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Global Goals: Finance commitments under Energy Compacts reach $1.4tr

Michael Simire
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Global Goals: Finance commitments under Energy Compacts reach $1.4tr

New commitments to boost renewable energy and increase access to electricity and clean cooking technologies by 2030 have brought the finance and investment pledged through the United Nations for the energy transition to $1.4 trillion, according to a report released on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Achim Steiner
UNDP Administrator and Co-chair of UN-Energy, Mr. Achim Steiner

The third edition of the Energy Compacts Annual Progress Report was launched on Wednesday at the opening of the EnergyNow SDG7 Action Forum, an event convening energy leaders and experts on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The report shows continued growth in Energy Compact voluntary commitments, to be deployed by 2030, aimed at reducing the ranks of 685 million people living without electricity and over 2 billion still cooking with polluting fuels, while setting the world on a climate action trajectory towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

“The initiatives and partnerships highlighted here demonstrate our ability to create impactful change when we unite behind a common goal,” noted the leadership of UN-Energy — Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP and Co-Chair of UN-Energy; Damilola Ogunbiyi, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy; and Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which serves as the Secretariat for UN-Energy.

“But as we celebrate these milestones, we are reminded that our work is far from over,” the three UN-Energy leaders concluded. “Let this report serve as both an inspiration and a challenge to accelerate our efforts, push beyond our limits, and make the vision of sustainable energy a reality for all.”

The report was prepared by UN-Energy, the coordination mechanism which includes nearly 30 UN and international organizations that work on energy issues, with data compiled and analysed by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll).

Scaling up ambition and commitment

The Energy Compacts have been designated a “high impact initiative” supporting the UN Secretary-General’s call to action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, which has shown progress in some areas but at an insufficient pace and scale needed to meet the 2030 deadline. Annual figures released in 2024 showed that the number of people living without electricity increased for the first time in decades, reflecting the need for greater action.

Achieving SDG 7 is also essential for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C above average pre-industrial temperatures, a target considered critical for averting ever-worsening climate disasters. It would require sharply scaling up ambition towards a clean energy transition, including additional investments of $23-48 trillion between 2021 and 2030.

The Energy Compacts progress report outlines commitments from governments and the private sector, which include planned spending by countries for both domestic and international action to increase energy access, efficiency and renewables, as well as private sector investment slated in these areas. Since the Energy Compacts were launched in 2021– in connection with the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy — 209 commitments have been registered, including 160 formal submissions and 49 expressions of interest.

Expanding results on energy transition and access

Substantial results have been generated by the Energy Compacts since they began in 2021, according to the report. By providing new and improved electricity connections, Energy Compact proponents have enhanced electricity access for 177 million people, an increase of 48 million people in the past year, but still under the 66 million people who must gain electricity access each year to achieve the goal of 100 per cent access by 2030.  Progress on enhancing clean cooking access remains slower, currently at 23 million people, underscoring the need for intensified efforts in this area.

During 2021-2024, $201 billion in finance was mobilised or deployed for Energy Compact actions, nearly a three-fold increase from 2023, with a majority of funds used for installing new renewable power generation, showing a need to scale more finance towards energy access.

The report includes a call to action urging national governments, regions and cities, private companies, financial institutions, UN agencies and civil society organisations to submit their own Energy Compact commitments, through an online process. Plans are underway to use the Energy Compact Action Network as a vehicle to facilitate partnerships and support.

The report also points to the potential linkages between the Energy Compacts and the process by which national governments are preparing to submit stronger climate commitments and plans, in the form of enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, in the leadup to COP30 in 2025.

CAPPA urges govt caution over Coca-Cola’s $1bn ‘audio’ investment

Michael Simire
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CAPPA urges govt caution over Coca-Cola’s $1bn ‘audio’ investment

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rethink his Presidency’s fraternity with corporations who break the nation’s laws and harm public health.

Coca cola
The Nigerian Bottling Company Plc is the sole franchise bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria

The non-governmental organisation’s statement is coming on the heels of Coca-Cola’s recent visit to the president where the corporation re-announced a $1 billion investment pledge to Nigeria over a period of five years.

According to CAPPA, Coca-Cola’s latest investment promise was nothing more than a recycled, unfulfilled commitment first made three years ago to the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

CAPPA accused the bottling company of attempting to exploit the rhetoric of investment to whitewash its image marked by multiple controversial trade practices, as has been repeatedly exposed, including most recently, by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

“It is a matter of grave concern that the news is once again awash with Coca-Cola’s promise of a $1 billion investment in Nigeria. This is the second time in three years that the company has made this hollow pledge to different ruling governments, and yet it failed to deliver the first time around.

“Despite the company’s failure to honour its previous commitment, the government of the day has not only embraced the company’s latest pledge with undue fanfare but also quickly risen to defend its dubious track record of dangling promises that never materialise with evidence.

“While the government may claim that Coca-Cola couldn’t fulfil its earlier commitment due to a ‘challenging business environment,’ the disturbing truth remains that, beyond its record of unmet financial pledges, Coca-Cola’s presence in Nigeria has more than any other thing been defined by its persistent onslaught against public health and regulatory infractions than anything else.

“In 2017, a Lagos High Court issued a damning judgement against the company, revealing that its products were unfit for consumption as they contain high levels of sunset yellow and benzoic acid which, according to European and American food and drug agencies, can form the carcinogen benzene when combined with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

“On this ground, the court mandated the company to place warning labels on its beverages, advising consumers against combining their intake with Vitamin C. But to this day, the corporation has refused to comply with this directive.

“This contempt and disregard for public health and judicial authority should ordinarily disqualify the company from receiving any form of state endorsement, let alone at the highest level of government.

“Moreover, barely two months ago, in July 2024, the FCCPC found Coca-Cola guilty of deceptive trade practices as usual. The Commission’s investigation which began in 2019, revealed that the company had on multiple occasions and counts engaged in false and harmful marketing practices that could mislead customers.

“For instance, the company had not only on many occasions provided false information to the FCCPC in violation of the Commission’s rules, but had also deceived consumers by dishonestly selling its ‘Less Sugar’ variant as identical to the original Coca-Cola product.​

“Yet, despite being found guilty of violating multiple consumer protection laws and advised to apply remedies and clear product labelling, Coca-Cola has failed to take meaningful steps to correct its actions, further demonstrating its penchant for undermining regulatory interventions.

“To be clear, this promise-fail-promise tactic of Coca-Cola, including its operational character of disregard for national regulations is not accidental. It is straight out of the big food industry playbook to interfere, undermine, and dilute pro-public health and consumer protection policies.

“Sadly, by endorsing Coca-Cola’s shady investment only months after the FCCPC indicted it, the Nigerian government is not only setting itself up as an image launderer for a dirty corporation but also unbelievably, undermining and embarrassing its own regulatory authority,’’ the CAPPA statement said.

According to CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, “the question the Nigerian government must ask itself in light of all this is what truly it stands to gain by endorsing a multinational corporation with a dark history of non-compliance, and whose products are even actively contributing to a public health crisis in the country?

“Sugar-sweetened beverages, like many of Coca-Cola’s products under such category, are well known and documented contributors to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease and other associated health conditions that are already straining Nigeria’s healthcare system and economy.

“As such, while the company’s promises of an economic investment may sound appealing, the potential gains pale in comparison to the long-term public health costs and injury that the consumption of its products inflicts on the Nigerian population as with elsewhere across the world’’ Akinbode added.

The CAPPA statement also warned that the government’s cosy relationship with the beverage corporation could jeopardise the smooth implementation and enforcement of Nigeria’s active Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) tax.

The SSB tax was signed into law as part of Nigeria’s Finance Act in 2021, effectively imposing an excise duty of N10 per litre on all non-alcoholic and sweetened beverages in the country in order to lessen their demand and consumption and tackle the rising spate of NCDs in the country and their heavy burden on individuals and the economy.

In recent times, public health advocates have asked the Nigerian government to review the tax rate upwards to cater for inflationary pressures and in line with global best practices, to cause a minimum of 20 per cent increase in retail prices of SSBs, so as to discourage consumption.

“The SSB tax is a vital public health policy that must not be undermined by the sneaky tactics of Coca-Cola to infiltrate public health discussions and weaken enforcement of pro-public health laws through its calculated friendships with state authorities.

“The Nigerian state must reconsider its fawning over Coca-Cola, as its snug relationship with the corporation while simultaneously enforcing a pro-public health tax, sends mixed signals.

“This kind of messaging is not only dangerous but also threatens the effectiveness of the SSB tax, which is crucial for saving lives.

“Even more so, the government’s fraternisation with the company despite its disrespect for national rules of engagement only serves to embolden the company’s exploitative practices in Nigeria without fear of accountability.

“President Tinubu’s administration has an obligation to protect Nigerians, not act as a cheerleader for companies with a proven history of unethical behaviour.

“We, therefore, call on the Nigerian government to prioritise the interests of Nigerians by shunning questionable associations with corporate lawbreakers and adversaries of public health. We urge the state to defend public health without scruples and consider genuine ethical investments that rank the well-being of Nigerians over empty promises and profit-driven deception.”

Why Global South deserves ambitious, equitable New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance

Michael Simire
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Why Global South deserves ambitious, equitable New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance

Ahead of the informal Ministerial Dialogue on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) taking place in New York on Friday, September 27, 2024, climate activists are urging world leaders to adopt a bold, ambitious, and equitable climate finance goal.

Mohamed Adow
Director of Power Shift Africa, Mohamed Adow

This new goal, they argue, must address the urgent needs of developing countries and uphold the principles of climate justice, focusing on delivering the resources necessary to help these nations mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, as well as address loss and damage (L&D).

Mohamed Adow, Executive Director of Powershift Africa, said: “Climate finance is the key that can unlock a safe and prosperous planet for everyone. It can help the victims of climate breakdown adapt to the inevitable change and fund the needed transition to clean energy of the future.

“But this finance cannot be in the form of loans from rich polluting nations in the Global North which just pile more debt onto the Global South. That would be like giving a drowning man a life jacket stuffed with coins – it’s going to make them sink even faster.”

Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of CAN International, said: “The NCQG is not just a goal; it’s a moral imperative. The world is facing a climate crisis, and developing countries are bearing the brunt of the impacts. It’s time for developed countries to face their responsibilities and deliver on their promises and obligations to provide the necessary climate finance. We all know the resources exist, but the political will still remain shamefully absent.

“It’s time to make polluters and the wealthy pay for the harm they have caused. In these last precious weeks before COP29, we need to see developed nations let go of their colonial past and stop dragging their feet in crucial negotiations. The NCQG is our chance to create a just and equitable future for all.”

In response to COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev’s guiding questions for the dialogue, CAN International provided the following key recommendations:

Vision and Scope of the NCQG

CAN envisions the NCQG as a transformative tool for delivering substantial climate finance from developed countries to developing countries. Given the failure to meet the existing $100 billion goal, the new framework must prioritise clear guidelines on burden sharing, additionality of climate finance, and grant equivalence to ensure effective delivery. The NCQG must define what counts (and what does not count) as climate finance, establishing transparency and accountability. Also, it is important that the new goal does not repeat the same mistakes, such as delivering climate finance mostly in the form of (non-concessional) loans and favoring mitigation at the expense of adaptation.

Ambition and Quantum of Climate Finance

The new goal must prioritise public finance, measured in grant-equivalent terms, as the most important component. Amid a global debt crisis, transparent, grant-based financing is essential to restore trust and reduce the overreliance on loans. CAN calls for a minimum public finance provision target of $1 trillion per year from developed to developing countries, covering mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage as part of a fair down payment on their growing climate debt.

The NCQG should also include thematic subgoals to address mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, ensuring that all aspects of climate action are adequately financed. Loss and damage, in particular, should be central to the new climate finance regime, acknowledging the immediate needs of developing countries facing the harshest climate impacts.

Operationalising Contributions and Priorities

The NCQG must incorporate the polluter pays principle and tax justice, ensuring that those most responsible for climate change — including wealthy individuals, high-emission industries such as fossil fuels, and the military — bear the financial costs. CAN proposes that developed countries lead by implementing progressive taxes, such as wealth taxes and levies on polluters, while redirecting public subsidies away from harmful activities.

Developed nations, in line with their obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, must commit to providing financial support to developing countries. While developed countries carry the primary legal obligation, others with the capacity should make voluntary contributions. Post-COP29 processes will further refine expectations for contributions based on the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

The NCQG is regarded as a crucial mechanism for delivering on the promises of the Paris Agreement and ensuring a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon future.

CAN International calls on all parties to engage constructively in the Ministerial Dialogue and commit to ambitious, meaningful action on climate finance.

BATN Foundation calls for innovation collaboration, sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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BATN Foundation calls for innovation collaboration, sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria

Participants of the just concluded Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 have been urged to continue leveraging the insights gained during the session to build a thriving agricultural business that supports not only economic growth but also food security and environmental sustainability.

ActionAid Agriculture
Agriculture

Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of the BATN Foundation, made this submission during the three-day programme that brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and agripreneurs to address the pressing challenges and transformative opportunities within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Odusanya expressed the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

According to him, “For the past 20 years, BATN Foundation has worked to support smallholder farmers through innovative agricultural initiatives, contributing not only to poverty reduction but also to the achievement of multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 1,2,6,8,10 & 13”.

The BATN Foundation General Manager also encouraged participants to take full advantage of the masterclass to gain actionable insights that can transform agriculture into a thriving business.

The virtually event, themed “Cultivating a Rich Future through Agriculture”, was organised by Cluster 5 of the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in collaboration with the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation.

In his remarks, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said: “This event is both timely and relevant, because it aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure food security, economic growth, and sustainable development in Nigeria.”

The Minister commended the collaborative efforts of the private sector and international organisations for their unwavering dedication to advancing agriculture, emphasising that the future of the sector depends on transitioning from traditional farming practices to innovative approaches.

Co-chair of UN PSAG Cluster 5, Dr. Mories Atoki, who highlighted the importance of innovation in her remarks, said: “Innovation is the seed from which transformative changes occur. By fostering a data-driven approach, we can optimise agricultural value chains and develop scalable farming practices that benefit our communities.”

She, however, called for new investment models that attract global interest and manage risks effectively.

The Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 held between September 17 to 19, 2024 sought to equip both aspiring and established agricultural entrepreneurs with knowledge and strategies to turn agriculture into a profitable, sustainable business.

The event also aimed to foster a new era of innovation in Nigeria’s agricultural practices by providing participants with tools to enhance productivity and overcome the sector’s longstanding challenges, such as outdated farming methods, lack of technology, limited investment, and youth disengagement.

The masterclass featured ten expertly curated sessions, ranging from crop production, agri-finance, and agro-processing to animal husbandry, aquaculture, and agricultural technology.

The opening session, titled “Planting the Seeds of Innovation: Opening the Pathway to Agricultural Transformation,” set the stage for a series of discussions focused on adopting innovative solutions and a business mindset to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s agriculture.

Other standout sessions included: The Business of Crop Production which focused on improving crop yields and profitability through modern farming techniques. Agri-Finance highlighted how to access and navigate financing options to support agricultural growth. The Business of Agricultural Technology emphasized the role of digital tools in driving agricultural efficiency and expansion while the Business of Agro-Logistics and Trade discussed the importance of efficient supply chains for market

The Business of Agriculture Masterclass 2024 underscored the critical role that agri-preneurs play in the future of Nigeria’s economy, given that agriculture contributes about 24% to the nation’s GDP and employs nearly 70% of its workforce.

Industry leaders, including Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni, and Segun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the National Committee AFCTA Nigeria Office, echoed the sentiment that innovation, technology, and private-sector collaboration are essential for driving the agricultural sector forward.

The masterclass concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector through sustainable, innovative practices.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Lagos implements strategies, policies to check climate change impact

Michael Simire
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Lagos implements strategies, policies to check climate change impact

The Lagos State Government is implementing or considering strategies and policies that will address the impact of climate change on the transport sector and the entire state.

LAMATA
Participants at the LAMATA event

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, gave the assurance in Lagos on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Osiyemi spoke at the maiden edition of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) National Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUM Conference24).

The conference had the theme: “Implementing Safe, Inclusive and Climate Resilient Urban Transport in a Digital Age for Sustainable Development”.

According to Osiyemi, climate-resilient urban transportation is essential for sustainable development.

“Some key strategies and policies currently implemented or under consideration in Lagos State include transitioning to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and promoting electric public transport which can significantly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions,” the official said.

He also said that the strategies and policies included introduction of multimodal transport system which encouraged the use of diverse modes of transport such as buses, trains, bicycles.

“This reduces dependence on private vehicles,” the official said.

He added that the state was constructing infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather effects such as floods and heatwave.

“This involves designing roads, bridges and public transport systems that are durable and adaptable.

“Implementing forward-thinking policies that support sustainable transport, such as promoting EV adoption, encouraging private sector investment in public transport, and integrating adequate infrastructure for cycling and walking in road designs, can drive meaningful change,” he said.

Osiyemi added that leveraging new technologies such as smart traffic management systems and emissions-reducing innovations can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of urban transport.

The commissioner said that by integrating these strategies, cities could develop transportation systems that are not only sustainable but also resilient to the effects of climate change.

“This comprehensive approach ensures that urban transport contributes positively to the overarching goal of sustainable development.

“I eagerly anticipate engaging in stimulating discussions focused on localised implementation of strategies,” he said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said that sustainable transport system was imperative to mitigate environmental degradation, alleviate traffic congestion and enhance the overall quality of urban life.

Akinajo said that the importance of sustainable transport system could not be overstated in the midst of the global climate crises threatening human existence.

She listed the threats to include different transport externalities in form of road crashes, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion and the negative social, environmental and health impacts that adversely affected the wellbeing of humanity.

The LAMATA boss said that achieving urban transport efficiency would require strategic innovations to address inherent gaps in current practices, adding that deployment of appropriate digital and smart technologies had become imperative.

According to Akinajo, the specific objectives of SUM Conference24 include to create an avenue for spotlighting the critical issues in the transport sector with respect to climate change, inclusivity and technology.

“It includes to provide a quintessential forum for key stakeholders from government, private sector, academía, NGOs, civil society, transport unions and public transport user groups to develop capacity on sustainable urban mobility.

“It also includes examining transportation contribution to environmental degradation, to examine and evaluate the financial complexities in building and maintaining sustainable public transport infrastructure,” she said.

According to her, the conference will provide a platform to showcase the Lagos urban mobility system success story thereby inspiring action by other states.

Akinajo said that the national conference on sustainable urban mobility was supported by the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda of the state government.

“The agenda’s overall objective is to provide adequate public infrastructure, improve living standards and public safety, create an enabling long-term physical and regulatory environment for economic growth and increased job opportunities and sustainable development for the rapidly growing population of Lagos,” she said.

By Oluwatope Lawanson and Chiazo Ogbolu

UNGA: Nigeria strengthens partnership with African Caribbean, Pacific States

Michael Simire
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UNGA: Nigeria strengthens partnership with African Caribbean, Pacific States

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger partnership and deepened relations with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

UNGA
Vice-president Kashim Shettima (left) with Secretary General of OACPS, George’s Chikoti

The spokesperson of the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement, said Shettima stated this during a high-level OACPS meeting chaired by Angola.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Shettima reiterated the importance of solidarity among member states in the face of numerous global challenges.

The vice-president also emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to the organisation’s goals, while addressing pressing national concerns.

“Nigeria remains a principal partner of OACPS, championing our shared values of democracy, diaspora engagement, and development.

“Our presence here at the UN General Assembly allows us to amplify these priorities on the global stage and explore avenues for deeper collaboration,” he said.

On the recent inclusion of Nigeria on a high-risk jurisdiction list for anti-money laundering concerns, Shettima said, “We’re here to set the record straight and engage in constructive dialogue with our international partners.”

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for OACPS initiatives, including the organisation’s focus on Haiti’s ongoing crisis.

While acknowledging Kenya’s contribution of 400 troops to Haiti, he highlighted Nigeria’s historical role in South-South cooperation.

Shettima said, “Our technical aid corps programme, which has sent teachers and doctors to the Caribbean, exemplifies Nigeria’s commitment to uplifting fellow OACPS nations.”

He outlined Nigeria’s strategy to leverage its position as Africa’s most populous nation.

This, according to him, will enable the country to advocate for OACPS interests, promote fair treatment in international financial systems, and strengthen ties with both developing and developed nations.

“We’re representing Nigeria’s interests while also championing the collective voice of the OACPS.

“President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria aligns closely with the OACPS agenda.

“In today’s interconnected world, our success is intertwined with that of our partner nations,” Shettima emphasised.

Earlier, the Secretary-General of OACPS, Georges Chikoti, lauded Nigeria as “a motor of the OACPS and an important member state.”

Chikoti said that the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria and expressed gratitude for the country’s significant contributions.

The secretary-general expressed confidence in the UN’s involvement and commitment to supporting member states facing various challenges.

He also reiterated the importance of strengthening partnerships between OACPS member states and the European Union.

According to Chikoti, such partnerships will also focus on crucial collaborations in areas such as environment, infrastructure, education, and business development.

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Wike commits to review, upgrade of Abuja Master Plan

Michael Simire
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Wike commits to review, upgrade of Abuja Master Plan

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to the review and upgrade the Abuja Master Plan.

JICA
Nyesome Wike with JICA officials during the visit

Wike stated this when a team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited him in Abuja on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

He said the project, under the Review and Upgrading of Integrated Urban Development Master Plan for Abuja, would be implemented in partnership with JICA.

“For us, be assured that it is a project that we are committed to, and we will do all we can to see that the project comes to fruition,” he said.

The minister promised the JICA team that all the expectations from the FCTA for the implementation of the project would be made in due course.

He also assured JICA of stronger collaboration for the development of the FCT, including satellite towns and environs.

Also speaking, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said the review of the 45-year-old Abuja Master Plan was crucial to address current challenges in the capital city.

“We are talking about supporting facilities in terms of infrastructure, water supply, power supply, and storm water and wastewater drainage system.

“We are also looking at the need for a smart city for Abuja, so that the city will be one of the top cities of the world.

“Urban mobility has remained a challenge, and we are feeling that they should look into those areas to enhance it,” he said.

Ahmad said the population explosion in Abuja had equally created the need to look into creation of employment opportunities.

He said the JICA team, with support from a technical team from critical departments of the FCTA and FCDA have begun collection of basic data for the formulation of the project’s inception report.

According to him, an international conference will be convened to seek inputs from critical stakeholders once the inception report is approved.

Earlier, Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, said the open defecation, nutrition and urban development projects were few among the numerous projects being implemented by JICA in FCT.

Kazuyoshi particularly said that Capacity Development for Nutrition Improvement in FCT and the elimination of open defecation projects recorded a huge success.

He solicited for more collaboration with the FCTA to deepen the result-oriented project to impact on more communities of the FCT.

Speaking on the review and upgrade of the Abuja Master Plan, Mr Nobukuyi Kobe, Infrastructure Management Department, JICA, said the goal was to ensure sustainability in line with relevant government policies.

Kobe said that Output 1 of the project was the formulation of regional infrastructure development strategy for the Federal Capital City and satellite towns, and integrated urban development plan from 2025 to 2050.

He added that Output 2, was an enhanced capacity of planning and implementation officers of the reviewed plan.

He, however, said that FCTA would be expected to support in expediting correspondence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The FCTA, he said, is also expected to approve the reviewed and updated plan, along with the Urban and Regional Planning Act, as well as seamless collaboration of FCTA and FCDA.

By Philip Yatai

COP Troika asked to prioritise fair, grant-based climate finance for 1.5-aligned NDC

Michael Simire
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COP Troika asked to prioritise fair, grant-based climate finance for 1.5-aligned NDC

Ahead of the meeting of the COP Presidencies Troika holding on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in New York City, CAN International is urging the Presidencies to prioritise public, grant-based financing as the bedrock of equitable and ambitious climate action and the embedding of just energy transition plans in the upcoming cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

COP Troika: King Charles III with Sultan Al Jaber, the President of COP28 (second left); Mukhtar Babayev, the President-designate of COP29 (left); and Ana Toni, the Brazilian National Secretary for Climate Change (right)

Initiated at COP28 in December 2023, the COP Troika comprises UAE, Azerbaijan and Brazil, who have decided to join forces and work actively together to keep the 1.5 degree Celsius climate goal within reach.

In its letter to the Troika, the climate network of almost 2,000 organisations warns against the exclusive focus and reliance on private investment to fund countries’ climate plans, which can disproportionately burden developing countries and ordinary people, and severely hinder progress towards the collective 1.5°C climate goal.

Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of CAN International, said: “There can be no climate ambition without Equity. To achieve equity and ambition, developing countries need climate finance at a scale responsive to their needs, predictable and non-debt inducing. This is why we need developed countries to include their contributions of public finance in this new cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s). Relying only on private sector investments has not provided the results expected in previous years and has allowed developed nations an escape door in delivering their obligations to providing climate finance as agreed in the Paris Agreement. Grant-based public financing is essential and achievable.”

In CAN’s view, the journey towards the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C should begin with an equitable, time-bound phaseout of fossil fuel production and consumption starting with developed countries, which have for far too long shirked their responsibilities and turned a blind eye to the rapidly worsening impacts of climate change around the world.

Fernanda Carvalho, WWF Head of Policy for Climate and Energy, said: “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are more than just numbers on mitigation, although they are a crucial element. Civil society expects the Troika to deliver a roadmap for NDCs that will collectively deliver 1.5°C alignment and climate justice. Neither is possible without significantly scaled up, grant-based public finance from developed countries to support developing countries in the transition. This is the real pact our future depends upon.”

David Knecht, climate expert at Fastenaktion Switzerland, said: “The next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will determine whether the world can course-correct to 1.5°C and deliver climate justice. The next NDCs must catalyse community-driven development. At the same time, the NDCs 3.0 need to include concrete fossil fuel phaseout plans, as agreed upon in Dubai, and we expect developed countries to lead on this, as well as on providing direly needed grant-based finance for the global transition. To signal to the world what is needed, the Troika must step-up and present NDCs that set the highest expectations.”

The NDC Troika meeting, taking place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, will feature government representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Brazil. CAN International urges the Troika to champion a just and equitable approach to financing the NDC cycle, ensuring that climate action benefits all, not just the wealthy.

Militaries responsible for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Michael Simire
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Militaries responsible for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Experts have estimated that the world’s militaries are responsible for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Military
Military hardware

This means that if the world’s militaries were a country, they would have the fourth largest carbon footprint – higher than that of Russia.

But militaries are excluded from current climate agreements, so face no accountability for their greenhouse gas emissions.

Military spending is at a record high of $2.44 trillion, and yet states are failing to deliver on climate finance commitments.

With States set to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) at COP29, public spending on militarism must be addressed for a just climate transition. The intersections between militarism and climate crisis have impacts on communities on the frontlines.

The world is facing the highest number of violent conflicts since WWII, devastating communities while large-scale armed conflicts drive global emissions higher with no route for accountability for those impacted.

Peace and climate justice are intrinsically linked, and an upcoming webinar will outline what a COP of peace must mean for those on the frontlines of both armed conflicts and the climate crisis.

Holding on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the webinar on divesting from war and investing in climate justice, “COP29: The COP of Peace – Addressing Militarism for Climate Justice”, is part of the first annual Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice (September 21 to 28, 2024).

It will feature speakers from monitoring groups, creative campaigning groups and from communities impacted by both militarism and the climate crisis.

Indeed, Azerbaijan, host of the 2024 climate summit, has declared that COP29 will be a “COP of peace” and has called on states to “transcend political challenges” and commit to a truce during the month of COP29.

Besides determining what really is a “COP of peace” and how can it be achieved, the webinar looks at the intersections of peace, demilitarisation and climate justice and explores how and why COP must address the issue of militarism.

Group lauds Brazilian president’s commitment to deliver 1.5-aligned NDC

Michael Simire
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Group lauds Brazilian president’s commitment to deliver 1.5-aligned NDC

At the 79th UN General Assembly High-Level Segment on Tuesday, September 23, 2024, Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, committed to deliver a 1.5-aligned climate goal, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Lula and Macron
Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil (right) and Emmanuel Macron of France

In a reaction, environment watchdog, 350.org, has welcomed President Lula’s commitment to delivering a 1.5°C-aligned Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) later this year as a crucial step towards climate action.

At the same time, 350.org expressed grave concerns that Brazil’s NDC will sideline the country’s significant fossil fuel production expansion and only address fossil fuel consumption.

“Science demands a halt to fossil fuel expansion,” submitted the group.

Brazil is set to become the fourth-largest oil producer globally, an untenable position for a nation seeking climate leadership.

As the host of this year’s G20, and next year’s COP30, observers believe that Brazil must lead by example and set a precedent for other countries by presenting ambitious NDCs that outline the country’s plan to transition away from fossil fuels and deliver renewable energy fairly for all.

Ilan Zugman, 350.org Latin America Managing Director, said: “​​Lula went in the right direction in his speech, but expanding fossil fuel production while claiming climate leadership is incompatible with the 1.5°C pathway. As long as the Brazilian government insists on extracting oil and gas, especially in the Amazon, talking about decarbonising the economy and a fair energy transition is a pure exercise in rhetoric.

“Lula is right in calling on rich countries to fulfill their obligation to finance mitigation and adaptation actions in countries of the Global South, but without cleaning up Brazil’s fossil fuel expansion plans, President Lula undermines his own credibility as a climate leader and puts the 1.5 threshold at risk.

“Lula has several weeks to ensure that Brazil will present ambitious national climate goals that stop the expansion of oil and gas extraction in the country, especially in the Amazon, and encourage a just transition to renewable energy.”

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