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Michael David: Appraising President Tinubu’s climate action strategies, one year after

Michael Simire
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Michael David: Appraising President Tinubu’s climate action strategies, one year after

It is exactly one year today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the oath of office as the president of the most populous nation in the African Continent.

President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria

Since his assumption to office on May 29, 2023, several policies and reforms had been introduced for smooth implementation of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the present All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.

A peep into climate change action and policies under the presidency of Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last one year toward attaining cleaner energy and safer environment leaves much to be desired.

Phasing out of Subsidy Regime

To begin with, like every other candidate that sought the exalted seat of power to lead Nigeria in the 2023 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his political manifesto promised to remove the fuel subsidy, which increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor.

According to the President, subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.

A critical look at the removal of the fuel subsidy in relation to climate action, one cannot help but concur that if properly implemented will significantly reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions especially from vehicles.

Joining World Leaders at COP28 in Dubai, UAE

Speaking at the Climate Change conference COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria would take a significant step towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future by introducing a pioneering initiative to deploy a fleet of 100 electric buses.

He explained that the strategic initiative was aimed at significantly reducing Nigeria’s carbon footprint and modernising the country’s transportation systems as part of a larger effort to position Nigeria and Africa as the pioneering frontier of green manufacturing and industrialisation with a focus on natural gas as a transition fuel alongside other renewable energy sources.

According to him, there is an urgent need to heal the bleeding earth, but there is also an urgent need for new investments in critical sectors to leverage Africa’s massive potential contribution to the new global green economy while enabling the continent to effectively adapt and transition.

“There is iron ore; there is investment there, too. Risk management is very key for Africa. The opportunities must be translated soonest. We are moving forward with urgency, and we will maximise the value given in return for those resources,” the President said.

However, one year down the line, these promises are yet materialise. This generated concerns amongst environmental experts, climate change enthusiasts and Nigerian populace.

Dr Michael Terungwa David
Dr Michael Terungwa David

Setting Aside of N530 Billion for Climate Action

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed at a dialogue on Mainstreaming Climate Action into Nigeria’s Development Plans in Abuja that the Federal Government had allocated N530 billion for climate action.

The Minister, who spoke through his Special Adviser, Mr Bolaji Onalaja, said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had been consistent on climate actions since inception, which he said resulted in the allocation of the fund in the 2024 budget for the implementation of the energy transition plan.

Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan

In March 2024, another milestone policy on climate action took place as the President announced the appointment of the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mr Dahiru Salisu, to co-chair the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan.

The President said that the initiative would be a concrete manifestation of his administration’s unwavering dedication to a carbon-neutral future, while assuring investors that this is only the commencement of the government’s ambitious plans, with many more impactful initiatives on the pipeline.

“In further driving my commitment, I have recently approved an Inter-Governmental Committee on Carbon Markets to be chaired by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change to drive this visionary plan.

“We recognise the imperative of fostering an environment that not only attracts investment but also upholds standardised and sustainable industrial practices.

“As a manifestation of our forward-thinking approach, we are actively looking to implement robust, enabling policies and frameworks that will serve as the catalyst for the burgeoning growth of the carbon market within our national borders,” the President said.

Tinubu, while acknowledging the pressing need for a comprehensive global collaboration on climate-related challenges, called on global partners to join hands in accelerating collective efforts towards a net-zero future.

Bold Vision for a Greener Nigeria

Acknowledging the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and embrace cleaner energy sources, the president gave a matching order that all future vehicle, generator, or tricycle acquisitions by the government and its agencies must use either compressed natural gas (CNG), solar power, or electric energy sources.

Constitution of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) aims to roll out 800 CNG buses, 4,000 CNG tricycles, and 100 electric buses in its first phase, with over 2,500 CNG tricycles expected to be ready on or before May 29, 2024.

In keeping with the promise, just last week the Presidency said it was ready to launch about 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29 when President Bola Tinubu marks one year in office.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement entitled ‘Presidential CNG initiative set for rollout.

He said the Federal Government was ready to deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refueling sites spread across 18 states before the end of 2024.

Onanuga said the deployment of CNG buses and tricycles and the vision to get at least one million natural gas-propelled vehicles on our roads by 2027 will mark a major energy transition in our country’s transportation industry.

This strategic move is a supposed demonstration of Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, and also to unlock new investments in renewable energy but Nigerians are anxiously waiting to see the fulfillment of the promise.

The Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions:

The move by this administration to constitute a Climate and Green Initiatives Committee to oversee green economic Initiatives and the appointment of Special Presidential Envoy on climate action is in conflict with the act that established NCCC.

The Presidency said the Presidential Committee which had the President as Chairman, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal as vice chairman, and Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser, as Secretary/ Special Presidential Envoy, would coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.

Presidency explained that the essence of the committee was to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes.

And also provide an efficient governance architecture and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action.

Combating Desert Encroachment Through Tree planting

Mobilisation of Nigerian youths to plant 250,000 trees annually to honour a pledge to plant 25 million trees by 2030 to fight back against encroaching desert across the northern region was a major bolster to climate action in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

NDC Implementation Framework for the period 2023 – 2030:

Another strategic move by the federal government on climate action is the launching of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Framework for the period 2023 – 2030. This initiative aims to align and harmonise key climate and development policies, targets, strategies and plans to effectively address the climate change crisis.

The director-general of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr Salisu Dahiru, during the launch in Abuja, said the Implementation Framework emphasises practical implementation rather than just setting ambitious goals for stronger climate action.

Dahiru said that the comprehensive NDC includes an unconditional 20 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) projection, surpassing the previous target of 45 per cent set in the 2015 NDC.

Renewable Energy Solutions

As part of measures to ensure clean energy in Nigeria, World Bank approved over $750 million for the development of renewable energy.

The World Bank also approved the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project,

According to World Bank, the DARES project aims to provide over 17.5 million Nigerians with new or improved access to electricity through distributed renewable energy solutions.

Grey Areas for Climate Action Implementation of President Tinubu

There is no doubt that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration designed robust policies for climate action, but few grey areas have been identified to conflict his climate action.

The removal of fuel subsidy is impacting on the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who are exposed to climate risk and vulnerable to environmental change. The right palliatives measures should be implemented without delay to cushion the effect on the subsidy removal and should go beyond the distribution of food items.

Allocation of 5 percent that translated to N530 billion of the total 2024 budget of N28.7 trillion to climate action is insignificant, the federal government can do better than this in the 2025 budget year by giving more allocation to Ministries for climate action.

The budget of National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) that is saddled with the responsibility to drive climate action which stands at N800 million for 2024 budget year is grossly inadequate.

The inauguration of Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economy conflicted the provision that established NCCC, and significantly reduced the power of NCCC.

The implementation of climate action is greeted with several concerns as President Tinubu seems to focus more on increase in oil production in the country without the corresponding action for energy transition in the country in line with our NDC and net zero targets.

The delay in the implementation of “Project 250k” by the federal government. The project was originally designed to engage Nigerian youths to aggressively plant 25 million trees from 2023 – 2030.

Another point of contention surrounding implementation of climate action is the inauguration of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway without engaging Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental experts say it is a potential threat to the biodiversity.

Environmental enthusiasts look forward to seeing more in the implementation of climate action plans in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In this administration new year, this administration must effectively engage in the multilateral and international engagement to attract both quality and quantity of climate.

We need accelerated climate adaptation investment and action to advance development and climate resilience Nigeria.  It is cheaper to spend one naira to prevent disaster than to spend 100 naira for disaster response.

By Dr Michael Terungwa David (Founder, GIFSEP; Africa Regional Coordinator, Citizens Climate International; and Coordinator, Vote4ClimateNG Campaign)

WaterAid donates WASH facilities to Ikorodu North LCDA communities in Lagos

Michael Simire
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WaterAid donates WASH facilities to Ikorodu North LCDA communities in Lagos

In its drive towards ensuring that all Nigerians, especially people at the grassroots always have access to potable water, WaterAid Nigeria has donated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to residents of Idera and Ita-Oluwo communities in Ikorodu North LCDA in Lagos State.

WaterAid
Dr. Adebayo Alao, WaterAid Team Lead, and Bola Daramola, Councilor representing Odugunyan Ward, drinking from the water provided by WaterAid, with Niran Odugbesi, SLG Ikorodu North LCDA

During the project commissioning and handing-over ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, Dr. Adebayo Alao, WaterAid Team Lead, while congratulating the residents for taking ownership of the facilities, also appreciated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints for providing them financial aids towards making the project a reality.

He said: “In coming days, we are going to be commissioning projects like this in six different locations across Ikorodu North LCDA and this is made possible with their support. They have even promised to do more because we have signed another contract with them, maybe in another one year or less you shall be hearing from them again.

“The only way to appreciate what they have done is for us to make a very good use of these facilities because it will not be good for us to come for inspection after some months and discover that the project is being mismanaged.”

Dr. Alao, who noted that nobody can pay for water but for the production and packaging before it becomes consumable, also appealed to the Community Development Associations in Idera and Ita-Oluwo to help WASHCOM members have an account where they will be dropping a token monthly so as to enable them get money to maintain the facilities.

In his remarks, Niyi Odugbesi, Secretary to Local Government (SLG) and representative of the Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Adeola Adebisi Banjo, appreciated the effort of WaterAid Nigeria for executing WASH Facility projects in Ikorodu North LCDA.

He said: “Out of all the Local Government Areas in Lagos State only two are selected to be beneficiaries of this laudable projects and we are lucky to be one of them and since that time, Ikorodu North LCDA has witnessed numerous projects that have been commissioned by WaterAid Nigeria for the benefit of our people.

“I am appealing to beneficiaries of these facilities to make its maintenance their priority so as to spur WaterAid and partners to do more for the development of Ikorodu North LCDA.”

The SLG, who noted that people at the grassroots are always recalcitrant when it comes to payment of their development levies, however urged residents to pay as and when due so as to enable WASHCOM members have access to funding required for them for the sustainability of the facilities.

Prince Niran Ogunbanwo, CDC Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, in his submission lauded WaterAid Nigeria for its intervention, saying: “I am very delighted seeing what has been put in place for us in Idera and Ita-Oluwo communities. I remember vividly how dilapidated these facilities were before the arrival and intervention of WaterAid and that is why we have set up WASHCOM who are saddled with the responsibilities of always maintaining the facilities.

“So, I am appealing to WASHCOM members to always notify us anytime they have any challenge so that we can work together in maintaining the facilities.”

In his remarks, Oluwarotimi Henry Adenigba, Executive Director, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), said: “This is a welcome development, we want to thank WaterAid and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints for the provision of Public Water Facility for Idera and Ita-Oluwo communities.

“This project will no doubt provide clean and safe water for residents of these communities which will surely prevent further spread of water borne diseases earlier recorded before the intervention and arrival of WaterAid Nigeria in this vicinity.”

Chief Kehinde Alashe, Baale Orimedu Ashekuluyi, while appreciating the facilitator of the projects noted that “the commissioning of Ita-Oluwo Water Facility is a testament to the fact that development is gradually coming into my domain, and we are very grateful to them.

“I have drunk from the water, and I can assure you that it is very safe for drinking for all and sundry,” he confirmed.

Bola Daramola, Councilor representing Odugunyan Ward, assured facilitators of the project that the facilities being handed over to them is in safe hands as residents of the communities will do everything in their capacities in ensuring that the facilities are always in proper shape.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Chief Monsuru Olawale Salako, Baale Ita-Oluwo, and representatives of various CDAs.

By Ajibola Adedoye

‘Africa will drive global agenda on renewable energy’

Michael Simire
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‘Africa will drive global agenda on renewable energy’

The President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, says Africa will drive global agenda on renewable energy and green transitions.

Solar panels
Solar panels

Adesina said this at a media conference in Nairobi, on the sidelines of the ongoing AfDB Annual Meetings 2024.

The event marks the 59th Annual Assembly of the AfDB, the 50th meeting of the African Development Fund (ADF) and 60 years of AfDB’s existence

While articulating Africa’s inherent advantage in renewable energy, Adesina said the continent had abundant solar potential, and a catalyst for driving green energy initiatives on a global scale.

“Globally, we have been talking about global energy transitions. Everybody worries about continued CO2 emissions and the need to contain that through energy transitions and moving into more renewable energy.

“Africa will drive the global agenda on renewable and green energy transitions for two reasons. We have great sunshine, which has about 11 terawatts of solar potential.

“That is the highest solar potential you have anywhere in the world. And the level of solar radiation in Africa is the highest anywhere you will find in the world.

“So, therefore, as the world now transitions into renewable energy, Africa will be front and centre in terms of harnessing the power of renewable energy to drive our world,” he said.

According to Adesina, there is a lot of interest in green hydrogen, green ammonia, fertilisers,  jet fuels, and other things that require renewable energy, such as solar energy.

He said that Africa’s rich reservoir of natural resources, including platinum, copper, and lithium, positioned the continent as a key player in the burgeoning Electric Vehicle (EV) market.

He emphasised the importance for Africa to harness these resources strategically for its transformation and to assert its prominence in global value chains.

“And so, Africa today has 90 per cent of all the platinum in the world. It has well over 60- 70 per cent of all the copper you have worldwide.

“Fifty per cent of all the other metals, whether nickel or lithium. Africa has a massive amount of these natural metals that will determine the future of electric vehicles in the world.

“And so how Africa harnesses that for its transformation will be critical, but also critical for how Africa positions itself globally in those value chains.

“So, there are potential, opportunities, and positioning issues for Africa within the context of your global electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems.

On agriculture, Adesina said it emerged as a linchpin in Africa’s transformation narrative.

According to him, with most of the world’s uncultivated arable land lying within its borders, Africa holds the key to global food security.

He, however, underscored the imperative for Africa to leverage its agricultural potential to meet the needs of a burgeoning global population.

Adesina said that the continent was poised to chart its course on the global stage and should ensure to shape the future of generations to come.

“So, what Africa does with agriculture will determine the future of food in the world. Africa’s transformation will have to happen not with what Africa does not have.

“It has to happen with what Africa has and how it harnesses those things, which will drive this fast-paced transformation.”

12 arrested in southern Italy over illicit waste disposal

Michael Simire
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12 arrested in southern Italy over illicit waste disposal

Italian police arrested 12 people in the southern region of Campania over charges of criminal association aimed at illegally disposing of waste and corruption, news agency ANSA reported on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

President Sergio Mattarella
President Sergio Mattarella of Italy

ANSA reported that Italian authorities had unveiled a criminal ring dedicated to the illegal disposal of special waste, of industrial origin, at the public plant in the town of Tufino on the outskirts of Naples.

According to the agency, authorities believed some 1,000 tonnes of special waste coming from Naples as well as the cities of Salerno and Benevento and the town of Avellino, in Campania.

There were illegally unloaded in the public plant by private companies aided by a criminal ring.

The investigation lasted about six months, ANSA reported.

Illegal waste disposal and other environmental crimes remain a multi-billion-euro business for Mafia groups in Italy.

Data released by Italian environmental organisation Legambiente in March showed that more than 157,000 environmental crimes were registered between 2018 and 2022.

The southern regions of Campania (23,037), Sicily (16,579), Apulia (16,282) and Calabria (13,926) recorded the most crimes across the country.

Italy’s major organised crime networks were based in those regions.

Africa loses $7bn to $15bn yearly to climate change – Adesina

Michael Simire
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Africa loses $7bn to $15bn yearly to climate change – Adesina

The Group President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, said Africa is losing about seven to $15 billion annually to the ravages of climate change.

Akinwumi A. Adesina
AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina

Adesina said this during a media conference in Nairobi on the sidelines of the ongoing AfDB Annual Meetings 2024.

The meeting marks the 60th anniversary and 59th Annual Assembly of the AfDB and the 50th meeting of the African Development Fund (ADF).

Adesina said while Africa contributed minimally to global emissions, it bore the disproportionate burden of environmental degradation catastrophes.

According to him, the continent, accounting for a mere three to four per cent of emissions, is unexpectedly suffering the most severe consequences of environmental upheaval.

He said the situation would worsen if immediate action was not taken, adding that, by 2030, Africa’s annual losses to climate change could skyrocket to a staggering $40 billion.

“Africa loses seven to $15 billion a year to climate change. If that does not change, that will grow to roughly $40 billion annually by 2030.

“That means we are losing much of our potential for something we did not cause, because Africa did not account for more than three to four per cent of climate emissions.

“But it is suffering today disproportionately from the negative consequences of climate change, which can amplify the strain on already vulnerable economies,” he said.

According to the AfDB president, the unfolding events clearly portray Africa’s struggle against the elements.

“From Malawi’s worst drought in memory to Zimbabwe’s declaration of a national emergency due to severe drought, Mozambique grappling with devastating floods, the continent is besieged by extreme weather events.

Adesina emphasised the need for action that was beyond mere acknowledgement, a need for global financial support to bolster Africa’s resilience and facilitate adaptation measures.

“Africa’s economy’s future is going to depend on building resilience to these particular shocks because climate change is devastating the whole continent,” he said.

By Lucy Ogalue

Children’s Day: Group discourages pupils from activities provoking climate change

Michael Simire
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Children’s Day: Group discourages pupils from activities provoking climate change

Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), an NGO, has urged Nigerian school pupils to desist from activities that provoke climate change impacts on the society.

Children
Children practising tree planting at Pilot Primary School Kwali in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change

Mr Paul Joseph, the Programme Officer for CSDevNet, said this on Monday, May 27, 2024, during a courtesy visit to Pilot Primary School, Kwali in Abuja while commemorating Nigeria’s Children’s Day.

Joseph admonished the pupils to imbibe climate action to ensure climate justice in Nigeria, by sweeping their environment, desisting from poor disposal of sachet water containers, practising affirmation and desisting from pollution.

He said the NGO needed to create awareness on how to mitigate climate change and make the environment conducive for everyone.

Mr Danjuma Shagi, the Headmaster of the school, said that it was a welcome development to host CSDevNet in the school for awareness creation on climate change.

Shagi, who was represented by Mr Agani Jonathan, Senior Master of the school, assured the NGO that everything that was learnt would be put into practice to ensure a friendly environment within the school.

The pupils were also urged to respect public warning that says “don’t urinate here” to maintain cleanliness in the society.

They were taught how to recycle and reuse waste which is referred to as circular economy.

Highlights of the event were planting of trees to mitigate climate change in the school and the display of arts and crafts works recycled from waste to make bags, shoes and dresses.

By Abigael Joshua

Stakeholders seek implementation of Nigeria’s gas plan

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders seek implementation of Nigeria’s gas plan

Stakeholders in the gas industry have called on the Federal Government to implement Nigeria’s National Gas Plan as it targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

Ekperikpe Ekpo
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo

The Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, made the call at a one-day capacity development workshop tor Media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja on Monday, May 27, 2024.

The workshop, which was  organised by CTA in collaboration with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), had “Right-Sizing Nigeria’s National Gas Plans for Non-Power Uses” as its theme.

Nwadishi said that Nigeria had set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, adding that gas was poised to be a critical transition fuel in this journey.

“We have an Energy Transition Plan; we have the Climate Change Act. We have always had this issue of Nigeria having a good plan but no implementation.

“To support implementation, you need to build the capacity of the people to understand what the issues are.”

She said that once those plans were in place, it was important that “you build the capacity of citizens to understand that there are issues to able to hold you accountable for what policies you are putting in place”.

“2060 is still a long way to go. But if you don’t plan toward 2060, you may continuously have a situation where government had continuously shifted the goal post for the end of gas flaring in the country.”

Nwadishi said: “We believe that by enhancing the Nigerian public’s understanding of the viability and implications of our gas utilisation plans, we can foster robust advocacy and informed public discourse.

“This, in turn, will help to steer Nigeria’s gas strategies towards more sustainable and appropriately scaled uses.”

Also speaking, Tengi George-Ikoli, a senior programme officer at NRGI Nigeria office, said the Nigerian government must make sure its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) uses of gas ambitions matched its realistic capacity for gas expansion.

“The government proposes to ramp up gas production, utilisation and export, with the aims of supporting industrialisation, boosting domestic energy supply for power and non-power uses including LPG for cooking and CNG for transport.

“By doing so, the government expects to enhance economic activity, thus improving the lives of the half of the population living in extreme poverty.”

By Naomi Sharang

Marshall Islands endorses Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty at UN SIDS4

Michael Simire
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Marshall Islands endorses Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty at UN SIDS4

In a move at the critical once-a-decade United Nations’ 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), holding from May 27 to 30, 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) officially endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative.

Hilda-Heine
Hilda Heine, President of Marshall Islands

The decision makes RMI the 13th nation to join the growing coalition of climate-progressive countries leading the effort to secure a negotiating mandate for a Treaty and reinforces the island nation’s place at the forefront of the fight against climate change, and in defense of human rights.

Dr. Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, said at the opening plenary of the summit: “Fossil fuels are at the heart of the planetary crisis that we face today. My country is resilient – war, colonialism and nuclear testing have marked our history. We know the dangers that fossil fuels pose, and the absolute necessity of addressing them as the urgent threat they are. We are proud to join the ranks of the countries supporting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative today.”

The Fossil Fuel Treaty aims to halt the expansion of fossil fuels and pave the way for an equitable clean energy transition. RMI, highly vulnerable to the climate crisis, understands the urgency of preventing the further development and use of fossil fuels. With a small landmass (181 sq km) averaging just two meters above sea-level and a population of 42,418, all of RMI’s territory is imminently threatened by rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and extreme weather. A one-meter rise could inundate 40% of their capital and largest city, Majuro.

Sir Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness & The Environment of Antigua and Barbuda, said: “I believe it’s extremely important for small island developing states to act in solidarity on this very issue. We have to become one in protecting ourselves. We cannot rely on large economies, and we cannot rely on those who are responsible for the proliferation of fossil fuels that is causing global warming and the devastation to the island states. And so, the endorsement of Marshall Islands was a welcome declaration today. And as a Minister in the Caribbean region, I’m hoping to be able to persuade all Caribbean islands to be part of this coalition.”

Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, said: “Marshall Islands has historically been a leader in the climate negotiations. It has been a leader in establishing clearly their reality of climate change, through showing the situation that small islands will experience in the future, and the risk that it creates for their countries and their civilisation. So, I’m very happy that we can count on the leadership of Marshall Islands to push forward towards something that is very challenging, which is actually getting to the negotiation of a binding Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that allows us to plan a transition that is coherent with social justice.”

Selina Leem, Micronesia Lead for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “As one of the frontline countries in the climate crisis, Marshall Islands is familiar with weathering the brunt of an impact. And we will only meet these challenges and rise to the occasion. We must meet the severity of the climate crisis with an even greater level of resolve, as we did in COP21’s 1.5C red line and by now endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to make sure this is a reality. Our ambitious trajectory is not an option but a necessity. Not just for our futures, but our very present. Thank you for your continued progressive leadership in the climate space.”

In the lead-up to SIDS4, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative convened on Sunday, May 26th in Antigua and Barbuda, the first meeting of the endorsing nations leading an effort to secure a negotiating mandate for a Treaty. The meeting was hosted by the SIDS4 host nation, Antigua and Barbuda, the first Caribbean country to endorse the Treaty, in collaboration with the Governments of Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The growing coalition of now 13 countries – Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Niue, Antigua and Barbuda, Timor-Leste, Palau, Colombia, Samoa, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands – is urging other governments to join them in seeking a mandate to negotiate a new Treaty on fossil fuels. The proposed Treaty is a new legal mechanism that will secure an equitable transition away from oil, gas, and coal, and the world’s chance to stay within the 1.5°C climate limit.

The SIDS4 conference is a global event dedicated to tackling the distinct vulnerabilities and challenges of small island states, fostering sustainable development through international collaboration, strengthening resilience against the climate crisis, and advancing economic, social, and environmental progress. The summit serves as a crucial platform for island nations to advocate for ambitious climate action on a global scale set against an escalating planetary crisis of climate breakdown, associated with pollution and biodiversity loss.

SIDS are particularly impacted by fossil fuels and their dependency on them, facing rising sea levels, increased extreme weather events, and economic instability due to fluctuating energy prices. As some examples, the Solomon Islands have seen severe coastal erosion, while Fiji has experienced devastating cyclones exacerbated by climate change, and islands across the Caribbean continue to be ravaged by more frequent and more intense hurricanes.

With the accession of Marshall Islands, the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal has 12 out of the 39 SIDS nations on board. Notably, the Republic of Colombia, a major developing nation and coal and gas producer, also joined the movement at COP28. This growing international support, which now includes 13 countries, over 100 cities, more than 2,000 civil society organisations, and half a million individuals, seems to underscore the global need to phase out fossil fuels and embrace clean energy solutions, particularly for vulnerable nations like SIDS and the RMI.

Small islands on the frontlines of catastrophic climate crisis, crippling debt

Michael Simire
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Small islands on the frontlines of catastrophic climate crisis, crippling debt

The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) opened on Monday, May 27, 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda to deliver a bold new and transformative plan of action to help SIDS build resilience, tackle the world’s most pressing challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

SIDS4 Conference
The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) opened on Monday, May 27, 2024, in Antigua and Barbuda

World leaders, together with representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia and youth, have gathered at the Conference to tackle critical issues impacting the future of SIDS. Under the theme “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity”, the four-day Conference (that will be rounded up on Thursday, May 30) will showcase new innovations and develop practical solutions to address critical SIDS-specific challenges driven by the climate emergency, spiralling debt and health crises.

The Conference will adopt The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) – a Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity, which sets out the sustainable development aspirations of small islands over the next 10 years and the support required from the international community to achieve them.

“The new Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States outlines steps to achieve resilient prosperity in partnership with the international community,” said United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.

“I urge SIDS governments to back up these words with bold investments and sustained engagement across all sectors of sustainable development. But SIDS cannot do this alone. The international community has a duty to support Small Island Developing States – led by the countries that have greatest responsibility and capacity to deal with the challenges they face,” added Guterres.

Echoing this, Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of the SIDS4 Conference, highlighted: “The Agenda tells the SIDS story, their journey, their hopes and challenges. But most importantly, the Agenda shows the global community the specific actions that Member States, development partners, financial institutions, the UN system and stakeholders must take to deliver and follow-up on SIDS’ aspiration for prosperity and a sustainable future for their people and our planet.

“Together, we will use this Conference as a catalyst for building and renewing partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms and concrete actions that will support these extraordinary island nations and their people to build a more resilient and sustainable future that leaves no island behind.”

SIDS’ Resilience

The SIDS across the Pacific, Caribbean and Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea are home to approximately 65 million people. They manage 19.1 per cent of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones and the resources they hold. Accounting for 14 per cent of the world’s coastlines, SIDS boast a high degree of biodiversity. The people of SIDS have pioneered renewable energy solutions, championed sustainable tourism while spearheading conservation efforts and making major strides in developing ocean-based economies.

Yet these small island nations remain a special case for sustainable development given their small size, remote location, narrow resource base and unique vulnerability to external shocks, including climate-induced disasters. With SIDS still reeling from the double shocks of the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, amid the rapidly accelerating impacts of climate change, the SIDS4 Conference takes on even greater urgency.

At the Frontlines of Climate Change

SIDS are at the frontlines of the rapidly accelerating impacts of climate change despite only contributing to 1 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Climate change is threatening around 75 per cent of SIDS’ coral reefs, which are some of the planet’s most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems. And for low-lying SIDS like Tuvalu, Maldives and Kiribati, sea-level rise represents an existential threat. These islands may be uninhabitable by the end of the century which could cause mass population displacement. Despite this vulnerability, SIDS had access to only $1.5 billion out of $100 billion in climate finance pledged to developing countries in 2019.

Many SIDS also remain dependent on imported fossil fuels, curtailing both their environmental and economic efforts. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), some SIDS would need an investment of around US $5.9 billion annually to achieve their renewable energy targets by 2030 and reduce their fossil-fuel dependency.

A Crippling Debt Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic deepened existing fragilities and triggered the most acute economic contraction across SIDS, increasing their debt burden and depleting resources. Over 40 per cent of SIDS are now on the edge of or are already grappling with unsustainable levels of debt. Between 2000 and 2019, the external debt of SIDS rose by 24 percentage points (of GDP). The total public debt for SIDS now stands at approximately $82 billion. Many SIDS continue to rely on Official Development Assistance (ODA).

However, ODA to SIDS remains comparatively low, standing at just under $3 billion in 2020 for all SIDS. Approximately two-thirds of ODA-eligible SIDS are currently classified as lower-middle or upper-middle-income economies and are at risk of becoming ineligible for concessional financing.

Plagued by gaps and inefficiencies, the current outdated global financial system has failed to serve as a safety net for these countries. SIDS are paying more to service debt than invest in healthcare and education. In response, SIDS are calling for increased access to concessional finance, through expanding multilateral lending. They also want representation of SIDS in international financial institutions and the incorporation of vulnerability into the allocation of concessional finance, accompanied by support to sustainably manage their debt levels.

Looking Ahead

As a critical moment to renew multilateralism and deliver on the promise to leave no one behind, the upcoming Summit of the Future, taking place at UN Headquarters in New York from September 23 to 24, 2024, will be an opportunity to further address the concerns of SIDS. The Summit will help to ensure the most vulnerable countries can access both the finance and technology they need to support their development goals – including climate mitigation and adaptation.

“Small Island Developing States face critical existential challenges. The overlapping crises of COVID-19, climate change, and conflicts in different parts of the world, have seriously jeopardised their journey toward sustainable development,” stated Rabab Fatima, the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Small Island Developing States.

“The adoption of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) ushers in a new era of hopes and aspiration for transformative changes in SIDS in the coming decade. I call on the international community to demonstrate strong commitment at SIDS4 to supporting SIDS on their journey toward sustainable and inclusive development to ensure full and effective implementation of the ABAS,” added Fatima.

Govt, Nasarawa disburse $250,000 ACReSAL revolving fund to 10 communities

Michael Simire
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Govt, Nasarawa disburse $250,000 ACReSAL revolving fund to 10 communities

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday, May 26, 2024, flagged off the disbursement of $250,000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) revolving loan to 620 farmers.

Abdullahi Sule
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State

The farmers are drawn from 10 communities in the state.

Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area, the governor said that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the Federal and state governments to support farmers to mitigate the impact of climate change and boost food production.

Sule said that, as part of effort to boost food production, the state government recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10,000 farmers in the state.

The governor explained that the ACReSAL revolving interest-free fund under its Community Climate Resilience (CCR) component, would help to boost agricultural output and improve the livelihood of the beneficiaries.

He said that the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas.

Sule noted that climate change had brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers, adding that the intervention would go a long way to ameliorate their plight.

He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.

“To this end, Nasarawa state is partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project to help the vulnerable communities to adapt to the impact of climate change.

“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and create employment opportunity especially among the vulnerable groups including persons with special needs, women and youth.

“The project will also enhance farmers and communities’ capacity of climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation, increase community farmers understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, and to help address local conflicts and foster peace,” Sule said.

The governor said that the financial support was specifically targeted at registered ACReSAL communities and farmer groups across the state.

He pointed out that the revolving fund would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives and ensure sustainability beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.

He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant.

In her remarks, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene, Task Team Leader, ACReSAL, said that 620 beneficiaries comprised 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs.

Iganya-Agene, who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank Nigeria Office, said five communities each from the benefiting LGAs were selected for the gesture.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alh. Aliyu Ogah, the Andoma of Doma, thanked the State, Federal Government and World Bank for the gesture to farmers in his domain.

The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help towards improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities.

By Sunday John

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