The Kaduna State Government says efforts are being made to restore a total of 22,435 hectares of degraded land in order to enhance food security in the state.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State
Murtala Dabo, Commissioner for Agriculture, disclosed this on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Kaduna at a one-day stakeholders meeting with chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.
The programme was organised by Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and state Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Dabo, who is also the co-chairman, State Steering Committee of ACReSAL Project, expressed satisfaction that the collaboration would restore degraded lands in the local government areas of the state.
He said over 500,000 lands that were degraded; hence the need for collaboration between relevant stakeholders to enable ACReSAL to make progress in the restoration of degraded lands.
Dabo said for the state to tackle food insecurity, it needed to recover the degraded lands so as to restore lands for cultivation.
“This restoration will address climate change dangers, if not mitigated, posed threat to our grassroots, where farming activities take place,’’ he said.
The commissioner called on local government chairmen to be active on the restoration programme in order to ensure food security, while minimising effects of climate change.
Kassim Abdulrauf, Project Agriculture Officer, said the ACReSAL project was an ambitious and transformational engagement, aimed at restoring degraded lands.
“The main component of our meeting is to deepen our commitment to community climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation,’’ he said.
He commended the chairmen for speeding up the process of identifying the degraded lands, measured the hectares and submitted the land area to the project team.
Abdulrauf listed the local governments to benefit from the first phase as Zaria, Lere, Giwa, Makarfi, Kubau, Jamaa, Sanga, Ikara,Jaba, Kachia, Kagarko, Zango Kataf, Soba, Kauru, and Sabon Gari.
He urged the chairmen to ensure their renewed commitments to the implementation of the projects.
The chairmen were presented with maps of identified degraded lands of each local government.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has reiterated that he stands by his statement at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos, that the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB) wasted over $500 million of the industry’s fund in equity investments in private establishments and in loans that are now non-performing.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)
The minster, while reacting to recent media statement by Simbi Wabote, former executive secretary of the NCDMB, dismissed as blatant lies from the pit of hell claims that his office requested for increase on NCDMB budget by N30 billion for the office of the Minister.
In a statement signed by Nneamaka Okafor, SA Media and Communication, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), the minister noted: “Our position is that he who alleges must prove same. So, if Mr. Wabote has proof of such conversation, he is challenged to provide same.
“Secondly the Minister has no aide called Blackson. All his aides were duly selected in line with extant laws and have documents to that effect.”
According to the statement, “The Minister in his capacity as chairman of the Governing Council stands by his statement at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos, and as journalists I welcome you to visit the places mentioned to verify the allegations for yourself.
“Thirdly, the said Atlantic Refinery was supposed to be built in Mr Wabote’s hometown, he should show Nigerians where that refinery is.
“Fourthly, the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical company was also paid for, you are welcomed to also visit the site to verify the facts for yourself.”
The statement noted that investigations are ongoing, and the truth will surely come to light and monies belonging to the generality of Nigerians will be recovered for Nigerians.
“Let me add that these revelations are not new, they were first made during an investigative hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Local Content. Again, the records are there, and you are welcome to verify these facts.
“The Minister has never been part of any budgeting process of any parastatal under the Ministry, you are welcomed to visit these agencies to verify for yourself.
“Finally, the Minister’s office is run with a budget superintended by the permanent secretary and so one will wonder, how the Minister will ask another entity to make provisions for the budget of his Office. The Minister has an impeccable record from his time as Minister of Agric and will continue to stand for the truth.
“The Minister and indeed the Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB will not abdicate his responsibility to please anyone. He has a responsibility to ensure that, that which belongs to Nigerians is judiciously used for Nigerians.
“I have had course to read Mr Wabote’s release and every one can see that he is still nursing the wounds of being replaced even after spending seven years at the Board. At best, this is a clear case of when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back.”
The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) friend of the month for April 2024 is Meha Kumar, who works as a researcher at Save the Elephants (STE), focusing on Human-Elephant Coexistence (HEC). She is part of the team that developed a HEC Toolbox, which is a 200-page manual that provides guidance on innovative elephant-friendly deterrents, offering practical advice and tools to minimize conflict with elephants and protect property and resources.
The Elephant Protection Initiative works with Save the Elephants to foster human-elephant coexistence within Africa. Recently, the EPI sent some of its national focal points to the Training of Trainers course in Tsavo National Park, facilitated by STE. This course equips attendees to help communities live harmoniously with elephants in conflict hotspots. Meha was part of the STE training staff on the ground.
Meha Kumar tying a cowbell in a farm in Sagalla, near Tsavo National Park. Cowbells are one of the methods Save the Elephants uses to reduce conflict between elephants and people. Photo credit: Save the Elephants
Tell us more about where you are from, your background, and how it may have influenced your passion for conservation.
I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Nairobi. I always remember being very passionate about the protection of wildlife all through my formative years. This passion has continued to grow over the years inspired by the amazing work done by famous wildlife conservationists like our founder Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton and others who have worked alongside him towards this noble cause.
In your experience researching about, and working with wildlife, what has been the highlight of your career?
There are many highlights in my line of work, but one that remains close to my heart is seeing the difference our Human-Elephant Coexistence Toolbox is making across communities that are living closest to elephants and are in the frontline when it comes to competition with elephants for resources like food, water, and space.
It’s great to be a part of this mission that has seen Save the Elephants introduce and help implement practical solutions such as bee-hive fences and other non-lethal deterrents detailed in the HEC Toolbox, that have proven effective in reducing conflict incidents while empowering local communities. Through this, we are steadily pushing the needle towards harmonious coexistence, with immense promise in furthering conservation efforts and protecting these magnificent creatures for generations to come.
Let’s talk about the training that happened recently in Tsavo. What is the impact you’re working to create in human-elephant coexistence in the next decade?
In February 2024, we hosted individuals from Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya for our inaugural international Human-Elephant Coexistence Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop. The ToT workshop is a three-day event where potential trainees such as community leaders are invited to be trained on how various innovative mitigation methods from the HEC Toolbox are implemented. Several of these methods have been deployed in the Sagalla Community (Tsavo) where trainees get an opportunity to understand the conflict directly from the farmers’ perspectives and see them working in action.
Our goal is to empower the trainees with the right tools and practical solutions to mitigate human-elephant conflict and promote coexistence. The trainees then become trainers within their localities, sharing knowledge and insights from the HEC Toolbox on how to live more in harmony with elephants. We strongly believe that achieving a harmonious future between elephants and people hinges on fostering strong connections with local communities. This programme has so far produced 91 graduates from 14 different organisations and communities and takes place monthly.
We will continue working towards securing a future for elephants and sustaining the ecological integrity of the places they live in, as we develop a tolerant relationship between elephants and people.
While working with the research team in Samburu, what are some of the most fascinating insights you gained from interacting with the community in relation to human-elephant conflict?
The Samburu community has developed a fascinating connection with elephants through the years, fostering respect and a mutual understanding when it comes to sharing resources. Within the Samburu National Reserve, elephants have been observed to be calmer and at ease, as opposed to areas outside the reserve. This provides a spectacular platform to understand their behaviour, as well as the culture of the Samburu community.
Is there any story you can share that keeps you hopeful for wildlife conservation?
Save the Elephants was part of The Elephant Queen outreach programme’s ground-breaking mobile cinema, which travelled the length and breadth of Kenya for two years.
The Elephant Queen (TEQ) follows the lives of a Tsavo elephant herd-led by the matriarch Athena – their quest for water, and the extensive journeys they undertake for survival during droughts, emphasising their role as environmental architects crucial to numerous other species. Following global screenings and multiple international awards, the filmmakers had the script translated into Kiswahili and Maa (the language of the Maasai and Samburu tribes) and began touring Kenya to provide rural communities with insights into the true nature of elephants.
The film was shown on large inflatable screens erected in local communities – at schools, in marketplaces and other public areas. Within two years, the Elephant Queen outreach programme visited nearly 300 schools, and over 200 villages, and engaged with more than 135,000 people.
As part of this, surveys were conducted before and after the screenings, coupled with interviews with key community figures. The surveys targeted communities surrounding national parks and known to suffer from high levels of human-elephant conflict.
The survey results showed that films like TEQ have the potential to reshape attitudes and garner support for elephants in rural communities. Published in the journal of People and Nature, the study showed that 86.7% of community viewers (aged 16-85) who saw “The Elephant Queen” felt the film changed their attitudes towards elephants. On average 79% of viewers believed the film would change their interactions with elephants in the future. 88.4% of viewers felt the film could change their whole community’s relationship with elephants.
As mentioned above, a harmonious future between elephants and people hinges on fostering strong connections with local communities. Seeing community views and attitudes towards elephants changing positively keeps me optimistic that we are winning their hearts and minds, one step at a time.
Looking ahead on a personal level, what are your dreams and ambitions for the conservation of Kenya’s elephants?
I am always excited about being part of an amazing team that is pushing the boundaries when it comes to understanding elephants and learning how to live successfully with them. It is my goal to continue to adding value to our research team, as we identify more ways through which humans and elephants can coexist peacefully. Elephants are highly intelligent creatures, and continuing to understand them will ensure that we give them a voice and a future in a dynamic world.
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the Lagos State Government to unconditionally reverse the disengagement of 405 permanent staff of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) who were fired allegedly because they were redundant.
Lagos Water Corporation
RDI said it is convinced that the disengagement exercise, carried out by the new management of the LWC led by Tijani Muktar is only a smokescreen and part of the long-standing grand plan to privatise water resources in Lagos.
On April 15, 2024, staff of the Corporation who had resumed for work were issued disengagement letters. The sack was without prior notice or in compliance with Nigeria’s Labour laws which requires an employer to notify the trade union or workers’ representative of the reasons for and the extent of the redundancy before terminating the employment of its staff on account of redundancy.
The exercise was carried out at a time reports were also rife that the LWC had less than 600 staff Lagos statewide, a revelation which would have necessitated recruiting more staff instead of load shedding.
With the disengagement exercise which affected 405 workers the staff strength of the corporation is now less than 100 Lagos statewide.
RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said: “We refuse to be hoodwinked. The purported disengagement of staff of the LWC on the grounds of their being redundant is a ruse to ram through the privatisation agenda of the Lagos government by weeding the corporation of vocal opponents of the plan. It is unacceptable and must be reversed.”
Jakpor explained that with information putting the total staff strength of the corporation as of March 2024 at 588 statewide there is no correlation between these unjustifiable sacks and boosting the operation of the corporation.
“We make bold to say that since the assumption of office of the current Managing Director of the LWC, Tijani Muktar, in July 2023 the privatisation agenda of the Lagos government has accelerated in pace. Attempts at removing the vocal champions of pro-people water policies will not stop the resistance to water privatisation.”
“Section 20 of the Labour Act explicitly outlines the proper procedures to be followed in cases of redundancy. Clearly these rules have not been followed.”
He insisted that dialogue and engagement of the staff of the water corporation is the only way to address the crisis in the corporation and not through bullying or contravention of laws.
“Our position is unchanged. To address the water crisis in Lagos the citizens must be part of the solution and the solution is within the realm of public democratically managed water systems. The purported sack of proponents of this vision which will guarantee access to all will not stand,” Jakpor insisted.
Keen on optimising production from the nation’s hydrocarbon assets to boost revenues and meet the nation’s OPEC production quota, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partner in the Awoba Unit Field, Newcross Exploration and Production Ltd, have restarted production from the Awoba field which last contributed production to the Bonny Terminal in 2021 and was finally shut down in February 2022 due to evacuation issues and crude oil theft.
NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari
Since the restart of the Awoba field by NNPC Ltd and it partners on April 13, 2024, production from the field has averaged 8,000 barrels per day and is expected to plateau at 12,000 per day at full ramp up within 30 days. Awoba is also expected to significantly boost gas supply to the power sector and other gas-based industries.
The Awoba Unit which straddles OMLs 18 and 24 is located in the mangrove swamp south of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Both OML 18 and OML 24 assets are under the management of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
NNPC Ltd has been recording a string of production successes from the JV portfolio which have significantly lifted overall national production. Besides the recent start of production at the Madu Field by the NNPC Ltd/First E&P JV, the company has achieved the restart of production at OMLs 29 and OML 18 in late 2023 which have steadily contributed an average of 60,000bpd to the nation’s production output since their restart.
Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, ascribed the achievement to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s success in providing enabling operating environment for businesses to thrive.
He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders (staff, operators, host communities, government security agencies, and private security contractors) who played a pivotal role in achieving the feat.
US President Joe Biden has announced $7 billion in awards through EPA’s Solar for All programme and unveiled major steps to advance the American Climate Corps.
US president Joe Biden addresses the COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Photo credit: AP
Building on his climate, clean energy, and environmental justice agenda, President Biden on Monday, April 22, travelled to Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, to celebrate Earth Day 2024, and highlighted his Administration’s unprecedented progress in tackling the climate crisis, cutting costs for everyday Americans, and creating good-paying jobs.
The President announced $7 billion in grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All grant competition, a key component of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Selectees under the Solar for All programme will serve every state and territory in the nation and deliver residential solar power to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities, saving overburdened households more than $350 million in electricity costs annually – approximately $400 per household – and avoiding more than 30 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 25 years.
Joined by future members of President Biden’s American Climate Corps, including current AmeriCorps members, President Biden also announced several new actions to stand up the American Climate Corps – a groundbreaking initiative modeled after FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps that will put more than 20,000 young Americans to work fighting the impacts of climate change today while gaining the skills they need to join the growing clean energy and climate-resilience workforce of tomorrow.
These announcements come on the heels of a series of major conservation actions by the Biden-Harris Administration.
Last week, the Department of the Interior published a final rule to maximise protections of significant surface resources such as irreplaceable wildlife habitat for caribou and migratory birds on more than 13 million acres in the western Arctic while supporting subsistence uses and needs of Alaska Native communities. This action brings the number of acres of America’s lands and waters conserved under President Biden to 41 million.
Throughout Earth Week, the Biden-Harris Administration will announce additional actions to build a stronger, healthier future for all: Tuesday will focus on helping ensure clean water for all communities; Wednesday will focus on accelerating America’s clean transportation future; Thursday will focus on steps to cut pollution from the power sector while strengthening America’s electricity grid; and Friday will focus on providing cleaner air and healthier schools for all children.
Campaigners, led by former Malawian president Dr Joyce Banda, have called for urgent and massive investments in renewable energy access to provide electricity to millions in sub-Saharan Africa – as the world enters the last five years of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Former Malawian president, Dr Joyce Banda, with ACSEA and PACJA officials at the launch of the Six30 campaign in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Around 630 million people in the region lack electricity, and almost a billion still use solid biomass for cooking and heating, making Sub-Saharan Africa the most energy-impoverished part of the world.
The absence of modern energy services perpetuates poverty, limits economic opportunities, affects overall well-being and heightens climate change vulnerability, especially among women and young girls, said Dr Banda, who launched the campaign dubbed Six30 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, April 22, 2024.
Multiple factors account for the low access to sustainable energy services, but all are linked to or exacerbated by a lack of substantial and adequate financing. Despite one of the highest potentials for renewable energy, the region receives only 2% of global investments.
The Six30 Campaign is an ambitious initiative to spur public and private donors in and out of Africa to substantially increase funding and investments for renewable energy projects across the continent that prioritise access.
Driven by the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA), the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and several other partners, the campaign will run from 2024 to 2030, coinciding with the end of the SDGs.
The goal is to spur investments upwards of $630 billion to bring electricity to 630 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement and Africa Agenda 2063.
Dr Agustine Njamnshi, executive director of ACSEA, said bridging the energy gap in Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for promoting broader socio-economic development and tackling climate change.
“Energy poverty is not just a material problem; it’s a silent crisis that suffocates hope and stifles human potential,” he said. “The Six30 Campaign is much more than a mere initiative. It is a rallying cry, a call to action, a symbol of hope for millions living in darkness. Together, we can reach unprecedented heights. Together, we can transform lives and build a future without anyone being left behind. We can achieve the impossible through solidarity and determination and push back the boundaries of injustice and deprivation.”
Dr Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, said the Six30 Campaign calls for a global partnership to address Africa’s current energy access crisis.
“This campaign is a call to action for international cooperation and solidarity. It is a call to all nations, all organisations and all individuals who believe in a sustainable and equitable future,” he said.
Leaders from the region have welcomed the campaign, which comes amid a growing consensus that energy access is an “immediate and absolute priority” for the region.
“The Six30 campaign is timely,” said Jaqueline Amongin, member of parliament of Uganda and the East African Legislative Assembly, citing the scale of the problem in Uganda, where roughly 55% of the population has no electricity. “There can be no better time to launch such an initiative.”
As we celebrate World Earth Day 2024, the theme of “Planet vs. Plastics” resonates deeply in our collective consciousness, because we all see the effects of plastic wastes all around us.
Plastic pollution
Today therefore serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on our environment and pave the way for a sustainable future.
Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, and Nigeria is not left out.
Nigeria generates up to 32 million tonnes of solid waste per year. Of that number, an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually, and plastic accounts for 15% of the total waste generated in Lagos State alone, the commercial capital of the country.
This is not to say that the recycling industry isn’t doing enough, but a 2023 report revealed that only about 20 to 30 percent of the total solid waste generated in Nigeria is being collected and managed correctly. The remaining 70 percent or so, is either dumped in unauthorized places or burned, contributing to pollution and health risks among inhabitants.
The proliferation of plastics has truly reached alarming levels, infiltrating every corner of our country, from the deepest oceans in Lagos to the highest peaks in Taraba, posing a significant threat to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.
Water sachets, water bottles, polythene bags, take-away food packs, combs, straws, coffee cups, disposable cutlery and children’s toys among others, are some of the plastics we use in our day-to-day activities, and they end up in the landfills without degrading for many years.
While plastics have undoubtedly brought convenience to our lives, their long-lasting environmental footprint far outweighs any short-term benefits.
The problem is enormous. From single-use plastics clogging our dump sites to microplastics contaminating our waterways, the repercussions of this addiction are far-reaching and irreparable. The particles of these plastics end up getting into our systems and causing series of ailments in children and elderly people alike.
Kudos to the governments of Lagos and Oyo states, who both recently banned the production and consumption of single-use plastics in their respective states. It was a step in the right direction. So far, the number of plastics in dump sites has reduced.
However, transitioning to a plastic-free country requires a multifaceted approach. It demands collaboration among governments, businesses, communities, and individuals.
While legislation must be enacted to restrict the production and consumption of single-use plastics, incentivising the use of biodegradable alternatives, and holding polluters accountable for their actions would go a longer way.
Secondly, businesses play a pivotal role in driving sustainable practices across industries. Hence, embracing eco-friendly packaging solutions, implementing recycling programs, and adopting circular economy models are crucial steps towards reducing plastic waste and minimising environmental harm.
Consumers, too, hold significant power through their purchasing decisions. By opting for plastic-free alternatives, supporting sustainable brands, and advocating for change, individuals can contribute to the global movement towards a cleaner, greener planet.
Fourthly, education and awareness are key drivers of change. Empowering communities with knowledge about the environmental impact of plastics and providing them with practical solutions can inspire meaningful action at the grassroots level.
By fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and pushing the right narrative across platforms, we can cultivate a more sustainable mindset that transcends generations.
Finally, in commemoration of Earth Day 2024, let’s all be encouraged to seize the opportunity to catalyse meaningful change and embark on a journey towards a plastic-free Nigeria. Combating pollution is the business of everyone. Together, we can manage waste pollution in general and plastics specifically. The time to act is now!
By Ben Ugbana, a Lagos-based media professional and environment enthusiast whose startup, PlanetPulse Nigeria, is fostering a stronger sense of environmental responsibility among youth in the country
A group of 17 leading banks from the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) has endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative. The banks are said to be at the forefront of a growing number of financial institutions joining the call for the Treaty and taking a significant step forward in a global effort to address the root cause of the climate crisis – the production and use of oil, gas and coal.
Triodos Bank in the Netherlands is said to be the first bank in the world to sign up
The GABV is a network of the world’s most socially and environmentally responsible banks. The GABV members to endorse the Treaty proposal include Triodos Bank, the first bank in the world to sign up.
Banks to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative are: Amalgamated Bank (United States), Banca Etica (Italy, Spain), BancoSol (Bolivia), Beneficial State Bank (United States), Centenary Bank (Uganda), Clearwater Credit Union (United States), Climate First Bank (United States), Ekobanken (Sweden) and Finca DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo).
Others include Merkur Cooperative Bank (Denmark), NMB Bank (Nepal), Summit Credit Union (United States), Sunrise Banks (United States), Triodos Bank (Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Spain, Germany), Unity Trust Bank (United Kingdom), Vancity (Canada) and Vdk Bank (Belgium).
A global campaign to phase-out fossil fuels
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to renewable energy for everyone, end the expansion of coal, oil and gas, and ultimately equitably phase out existing production. The Treaty reflects what science shows is needed to address the climate crisis.
The proposal has gained traction globally. Support from various sectors recognizes the urgent need for action to stop the proliferation of, and start to phase out, the use of coal, oil, and gas – the primary drivers of the fast-accelerating climate emergency and rising inequality. These banks join other relevant stakeholders like the World Health Organisation, the European Parliament and a growing block of 12 nation-states already calling for a new international treaty to transition away from oil, gas and coal.
While the Paris Agreement set a crucial global climate target, many governments continue to approve new coal, oil and gas projects. The UNEP Production Gap Report 2023 warned that fossil fuel extraction plans undermine the world’s chances of meeting our global climate targets. The report revealed that, despite their climate pledges, governments still plan to produce around 110% more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.
The role of the banking sector
According to the Banking on Climate Chaos report released in 2023, Since the Paris Agreement was signed, the world’s banks have pumped $5.5 trillion into fossil fuels. A recent report by Topo Finance found that if the largest banks and asset managers in the U.S. were a country, they would be the third-largest emitting country in the world, behind China and the U.S.
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, major western banks pledged to reduce their carbon footprint and invest in green initiatives, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Despite commitments, the ratio of bank financing for low-carbon energy projects to fossil fuels falls short of targets, as research from Bloomberg NEF reveals. Moreover, banks with net zero targets have provided substantial loans to oil, gas, and coal companies that expand their fossil fuel-related activities.
David Reiling, Chair of the GABV and CEO of Sunrise Banks, explains that the global financial sector needs to play a pivotal role by bringing the business community together and pushing to transition away from fossil fuel production.
He said: “The Fossil Fuel Treaty is a binding agreement, signaling that businesses are ready and willing to make this commitment. By signing onto this Treaty, we are leveling the playing field and driving a global and equitable transition to meet our 2050 Net Zero Commitment. I applaud these seventeen GABV members for leading the way. I expect more values-based banks and businesses to sign the Treaty and join the growing initiative to move to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Ali Sheridan, Director of Major Partnerships at The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, emphasised the importance of the financial and business sectors joining the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, sayingL “The collective support from these banks is a testament to the growing recognition within the financial sector, particularly among its most progressive banks, of the critical role it plays in addressing the climate crisis. Businesses have a significant opportunity to spearhead the creation of an equitable and sustainable future, but it is crucial that this is done in a credible way that ensures no one is left behind.
“By aligning financial practices with sustainability goals and supporting initiatives like the Fossil Fuel Treaty, banks can play a leading role and drive meaningful change, as well as contribute significantly to fostering the global, multi-stakeholder cooperation necessary for a just transition away from fossil fuels, and to secure a cleaner, greener and fairer future for all.”
Over 3,000 scientists and academics, 101 Nobel laureates, hundreds of health professionals, thousands of religious institutions, a growing number of Indigenous organisations and youth activists, over 100 cities and subnational governments, more than 600 Parliamentarians across the world, and a growing number of businesses are reportedly calling for a Treaty to phase out fossil fuels and fast track a fair energy transition.
Nigeria being a signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders including the youths to achieve the goals and targets of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to regain the country’s habitat loss and fragmentation.
Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment, made the submission on Friday, April 12, 2024, during “Media and Communication Workshop on the Implementation of the KMGBF in Nigeria” organised by the Nigeria Youth Biodiversity Network (NYBN) and Sustainable Environment Food and Agriculture Initiatives (SEFAAI) in Lagos.
Salako, who was represented by Mrs Olusola Margaret Akinyemi, the Federal Controller in Lagos, Federal Ministry of Environment, also harped on the need to address biodiversity laws that will engage all stakeholders and the local communities in various sectors. This, according to him, “is in a bid to increase the area of national ecosystems by maintaining, enhancing and restoring the integrity and resilience of all Nigerians”.
He also urged the media organisations to create more awareness in addressing the threat to biodiversity in the country.
The National Coordinator, NYBN, Olusegun Michael Ogundele, noted that the workshop is aimed at popularising the uptake and domestication of the Post 2020 GBF in Nigeria, and to increase the knowledge capacity of stakeholders, the youths and the media communities on biodiversity education and knowledge generation.
According to him, Nigerians need to know more about biodiversity conservation to address the threat of habitat loss.
Biodun Deribigbe, Director, SEFAAI, urged the government to leverage with non-governmental organisations and encourage the media in educating the people at the grassroots to understand the importance of diversity in the community.
According to him, biodiversity conservation in the country faces many challenges, such as conflicting government policies and laws, poor enforcement and compliance, inadequate capacity and data, limited public awareness and education, low stakeholder participation, and inadequate funding for advocates of biodiversity conservation.
Deribigbe noted that Nigeria needs to strengthen and expand its network of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, such as community conserved areas, sacred natural sites, indigenous and local community conserved areas and private reserves, saying: “Protected areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation.”
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted during the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) following a four-year consultation and negotiation process. The framework, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention’s previous Strategic Plans, sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Among the Framework’s key elements are four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
