thursday presented a lawsuit against a joint venture co-owned by oil palm giant Wilmar International. They are claiming restitution for their grabbed land and fair compensation for damages, three years after their land was taken for plantation development.

Oil palm plantation. Photo credit: www.palmplantations.com.au
Oil palm plantation. Photo credit: www.palmplantations.com.au

Friends of the Earth International is backing the communities’ land grab case, filed after three years of dialogue with the government and the company which has failed to bring them justice.

John Muyiisa, one of the plaintiffs, said, “When I lost that land, I did not only lose my livelihood, I also lost my pension and a secured income for my children and grandchildren. I did all I could to get the land back – I even went to the office of the President of Uganda. Now I am looking to the court to provide us with justice.”

Frank Muramuzi, director of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE)/Friends of the Earth Uganda, said: “Wilmar and the other palm oil companies are aware of the fact that communities have been displaced but have to date not resolved the problems. This project was sold to the residents of Kalangala with promises of employment and a brighter future. But they were not fairly compensated for the loss of their livelihoods, and now without access to land face a daily struggle to get by.”

The land grab occurred on the islands of Kalangala – situated in Lake Victoria, Uganda – in 2011, leaving at least 100 small-scale farmers landless. Displaced smallholders received little compensation, if any.

The flagship oil palm project received initial seed money from the World Bank, which subsequently pulled out. Several governments also provide funding via the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Wilmar International receives money from several European banks and financiers. Friends of the Earth groups in Europe and the US have regularly brought the case to the attention of Wilmar International and their European and US financiers.

Anne van Schaik, accountable finance campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe, conducted a field visit in January 2015 to talk to John Muyiisa and other affected people, as well as to local leaders and government officials in Kalangala. Her experience made it abundantly clear there must be strong regulation to prevent European financiers supporting such damaging projects.

According to her, despite voluntary environmental and social governance commitments from Wilmar International and its financiers, peoples’ rights continue to be violated by their palm oil projects.

Anne van Schaik said: “This case clearly shows that we cannot expect companies and financiers to regulate themselves. We need strong rules for financiers in Europe to stop them from providing financial services to companies like Wilmar.”

John Muyiisa and the other plaintiffs are now waiting for a hearing date in court in Masaka. If the judge sustains their complaint, over 100 farmers will receive compensation and the restitution of their land.

The project is carried out by Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL). OPUL is a subsidiary of Bidco Uganda, which holds 90% of its shares. Bidco Uganda is a joint venture formed between Wilmar International, Josovina Commodities and Bidco Oil Refineries, a Kenya-based company. Wilmar International holds at least 39% of the shares of the joint venture and is providing technical expertise for the project.

Additional financing for the project came from the Ugandan government and the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). IFAD provides loans and grants to approximately 119 national governments.

The court case comes after various attempts by NAPE/Friends of the Earth Uganda to resolve the land conflict by bringing all stakeholders together and initiating a commission to investigate the problems and provide recommendations.

Lekan Fadina: Road to Paris 2015 (4)

Michael Simire
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Lekan Fadina: Road to Paris 2015 (4)

The importance of COP 21 in Paris has once again been stressed by the appointment on the 16th January 2015 by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of Janos Pasztor of Hungary as UN Assistant Secretary General on Climate Change.

Prince Lekan Fadina
Prince Lekan Fadina

Mr. Pasztor is to serve as the Senior Adviser of the Secretary-General on Climate Change until the 21st UNFCC Climate Change Summit in Paris in December 2015.

A statement from the UN said: “Mr. Pasztor’s tenure will focus on supporting efforts toward a universal climate agreement in 2015 and mobilising global climate action on the ground including through a coherent United Nations System wide action.”

Mr. Pasztor was a former Acting Executive Director at World Wild Life Fund International. He also has a rich experience within the UN System, having served as the Executive Secretary of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability and, as Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team. Mr. Pasztor has also held various senior positions in the UNFCCC.

It is pertinent to mention that this appointment is an important one as it is to facilitate the success of COP 21.

It should be recalled that the UN system especially the Secretary-General has been involved in the process of ensuring that the global world moves on the path of reduction of emission, low carbon economy and achieving global sustainability.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon set up various High Level Committees on Energy, Financing Climate Change and Global Sustainability, among others.

He was in Warsaw – COP 19 to talk about the need for government, business and civil society to get together and address the challenges of climate change. He organised UN Secretary-General’s Head of States and Governments Summit on Climate Change in September 2014 in New York and made sure that the COP 20 in Lima, Peru provided “the not too difficult road” to COP 21 in Paris, France where it is expected that the world leaders will agree to a new path to reduce emission and a global template to ensure that a more disciplined approach to sustainable development is put in place.

There are many meetings before the COP 21 and Mr. Pasztor, as an experienced diplomat and one familiar with the UN system-wide activities, will use his vast exposure and experience to ensure that the path to a successful meeting and historical signing of the new climate path is achieved. Although the UN sectional meeting on climate change in Geneva early February closed on an optimistic manner, it is clear that a lot of political work still lie ahead. The climate diplomacy efforts to cross the T’s and dot the I’s will surely be one of Mr. Pasztor’s important roles.

We wish him well while all nations including Nigeria must start the process of studying the draft negotiating text agreed on and distributed in Geneva while waiting for the corrected version from the Secretariat. It is evident that there is a lot to be done and all of us must play our part to support our government through the Nigeria National UNFCCC Designated Point – the Climate Change Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment.

By Prince Lekan Fadina (Executive Director, Centre for Investment, Sustainable Development, Management and Environment (CISME). He is a member of the Nigeria Negotiation Team, Africa Group of Negotiators and member, AGN Finance Co-ordination Committee)

TB drug candidate advanced into clinical testing

Michael Simire
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TB drug candidate advanced into clinical testing

TBA-354 is the first potential tuberculosis drug to advance to Phase 1 trial in six years

A TB patient. Photo credit: frontiersnews.com
A TB patient. Photo credit: frontiersnews.com

The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) has announced the start of the first human trial of a new tuberculosis (TB) drug candidate, designated TBA-354. It is the first new TB drug candidate to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial since 2009.

“There is a critical gap of new compounds for TB,” said Mel Spigelman, MD, President and CEO of TB Alliance. “The advancement of TBA-354 into clinical testing is a major milestone, not only because of the potential it shows for improving TB treatment, but because it is the first new TB drug candidate to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial in six years.”

TBA-354 comes from the nitroimidazole class of chemicals, known for being effective against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis. The class also includes the experimental TB drug pretomanid (formerly PA-824), which is being tested as a component of other novel regimens in multiple clinical trials.

TBA-354 emerged from studies designed to identify a next generation nitroimidazole for TB. TB Alliance conducted the studies in collaboration with the University of Auckland and University of Illinois, Chicago. Once identified, TB Alliance further advanced TBA-354 through pre-clinical development and is now the sponsor of the Phase 1 study.

In preclinical studies, TBA-354 demonstrated more potent anti-bactericidal and sterilizing activity compared to pretomanid. Recruitment is under way to enroll nearly 50 U.S. volunteers for the randomised, double-blind Phase 1 trial, which will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and dosing of TBA-354.

The World Health Organisation reported that 1.5 million people die each year from TB, and more than nine million were diagnosed with the disease. The lack of short, simple, and effective treatments is a significant obstacle to TB control. However, because there is little economic incentive to develop new tools, there are not enough promising drugs in the pipeline, which could hinder efforts to develop the appropriate treatments needed to combat the TB epidemic.

The TB Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to finding faster-acting and affordable drug regimens to fight TB. It aims to ensure equitable access to faster, better TB cures that will advance global health and prosperity.

The organisation receives support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Commission, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Irish Aid, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, UNITAID, United Kingdom Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development, and the United States Food and Drug Administration. Additional support for the development of TBA-354 was provided by the Lilly TB Drug Discovery Initiative.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria is rated the third highest  (TB) burden country in the world and the number one in the Africa Region.

$7.6 million Mozambique road project to boost transportation in southern Africa

Michael Simire
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$7.6 million Mozambique road project to boost transportation in southern Africa

The Sub-Saharan Regional Pipeline Corporation, Ltd. (SSRPC) recently selected Louis Berger to provide $7.6 million in consultancy services for the rehabilitation of National Road N303 in Mozambique. SSRPC is investing $350 million to transform an approximately 350-kilometer-long narrow and unpaved carriageway into a modern road that crosses the Tete province and ends at the Zambezi River, where Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe have a common border.

Louis Berger is assisting with the modernisation of the 350-kilometer-long, narrow and unpaved carriageway that crosses the Tete province in Mozambique. Photo credit: Louis Berger
Louis Berger is assisting with the modernisation of the 350-kilometer-long, narrow and unpaved carriageway that crosses the Tete province in Mozambique. Photo credit: Louis Berger

The modernised road will be the shortest link to a railway currently under construction between the coal-rich province of Tete and the port of Nacala, the deepest port in southern Africa. The road will offer a more cost-effective transportation solution, increasing the flow of goods and mineral resources, particularly copper exports.

“The rehabilitation of the N303 is vital not only for Mozambique but for the region as a whole,” said Jean-Pierre Dupacq, head of Louis Berger’s operations in Africa. “The modernised road will greatly boost the local economy, which is mainly dependent on coal mining, by allowing the development of local small scale enterprises along the road.”

Overall, this modernisation project will encompass the rehabilitation, widening and/or reinforcement of the road and the existing structures; improvement of the alignment, pavement and signage design; drainage and ancillary works; as well as the rehabilitation of 19 bridges. Louis Berger will be responsible for providing pure design services for the development of feasibility, environmental and social impact assessment and resettlement studies.

Louis Berger has more than 50 years of experience in Africa and 25 years of experience working in Mozambique, where the firm has implemented approximately 50 projects. These public and private sector funded contracts cover a broad range of professional services in the markets of transport, environment, water and sanitation, agriculture, power, telecommunications and health.

The final beneficiary of the road rehabilitation project will be the Government of Mozambique, namely the National Roads Directorate with whom SSRPC entered in a public-private partnership type of agreement.

Zambia secures $129 million loans for water, power

Michael Simire
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Zambia secures $129 million loans for water, power

Zambia has contracted a loan of $15 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for implementation of a water supply and sanitation project in 16 districts of the Western Province.

Most African countries struggle to provide access to water and sanitation to their people. Photo credit: Water Journalists Africa
Most African countries struggle to provide access to water and sanitation to their people. Photo credit: Water Journalists Africa

Chief government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says government has prioritised the region in accordance with its pro-poor policies.

“The project will contribute to poverty alleviation and improve the health of Zambia’s rural population through the provision of sustainable access to water supply and sanitation. The decision was made in order for Government to remain focused on its pro-poor policies,” he said.

The project, under the national rural water supply and sanitation phase two, will see 16 districts of Western Province have piped water.

Additionally, cabinet has approved the contraction of a loan of $114 million from the World Bank and AfDB for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam which has developed cracks.

The rehabilitation will be undertaken by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe which co-own the facility.

Kambwili, who is also minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said that that rehabilitation of Kariba Dam is vital to the economy of Zambia and the sub-region and should urgently be undertaken to avoid potential emergency situations.

He said of the $114 million, $75 million is from the World Bank and $39 million is from AfDB.

“Given the large reservoir capacity of the dam, its collapse would result in a catastrophe of huge consequences to economies in the sub-region,” Kambwili said.

A better water supply is essential for the future development of communities. Photo credit: Water Journalists Africa
A better water supply is essential for the future development of communities. Photo credit: Water Journalists Africa

He said the funds shall be lent to the Zambezi River Authority to facilitate the commencement of the project.

Kambwili says the walls of the Kariba Dam have cracked posing a serious threat to humans and the economy.

He also said cabinet has approved the appointment of nine members of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) governing board. The tenure of the previous board which was appointed in 2011 expired in October last year.

And Kambwili has defended government’s borrowing, saying it has the capacity to pay back.

“We are borrowing within our limits to pay back. World Bank or AfDB are serious financial institutions which cannot lend money anyhow,” he said.

By Newton Sibanda (Lusaka, Zambia)

Why GMOs are not solution to food production

Michael Simire
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Why GMOs are not solution to food production

Every January and for almost two decades GM crop proponents celebrate the arrival of report of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech (ISAAA) on commercialised GM crops. The truth is that nothing has changed since they started issuing these reports.  They have been making the same claims since 1996: more GM crops, more countries, and more hectares cultivated. Interestingly this is something that ISAAA and the biotech industry see as the ultimate proof of the benefits those crops have for farmers around the world.

Critics fear genetically modified foods can cause environmental harm and damage human health. Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk
Critics fear genetically modified foods can cause environmental harm and damage human health. Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk

This year ISAAA claimed “18 million farmers in 28 countries planted more than 181 million hectares in 2014, up from 175 million in 27 countries in 2013”. When it is said in this manner it would seem that GM crops are infesting the entire planet. However, solid facts indicate that GM crops are still mostly cultivated in a few countries and only a few traits have reached the commercialisation stage.

The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network makes a good interpretative summary of the data put forward by ISAAA and as usual the conclusions of ISAAA report are not must be taken with a pinch of salt. The truth remains that after more than two decades of political and commercial pressures, GM crops are grown only by a handful of countries.

 

Where does ISAAA’s message come from?

The ISAAA is simply doing the job of their donors. A look at their funders is self-explanatory of the reasons why ISAAA is over-optimistic and often unrealistic in their claims about the acceptability of GM crops. Academic institutions and private sector companies such as Monsanto and Bayer Cropscience sponsor ISAAA. Their funds also come from organisations such as CropLife, and government agencies such as USAID, USDA and even the US Department of State. It is indeed curious to see among the donors the US Department of State, a department that operates the diplomatic missions of the US abroad and is responsible for implementing the foreign policy of the country. In understanding the consistent push to place GMOs on our dining tables it is essential to note that the success of this enterprise (GM crops) is a State matter for the U.S. government.

With those donors it is not difficult to explain why ISAAA very rarely reports any problems with GM crops. If they do at all they simply misreport them. For instance this year ISAAA reports that a drop in cultivation of GM cotton in China is due to low prices and high food stockpile in China. However Xinhua news media says that “China GM crop planting areas declined in 2014 amid heated discussions over safety concerns”.

 

What next?

2016 will mark the 20th anniversary of the ISAAA report of GM commercialised crops. However, you can bet that there will be no surprises. They will repeat what they have always claimed: more GM crops, more countries, more hectares, more benefits. They will continue their work of convincing the convinced, and serving the biotech industry. At the same time organisations critics of GMOs will have to continue passing the message with the truth behind GM crops and ISAAA.  While American citizens desire to have GMO labelling grows, paradoxically their money is spent via the US Department of State and other agencies in organisations like ISAAA and similar to ensure that the truth is hidden.

The politics and the pressures behind selling products of doubtful benefits should raise serious concern with governments in Africa and elsewhere. Scholars and government officials, including ministers in charge of agriculture, should read between the lines in the dubious claims of the biotech industry and their mouthpieces. It is time to call the bluff and tell the ISAAAs of this world that GMOs are not the solution to food production. In this Year of the Soil, we need wholesome food cultivated in agro-ecological ways and not based on toxic chemicals and artificial inputs as promoted by the biotech industry.

Some facts about GM crops in the world that ISAAA does not tell

The world’s GM crops are still grown largely by a handful of countries:

  • The US, Brazil and Argentina still account for 77% of the total global GM crop acreage.
  • The top 10 countries that grow GM crops still account for 98% of all the GM crops grown.
  • The list of top 10 countries growing GM crops remains the same (2010-2014).

 

Of the 28 countries growing GM crops, many grow few GM acres that account for a fraction of global GM area:

  • 19 countries account for less than 1% of total global GM acreage each
  • This includes countries such as Sudan, Colombia and Spain, which grow approximately 100,000 hectares of GM crops each.
  • Many of these countries devote only a fraction of their agricultural land to cultivating GM crops. For example, Sudan’s GM acreage accounts for 0.9% of its agricultural land, Columbia’s 0.2%, Australia’s 0.1%, and Spain’s 0.3%
  • GM crops are grown on less than 4% of global agricultural land and 13% of global arable land.

 

There was a global increase of 6.3 million hectares of GM crops from 2013, an increase of 3.6%.

  • 8 countries had a slightly larger area under GM crops, 4 had less, and the rest had the same as in 2013.
  • The US and Brazil accounted for much of the total increase. The US grew 3 million more GM hectares than the year before. Brazil grew 1.9 million hectares more.
  • ISAAA says that the US “maintains (a) leadership role” – this means that the US still grows 40% of all GM crops in the world, the same as in 2013.
  • Four countries – Argentina, China, South Africa and Australia – reduced their overall acreage, also by a very small amount.

By Juan Lopez (for Health of Mother Earth Foundation – HOMEF)

Lekan Fadina: Road to Paris (3)

Michael Simire
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Lekan Fadina: Road to Paris (3)

The 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will hold for two weeks at Le Bourget, Paris, France from 30th November, 2015. It is expected that about 40,000 people will attend the global forum.

Prince Lekan Fadina
Prince Lekan Fadina

This piece looks at some aspects of the conference that could impact the outcome and usher in a new phase in the management of the global development agenda.

It is said that morning shows the day. Therefore, the starting point should be to hear from the host country, France. President Hollande said last month that COP 21 would be an opportunity for “all nations of the world to take a new step in favour of human rights through the UN Climate Conference. It is our duty to succeed.” This is a profound statement and clearly shows that all of us must work hard in the interest of humanity and generations unborn towards a common goal.

Recently, the French Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy recently presented the detailed plans on the preparation of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference to the world.

The COP 21 will be a crucial milestone with the goal of achieving a new international climate agreement applicable to all countries. The agreement is to limit global warning to less than 2C in accordance with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCCC) so as to limit human and ecological damage linked to climate change caused by the use of fossil fuel and misuse of natural resources.

The French will Chair the COP and the French government has a duty to ensure the safety of all participants and the success of this historical gathering. The French will be working closely with the current COP President, who is Peruvian.

In preparation for a successful COP the French government is promoting a Paris Climate Alliance in multilateral negotiations based on four aspects – universal legal agreement applicable to all countries national commitments covering control and reduction of emissions, a financial aspect guaranteeing international solidarity with the most vulnerable countries, an “Agenda of solutions” aimed at implementing accelerators to ensure more ambitious progress above and beyond binding commitments.

France is working to be exemplary in combating climate change and it is doing everything possible in this regard. It is holding several informal meetings and bilateral negotiations.

 

Transition to Green Economy

France is currently processing the bill on the energy transition for green growth which has been adopted by the National Assembly and is currently being debated in the French Senate, The Bill, when passed, aims to achieve environmental excellence with a different facet of the society. The local businesses are making effort to use various financial instruments including the Energy Transition Fund to build a strong market to create green jobs.

France’s commitment to achieving an ambitious agreement at the COP21 in Paris has already contributed to the European Union tacit agreement to a common position. It has also helped in France message of solidarity and interest in global issues. France believes that the most vulnerable countries and population are particularly exposed to the consequences of global warming and a decision in December will help them in the effort to get the world to chart a way out.

The issue of security in the light of recent security challenges in France is being addressed and in this regard the government is working vigorously to ensure that the site Le Bourget provides absolute guarantee of security. The government, the local authorities and others are collaborating to ensure that the delegates have easy access that meets the required requirements for such global events.

The civil society including non-governmental organisations and business are to have their site next to the negotiating area for the delegates of the different countries and accredited observers.

 

Mobilisation

The government is mobilising everyone. The President is fully involved and ensures that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development has the support of the cabinet. A lot of activities are in place to ensure that all the officials see their work as important part of a long chain that must be together and in this regard the mobilisation of the people and the civil society is accorded high priority.

The last sessional meeting of ADP in Geneva ended on a positive note and France intends to follow-up other rounds, effectively participate in the different meetings and an inter-ministerial team has been assembled for this and the “Agenda for Solutions”.

On the whole a lot of work has been done and the French authorities want to put the country on the high pedestal in the global effort to address the challenges of climate change and do everything possible to ensure that COP21 in Paris is successful.

It is evident that the French government and the people are clearly putting across a good lesson in climate diplomacy by their actions and the way they perceive the next COP. After all, if all countries agree to a global agreement in Paris then France becomes a country of global importance in the climate and related issues.

It is suggested that government and the private sector should work together to ensure that Nigeria plays a major role in the pre- and post-COP meetings and activities as it is clear that the paradigm shift to low carbon economy is here and we need to take advantage of turning the different challenges to opportunities.

By Prince Lekan Fadina (Executive Director, Centre for Investment, Sustainable Development, Management and Environment (CISME). He is a member of the Nigeria Negotiation Team, Africa Group of Negotiators and member, AGN Finance Co-ordination Committee)

Unstable cotton sector struggles to balance cost and benefits

Michael Simire
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0
Unstable cotton sector struggles to balance cost and benefits

Growing cotton provides livelihoods for an estimated 100 million households in as many as 85 countries. But adverse global market conditions and reliance on large doses of water, fertilizer, and pesticides impose considerable social and environmental costs, writes Michael Renner, senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute.

Michael Renner
Michael Renner. Photo credit: flickrhivemind.net

Although synthetic materials are making inroads, cotton remains by far the most important natural fiber for textiles. In 2013/14, an estimated 26.3 million tons of cotton were produced worldwide.

Cultivating cotton accounts for about three percent of all agricultural water use worldwide. Countries that import cotton or finished cotton products also bring in large amounts of embedded “virtual water” with these imports and have considerable water footprints. Producing a pair of jeans takes an estimated 10,850 litres of water, and a t-shirt takes 2,720 litres.

The legions of small cotton farmers around the world face a set of challenges largely beyond their control. In addition to unfair subsidies (totalling $47 billion between 2001 and 2010 for the United States, China, and Europe), they must deal with health risks from pesticide use and, in some cases, insurmountable levels of debt.

Cotton is a very pesticide-intensive crop (accounting for 16 percent of global insecticide use and 6.8 percent of herbicide use), with potential repercussions, such as pest resistance and adverse health impacts on farmers that range from acute poisoning to long-term effects. Pesticides and fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potash) can also leach out of the plant’s root zone and contaminate groundwater and surface water.

Sadly, severe indebtedness has caused an estimated 100,000 cotton farmers in India to commit suicide over a 10-year period. Indebtedness results from numerous factors, including the rising cost of pesticides and genetically modified seeds, low yields due to droughts, and the declining price that cotton fetches on world markets.

Several initiatives exist to improve the social and environmental conditions under which cotton is produced. In organic production, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are replaced with organic substances, soil fertility management, and integrated pest management. Fair trade producers, usually small family farms organized in cooperatives or associations, receive a minimum price covering the average costs of sustainable production, as well as a premium.

One effort, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cotton production, improve the livelihoods of farmers, and promote decent work. In 2013, just 3.7 percent of all cotton was produced in accordance with BCI principles, but the goal for 2020 is to extend this to 30 percent and to involve five million farmers. Such initiatives offer important benefits to cotton farmers. But for the moment, at least, they account for only a relatively small share of the industry.

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