Greener environment and retrofitting of buildings have been suggested as a means of guarding against the incessant heat being experienced due to climate change.
Participants at the stakeholders forum on Heat, Health and Housing in Lagos
Dr. Olumuyiwa Adegun, a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who made the submission in his remarks at a stakeholders forum tagged “Heat, Health and Housing: Addressing Challenges Through Data-Driven Approaches” in Lagos, also disclosed that “retrofitting our buildings makes them heat resistant and climate smart”.
Dr. Adegun, who disclosed thar there are lots of health implications attached to heatwave such as dizziness, skin rashes and skin stroke, noted: “Apart from the increase in daytime and nighttime temperature due to the effects of climate change we also find the aspect of urban heat island, that’s the concrete jungle we’ve created for ourselves. Instead of soaking in the heat, it’s sending it back, taking the heat and sending it back. So that’s one factor causing a lot of heat in cities.
“We also have the aspect of the building materials or the kind of materials you used to build affects how you were exposed to heat. So, if you use somebody like maybe Adobe, you may not have as much heat as using the sandcrete wall in order to protect you, if you use something like zinc you live in the zinc house, compared to an adobe house is much more thermally uncomfortably trapped. For example, people who live in slums with no designated kitchen cook in the living room, all these human activities also exposed people to heat.”
The Principal Investigator on the project “The Accessing Intra-Urban Heat Vulnerabilities” also noted that most of the buildings in urban centres are with no proper ventilation, adding: “So, when we build we should have vegetation, trees, shrubs, grasses, not just all concrete paving. So, the idea is when there is absence of vegetation, there is increasing heat. What if we have more vegetation in where we live where we work, where we play; of course, it will bring down the temperature, it has cooling effect.”
On his part, Olumide Idowu, the Executive Director, International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI), identified proper urban management as the only way out of proffering solution to the prevalent cases of heatwave in the country.
He said: “It is very important for the government to look at our urban planning because the way we allocate land that are meant for recreational and other purposes is very alarming. Our policy formations too need to be checked. Yes, we formulate policies, but implementation is not that captured for the people in the local communities.
“Our leaders have to begin to look at climate change as an issue that has come to stay, so implementing issues around it has to be a continuous process, how are we making sure that we have a sustainable solution to it?
“The people need to cooperate and collaborate in making sure that the government is doing the right thing by allocating the right resources to the right places so that everybody can see the fair share of what the environment is all about and we now look at how we can make sure that everybody takes responsibility towards his own immediate environment in ensuring that anything that happens within your environment, you are responsible for it.
In his submission, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, a Director at West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), said: “For Nigeria to make progress the people should elect leaders who are passionate about them into office, they should appoint people who are educated so they can be aware of climate change as it affects people at the grassroots. You don’t need a lot of energy; these are things only educated persons can understand. And this we are also passionate about bringing the results down to the grassroots.”
The project used FESTAC (as formal) and Ebute-Ilaje and Ajegunle Ikorodu (as informal) areas of study with Dr. Tobi Morakinyo presenting a paper on “Heat Vulnerability and Risk Assessment over Lagos Metropolis”. Other members of the research team are Dr. Olusoga Adewale, Victor Arowolo and Ademola Akinbobola.
Dignitaries at the forum include Dr. Funmi Soji-Awotiwon, Assistant Head, Digital Health Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Health; Dr. Peter Elias, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Lagos; Chief Morinsola Oladunjoye, Community Head of Ajegunle Community; representatives from the private sectors and others.
When it comes to the application of modern biotechnology in agriculture, the Africa Union’s (AU) position is clear – the technology is one required to transform the continent’s agricultural sector.
A group picture of the participants at the 2nd IBC in Africa Forum held in Accra in May 2024
This endorsement follows the African High-Level Panel of Experts on Emerging Technologies 2007 report that identified biotechnology as one of the good tools that is useful in supporting Africa’s agriculture.
The AU is of the view that such modern scientific tool can redeem Africa’s agriculture from the vagaries of pests and diseases as well as climatic conditions that are undesirable, and ensure there are seeds that resist drought, pest and diseases. “And that would lead us to solving our food insecurity challenges as a continent,” according to African Union Development Agency-NEPAD’s Senior Programme Officer for Legal and Policy on Biosafety Issues, Akile Sunday.
The 2024 2nd IBC Africa Forum in Accra
He was speaking on the topic: “AU Guidance for Emerging Biotechnologies in Africa,” to a group of scientists, regulators and science communicators in Accra at the 2nd Institutional Biosafety Committees’ Forum in Africa (IBC- Africa Forum 2024). The participants were mainly members of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) in some scientific and regulatory institutions in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The forum was organised by the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC) in collaboration with Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to firm up discussions and deliberations from the maiden IBC Forum held last year in Nairobi, Kenya. The purpose of these instituted annual Forums is to deepen participants’ understanding of regulatory frameworks governing IBCs and their roles within these frameworks, particularly in Africa.
The Ghana forum was also an occasion to enhance the professional growth of IBC members actively engaged in genetic biocontrol technologies, including gene drive, gene editing and synthetic biology projects.
Agenda 2063 – prioritising scientific innovation for Africa
Tracing the history of AU’s position on modern biotechnology, Akile said the stance was line with Africa’s 50-year strategic plan of action and blueprint for the continent’s development – “Agenda 2063.” It was adopted at the 24th Ordinary Assembly of the Heads of State and Governments of the AU in January 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He noted that of the seven Aspirations of Agenda 2063, Aspiration 1, clearly captures the need for Africa to view science, technology, research and innovation as an important tool towards her socio-economic transformation.
“So, these four areas stand at the epicenter and is key towards bringing us to the point of appreciating the importance of science towards our socio-economic transformation as a continent,” Akile stated.
He said for this to be achieved, an enabling environment for member states to apply science, had to be created by having in place national policies, legislation and regulations that promote and drive forward science. To this end, the AU has over the years been facilitating the establishment of enabling environments for Africa to achieve her vision 2063 with science as the base for its transformation.
Akile touched on the role of AUDA-NEPAD in ensuring science serves as a base for Africa’s transformation, saying, the Agency serves as the technical interface providing advisory knowledge and technical expertise to assist all member states towards the attainment of the scientific aspiration of Agenda 2063.
He announced that the 10-year blueprint to achieve science and technology innovation in Africa, the “Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024” (STISA), a policy adopted for systematic implementation of activities from 2014 to 2024, has been extended for another 10-year period from 2024 to 2034.
Additionally, the AU has ensured the development of several guideline documents to enable member countries properly navigate the arena of modern biotechnology and its associated tools. The documents are: Guidelines for Institutional Biosafety Committees; Guidelines for Risks Analysis for the Testing and Deployment of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes; Guidelines for Compliance Monitoring and Inspection of Activities Involving Genetically Modified Mosquitoes; and Ethics Guidelines for the Use of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes.
The AUDU-NEPAD Officer commended the AGBC for moblising resources to build the capacity of IBC members, and thereby enhancing their expertise to adeptly handle related materials.
Enhancing IBCs capacity to handle diverse genetic technologies
The Founder and Head of the Secretariat of the AGBC, Willey Tonui, said the Consortium was formed in 2020 to build an informed local leadership to support the requirements for development, decision-making and on the utility of genetic biocontrol technologies for animal, public health and conservation in Africa.
Biocontrol is an ancient practice involving the use of beneficiary insects or animals to control unwanted and problematic ones. The concept of genetic biocontrol is simply, the use of genetically modified organisms through gene drives and gene editing to control other problematic organisms. Hence, the identification also of this concept by the High-Level Panel of Experts on Emerging Technologies and subsequent recommendation by the AU for its adoption in the continent’s fight against malaria for member states to consider.
In this wise, ongoing research is well advanced to genetically modify the genome of the female anopheles mosquito to render it incapable of spreading the positive agent plasmodium, which causes malaria in humans. Once released into the environment, they would mate with the conventional counterpart, change their system of operation, so they would be unable to spread the disease.
In an interview, the former CEO of the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and Facilitator of the Forum, Eric Okoree, said because genetic related research take place at the institutional level, the AGBC’s goal is to ensure that IBCs are well equipped to appreciate their assignment.
He explained that IBCs are responsible for ensuring that every genetically modified work going on at the institutional level follows the due procedure and are supervised by them.
Some Ghanaian scientists who participated in the forum described it as a timely event, especially for institutions like the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (BNARI-GAEC), whose IBCs, was set up recently.
A trained Plant Breeder and member of BNARI’s IBC, Elaine Azu, in an interview, expressed her satisfaction with the impact the training has on her. Following the interactions with experts and exposure to sample documents, she was confident that she has received the required skills to prepare and review project dossiers and application documents. Thereby, making Ms. Azu ready to contribute to her institute’s soon to start gene editing work on yam and rice.
Ghana’s NBC remains committed to biosafety processes in the country
In a related development, Ghana’s NBA Board Chairman, Prof. Yao Tettey, has reaffirmed the agency’s support for biosafety regulations and pledged to provide leadership, exceptional services, and guidance on emerging technologies.
He said the NBA’s focus “remains steadfast on fostering informed and transparent decision-making processes that support the responsible development and deployment of genetic biocontrol agents or products,” adding that, “the potential of emerging biotechnologies to improve Ghana’s agriculture, environment and healthcare is immense”.
Prof. Tettey was addressing a consultative meeting in Accra of partners and stakeholders jointly organised by the NBA and the AGBC as a sequel event to the 2nd IBC- Africa Forum 2024.
He commended the collaborative effort between the AGBC and the NBA as a crucial step forward in their shared commitment in Ghana to advancing biosafety and regulatory frameworks for emerging biotechnologies. Prof. Tettey urged the organisers to continue working together to ensure that regulatory frameworks developed are robust, adaptable, and aligned with global best practices.
The Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change (SPEC), Chief Ajuri Ngelale, is the new Focal Point of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s engagement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, and other related international meetings on climate-related and green economic matters.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
This emerged as President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, June 9, 2024, approved mandate for office and terms of reference for the pioneering Office of SPEC.
According to a statement, this was informed by the need to bring clarity to the functions of the office within the climate and green economy ecosystem.
Chief Ngelale is replacing Dr Salisu Dahiru who doubled as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and Climate Change Focal Point. Dahiru was relieved of his duties as the NCCC DG by President Tinubu on Sunday and replaced by Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe.
By the President’s directive, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action shall also be:
(1) The lead negotiator on climate-related matters on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(2) The lead negotiator on carbon market and management initiatives on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a mandate to integrate the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP) into the climate action plans of the Federal Government of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(3) The supervising interface between the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the NCCC Supervising Council, which is chaired by the President.
(4) Coordinator of all climate action-related activities across Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, legislative, and subnational entities which directly impact the President’s climate action and green economic agenda with a mandate to directly engage other nations, international organisations, and non-governmental entities to build coalitions and advance global climate goals in accordance with Nigeria’s national interest.
(5) The coordinator of activities of all relevant Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies towards the successful fulfilment of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
(6) The secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, which is chaired by the President.
(7) The chief diplomat and lead representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on all climate-related engagements and negotiations while supervising the Energy Transition Office.
(8) The focal-point authority on all non-executive activities related to the operations of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) with delegated authority to oversee the activities and operations of the NCCC secretariat for frequent reporting to the President in between meetings of the NCCC Supervisory Council.
(9) The lead interface on engagements with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Environment, other critical Federal Government of Nigeria institutions concerning the administration and coordination of climate-related donor finance, renewable energy finance and green industrial growth management.
(10) Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Furthermore, the President has approved the expansion of the membership of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions (P-CAGE).
The committee comprises the following additional members:
(1) Representative, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning
(2) Representative, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(3) Representative, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas)
(4) Representative, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology
(5) Representative, NNPCL
(6) Special Assistant to the President on Energy Transition, Ms. Yasmin Mohammed
(7) Representative, Energy Transition Office, Mr. Somkele Awa-Kalu.
The Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will be inaugurated in July.
According to the statement, the President emphasises diligence, dedication, and patriotism in the execution of this critical national assignment with a view to realising his administration’s agenda on climate action and green industrial growth for the long-term benefit of the Nigerian people and Africans at large.
In accordance with his commitment to actualise Nigeria’s green industrial vision, boost investor confidence, and unlock sustainable economic value through various climate finance instruments, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in interim capacity, pending the confirmation of her appointment by the NCCC Supervisory Council.
Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe
According to a State House press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, the President has also approved that Dr. Maduekwe, 39, who holds a Bachelor of Law degree, a Master’s degree in Environmental Law & Policy from the University of Dundee (UK), and a Doctorate degree in Law from the University of Hull (UK), is to serve as the Co-Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP).
She replaces Dr Salisu Mohammed Dahiru, who took office as the NCCC pioneer Director-General on July 25, 2022.
Dr. Maduekwe has over 15 years of national and international experience in climate policy development and project implementation. She previously served as Nigeria National Coordinator, Climate Parliament. Climate Parliament is an international, multi-partisan network of legislators working worldwide to help solve the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Dr. Maduekwe was also the legal adviser to the NCCC Director-General.
Furthermore, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, 40, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement, Office of the President. He is seconded to the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) Secretariat, where he will handle all matters related to Climate Finance & Stakeholder/Donor Relations.
The President has also approved that Mr. Shelleng is to assume the position of Secretary of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP) and serve as a member of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, as well as the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Mr. Shelleng, who holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has served in leading roles across multiple financial institutions, and was Head of Business Development for the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC (NMRC) before his appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the President.
The President has also approved the appointment of Mr. Olamide Fagbuji, 44, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations, Office of the President. He is seconded to the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) Secretariat, where he will oversee the digitalisation of a new open procurement process and cross-departmental procedural optimisation initiative.
Mr. Fagbuji served as Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters under the previous administration and was most recently the Technical Adviser to the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) on Policy Research and Strategy. He is a policy analyst and computer scientist.
By the directive of the President, the aforementioned appointments take immediate effect.
According to the release, the President expects the new appointees to bring their expertise and discipline to bear in these very important assignments in pursuance of the nation’s aspiration on green industrial development and climate action for sustainable growth and national prosperity.
Centre for 21st Century Issues, a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, has inducted a new crop of environmental activists among students of Aladura Comprehensive High School, Anthony Village, Lagos, by launching the Environmental Bees Club in the school.
Participants at the launch of the Environmental Bees Club in Lagos
Mr. Simileoluwa Adewale, the C21st Issues Project Coordinator, in his remarks during the roll-out, urged the new entrants into the club to inculcate the habit of ensuring their environment is always tidy.
In her opening remarks, Dammy Adeoye, also of C21st Issues, said the roll-out of Environmental Bees Club in the school is in commemoration of 2024 World Environment Day themed “Our Land, Our Future: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought”.
“It will be important as young individuals to take action about environmental issues because in a way they affect us. Climate change impacts such as flooding, heatwave, air pollution, and water pollution, among others, are issues we daily and how we address these issues should be of utmost importance to us all. That is why we are partnering with the Lagos State Government and SUBEB to launch EBC in schools across the state,” she noted.
While speaking on the importance of Environmental Bees Club in schools, Mr. Abayomi Adewale, representing the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, said: “Our world is facing many environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. These issues are not just problems for the future; they are affecting us right now. Clean air, fresh water, and healthy soil are essential for our survival.
“By understanding these issues and learning how to address them, we can make sure our planet remains a beautiful and liveable place for generations to come. Young people like you are the key to making this happen. You have the energy, creativity, and determination to make a big impact. By being informed and taking action, you can lead the way to a more sustainable future. This is where the Environmental Bees Club comes in. The Environmental Bees Club is not just a club; it’s a movement. A movement to inspire and empower you to take charge of your environment.”
Apart from tree planting, the Permanent Secretary also admonished them to be actively involved in activities like recycling, upcycling and conservation, saying: “You’ll also have the chance to spread awareness and educate others about the importance of protecting our environment. The Sanwo-Olu administration, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, is fully committed to boosting environmental literacy.
“We believe that education is the foundation for sustainable development. That’s why we’ve partnered with Centre for 21st Century Issues to support initiatives like the Environmental Bees Club. We are providing resources, training, and opportunities for you to learn and grow into becoming stewards of the environment. This partnership aims to create a network of informed and active young citizens who can lead environmental change in their communities.”
Mr. Bankole Fabusoro, the Principal, Aladura Comprehensive High School, commended C21st Issues and partners for counting his school worthy to be a beneficiary of the project.
Fabusoro opined: “This is a very good initiative, especially when making the younger ones to see and appreciate the importance of taking care of the environment. Now, we have broader knowledge on how to handle this project, by precedent our school has always been the pacesetter. We want to remain as such.”
Highpoint of the event was planting of trees as displayed by Mrs. Adebimpe Kupolu, representing Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK).
The Lagos State Government will subject the Draft Report on the Review of Badagry Master Plan (2022-2024) to public scrutiny, from Wednesday, June 19 to Friday, July 26, 2024.
Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide
Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
He said that the 28-day public inspection of the Draft Plan across various centres, mainly within the Badagry division of Lagos State, would allow stakeholders to review its proposals and make relevant comments to further enrich the Plan.
The Permanent Secretary stated that subjecting the draft report to public scrutiny was part of the acclaimed process of preparing an inclusive Plan, which is also in tandem with the state’s culture of citizen’s participation in the preparation of Physical Development Plans.
The inspection venues, which are 13 in all, include the Local Government/Local Council Development Area Secretariats within the Badagry division of the State, local planning offices within the division, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Secretariat, Alausa and the headquarters of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) at GRA, Ikeja.
“It is worthy of note that to ramp up public participation in the plan preparation process, the 28-Day public inspection of the Draft Report on the Review of Badagry Master Plan (2022-2042) will be followed by a final Stakeholders Meeting at 9am on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at LASU Main Auditorium, Ojo,” he added.
According to Sotire, the aim of the Master Plan, which is going through a review upon its expiration after being operative for 20 years, is to harness the special characteristics and environmental sustainability of the plan area to engender sustainable future growth and socio-economic development of Lagos State as the preferred investment destination in sub-Saharan Africa.
TotalEnergies and Air Products on Friday, June 7, 2024, have signed a 15-year agreement for the annual supply in Europe of 70,000 tons of green hydrogen starting in 2030. This first long-term deal follows TotalEnergies’ call for tenders for the supply of 500,000 tons per year of green hydrogen to decarbonise TotalEnergies’ European refineries.
TotalEnergies
Under the agreement, Air Products will deliver at TotalEnergies’ Northern European refineries’ doorstep, green hydrogen from Air Products’ global supply network. This hydrogen will avoid around 700,000 tons of CO2 each year. The contract awarded to Air Products is a first step towards achieving TotalEnergies’ objective of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions from its operated oil and gas operations (Scope 1+2) by 40% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels.
Air Products, worldwide leader in terms of hydrogen supply, has been a first mover, committing more than $15 billion dollars to real, large-scale energy transition projects and launching several large low carbon hydrogen projects in the world, making it a leading and reliable to beg.
“This deal with Air Products, the first signed following the call for tenders launched last year, is a steppingstone towards our goal of decarbonizing the hydrogen used in TotalEnergies’ refineries in Northern Europe by the end of the decade. We are proud to partner with Air Products, a pioneer in low carbon hydrogen production, under the leadership of Seifi Ghasemi. Once again, we demonstrate our capacity to pioneer the energy transition and contribute to the emergence of a green hydrogen industry by offering long-term contracts with our six refineries and two biorefineries in Europe. We are also happy to extend our partnership with Air Products by becoming ourselves a supplier of green power to Air Products and contributing to Air Products’ own decarbonisation roadmap,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
“Today, one of the largest energy companies in the world has committed to use renewable hydrogen to decarbonise its refineries in Northern Europe, and we at Air Products are honored and proud to be the producer and supplier of the green hydrogen required,” said Air Products’ Chairman, President and CEO Seifi Ghasemi.
Noting that Air Products started on the journey of producing clean hydrogen seven years ago, Ghasemi added, “We always believed that if we made clean hydrogen available at commercial scale, the demand would be there. This contract validates our long-term strategy. Clearly the demand is here, and it will grow significantly as we move forward, playing an essential role in decarbonising heavy industry and other sectors. I also want to express my admiration for Mr. Patrick Pouyanné’s vision and courage in acting as a first-mover towards creating a cleaner future for the world.”
At the same time, TotalEnergies and Air Products have signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of renewable power, which details the signing of a first Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 150 MW produced at a solar project in Texas. The parties also plan to explore together further PPA opportunities in the UK, Poland and France. This agreement, which strengthens the partnership between TotalEnergies and Air Products, will contribute to Air Products’ decarbonisation roadmap and is in line with TotalEnergies’ integrated electricity strategy along the value chain.
TotalEnergies and the decarbonisation of its European refineries
TotalEnergies says it is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of producing, converting and supplying energy to its customers. One of the levers identified by the company is to use green or low carbon hydrogen to decarbonise its European refineries, a move that should help reduce its CO2 emissions by around five million tons a year by 2030.
The problem of climate change goes beyond ecology, covering economic and political aspects, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, President-designate of COP29, Mukhtar Babayev, said on Thursday June 6, 2024, during his video address to the participants of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Mukhtar Babayev
The minister reminded that the issues of climate financing will be the main topic at the COP29 to be held in Baku.
“Climate financing will be the main topic at the upcoming Baku Conference of the parties. We need to agree on a new collective climate finance quantitative target at COP29. Work on setting a new collective climate finance quantitative target will need to take into account many interrelated elements. Climate finance has been one of the most difficult topics in climate diplomacy for many years. Obviously, all parties have valid points. We are listening to all parties to understand their priorities and help to align positions to achieve a fair new goal,” he said.
Babayev also stressed that the main challenge is to find ways of an efficient and fair transition to a low-carbon economy while ensuring sustainable economic development.
In a related development, Hydrogen Europe has said that it is ready to work with the leadership and partners of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) on hydrogen-related issues, according to the Director of Trade and International Relations at Hydrogen Europe Maria Assumpcio Rojo Torrent.
She made the remark during the plenary discussions themed “COP29 strategic development ways for a green world, financing of green energy projects” on the second day of the Baku Energy Forum.
The director noted that issues related to hydrogen were brought up in recent COP events: “We think this will continue at COP29. This event will be a great opportunity to better understand the role that hydrogen will play in the widespread use of renewable energy sources.
Another important aspect of COP29 is increasing climate finance for the global energy transition. We should seek to increase public funding in line with climate goals. However, since public funding is insufficient, it is also important to encourage private investment and facilitate access to capital markets for SMEs.”
Azerbaijan has every chance to achieve success at the upcoming COP29 climate conference, according to Samir Suleymanov, the Director of Climate Finance for COP28.
Speaking at the Baku Energy Forum, Suleymanov expressed his optimism about the transition of the COP presidency from the United Arab Emirates to Azerbaijan.
“The handover of the COP chairmanship from the UAE to Azerbaijan is a fortunate factor, both in terms of the geography of the event and other indicators,” Suleymanov stated. “Both countries share a similar vision on key issues, such as energy efficiency. Therefore, I am very hopeful that by building upon the results already achieved, we can make significant progress.”
Suleymanov emphasised that the challenge lies not only in financing measures to prevent climate change, as funds can be attracted in the desired volume. “There must also be those who can implement the tasks set,” he added.
“It is necessary to consider the real capabilities of each country so that they can build a decarbonised economy,” Suleymanov noted.
In April 2018, a group of Forest Elephants surged out of the undergrowth of Omo Forest in Ogun State and ambled across the Benin-Sagamu Expressway, bringing traffic to a standstill and killing one foolhardy passerby determined to capture a video of the elephants on his phone.
A camera trap photo of an African Forest Elephant at the Omo Forest in Ogun State, Nigeria. Photo credit: Nigeria Conservation Foundation
When the first clip of this unlikely event, already forwarded many times, showed up on my screen, I initially dismissed it as yet another attempt by a content creator at sensationalism. Until more videos and news flashes started rushing in.
To my amazement, it wasn’t fake news at all!
Some 30 magnificent and very focused Forest Elephants with babies in tow, actually did cross the dual-lane highway, heading towards Itasin Forest close to the lagoon near Epe.
A journey of 11 hours, if one is an elephant.
Historically, the Forest Elephants are said to have come out of Itasin Forest in 1946. So, in a way, harassed beyond endurance by the goings-on in Omo Forest, that group of 30 had just decided to go back home.
Until the 2018 elephant crossing, I had no idea that there were Forest Elephants in South West Nigeria, and certainly not so close to Lagos.
And it is only a few weeks ago that I was informed that elephants could still be seen in the forests covering Jericho Hills in Ibadan as recently as 1958 and 1959. I am so sorry to have missed them.
It just goes to show how little I had been taught about our magnificent wildlife and forest spaces during my otherwise extensive education in Ibadan.
A highly knowledgeable forest conservator friend insists that Forestry be taught as a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.
After my recent emergence into conservation groups and environmental matters, I am beginning to agree with him.
Being aware that our very survival is dependent on our natural environment, would dramatically alter the prevailing attitude towards our forest reserves and the wildlife which they house – that they are simply a waste of valuable space.
Even as I embark on this story about the key role the Forest Elephant plays in maintaining the ecosystems of Omo Forest, I realise that very few of us will appreciate the urgency of rescuing the Forest Elephant from the brink of extinction; because in the first place we don’t understand why trees and forests and the intricate biodiversity they support are so crucial for the continued existence of man and animals.
Elephants are referred to as a keystone species because of the very important role they play in maintaining the ecosystems in which they live. Be it forest or savannah.
In architectural terms, a keystone is the uppermost central brick in an arch. Without which the whole arch would collapse.
In the same way, take away the Forest Elephant and the whole ecosystem of Omo Forest would collapse. With the added risk of driving other species, both plant and animal, to the verge of local extinction too.
Elephants are the largest herbivores on the planet, eating for close to 18 hours a day, just to keep their strength up.
For most of their waking hours, our Forest Elephants in small matriarchal family groups lead by the eldest female in the group, trample through Omo Forest, feasting on up to 150kg a day worth of leaves, grasses, the barks of trees, fruits and seeds; washed down with about 70 – 100 litres on water (though they can drink more than this if they are thirsty enough).
The seeds that they eat, which include the heavier seeds of high carbon content trees, pass through the elephant’s digestive tract and are expelled in huge balls of dung. Sometimes as far as 60 km away from the tree that produced them.
Indeed, the seeds have to pass through the elephant’s digestive tract in order to germinate.
And without the elephants’ part in their dispersal, the heavier seeds would just fall to the ground, with little chance of germinating or growing into a viable tree under the shade of the parent tree.
I am also told that the Forest Elephant is partial to the fruit of Irvingia trees. Also known as bush mango. (The seeds of Irvingia gabonensis are called ogbono by the Igbo and apon by the Yoruba. Which, as we all know, are made into delicious soups by both cultures!)
Sadly, the Irvingia species are also in demand for their timber, so with increased felling of these trees, there is less and less of the fruit available for the Forest Elephant.
Another factor that might push them to migrate.
Elephants are very intelligent animals and are able to remember when specific fruits come into season, and they are also able to locate fruiting trees in the forest by using the ripe fruit odour as a tracking guide.
When the mounds of dung, which are a rich natural fertiliser, fall to the ground, dung beetles swarm over them eager for their own share of the nutrients within.
When they have broken down the dung into bite-sized pieces and eaten their fill, they carry the rest of it into an underground labyrinth of tunnels where their voracious larvae live, eat and grow. Preparatory to becoming the next generation of dung beetles.
In this way, the soil is turned over and mixed with the elephant dung and the seeds expelled by our Forest Elephants take root in this rich natural fertiliser and soon the first seedlings of the next generation of grasses, shrubs and trees appear.
Because of their role in dispersing seeds over large areas, elephants are often referred to as the gardeners of their ecosystems; in which case the dung beetle acts like an under gardener, turning over the topsoil and mixing in the nutrient and moisture rich dung and preparing the ground for the seedlings.
In addition, the larvae of the dung beetle, well nourished by the elephant dung, are favorite food for forest mice and other small animals. Which in turn are a favorite food for birds, reptiles and bigger animals.
So, by supporting the survival of the dung beetle, the elephants indirectly support the continuity of other animal life too.
Another way in which they support species survival within the forest space, is by breaking down branches as they trudge through the forest foraging for food.
Branches that would have been too high for smaller animals to reach, fall to the forest floor, becoming easily accessible as more food.
Elephants are also able to sense underground water, and use their trunks, tusks and feet to dig into these reservoirs.
When they have drunk their fill, other animals get to drink from these watering holes too. A particularly useful trait in the Savannah Elephants who roam through the drier savannah ecosystems.
Elephants also act as landscapers of the forest spaces.
As herds of Forest Elephants trample through the vegetation between the trees of the rainforest, they create large clearings, which allows sunlight to reach lower lying plants, giving them a better chance to photosynthesise and grow.
The elephants also break down and feast on smaller trees in the forest, giving more space for the growth and spread of larger trees.
As these thrive and mature into old growth trees, they are able to assume their crucial function of carbon absorption, thus converting our forests into valuable carbon sinks.
The posh scientific name for the African Forest Elephant is Loxodonta cyclotis. One of six distinct species of elephant alive on Earth today.
Loxodonta cyclotis is a completely different species from the African Savannah Elephant, Loxodonta africana, found in Yankari Game Reserve in North Eastern Nigeria.
The two species are believed to have diverged from a common ancestor a few million years ago. The Forest Elephant is smaller in size than its distant cousin the Savannah Elephant. It also has smaller ears and straighter downward pointing tusks. The tusks of the Savannah Elephant curve outwards.
More importantly, Forest Elephants have a much slower reproductive rate than Savannah Elephants.
The female Forest Elephant takes 14 – 17 years to reach sexual maturity, and when she does get pregnant, it takes up to two years before she eventually delivers her baby!
This explains why reductions in the size of the Forest Elephant populations are so threatening. They cannot be replaced as quickly when their numbers fall.
If you have persevered and read this far, I am hoping you will have begun to appreciate the critical role our Forest Elephants play in Omo Forest; maintaining the biodiversity of forest species; keeping the forest ecosystems in balance; propagating new plant life within the forest and nurturing the old growth trees that give Omo Forest it’s profound importance as one of the last major carbon sink forests in Nigeria.
And here we come to the crux of the matter: The protection of Omo Forest. Indeed, why is the conservation of Omo Forest of such extreme importance?
Apart from housing precious Forest Elephants and other wildlife species and sinking vast amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, it is also a major watershed for the rivers that supply drinking water to Lagos City and drain into the Lagos Lagoon.
Deforestation of the watershed area in Omo Forest will have disastrous consequences for the City of Lagos.
Without the old growth trees to mop up rainfall and slow down the speed of storm run-off, there will be an increase in the incidence of flooding in the City of Lagos during the rainy season. Which is bad enough already.
And without the channels of tree roots to draw water deeply into the soil and the underground water reservoirs, the citizens of Lagos City will be at risk of devastating water shortages.
In addition, rapid storm water run-off will lead to massive erosion and loss of fertile topsoil in the farming areas.
And this brings us back to the importance of the Forest Elephant in preserving Omo Forest.
We cannot effectively protect and conserve Omo Forest, its watershed, its biodiversity and vital carbon sink function, and allow it to grow and flourish without the Forest Elephant.
And we cannot prevent the Forest Elephant from hurtling towards local extinction and taking other endangered species along with it, without calling an immediate halt to the massive deforestation of Omo Forest.
The one cannot exist without the other. They are inextricably linked.
To allow the last few members of the elephant herd in Omo Forest to dwindle into extinction would be nothing short of an assault against Nature.
But to reduce the spectacular glory of Omo Forest, with all its life supporting functions, to shanty settlements, illegal farming spaces and firewood kindling, would herald the beginning of the end for South West Nigeria.
Satellite data from the University of Maryland reveals that between 2001 and 2017, Omo Forest lost more than 70% of its tree cover.
While in the months of May and June 2019, the same institution recorded a staggering two thousand deforestation alerts.
Two thousand!!
That’s an awful lot of carbon sinking, rainfall producing, water purifying, erosion preventing, air cooling, food and medicine supplying, biodiversity protecting rainforest.
That’s an awful lot of habitat loss for our Forest Elephants and other endangered species.
Even those of us with little or no understanding of forestry, will realise that this is poorly managed, unsustainable logging at its worst.
In 2021, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), declared the African Forest Elephant a critically endangered species.
There are many reasons for the rapid decline in African Elephant populations.
Rampant deforestation with its dire consequences of habitat loss and diminishing food supplies is one of them.
A greater threat is elephant poaching.
To me, the slaughter and disposal of a fully grown elephant, merely for the sake of its ivory tusks, borders on the insane.
But to those engaged in the illegal and highly lucrative ivory trade, the average elephant in a country with porous borders and poorly enforced laws, must seem like a gift from God.
Until 1990, when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banned the trade of ivory outright, the decimation of the African Elephant species was largely caused by poaching.
In 1980 alone, it is documented that poachers virtually halved the African Elephant populations.
Ivory is used for a variety of things. Each more absurd than the next, if you ask me, considering that one needs to first wipe out several elephants.
These range from intricately carved pieces of art, status- conferring trinkets, piano keys, and of all things, billiard balls.
In addition, elephant tusks are still used in traditional Chinese medicine, though I have read that they are as much medicinal value as chewing on the keratin of one’s fingernails.
Another problem faced by our Forest Elephants and indeed the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in conjunction with other international organisations and the Ogun State government, is human-elephant conflict.
With distressing losses on both sides.
Though I must confess that my own allegiance lies heavily on the side of the Omo Forest elephant.
A vast number of trees in supposedly prohibited areas are still being cut down to make room for farming settlements. The majority of them for small scale cocoa farming. Because cocoa saplings seem to do better in the Omo Forest soil so cleverly enriched by the Forest Elephant, than anywhere else.
Naturally, the elephants take exception to this encroachment on their ancestral habitats, and from time-to-time trample through the farms destroying precious crops and scaring away the farmers.
Even though the farmers are aware that it is illegal to kill the elephants, there are occasional losses on the side of the elephants.
For more than three decades, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), supported by international conservation teams, has had armed rangers and patrol teams on the ground in Omo Forest; striving against all odds to protect Omo Forest and its watershed for the Lagos Lagoon; and making heroic efforts to pull back the Forest Elephant and other critically endangered species from the precipice of extinction.
But as far as I can tell, even though the number of elephants killed by poachers has reduced considerably under the watch of NCF, without the cooperation of Ogun State Government, NCF and their allies may be fighting a losing battle.
It is imperative that what remains of Omo Forest be converted into a Wildlife Sanctuary with very clearly designated boundaries.
There should be more stringent deterrents in place against poachers, illegal loggers and subsistence farmers.
There are those who would argue with me that those farms are a means of livelihood to so many people.
I would suggest that the Ogun State Government compensates them adequately and takes back those farms for immediate reforestation.
If, as seems likely with the present rate of deforestation, Omo Forest in a few years becomes yet another barren desertified space, with no trees to manage the Water Cycle and no Forest Elephants to maintain the forest ecosystems, the loggers, farmers and poachers will be out of a job anyway.
They might as well start looking around now for something more sustainable to do.
Indeed, considering the terrifying rate of global warming and the urgent need to combat the ensuing climate change, which seems to be galloping out of control, the decimation of any forest at this moment in the history of mankind, has joined the league of heinous crimes against humanity.
We can no longer afford to lose Omo Forest and her keystone species. There are very few major carbon sink forest stretches remaining in Nigeria. Omo Forest is one of the last.
I am hoping against hope that my brief treatise on the importance of Omo Forest and the African Forest Elephant to the well-being of us all, will eventually find its way to the desk of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ogun State.
I hereby implore him to forge an even stronger liaison with NCF and their allies, to listen to their warnings and expert advice; to create new strategies and new policies, written into law if need be, to ensure the rescue of Omo Forest and the magnificent African Forest Elephant. Which will in turn positively impact on the city of Lagos and neighbouring environs in Ogun State.
Before it is too late.
By Rosalie Ann Modder-Oyefeso (In conjunction with the Save Our Green Spaces Group)
The first Dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme took place in Bonn, Germany from June 2 to 3, 2024, with opening speakers highlighting the need for whole-of-society approaches to a sustainable future, that are inclusive, equitable and just.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change
Opening the meeting, Ambassador Nabeel Munir, Chair of the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Implementation, said: “The just transition presents a profound opportunity to address climate change. As we shift towards a sustainable future, it is imperative that we create pathways that are inclusive, equitable and just. This means empowering communities, protecting workers’ rights and fostering opportunities in green industries.”
Iman Ustadi, Deputy Chief Negotiator for the Presidency of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in in Dubai last year, highlighted the significance of the just transition as a cornerstone of the UAE Consensus achieved last year.
“The just transition is key to ensuring that as we make our way towards ambition and climate action, we are also ensuring sustainable development, prosperity and opportunity, without leaving anyone behind. The just transition is a beacon to further operationalize international cooperation,” she said.
Further underscoring the significance of the Dialogue, high-level representatives of the incoming COP29 and COP30 Presidencies were also in attendance.
Just Transition gathers pace, but more specific climate plans are needed
Recent data shows an increasing consideration of just transition in national climate action plans, with more countries addressing social and economic impacts of the transition to low-carbon and resilient economies. Meanwhile, 38% of NDCs explicitly reference just transition principals. This is the case for 57% of all LT-LEDS.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, cautioned: “It is one thing to say we must leave no-one behind. But to actually deliver on that, we need to start making concrete plans. We need to be designing policies based on dialogue and engagement with all parts of society.
“There is no one size fits all, and each solution needs to adapt to each context, developed or developing, urban or rural. There is no better predictor than applying the lessons learned by those that are ahead of the pack.”
The participants meeting in Bonn emphasised the need to incorporate just transition elements in all NDCS, NAPS, and LTLEDS, ensuring the involvement of marginalised groups and those who could be affected by the transition, and engaging youth and taking into account their voices in planning and implementation.
This can be achieved through the development of comprehensive policy frameworks that align the just transition with national priorities, and the early engagement of stakeholders.
In addition, local communities need to be empowered to design and implement their own just transition plans.
Several challenges were emphasised at the Bonn gathering, including financial barriers, capacity-building needs, and limiting socioeconomic impacts of the transition both between and within countries.
Above all, participants highlighted the fact that, to accelerate the just transition, more international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and regional and multilateral coordination are needed.
About theUAE Just Transition Work Programme and next steps
The work programme on just transition pathways was established at the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh in 2022. One year later, at COP28 in Dubai, parties defined and adopted the programme’s objectives. The first dialogue under the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Programme gave party and non-party observers the opportunity to share their views and experiences, identifying challenges and cooperation opportunities for facilitating just transition goals. The second Dialogue will take place ahead of COP29 in Baku in November.
