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EACOP, Tanzania LNG set to lead East Africa’s energy renaissance – AEC

Michael Simire
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EACOP, Tanzania LNG set to lead East Africa’s energy renaissance – AEC

With projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and Tanzania Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) reaching major development milestones, East Africa is on track to become a key player in the global crude and LNG export markets, says the African Energy Chamber (AEC)

Tanzania LNG
Tanzania Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project

Representing a strategic oil and gas frontier, the East African region offers significant opportunities for investors. Large-scale infrastructure projects such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and Tanzania LNG project are not only expected to drive economic growth in the region but also trigger an oil and gas renaissance in East Africa. As the region gains increasing attention from international stakeholders, it is poised to become a key player in the global energy landscape, attracting both foreign investments and strategic partnerships.

East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)

Set to begin exporting oil in 2026, the 1,443-km EACOP will play a vital part in driving East Africa’s energy renaissance. Currently in the EPC stage, the pipeline connects the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields – set to come online in 2025 – with international markets via Tanzania’s Port of Tanga, offering a direct export route to global markets. Recent developments showcase the strong commitment by project developers TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), as well as the respective national oil companies of Uganda and Tanzania, to advancing the project.

In March 2025, EACOP conducted orbital welding training in Uganda to support the development and maintenance of the pipeline. The training aligns with local content and technology transfer aspirations, facilitating greater participation by local communities in the pipeline’s development. Earlier this month, the project operators completed the first Integrated E-House Main Line Block Valve.

The valve represents the first of 65 stand-alone MLBV E-station containers – 59 of which are along the export pipeline and 6 along the Tilenga Feeder Line – that will support pipeline operations. The Government of Tanzania and EACOP signed an MoU in February 2025 on project security, reinforcing a shared commitment to ensuring safe and secure operations.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the project has been access to financing. To date, the pipeline has secured $2 billion in global financing, representing the largest single investment in both Uganda and Tanzania. However, EACOP is seeking an additional $3 billion in debt financing to fast-track development. Standard Bank announced its support of the project in 2024, while China is expected to offer financing through Sinosure and the Export-Import Bank of China. While this support is vital, additional investment is needed to bring this project to fruition.

Tanzania LNG

The Tanzania LNG project aims to reach a final investment decision in 2028. Representing the largest gas project in Eastern and Southern Africa, the project will position Tanzania as a major LNG exporter, monetizing 16 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas resources within the Shell-operated Blocks 1 and 4 and 20 tcf in the Equinor-operated Block 2. The Tanzanian government is currently revising terms of a Host Government Agreement – initially reached in 2023 – with energy majors Shell, Equinor and ExxonMobil. Discussions are set to conclude by June 2025.

Despite project delays, in 2024, Equinor affirmed its commitment to the $42 billion project, citing a need to reach mutually beneficial commercial terms. Following the conclusion of these talks, the project developers will move forward with the development, engaging financiers to expedite the project’s progress.

Tanzania LNG will not only position the country as an LNG exporter but also help monetize future discoveries offshore. Currently, the country is preparing to launch an international licensing round, with 26 blocks initially allocated for tender. At present, CNOOC is leading exploration, conducting seismic surveys in deepwater blocks near previously discovered acreage. Fresh investment will bolster Tanzania’s gas production, consolidating the region’s position as an energy producer.

African Energy Week: Bridging East African Investment

The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – returning to Cape Town for its fifth edition from September 29 to October 3, 2025 – serves as a vital link between global investors and East African energy projects. Uniting project investors, operators, African governments and policymakers, the event aims to unlock new energy frontiers across the continent. This year’s conference will provide updates on the EACOP and Tanzania LNG projects, while offering valuable insight into upcoming investment opportunities in East Africa’s growing oil and gas sector.

“The EACOP and Tanzania LNG projects have the potential to transform the East African energy landscape, and finalizing these projects has become more critical than ever. AEW: Invest in African Energies will bridge the region’s financing gap by connecting key players to discuss opportunities, challenges and development strategies,” stated Tomás C. Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Losing forest carbon stocks could put climate goals out of reach – Study

Michael Simire
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Losing forest carbon stocks could put climate goals out of reach – Study

In the past, intact forests absorbed 7.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually – about a fifth of all human emissions – but their carbon storage is increasingly at risk from climate change and human activities such as deforestation.

Forest
Forest

A new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) shows that failing to account for the potentially decreasing ability of forests to absorb CO₂ could make reaching the Paris Agreement targets significantly harder, if not impossible, and much more costly.

“Delaying action leads to disproportionately higher costs,” explains Michael Windisch, lead author of the study published in Nature Communications and PIK guest scientist.

“Right now, our climate strategies bet on forests not only remaining intact, but even expanding,” Windisch says, adding: “However, with escalating wildfires like in California, and continued deforestation in the Amazon, that’s a gamble. Climate change itself puts forests’ immense carbon stores at risk.”

According to the study, postponing action to reduce emissions and to protect and monitor forests could jeopardise climate targets.

“We must act immediately to safeguard the carbon stored in forests,” Windisch emphasises. “Otherwise, compensating for potential forest carbon losses through steeper emissions cuts in key emission sectors like energy, industry and transport will become increasingly expensive and possibly unattainable.”

Considering forest carbon losses in climate mitigation pathways

The study analysed how climate targets can be met despite forests’ reduced capacity for storing carbon. The authors used REMIND-MAgPIE – an integrated global land and water use modelling as well as an energy-economy modelling system – together with the global vegetation model LPJmL to evaluate how natural disturbances and human impacts on forests influence the feasibility of achieving climate mitigation goals. The research team compared a foresighted policy response with various delayed and myopic approaches.

Regardless of the assessed disturbance rate, the study revealed just how steep the price of inaction can be. Even a five-year delay in responding to forest carbon loss would lead to a roughly two-fold increase in both the stringency and overall cost of measures to offset that lost carbon, the authors find.

Emission cuts in the energy sector, for instance, would have to be ramped up considerably, supported by a near-doubling of negative emissions capacity – which itself demands a corresponding expansion in land use. Ultimately, these extra efforts drive up overall costs, and result in GDP setbacks that are approximately double those of immediate action.

The study also highlights that current models may be overly optimistic about future forest carbon storage because they ignore disturbances, overvalue CO₂ fertilisation and underestimate deforestation. To mitigate climate impacts, safeguard carbon stocks and prevent escalating costs, the scientists recommend immediate action.

“Forests are not an infinite resource but need careful monitoring to detect reductions in carbon sinks early on,” explains Florian Humpenöder, PIK scientist and study author.

He also stresses the need for stronger forest conservation, and faster decarbonisation. Forests may absorb less CO2 than expected, making realistic forest carbon projections essential.

“Staying below critical warming thresholds requires more than just hoping forests will remain intact,” concludes Alexander Popp, head of PIK’s Land Use Transition lab and author of the study. “Alongside protecting forests, it is essential to promote sustainable land use practices– not only to preserve biodiversity but also to avoid drastic economic consequences and to secure our climate future.”

Unsustainable fashion, textiles in focus for International Day of Zero Waste 2025

Michael Simire
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Unsustainable fashion, textiles in focus for International Day of Zero Waste 2025

Ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste 2025, events in Nairobi, New York and across the world have shone a spotlight on waste in the fashion and textiles industry, highlighting the environmental and social challenges of overproduction and overconsumption caused by the sector’s linear business model. 

Sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion

The International Day of Zero Waste – officially observed on March 30 each year – was the focus of a high-level event on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York, as well as an event at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, on the same day.

Every year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally. Production doubled from 2000 to 2015, while the duration of garment use decreased by 36 per cent. Eleven per cent of plastic waste comes from clothing and textiles, with only 8 per cent of textiles fibres in 2023 made from recycled sources.

Discarded clothing often ends up in low-income countries, where lack of waste management infrastructure leads to dumping, burning, and severe environmental and social consequences. Additionally, textile and fashion waste in cities often end up in landfills, where it takes decades to decompose and releases harmful greenhouse gases. A zero-waste approach is key to the required transition to more circular approaches.

“Unsustainable fashion is aggravating the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “We need to focus on a circular economy approach that values sustainable production, reuse and repair. By working together, consumers, industry and governments can support genuinely durable fashion and help reduce our fashion footprint.”

On this third observance of the International Day of Zero Waste, UN-Habitat put out a call for submission of zero waste good practices in fashion and textiles to be reviewed and recognised by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste. The event in Nairobi showcased three practices from Thailand, India and Norway selected by the Board from 220 submissions.

“The rising tide of waste is straining urban infrastructure, public health, and the environment – especially for 1.1 billion people in informal settlements and slums with limited waste collection and sanitation services,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “We are committed to building a future where waste is no longer a problem but a resource.”

Between March 1 and April 5, dozens of events are taking place to raise awareness and discuss solutions at the global, national and city level. These include diverse initiatives such as upcycling workshops, clean-up days, tree planting initiatives and toy exchanges, engaging children, youth groups, scientists, refugees, and other stakeholders in countries including Brazil, Canada, Greece, Italy, Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA.

The International Day of Zero Waste was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 2022, to promote sustainable production and consumption patterns and encourage a shift towards a lifecycle approach, so no materials or resources go to waste. The day is facilitated by UNEP and UN-Habitat.

Govt inaugurates N18.8bn Benue water project

Michael Simire
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Govt inaugurates N18.8bn Benue water project

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, March 27, 2025, inaugurated the upgrade of the Buruku-Gboko water supply project, valued at ₦18.8 billion.

Prof. Joseph Utsev
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation

The project, located in Ameladu, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, is a major underground water collection site in the region.

The project, originally conceived in 1992 by former President Ibrahim Babangida to provide clean and safe drinking water to Gboko, Buruku, and environs, was neglected by successive administrations.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Tinubu, represented by the Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the project aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The project is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving the lives of our citizens, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of providing one of the most essential necessities to the populace.

“The Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Project was initially conceived as the ‘Gboko-Yandev Water Supply System’ but has now been renamed the ‘Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Project,” Utsev explained.

The minister stated that the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme aimed to restore the vandalised waterworks at Ameladu, Mkar in Gboko, and the Buruku Water Supply Scheme.

He noted that the project would improve the lives of an estimated 506,000 residents by providing access to potable water and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.

Utsev explained that water would be sourced from the Katsina Ala River via an intake structure on the riverbank.

“It would then be transported over a distance of 17 kilometres for purification and treatment before being distributed as potable water to Gboko, Mkar, and neighbouring communities.”

He disclosed that the project would be executed by Messrs Ceylon Construction Services Limited at a cost of N18.8 billion, inclusive of all relevant taxes, with a completion timeline of 18 months.

“The scope of work includes the complete rehabilitation of the water intake and treatment plant at Gboko, the supply and installation of three low- and high-lift pumps with a motor power rating of 400V/50Hz.

“It has a discharge capacity of 380–440 m³/h at a head of 18–22 metres, along with an associated control panel adaptable to a solar power source using an RSI Hybrid 30KW VFD inverter.

“Other works at Buruku include the supply and installation of a 150m³/hr package water treatment plant with associated electromechanical equipment at Buruku station,” Utsev added.

He urged the Benue government to provide the necessary support to the team of engineers and experts handling the project to ensure its successful completion.

In his remarks, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, commended President Tinubu for fulfilling his campaign promise to address the people’s long-standing challenge of accessing safe drinking water.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Samuel Odeh, Alia described the project as monumental, noting that it had been abandoned for decades.

He urged residents to take ownership of the project and ensure its sustainability.

“The project belongs to the people of Benue. I appeal to you not to harass the contractors so they can complete the work on time,” Alia said.

Also speaking, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, assured that the community would take full ownership of the project and protect it.

Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Kogi, destroys over 500 houses

Michael Simire
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Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Kogi, destroys over 500 houses

No fewer than 500 houses have been destroyed when a devastating rainstorm swept through Itobe District in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on the night of Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Kogi
Outcome of the devastating rainstorm in Kogi

The rain has also rendered many families homeless.

Properties worth millions of naira, including schools, health centres, electric poles, churches, and mosque, were also damaged, while several residents sustained injuries.

Speaking on the incident on Thursday, March 27, the Ejeh of Ofu, Alh. Akwu Obaje, described the damage as “disheartening” and called for urgent assistance for the victims.

“The scene is chaotic, with roofs torn off buildings, trees uprooted, and power lines snapped,” he said.

Obaje noted that six villages were severely affected, including Itobe, Adumu, Oladebu, Ajegwu, and Itagidi.

“The destruction caused by the rainstorm has left many families without shelter, and the community is in dire need of support.

“The government and well-meaning individuals must respond promptly to provide relief to the victims and help them rebuild their lives.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Itobe District during this difficult time,” he added.

The royal father appealed to the government, corporate organisations, and compassionate Nigerians to intervene swiftly and provide relief materials to affected families.

“I urge the government and kind-hearted individuals to help restore hope to those who have lost their homes and means of livelihood,” he reiterated.

The storm, which came with fierce winds and torrential rains, has left residents in dire need of shelter, medical aid, and food supplies as children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Some of the victims who spoke, including Mr. Atabo Okolo from Oladebu, Momoh Alifiya from Adumu, and Usman Gene from Itobe-Niniya, appealed for urgent assistance.

Okolo said: “We need immediate intervention to rebuild our lives because this destruction has worsened the hardship, we are already facing due to the economic challenges in the country.

“We are now looking to the State and Federal Governments for swift action,” he added.

On his part, Gene pleaded: “We are urging the government and relevant agencies to work together to support us and help our communities recover from this disaster.”

With the rainy season just beginning, the threat of further devastation looms over the affected areas, underscoring the urgency for swift intervention.

Authorities are urged to implement robust solutions to assist victims and mitigate future risks.

By Stephen Adeleye

UN urges children, youths on lead towards attainment of SDGs

Michael Simire
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UN urges children, youths on lead towards attainment of SDGs

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Fall, has urged children and youths to take the lead towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mohamed Mallick Fall
Mohamed Malick Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria

Fall made the call on Thursday, March 27, in Abuja, during the First Consultation Meeting with Youths and Children on the Voluntary National Reviews 2025.

The VNRs aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

They also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilise multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.

Fall noted that being in the last mile of the SDGs, it has become important for children and youths to take the lead in the next five years.

“This kind of gathering is primarily for you because if you look at the SDG in terms of goal, it’s mostly focusing on children.

“When you talk about eradicating poverty, anger, access to health, access to education, gender parity, access to water and sanitation and protecting the climate, every one of them speaks to the cause and future of children.”

He noted that, in 2015, when Member States voted to attain the SDGs by 2030, it did not factor in that the world would have been interrupted by COVID-19 or go through many challenges such as economic downturn and wars.

“Here in Nigeria, we also have conflicts and insecurity and climate change that are pulling us back.

“We just woke up now and realised that out of those 15 years that were looking so long that we thought we could do everything, now it’s only five years remaining.

“Those five years are so critical that if we manage to progress in those years, it will be a progress for everyone, but if we fail to do it, it means that by 2030, we might probably be even below where we were in 2015.”

Speaking about the importance of youth and children participation in SDG implementation, UNICEF Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, said that it would help to contribute to the SDG achievements by changing behaviours.

“This will be by using your drive, your leadership, your charm to help change the behaviours in others.

“We want to hear your voice, know what you think and get your opinion.

“We want to know all those difficulties and challenges that many children have and ideas that you can bring on how we can better solve them.”

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said that there was an urgent need for sustained and focused action to ensure no one is left behind, especially women and children.

Represented by the Special Assistant on Administration, Mrs. Ola Erin, she said that collective decisions on gender equality, women’s empowerment and child protection have clearly highlighted the interconnectivities of the SDGs.

“They are central to our national development as they hold the keys to advancing sustainable and inclusive growth for all Nigerians.”

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that the ministry remains committed to the SDGs journey, because gender equality and child protection was the cornerstone of any thriving nation.

Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefilure, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, said that, to date, 366 VNRs have been conducted and presented by 191 countries.

According to her, of the figure, 138 countries have conducted more than one VNR, while Nigeria has presented two VNRs, one in 2017 and another in 2020.

She added that Nigeria would present its third VNR along with 38 other countries in 2025.

Orelope-Adefilure said that Nigeria’s strategic approach to the implementation of the SDGs was at the National and Sub-national levels to integrate the relevant SDGs into their sectoral policies and plans.

She noted that since 2016, Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP (2017-2020); the Economic Sustainability Plan of 2020; the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy of 2021; and Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) have all been inspired by the SDGs.

She added that all the programmes were embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

Miss Reena Adejo-Ogiri, a 10-year-old, speaking about the importance of attaining the SDGs, said that it would ensure that there is no poverty in the country which would in turn ensure zero hunger and there would be quality education for all children.

“The government needs to work on the SDGs very hard so that they can accomplish all the 17 goals,” she said.

By Folasade Akpan

OTC 2025: PETAN unveils programme for Nigerian pavilion

Michael Simire
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OTC 2025: PETAN unveils programme for Nigerian pavilion

Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has unveiled the programme for the 2025 edition of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) under the Nigerian Pavilion powered by the association on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) Ltd. and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Wole Ogunsanya
Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Wole Ogunsanya

The association announced that this year’s Central Theme is “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development”, and the event is set to gather another powerful delegation to the OTC, which is the largest and most important event for the global energy industry that attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from around the world in Houston, Texas, USA.

The event’s line-up as announced by the PETAN Conference Chairman, Engr. Ibe Chubby Ibe and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Innocent Akuvue, states that Day 1 (Monday, May 5, 2025) would feature a formal opening of the Nigerian Pavilion at the NRG Park, Houston TX by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, supported by the CEO of Chevron Nigeria, Mr. Jim Swartz, PETAN Executives led by the Chairman, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, and the Managing Directors of International Oil Companies, Independent Oil companies, and other key industry stakeholders. This will leave the Nigerian Pavilion open for the duration of the conference from May 5 to 8.

Day 2 (Tuesday, May 6, 2025) will feature a Luncheon and Panel Session on the theme, “Harnessing Nigeria’s Gas Potential for Domestic Utilisation and Global Export Market” at the Wyndham Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Hotel).

The panel will be made up of IOCs and NOCs from across the African continent. Several industry leaders and decision makers will be speaking on important and topical issues impacting the local industry, and the audience will include the Ministers of Petroleum Resources, Executives of International and national oil companies, and industry stakeholders from across Africa.

Evening of the same day, the Nigerian Oil Industry Awards Dinner and Cocktail will hold to honour outstanding companies and individuals in the African Oil Industry and network with international business partners whilst promoting our African culture.

For Day 3, (Wednesday, May 7, 2025), the African Content Collaboration Session on the theme, “Local Content Development and Partnerships for Africa’s Energy Sustainability” will take place at the Wyndham (formerly Crowne Plaza Hotel). The panel will include African Oil & Gas Service Providers and Regulators.

Day 4 (Thursday, May 8, 2025) will feature a Networking Golf Tournament at Quail Valley Golf Course in Missouri City, Texas.

The association is calling on worthy energy companies to register and exhibit at the Nigerian Pavilion at the 2025 Offshore Technology Conference , which is a landmark and world’s largest energy conference with a global reputation, that gathers influential leaders, policymakers, buyers, sellers and experts. 

It will be recalled that the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Since 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston.

TotalEnergies publishes ‘Sustainability & Climate Report’, strengthens emissions reduction targets

Michael Simire
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TotalEnergies publishes ‘Sustainability & Climate Report’, strengthens emissions reduction targets

TotalEnergies on Thursday, March 27 published its Sustainability & Climate – 2025 Progress Report, which presents the progress of its transition strategy. The report completes the sustainability report that will be integrated into the Universal Registration Document in application of the CSRD.

TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies

This strategy, which combines profitable growth and sustainable development, is said to be anchored on two pillars: oil & gas (notably LNG) and electricity (notably renewable), the energy at the heart of the transition.

It proved its relevance once again this year as TotalEnergies emerged the most profitable Major for the third year in a row with a 14.8% ROACE, while also being the Major that invests the most in the energy transition, with close to $5 billion invested in 2024 in low carbon energies, primarily in electricity and renewables.

In hydrocarbons, TotalEnergies continues to develop and produce oil & gas in a manner it terms as “responsible”, attributing the development to its low-cost, low-emission portfolio, as illustrated by its 2024 achievements in emissions reductions:

  • Scope 1+2 greenhouse gas emissions from operated oil & gas facilities (100%): -36% compared to 2015
  • Decrease in the Scope 1+2 emissions intensity of upstream oil & gas activities to 17 kg CO2e/boe, in continuous improvement since 2020
  • Methane emissions already among the lowest in the peer group: -55% compared to 2020; exceeded the -50% target in 2025 a year ahead of schedule

In gas, a transition energy that complements the intermittency of renewables in electricity generation and is a virtuous alternative for countries burning coal for power generation, TotalEnergies estimates that its LNG sales contributed to its clients avoiding about 65 Mt of CO2e emissions in 2024. TotalEnergies believes that sharing technologies and best practices is essential if the entire sector is to evolve.

As such, the Company has been a very active contributor to the Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC) since its creation at the end of 2023. This large-scale initiative now brings together 55 national and international companies representing almost 45% of the world’s oil and gas production, working together to reduce the industry’s GHG emissions, notably methane.

In electricity, TotalEnergies says it is building a profitable and differentiated business model, which is becoming one of the Company’s cash engines. In 2024, TotalEnergies invested $4 billion in Integrated Power, increased its net electricity production by 23%, and passed the 10% milestone of electricity in its sales mix. This growth contributed to lowering the lifecycle carbon intensity of the Company’s energy products sold by 16.5% in 2024 compared to 2015, exceeding the initial target of -14%.

In 2025, TotalEnergies stays the course and further strengthens its emissions reduction targets

Thanks to its achievements to date, TotalEnergies stays the course of its strategy and is now the Major most committed to the energy transition. The Company has decided to further enhance its emissions reduction targets for 2025:

  • Methane emissions from operated facilities (100%): new target of -60% in 2025 compared to 2020 (vs -50% previously), along with the deployment of continuous detection means for emissions at all our upstream operated assets
  • Scope 1+2 emissions from our operated facilities (100%): < 37 Mt CO2e in 2025 (vs < 38 Mt previously)
  • Lifecycle Carbon intensity of energy products sold: new target of -17% in 2025 compared to 2015 (vs -15% previously).

The Sustainability & Climate – 2025 Progress Report was presented online on Thursday by Mr. Aurélien Hamelle, President Strategy & Sustainability, and Ms. Namita Shah, President OneTech. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session.

Coalition condemns partial financing of East African Crude Oil Pipeline project

Michael Simire
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Coalition condemns partial financing of East African Crude Oil Pipeline project

The StopEACOP Coalition has condemned the financial institutions that have chosen to bankroll the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), as announced by the EACOP Ltd. company on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

EACOP
Protesting activists in Uganda. Photo credit: Isaac Ssentumbwe

According to the Coalition, the announcement marks a desperate attempt by the EACOP company to inspire investor confidence.

“The announcement, which does not disclose the loan amount committed by the five banks, cannot conceal the project’s failure to reach full financial close after more than seven years of delay,” the StopEACOP Coalition disclosed in a statement endorsed by Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator, and made available to EnviroNews on Thursday, March 27.

Several of the lenders have reportedly made previous public announcements of their intention to finance EACOP. Reported commitments from Afreximbank and the Islamic Development Bank date back to 2022, following which both institutions faced intense backlash from Ugandan and Tanzanian civil society. Standard Bank, similarly, has for years been the subject of unyielding opposition for its reported involvement.

“Nonetheless, with this new confirmation, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Standard Bank of South Africa, Stanbic Bank Uganda, KCB Bank Uganda, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) have marked themselves as enablers of climate chaos, environmental destruction, and the continued exploitation of Uganda and Tanzania’s natural resources for the benefit of international profiteers at the expense of local communities,” said the group, adding:

“At a time when the world is experiencing the ever-escalating impacts of climate change, this decision to fund a massive fossil fuel infrastructure project is not just irresponsible – it is an active assault on our planet and our people. EACOP promises only to deepen the crisis of climate collapse, exacerbating droughts, floods, and extreme weather events that disproportionately affect African communities, who have contributed least to the climate crisis but suffer its worst impacts.

“Furthermore, the so-called promises of development made by EACOP and its backers are nothing more than corporate propaganda. The reality is starkly different: tens of thousands of people have already been displaced to make way for the pipeline, facing loss of livelihoods, inadequate compensation, and worsening socio-economic conditions.

“The project prioritises the extraction of Uganda’s oil (alongside potential exploitation of reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan) not for the benefit of the people, but for refining and consumption abroad and for the profit of TotalEnergies and its partners, while local communities bear the social and environmental costs.

“We echo the strong opposition voiced by Ugandan, Tanzanian, and DR Congolese civil society organisations and call on all other financiers to refuse to fund this reckless venture. Those who have already provided financing have shown which side of history they stand on: the side of destruction, exploitation, and corporate greed. They have chosen to be enemies of the people of Uganda, Tanzania, the East African region, the African continent, and indeed, all of humanity.

“The EACOP is a project that has long been shunned by major financiers the world over. To date, 43 banks and 29 (re)insurers have already ruled out support for EACOP. Even major investors in TotalEnergies are trying hard to get the fossil fuel giant to drop the EACOP project. Nordea for example, one of the largest Nordic banks, and among the 60 largest private banks in the world with investments in Total, recently shared that, in addition to banning project finance, they are not purchasing any new shares or bonds in Total because of its EACOP project. Further, they are evaluating additional measures to influence Total, with the next potential step being a full exclusion of the company from the remaining third of their portfolios.

“Notably, the few entities now involved in the project’s partial funding- particularly the smaller ones- are neither capable of financing the entire project nor do they provide the legitimacy EACOP seeks. While we remain deeply concerned about their confirmed role as project financiers, we trust that the world’s financial institutions will still recognise this project for what it truly is- an environmental and human rights catastrophe in the making.

“As the fight against EACOP continues, with impacted communities and ordinary people across the globe refusing to bow to those who seek to profit from our demise, we call on other potential lenders who have not already distanced themselves from this anti-developmental project to do so publicly – ensuring that our communities are protected, and the sustainability of our planet is upheld.”

Three decades of climate adaptation: Milestones and progress

Michael Simire
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Three decades of climate adaptation: Milestones and progress

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force on March 21, 1994, marking the beginning of global commitment to tackling the climate crisis. As the process moves into its 31st year in 2025, the Adaptation Committee is taking a moment to reflect on the evolution of climate adaptation, from early efforts to strategies for future action.

COP29
COP29, Baku, Azerbaijan

Central to this evolution is the shift from early, somewhat fragmented approaches to climate adaptation, to a more cohesive, inclusive and forward-thinking framework.

Key milestones mark this journey. COP7 in 2001, for instance, established a Fund to assist least developed countries prepare and implement national adaptation programmes of action, while COP16 in 2010 marked the formal separation of adaptation from response measures.

This was further reinforced by the Cancun Adaptation Framework, which established the Adaptation Committee and catalysed financial support and capacity-building for adaptation and laid the foundation for the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

The adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015 was another significant step in defining clear global objectives for adaptation. More recently, at COP28 in 2023, Parties adopted the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience to advance the global goal on adaptation by reducing vulnerability, enhancing adaptive capacity, and strengthening resilience to climate change impacts worldwide.

COP28 also brought vital attention to loss and damage, establishing a Fund to support countries particularly vulnerable to climate change and impacted by climate-induced loss and damage.

As the implementation of adaptation measures has advanced, so has the need for shared knowledge, lessons learned and good practices, particularly on aspects such as context-specific adaptation requirements or the need to address climate threats to cultural identity.

“We need data and engaged consultation. But we also need to build on the experience of communities around the world. Their lessons must serve as a strong foundation for comprehensive adaptation plans,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, at COP29.

Strengthened international cooperation remains vital for countries to build resilience to the escalating impacts of climate change and protect lives, livelihoods, and economies.

Since 2012, the Adaptation Committee has worked to promote enhanced action on adaptation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement. As part of its role to strengthen global coherence, the Committee recently issued the third volume of a report outlining adaptation history and recent developments on the global goal on adaptation and insights from the first global stocktake.

At COP29, the Adaptation Committee hosted a special event to release this report and to reflect on three decades of climate adaptation and future priorities. It also launched a new Interactive Portal on the State of Adaptation Action by Parties, showcasing countries’ adaptation progress as reflected in their national reports and communications under the Convention or Paris Agreement.

The portal will remain updated with new submissions, helping track global action and enabling learning as adaptation efforts evolve.

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