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Green Climate Fund Board approves $1.225bn for new projects, reforms accreditation model 

Michael Simire
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Green Climate Fund Board approves $1.225bn for new projects, reforms accreditation model 

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved a record volume of climate finance for developing countries, green-lighting 17 new projects for climate action around the world. The $1.225 billion total is said to be the largest amount approved at a single Board meeting, during a year in which the Fund is scaling up its activities in response to the global demands for climate finance.

Mafalda Duarte
GCF Executive Director, Mafalda Duarte

GCF now has a portfolio of 314 projects amounting to $18 billion in GCF resources, $67 billion including co-financing.

The projects will bring urgently needed funding for adaptation and mitigation action and include the first single-country GCF projects in Mauritania, Saint Lucia, and Papua New Guinea. The adaptation projects will benefit some of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, mainly targeting Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and African States.

The package of projects also includes investments which will mobilise private investment for climate action, including a $227 million equity investment in the Global Green Bonds Initiative that will unlock new green bond markets, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and a $200 million investment to drive green finance in India. The full list of new projects is below. 

 The 42nd GCF Board meeting (B.42) was hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea from June 30 to July 3, 2025, marking the second time the Fund’s Board has met in the Pacific region.  

GCF works through a network of over 150 partner agencies (‘Accredited Entities’), an unrivaled global network that includes international financial institutions such as Multilateral Development Banks, United Nations agencies, and commercial banks, as well as over 100 regional and national entities (‘Direct Access Entities’) from public, private and non-profit sectors. The Board agreed on a comprehensive reform package for GCF’s accreditation model. The reforms to GCF’s accreditation framework will make it more fit for purpose, providing enhanced transparency, responsiveness, and efficiency, whilst increasing fairness and country ownership. 

Measures in the package will improve entities’ accountability and enhance Direct Access Entities’ capacity. The reforms include a nine-month service standard for GCF’s review of new applications, which will greatly speed up accreditation and facilitate an even more diverse and extensive partner network. Alongside the accreditation reforms, eight new partner organisations were approved to become Accredited Entities, including seven Direct Access Entities, listed below. 

Following the decision of the Board at its last meeting to establish a regional presence for GCF, the Board has now decided to launch a call for proposals for countries to host regional offices and an outpost of the Fund. The Board has established criteria, a process and a timeline for selection. Proposals will be invited from interested countries, and after the Secretariat’s analysis, its recommendations will be presented for consideration by the Board. 
 

The meeting also approved new Staff Regulations with the aim of ensuring that the Fund can attract and retain the highly qualified personnel needed to deliver on its ambitious mandate.

Co-Chair Leif Holmberg from Sweden, said: “This has been a very successful Board meeting with a record amount of funding and the adoption of some major reforms to make GCF more efficient and effective. I am delighted that the Board has approved comprehensive reforms to its accreditation framework – the largest policy package ever brought to the Board – which will speed up accreditation whilst maintaining accountability, allowing us to further grow our network of partners, particularly direct access entities.”

Co-Chair Amb. Seyni Nafo from Mali, said: “I am very proud that this Board meeting has approved a record amount of new climate finance for developing countries. GCF’s $1.225 billion investment in these new projects will improve resilience and accelerate mitigation efforts in 36 countries around the world. At a time when collective climate action is more needed than ever, GCF is stepping up to deliver on its mandate. I am also pleased that the Board is moving ahead on regional presence, which will bring GCF much closer to developing countries.”

Executive Director, Mafalda Duarte, stated: “Pacific islands are facing an existential threat from climate change. Holding our Board meeting in Papua New Guinea has reinforced for me the urgency of action to protect the resilient people and incredible biodiversity of this country and others in the region. We came here to deliver that action, and we have done so, with new finance for the Pacific and for projects around the world. Alongside a record volume of climate finance, this Board meeting has approved major policy decisions which support our 50 by 30 vision for GCF as we aim to become the climate finance partner of choice.

“Major reforms to our accreditation model will make us more efficient and broaden our partner network, and the selection process for our regional presence will bring us much closer to our beneficiary countries. Alongside our goal of becoming the partner of choice, GCF also wants to become the employer of choice, and in this context the adoption of new Staff Regulations will help us to attract a high-quality workforce as well as to reward and retain our talented and dedicated Secretariat staff.”

Seventeen funding proposals were approved at the 42nd meeting of the GCF Board (B.42): 

  • SAP050: Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-resilient communities (TRACT) – Strengthening climate services and impact-based multi-hazard early warning in Maldives with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)  
  • SAP051: Increasing resilience to the health risks of climate change in the Federated States of Micronesia with The Pacific Community (SPC) 
  • SAP053: FISH-ADAPT: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia’s fisheries communities with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) 
  • SAP054: SOURCE Pacific Drinking Water Project with Asian Development Bank (ADB) 
  • FP265: Climate-resilient landscapes for sustainable livelihoods in northern Ghana with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)  
  • FP266: Strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and populations in four regional hubs in northern Mauritania with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 
  • FP267: Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate-intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa (Eco-DRR) with South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)  
  • FP268: Scaling-Up Resilience in Africa’s Great Green Wall (SURAGGWA) with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)  
  • FP269: Dairy Interventions for Mitigation and Adaptation (DaIMA) with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)  
  • FP270: Climate Adaptive Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture for Resilience (CAISAR) in Cambodia with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 
  • FP271: India Green Finance Facility (IGFF) with Asian Development Bank (ADB)  
  • FP272: Protecting livelihoods and assets at risk from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and climate change-induced flooding in glacial river basins of Nepal with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 
  • FP273: Papua New Guinea REDD-plus RBP for results period 2014–2016 with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) 
  • FP274: Building the Climate Resilience of Children and Communities through the Education Sector (BRACE) with Save the Children Australia (SCA)  
  • FP275: Scaling up the Deployment of Integrated Utility Services (IUS) to Support Energy Sector Transformation in the Caribbean (Phase 1) Programme with Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)  
  • FP276: GCF’s investment into the Global Green Bond Initiative (GGBI) (previously known as Green and Resilience Debt Platform (GRDP)) with European Investment Bank (EIB)  
  • FP277: ATOME Villeta Green Fertiliser (AVGF) Project with International Finance Corporation (IFC).    

As an indication of GCF’s determination to rapidly move projects to implementation, project agreements were signed with the Accredited Entities for nine of the newly approved projects immediately after the close of the Board meeting. Those projects are: 

  • SAP050: Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-resilienT communities (TRACT) – Strengthening climate services and impact-based multi-hazard early warning in Maldives with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 
  • SAP053: FISH-ADAPT: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia’s fisheries communities with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) 
  • FP265: Climate-resilient landscapes for sustainable livelihoods in northern Ghana with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)  
  • FP266: Strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and populations in four regional hubs in northern Mauritania with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 
  • FP267: Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate-intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa (Eco-DRR) with South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)  
  • FP268: Scaling-Up Resilience in Africa’s Great Green Wall (SURAGGWA) with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)  
  • FP269: Dairy Interventions for Mitigation and Adaptation (DaIMA) with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)  
  • FP273: Papua New Guinea REDD-plus RBP for results period 2014–2016 with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) 
  • FP274: Building the Climate Resilience of Children and Communities through the Education Sector (BRACE) with Save the Children Australia (SCA).  

The following entities were approved for accreditation during the B.42 meeting: 

  • Banco Promerico de Costa Rica, based in Costa Rica 
  • Banque Nationale d’Investissement (BNI), based in Côte d’Ivoire 
  • Development Bank of Namibia Limited (DBN), based in Namibia 
  • Development Finance Corporation (DFC), based in Belize 
  • Environment Protection Fund (EPF), based in Lao People’s Democratic Republic 
  • JSC Georgian Energy Development Fund (GEDF), based in Georgia 
  • Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB), based in Saint Lucia 
  • International Land and Forest Tenure Facility (Tenure Facility), based in Sweden. 

GCF now has a total of 153 Accredited Entities, including 101 regional or national entities (‘Direct Access Entities’). 

AI and climate action: Opportunities, risks, challenges for developing countries

Michael Simire
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AI and climate action: Opportunities, risks, challenges for developing countries

A new technical paper released by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) under the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can serve as a powerful enabler of climate action in developing countries most vulnerable to climate impacts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Harnessing AI technology to address climate change challenges

The TEC Chair, Dietram Oppelt, launched the Committee’s latest technical paper at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the paper is part of the Technology Mechanism’s #AI4ClimateAction Initiative.

It provides a comprehensive overview for policymakers, practitioners and researchers navigating the opportunities, risks and challenges of deploying AI for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.

AI as a Tool for Climate Action

AI technologies offer significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, AI can help minimise energy waste, optimise energy consumption and distribution, and identify emission hotspots in industrial processes. AI-powered energy management systems can improve grid efficiency, forecast power demand, and optimise the deployment of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Similarly, AI tools can analyse transportation data to optimise traffic flow and route planning, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Additionally, AI also offers promising applications when it comes to adapting to the impacts of climate change. It can strengthen early warning systems by predicting extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and droughts, enabling proactive disaster risk management. AI-driven urban resilience planning can help identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and optimise land use. When combined with satellite imagery, AI can also support biodiversity conservation, sustainable water use, and land restoration efforts.

Risks and Challenges of Using AI for Climate Action in Developing Countries

Despite these benefits, the paper highlights that bias and inequity in AI systems also present serious risks. If algorithms are not designed inclusively, they can perpetuate social inequalities and undermine trust. Additionally, the energy and water consumption of AI systems raises sustainability concerns, particularly in regions already facing resource constraints.

The paper also warns that many developing countries face significant barriers to adopting AI-driven climate solutions. Limited digital infrastructure – including unreliable internet connectivity, inadequate computing power, and capacity shortages – hinder the effective deployment of AI systems.

Moreover, developing countries often lack access to high-quality, comprehensive climate data essential for training AI models and supporting robust, data-driven decision-making. Without reliable data-sharing frameworks and cybersecurity measures, AI outputs can be inaccurate or vulnerable to misuse.

Recommendations for Realising AI’s Potential

To unlock the benefits of AI for climate action in developing countries – especially Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States – the paper outlines a set of recommended priority actions: 

  • Address the digital divide by investing in infrastructure and AI capacity-building programmes that empower local experts and institutions.
  • Enhance data availability and access through improved climate data collection and open-data initiatives to support AI model development and deployment.
  • Strengthen AI governance under the UNFCCC by creating regulatory frameworks that promote transparency, fairness, accountability and ethical AI adoption.
  • Tackle gender bias and social inequalities by designing AI systems with inclusive approaches to deliver equitable climate benefits.
  • Manage AI’s resource consumption by promoting energy- and water-efficient AI systems to ensure sustainability.
  • Foster global collaboration by strengthening cooperation between governments, UN agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society to share knowledge, align standards, and address regulatory gaps.

Implementing these recommendations can help developing countries harness AI as a strategic tool to advance climate action at scale. Strengthening digital infrastructure, closing data gaps, and adopting robust governance frameworks will not only build local capacity but also encourage innovation and collaboration.

This will help ensure that all countries – especially those most vulnerable to climate change – can participate fully in global climate efforts while addressing their unique challenges.

Development Communication in Nigeria: Missing link between donor funds, real change

Michael Simire
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Development Communication in Nigeria: Missing link between donor funds, real change

In Nigeria, the practice is that development is often measured by the amount of money spent, rather than the change achieved. Annually, donor agencies invest substantial funds in development intervention projects – ranging from poverty alleviation, health, and agriculture to climate resilience and education. Yet the gaps remain wide – not just in infrastructure or service delivery—but in trust, ownership, and sustainability.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

At the heart of this disconnect is our disregard for development communication in project ideation, formulation, and implementation.

What Is Development Communication?

Development communication is not about erecting billboards, airing jingles, or running PR campaigns. It is the deliberate use of communication to foster participation, build local knowledge systems, and drive behaviour change in ways that communities can own and sustain.

It’s about listening before designing projects, engaging before implementation, translating policy into people’s realities, and designing interventions with the people and for the people.

Development communication is the bridge between donor intent and community impact. Yet, development agencies and practitioners in Nigeria have largely continued to ignore this bridge.

Why Interventions Struggle Without Development Communication

In Nigeria, most donor-funded development interventions rely heavily on external consultants – many of whom have little or no knowledge of the communities they design projects for. Our idea of communication tends to be one-directional: pushing messaging campaigns with no real feedback loop, and often without clear Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms to track impact.

Rather than focus on participatory dialogue, the emphasis is placed on visibility – media coverage, social media posts, glossy reports – while the people at the centre of these interventions are sidelined.

Because of our disregard for development communication that enables inclusive dialogue, the very people we aim to serve often become suspicious, and projects are abandoned.

This is also a result of our consistent disregard for indigenous knowledge systems. Our communication approaches are frequently designed for data extraction, not for relationship-building. We impose tools and messaging on communities, instead of fostering conversations with them.

I’ve seen this firsthand through fieldwork in FCT, Benue, Niger, and Nasarawa – where projects fail not because the ideas are bad, but because the communication is poor.

Case in Point: Climate Adaptation and Indigenous Knowledge

Over the last six years, I conducted eight field-based studies showing that rural farmers are already adapting to climate change using traditional knowledge and practices. But instead of integrating and building on these local systems, many development projects introduce “new” solutions that end up alienating the very people they are meant to support.

The problem is not innovation. The problem is the failure to respect existing knowledge and the lack of communication practices that recognise local context, language, and leadership.

Why Development Communication Is the Game Changer

If governments, development agencies, and partners begin to take development communication seriously, we will begin our projects with community-led communication diagnostics.

This would mean using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) tools – not just for baseline data collection – but to co-create solutions with communities.

It would mean involving the people our interventions are meant to serve in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the projects – not treating them as afterthoughts. It would also mean tracking how people feel, understand, resist, or embrace the work being done in their communities.

This is what makes change sustainable.

A Call to Donors and Development Actors

If you’re funding programmes in Nigeria and genuinely want real, measurable change, I ask that you start by asking:

  • How are we listening?
  • What communication structures are in place?
  • Who is speaking – and who is being silenced?

Development communication is not a luxury. It is the missing link between funding and transformation. It is how we build trust, mobilise ownership, and secure long-term sustainability.

Let me be clear: if our interventions continue to ignore development communication, they will continue to lose the very people they’re meant to serve. And when we lose the people, we lose the impact we aspire to make.

It’s time to rethink our assumptions. Visibility is not engagement. Funding is not transformation. Real change starts with the right kind of development communication.

By Audu Liberty Oseni, Director, Centre for Development Communication – CDC

Group sues NNPC over failure to account for money meant for refinery repairs

Michael Simire
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0
Group sues NNPC over failure to account for money meant for refinery repairs

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over the “failure to account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation’ and other oil revenues.”

Bayo Ojulari
Bayo Ojulari, GCEO, National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited

The suit followed the damning allegations documented in the 2021 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was published on November 27, 2024. Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, also last week said that NNPCL refineries may never work again, despite the $18 billion spent on the refineries.

In the suit number FHC/L/MISC/722/25 filed on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the NNPCL to account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion of public funds meant for “refinery rehabilitation’ and repair.”

SERAP is also asking the court to “direct and compel the NNPCL to recover and remit to the federation account the alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion of public funds meant for refinery rehabilitation and repair.”

SERAP is likewise asking the court to “direct and compel the NNPCL to identify those responsible for the missing oil money, surcharge them for the full amount involved, and hand them over to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “the grim allegations by the Auditor-General (and Mr. Aliko Dangote) suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anticorruption laws, and the country’s international human rights and anticorruption obligations.”

SERAP is also arguing that “granting the reliefs sought would strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing oil money meant to repair the country’s refineries and ensure that the money is returned for the sake of NNPCL’s victims – Nigerians.”

According to SERAP, “These grim allegations have also undermined economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty, and contributed to high levels of deficit spending by the government.”

SERAP is also arguing that “the vast majority of Nigerians have seen little benefit from their country’s oil wealth, even as the NNPCL continues to fail to account for the missing billions of dollars that are desperately needed to repair or replace the country’s dysfunctional refineries.”

According to SERAP, “The Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of public funds from the NNPCL. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing public funds meant for refinery rehabilitation.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Oluwakemi Oni, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “The missing oil revenue reflects a failure of NNPCL accountability more generally and is directly linked to the institution’s continuing failure to uphold transparency and accountability principles.

“According to the recently published 2021 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) failed to account for over N825 billion and $2.5 billion of public funds meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation’ and repairs, and other oil revenues.

“The Auditor-General fears that the money may be missing.

“The NNPCL reportedly failed to account for over N82 billion (N82,951,595,510.47) meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation and repairs.’ The ‘money was deducted from the sale of Crude Oil and Gas between 2020 and 2021’.

“The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the Federation Account. He also wants the NNPCL ‘to ensure that the amounts due for the Federation Account are not subjected to any deductions before remittance of net.’

“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N343 billion (N343,642,598,726.51) ‘being proceeds from domestic crude sales.’ The ‘money, meant for ‘pipelines maintenance and management costs, was unilaterally deducted from the gross domestic crude sales.’

“The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury. He also wants the NNPCL to hand over those suspected to be involved to the EFCC and ICPC.

“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N83 billion (N83,659,813,739.99) ‘being miscellaneous income from the NNPC joint venture operations from 2016 to 2020.’ The ‘money was withdrawn from the CBN/NNPC sinking fund account (a suspense account).’”

“The Auditor-General is concerned that this practice ‘has led the Federation to resort to borrowings.’ He wants ‘the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.’

“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N204 billion (N204,853,744,047.39) ‘being unjustified deductions from the oil royalties for 2021.’ The ‘money was due to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).’ The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N3.7 billion (N3,748,581,281.27) ‘being money purportedly paid to a Company as a shortfall on sales of MT cargo of PMS.’ The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.

“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N28 billion (N28,654,179,867.00) ‘being outstanding bridging allowance from NNPC retail for 2021.’

“The NNPCL failed to account for over N13.5 billion (N13,5559,658,148.91) ‘being outstanding bridging allowance claims from three major oil marketers in 2021.’

“The Auditor-General is concerned that this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants ‘the money recovered from both the NNPC retail and the major oil marketers and remitted to the Federation Account.’

“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N15 billion (N14,134,947,949.80 and N1,087,533,332.62) ‘being outstanding revenues from debts owed by twenty-six marketers for 2021.’ The Auditor-General wants ‘the money recovered from the oil marketers and remitted to the Federation Account.’

“The NNPCL reportedly failed to account for over $29.6 million ($29,648,970.36) being outstanding royalties payable to the Department of Petroleum Resources CBN account.’ The Auditor-General is concerned this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants the money recovered.’

“The NNPCL failed to collect over $2 billion ($2,260,448,992.45) ‘being outstanding oil royalties from oil companies for 2021’, and failed to collect over N48 billion (N48,218,163,192.67) ‘also being outstanding oil royalties from oil companies.’”

“The Auditor-General fears that ‘the money may be missing.’ He is concerned that this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants ‘the money recovered from the oil companies and remitted to the Federation Account.’”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Heat waves put older persons at high risk, warns UN report

Michael Simire
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0
Heat waves put older persons at high risk, warns UN report

As extreme heat grips many countries and becomes “the new normal”, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns of heightened health risks for older persons in the Frontiers 2025 Report published on Thursday, July 10.

Older persons
Older persons

Other highlighted impacts of climate change include the melting of glaciers that reawaken ancient pathogens and floods that risk releasing dangerous chemicals. 

The 7th edition of the Frontiers Report, The Weight of Time – Facing a new age of challenges for people and ecosystems, is part of UNEP’s Foresight Trajectory initiative and highlights emerging environmental issues as well as potential solutions. The first edition in 2016, warned of the growing risk of zoonotic diseases, four years before the COVID-19 pandemic. This report is released as communities across China, Japan, India, Europe, USA and elsewhere face weeks of extreme heat and flooding. 

“Heat waves are among the most frequent and deadly impacts of climate change, along with floods and shrinking ice cover,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “We must be prepared for the risks these impacts pose, especially for society’s most vulnerable, including older persons. Yet as this year’s Frontiers Report shows, solutions exist that can help protect communities and restore ecosystems long-thought to have been lost.” 

Adults aged 65 and above now form an increasingly dominant part of the world population, particularly in urban areas of low- and middle-income countries. The report notes that annual heat-related deaths among older persons have risen by an estimated 85% since the 1990s. Additional risks arise from deteriorating air quality and floods in low-lying coastal cities where older persons live. 

Older persons – especially those with chronic illnesses, limited mobility, or frailty – are particularly vulnerable to heat-related health issues, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, as well as increased mortality. 

The report recommends making cities pollution-free, resilient, and accessible spaces with expansive vegetation. Key strategies include better urban planning, community-based disaster risk management, and improved access to climate information for older populations. 

Earlier this year, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a new resolution to develop an “international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons,” a possible path to add safety to those most exposed to climate change. 

Zombie microbes 

Beyond the risks to older persons, the report also warns of ancient microbes awakening. Should global temperatures rise more than 2˚C above pre-industrial levels, this would significantly reduce the cryosphere in mass, which includes glaciers, seasonal snow, ice sheets and shelves, sea ice, seasonally frozen ground, and permafrost. Cryospheric regions are home to 670 million people as well as to billions more who live in areas with water originating from those frozen areas. 

Dormant fungi, bacteria, and viruses in these frozen regions could reactivate, raising the risk of antimicrobial resistance. To slow down the decline of the cryosphere, the Frontiers 2025 Report recommends cutting greenhouse gas emissions – including black carbon emissions from diesel engines, open-field agricultural burning, and wildfires – and limiting tourism in fragile frozen regions. The report also recommends accelerating scientific research into the diversity of cryospheric microorganisms that will not survive the cryosphere’s decline. 

The return of banned chemicals through floods 

The report also identifies risks from the remobilisation of chemicals that were banned and phased-out decades ago. Floods can bring such chemicals to the surface, after having accumulated in sediment over centuries. 

As floodwaters stir up sediment and debris, toxic chemicals may be released and re-enter urban areas or food systems. The report lists effective measures to reduce this growing risk: traditional control measures like polders, dikes and retention basins, improved drainage systems, nature-based solutions (e.g., sponge-city approaches), regular monitoring of pollutants in diverse locations and products, and economic impact studies about this type of pollution. 

The risk of ageing dams 

Another emerging threat the Frontiers 2025 Report addresses is the risk of ageing dams. Alongside many benefits, dams can harm indigenous and fishing-dependent communities, as well as degrade ecosystems. Removal of large, older dams that have become unsafe, obsolete, or economically unviable is increasingly happening in Europe and North America. 

The report highlights potential benefits of the removal of dams and barriers in restoring natural river connectivity for biodiversity and ecosystems. Reversing river fragmentation and restoring natural processes support the implementation of the UN’s principles for ecosystem-restoration initiatives. 

Renaissance Energy, Bayelsa host communities to conserve Apoi Creek Forest Reserves

Michael Simire
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0
Renaissance Energy, Bayelsa host communities to conserve Apoi Creek Forest Reserves

Renaissance Africa Energy Company and hosts to its South Swamp Gas Gathering Solution (SSGGS) project have commenced plans to conserve the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves in Bayelsa State.

The polluted Apoi Creek
The polluted Apoi Creek

Renaissance, a consortium of indigenous firms in March acquired the onshore and shallow waters assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in the Niger Delta.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Yenagoa on Friday, July 11, 2025, Mr. Charles Akhideno, Head, Biodiversity at Renaissance, noted that the event aims to develop a Diversity Action Plan for areas within five kilometre radius of the SSGGS project site near the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves.

He said that Renaissance prioritises care for the environment and engages in conservation efforts to restore the environment where it operates.

According to him, the company is working with communities, environmental scientists and civil society organisations and Bayelsa government to develop plans to preserve endangered animals and plants species at the Apoi Creek Forest Reserves.

He noted that the environmental scientists who have been conducting studies at the forest reserves will review species of monkeys, chimpanzees, vultures, parrots amongst other plants and animals species that are endangered for attention.

Mr. Ebi Ben-Ololo, Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment, regretted that oil and gas exploration had adversely affected and degraded the environment across Bayelsa with relics of pollution degrading the ecosystem.

Ben-Ololo, however, commended the approach adopted by Renaissance Africa in prioritising environmental protection and conservation even before the commencement of the SSGGS project.

Traditional rulers, community development committee members, women and youth leaders deliberated on ways to halt human actions that put pressure on the forest resources and endanger the biodiversity of the forest reserve.

They resolved that alternative economic activities should be considered for those who depend solely on the forest resources in environmentally sustainable fields.

CSOs seek restructure of Nigeria’s climate change response system

Michael Simire
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0
CSOs seek restructure of Nigeria’s climate change response system

Some civil society organisations in the Niger Delta have called for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s climate change response structure.

Malam Balarabe Lawal
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal

The call was made at the ongoing Third Niger Delta Annual Climate Change Conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, July 11, 2025.

In his address, the Convener, Mr. Friday Nbani, said that the move would give more meaning to the campaign against climate change and environmental crisis.

At the conference organised by the Leadership Initiative for Transformation, Nbani urged the National Council on Climate Change to evolve policies that would have positive impact across the country.

The Convener said that the conference aimed to aggregate the voices of Niger Delta stakeholders ahead of the COP30 conference scheduled to hold in Brasil in  November.

He said that the annual conference was a vital forum for regional advocacy and strategy on climate change and environmental challenges.

Nbani, also the Director, Lekeh Development Foundation, said that issues of climate change should be given attention at the state and local government levels.

“We need state and local government climate change desks to capture the realities on the ground, especially in the rural communities where degradation is severe and undocumented.

“Niger Delta communities can no longer farm or fish. This is why we must build solidarity and unity, our voices must be heard at the national and global levels.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Ken Henshaw, the Executive Director, We the People, called for an urgent transition from the use of fossil fuels.

Henshaw faulted multinational oil corporations for the region’s environmental challenges and criticised the country’s economic dependence on crude oil.

“As a country, if we refuse to break away from fossil fuel, we will be contributing to the climate crisis.

“We need an economy that is not tied to oil and gas, communities need direct support and protection from climate-related disasters,” he said.

Also speaking, Anthony Hayward, a lawyer, said that Niger Delta communities had shown remarkable courage in their quest for environmental justice.

He joined the call to decentralise Nigeria’s climate governance structure and the need for reparations to oil-producing communities.

The lawyer said that Nigeria should be more proactive about the campaign against environmental pollution by ensuring that the positions of the law prevailed at all times.

The event brought together environmental activists, legal experts, civil society leaders, and impacted community representatives, among others.

By Precious Akutamadu

10th anniversary: NAGGW to hold high profile celebration in Jigawa – D-G

Michael Simire
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10th anniversary: NAGGW to hold high profile celebration in Jigawa – D-G

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) says it will hold a high-profile celebration on July 29, 2025, to mark its 10th anniversary.

Alhaji Saleh Abubakar
Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Alhaji Saleh Abubakar

The Director-General (D-G) of the agency, Mr. Sale Abubakar, made this known on Friday, July 11, in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Umar Namadi.

Abubakar said the agency has over the years led national efforts in combating desertification, restoring degraded lands and improving livelihoods in the 11 frontline states of Northern Nigeria.

He explained that through extensive afforrestation, water harvesting, and community engagement programmes, the agency made measurable contributions to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The director-general added that Jigawa was among the 11 frontline states of the agency’s operation and due to its strategic importance.

Abubakar stated, “Aside the normal GGW activities, projects like the Action Against Desertification (AAD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), were all executed in the state.

“The agency will be bold to state that Jigawa has the highest GGW activities and other international funding support.

“Hennce the reason to select it as the venue for this year’s GGW Day which coincides with the 10th Anniversary of the agency.

“To commemorate a decade of dedicated service and raise national awareness, the agency is planning a high-profile celebration to be hosted in Dutse on July 29, 2025.”

According to him, the event will serve as a moment of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to the goals of the African Union-led Great Green Wall Initiative (GGWI).

Abubakar added that the previous GGW Day was celebrated in Abuja with Vice-President Kashim Shettima in attendance, among other top-notch personalities.

He added that the event would feature activities like National Green Wall Summit and a fund raising to complement the Federal Government’s effort.

According to him, other activities lined up include public tree planting campaigns, environmental awareness programmes, cultural and stakeholders engagement, as well as awards to recognise partners and contributors.

“We are extolling your remarkable commitment to national development and CSR particularly in supporting social impactful causes.

“Therefore, your usual cooperation in championing the cause of mitigating climate change menace in your state and beyond, the agency decided to host this year’s event in Dutse.

“This is to appreciate your unwavering commitment to environmental concerns.

Responding, the Governor commended the agency for its laudable programmes that helped the state safeguard its environment and restored degraded soil in many parts of the state.

Namadi assured of his administration’s readiness to host the summit as well as ensure its success in all ramifications.

“I want to assure that Jigawa is happy to host this year’s summit and we are ready to ensure the success of the summit in all ramifications.

“You will find us cooperative and supportive.

“As a New World, on behalf of the people and government of Jigawa, I want to sincerely thank you for choosing the state for this year’s summit,” the governor added.

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

We remain committed to harnessing gas in Nigeria – Ekpo

Michael Simire
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We remain committed to harnessing gas in Nigeria – Ekpo

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s vast gas resources with stakeholders.

Sahara Group
Participants at Asharami Square, convened by Sahara Group

Ekpo said gas must be seen not just as fuel, but as a legacy for future generations and a driver of economic transformation across the country.

He gave the assurance on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Lagos during a keynote at the second edition of Asharami Square, convened by Sahara Group to promote energy dialogue.

The event was with the theme, “Harnessing Gas for Africa’s Sustainable Future”.

Represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Mr. Abel Nse, Ekpo said the ministry would keep working with regulators for a stable, innovation-driven policy environment.

He identified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission as key collaborators in this effort.

Ekpo praised Sahara Group for shaping public discourse, stating that Asharami Square helps bridge the gap between intention and action in the energy transition space.

“It is an honour to join you at this important initiative reshaping how we act on the urgent themes of sustainability, energy transition, and development,” Ekpo said.

He noted that although Africa has abundant gas reserves, the continent still battles energy poverty, poor infrastructure, and limited access to clean, affordable energy.

“This paradox must be resolved – not later, but now,” he added.

Ekpo stressed that natural gas should be seen not only as a transitional fuel, but as a transformational one capable of accelerating inclusive growth.

He said gas can power industries, energise homes, cut dependence on dirtier fuels, and enable economic diversification in key sectors.

Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he said, the Decade of Gas is a strategic move to reduce poverty and promote clean energy alternatives nationwide.

“Harnessing gas requires more than goodwill – it needs bold investment in infrastructure and delivery mechanisms,” he added.

He said pipelines must connect supply to demand, while virtual pipelines should serve remote and underserved communities across Nigeria.

Ekpo emphasised the need for de-risked investment environments and financial frameworks that attract private-sector participation in gas projects.

He cited LPG penetration programmes for clean cooking and regional ventures such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and West African Gas Pipeline expansion.

Quoting the International Energy Agency, he said Africa holds over 7 per cent of global gas reserves but uses under 5 per cent of global gas output.

“This mismatch between potential and use must be urgently addressed,” he said.

Ekpo called on local and foreign investors to help expand Nigeria’s gas infrastructure for both domestic consumption and export markets.

“Our aim is clear: let no molecule of gas be stranded,” he said.

He said the Petroleum Industry Act offers a modern regulatory framework that encourages transparency, competitiveness, and boosts investor confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector.

Speaking on the media’s role, Ekpo said journalists influence public policy and must be empowered to tell stories that inspire change and humanise energy poverty.

“In an era of misinformation, the media can either spark action or fuel indifference,” he warned.

He urged journalists to connect gas narratives to jobs, health, education, and dignity in their reporting.

Ekpo called for a collective effort in shaping Africa’s energy future, rather than being passive in the global energy transition.

“Gas gives us flexibility to meet rising demand, reduce emissions, and support renewables. Let us act now to ensure gas powers Africa’s transformation,” he said.

By Yunus Yusuf

Accelerating climate technologies for buildings, infrastructure

Michael Simire
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Accelerating climate technologies for buildings, infrastructure

During the June 2025, UN Climate Meetings in Bonn, the Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC hosted a side event that brought together experts, government representatives and financial institutions to examine how data, finance and technology can drive the deployment of climate technologies in buildings and infrastructure.

City
A city. Photo credit: Pixabay / Graphical

Organised in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Climate Policy Centre, the session underscored the urgent need to scale up climate solutions for buildings, especially in developing countries.

Buildings and Cities at the Heart of Climate Solutions

Buildings account for nearly one-third of global CO₂ emissions and are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. However, they also offer a major opportunity for rapid and cost-effective action. Opening the session, Sophie De Coninck, Director of Means of Implementation at UN Climate Change, stressed the urgent need for an integrated approach that combines policy, technology, data, and finance.

Representing the COP30 Presidency, Ambassador Antonio Da Costa e Silva of Brazil’s Ministry of Cities called for a greater focus on urban issues ahead of COP30 in Belém. While forests are expected to be a central theme, he argued that COP30 should also be “a COP of cities” – noting that 80% of the Amazonian population lives in urban areas grappling with informal settlements, housing deficits, and rising climate risks.

Data-Driven Tools for Decision-Making

MIT Professor Christoph Reinhart presented innovative digital tools that model energy use and retrofit potential for millions of buildings. In Massachusetts, these tools have already informed policy and incentive design. Users can input building characteristics to receive tailored retrofit options, cost estimates, and projected emissions reductions.

The tools are now being adapted for use in other countries, such as Brazil, India and Portugal, to support globally accessible, open-data models that empower both governments and building owners to make informed decisions.

Hanane Hafraoui of GlobalABC highlighted that the “technology toolkit” for buildings already exists, with a catalogue by the Solar Impulse Foundation/GlobalABC containing over 1,500 cost-effective, ready-to-deploy solutions. She stressed the need to align policy, skills development and finance to accelerate implementation.

Financial Institutions Call for Market Signals

In a panel discussion, experts from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), University College London (UCL), and Kyrgyzstan stressed the importance of market-enabling environments.

EBRD’s Jan Willem Van de Ven called for clear national strategies and locally adapted energy performance standards. Dastan Abdyldaev from Kyrgyzstan shared the country’s experience revising national building codes, despite limited data, with support from the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). UCL’s York Ostermeyer discussed the role of digital building passports in reducing investment risk and borrowing costs, noting that well-documented energy performance can lower interest rates by 15–25 basis points in Europe, making a significant difference over time.

Participants also highlighted key challenges for the Global South, including data gaps, informal construction and evolving building types. They stressed the need for inclusive finance, noting that lack of land tenure and insurance complicates investment in informal settlements. There were also calls for sustainability in building design, focusing on the need for reduced consumption and the importance of collaboration – with growing interest in the harmonization of tools, standards and data models.

Next Steps

The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) is preparing two policy briefs to help countries accelerate climate action in buildings and infrastructure. Discussions will continue at the TEC’s 31st meeting (TEC 31) in September 2025, with members and partners exploring how best to implement these insights and recommendations.

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