Nigerian plastic manufacturers have been reminded by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) that their participation in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme is mandatory to bolster government initiatives to address the country’s plastic waste pollution crisis.
NESREA officials during an inspection of various plastic and packaging companies in Lagos State
Dr. Innocent Barikor, Director General of NESREA, who reinforced the call during an inspection of some plastic and packaging companies in Lagos, stated that the visit was part of the agency’s grand plan to gather information on how to best develop a regulatory framework that would be used to implement the EPR initiative throughout the country.
Nigeria is currently implementing a project with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to explore how to use the circular economy concept to reduce plastic pollution and its impacts in Africa, which the EPR is a key component of.
“We want to assess stakeholders’ understanding of the EPR implementation, get firsthand information on plastic pollution management strategies in the respective states, and evaluate plastic packaging producers’ knowledge of their obligations, including the formation and subscription to Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs),” the DG, who was represented by Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku, NESREA’s Assistant Director, Plastics Pollution Control, said.
He urged the different producers to help implement the EPR in their sectors in order to expedite the nation’s goals of leveraging the circular economy approach to address the waste pollution crisis, increase job opportunities, and advance a sustainable environment for all Nigerians.
As Donald Trump was sworn into office for a second term as the President of the United States, he has, for the second time, announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he attends an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event at Capital One Arena, on January 20, 2025, in Washington. Photo credit: Evan Vucci/AP
“I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off,” Trump said as he signed the executive order ahead of his inauguration. “The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity.”
Trump’s presidential orders include declaring an “Energy Emergency”, which could give the administration increased powers to approve production of both fossil fuels and, interestingly, critical green minerals, essential to the energy transition.
Though the withdrawal is immediate, it officially takes a year to kick in; and the order indicates the administration’s intent to limit participating, including cutting funding for climate mitigation and adaptation, and increasing production of fossil-fuels.
The US exit from the Paris Agreement means that America is withdrawing from a global pact aimed at mitigating climate change. The agreement, signed in 2015, brings almost 200 countries together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels.
The US is the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter behind only China. The exit means that America will no longer be bound by the agreement’s requirements, such as submitting plans to reduce carbon emissions.
However, it’s worth noting that the agreement has no enforcement mechanisms, so countries can’t be punished for not meeting their targets.
Months after taking office for the first time in 2017, President Trump signed an order to withdraw from the pact, a move President Joe Biden promptly reversed on his first day in office in 2021.
While wildfires in Los Angeles serve as a reminder of the immediate impacts of the climate crisis, the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement highlights the continued challenges in global climate action.
As scientists call for drastic reductions in carbon emissions,UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has already noted that the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would undermine global efforts to halt climate change.
“The Paris agreement can survive, but people sometimes can lose important organs or lose the legs and survive. But we don’t want a crippled Paris agreement. We want a real Paris agreement,” Guterres told the Guardian. “It’s very important that the United States remain in the Paris Agreement, and more than remain in the Paris agreement, that the United States adopts the kind of policies that are necessary to make the 1.5 degrees still a realistic objective.”
Implications for Africa
Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with many countries already experiencing severe droughts, floods, and heatwaves. The US exit may lead to reduced international support for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in Africa.
This could exacerbate the already devastating impacts of climate change on the continent, including food and water scarcity, displacement, and economic instability.
“The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of action,” observed Dr. Joyce Kimutai, Climate Scientist at Imperial College London and Kenya Meteorological Department. “Vulnerable communities, who have contributed the least to this crisis, are bearing the heaviest burdens. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are eroding developmental gains and plunging countries further into debt. The longer we wait, the harder recovery will become, and the planet will face massive losses and damages.”
The US exit may also lead to a decrease in climate finance for Africa. The Paris Agreement aims to mobilise climate finance for developing countries, including those in Africa. Without US participation, it may be challenging to meet this goal, leaving African countries with limited resources to address climate change.
According to Faten Aggad, Executive Director of the African Future Policies Hub, “the world cannot afford to see the largest greenhouse gas emitter per capita and the second largest emitter globally disengage from an agreement that is already under significant strain.
“Truth be told, we need the US to act seriously. After all, it is responsible for 13.5% of global emissions – more than 4-fold Africa’s contribution as a full continent. This is the moment for a stronger leadership from industrialised economies, whose higher ambition is the only way forward to compensate for the USA’s failures.”
The US exit may also impact African economies that are transitioning to renewable energy. The Paris Agreement aims to promote the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. Without US participation, African countries may face reduced access to technology, expertise, and funding for renewable energy projects.
All Hope Not Lost
Even without the US on board, some experts believe that the rest of the world will continue to move forward with climate action.
“This decision is a major setback at a time when the urgency of climate change calls for more concerted action, solidarity and greater ambition. Faced with this situation, we reaffirm our commitment to working for fair climate finance and inclusive solutions for the energy transition,” said Mouhamadou Sissoko, Secretary General, Teranga Lab, Senegal.
According to Just Climate Policy Expert, Julius Mbatia, “the world has lived through this once, and greater multilateral cooperation holds a promise to handle it yet again.”
He added that “it’s inconceivable that the US pulls out of the Paris Agreement and quench its strategic role in shaping the green and safe future that is in the making. This is not the leadership required at a moment when the majority of the people and States are mobilising for climate action and issue unmatched commitment to tackling the climate crisis.”
The US exit from the Paris Agreement indeed poses significant setback for global climate action, and raises challenges for Africa, from reduced climate finance to decreased support for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
However, many countries, cities, and businesses remain committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.
“Trump attempting to sabotage global efforts to tackle the climate crisis, is a huge threat to our future. Africa, being one of the continents facing the impacts of the climate crisis, will not stop in the face of those who choose to risk everything for the profit of a privileged few,” said Fred Njehu, Pan-African Political Strategist for Greenpeace Africa.
Kofi Adu Domfeh is a journalist and climate reality leader; adomfeh@gmail.com
The Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has expressed disappointment at the decision made on January 20, 2025, by President Donald Trump to once again withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the landmark global Accord aimed at curbing the catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Dr Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA)
The group submitted that, while the decision comes as no surprise, its implications for the future of the planet and the global fight for climate justice are profound and worrying.
As the largest historic polluter, the United States bears significant responsibility for the climate crisis currently affecting vulnerable nations worldwide, said PACJA, adding that Trump’s unilateral move threatens to undermine international efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a threshold critical to the survival of millions of people in Africa, the least developed regions, and the global South.
PACJA believes that this decision exacerbates existing challenges and delays much-needed climate action at a time when the world needs all hands to be on deck.
Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, expressed the Alliance’s concern, saying: “The decision by Donald Trump to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement for the second time is both reckless and damaging. It sends a dangerous message to the rest of the world, particularly to the most vulnerable communities in Africa and the global South, that some of the wealthiest nations are not committed to shared global responsibilities. As a continent, Africa is already feeling the devastating effects of climate change, and this decision further entrenches the inequities that exist within the climate crisis.”
Dr. Mwenda continued, highlighting the critical role the U.S. must play in global climate governance: “The U.S. is the largest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, and its continued disregard for international climate commitments severely hampers our collective efforts. Climate justice demands that nations such as the U.S. take responsibility for their past actions and contribute significantly to the fight against climate change. This decision undermines the progress we made at COP28 and threatens the integrity of future climate negotiations.”
According to PACJA, Trump’s justification for this withdrawal – claiming it would protect American jobs and industries from an unfair economic burden – ignores the reality that climate action can drive economic growth and create jobs.
“Moreover, his criticism of countries like China and India for not having equivalent obligations fails to acknowledge that the U.S. is the largest historic polluter and has an obligation to lead in reducing emissions and supporting global efforts to mitigate climate change.
“This decision also falls within the broader pattern of U.S. half-hearted commitment to the UNFCCC, dating back to the U.S. refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, the weak outcomes of the 2009 Copenhagen Summit, and the Trump administration’s rollback of domestic climate policies like the Clean Power Plan. Such inconsistency undermines the global momentum required to tackle the climate crisis and puts vulnerable nations like those in Africa at even greater risk.”
PACJA also stressed that the fight for climate justice goes beyond just reducing emissions. “It includes delivering on climate finance pledges to support the most vulnerable countries adapt and build resilience to climate impacts. As countries like the U.S. turn their backs on international agreements, they further jeopardise the ability of developing nations to protect their people and ecosystems.”
In light of this decision, PACJA urged African governments, climate advocates, and the global community to remain steadfast in their commitment to the Paris Agreement.
“The alliance calls for continued and enhanced efforts to pressure the U.S. and other major emitters to honour their obligations to tackle the climate crisis and ensure a just and equitable transition to a sustainable future.”
PACJA reiterated its call for a united, collective global response to the climate crisis – one that centres on justice, equity, and accountability.
“It is also time to urge for punitive sanctions against the Trump Government as it joins, shamefully, the axis of climate terrorism – Iran, Yemen and Libya, which are yet to ratify the Paris Agreement.”
Dr. Augustine Njamnshi, the Executive Director of the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA), who is also the Chair of the Technical and Political Affairs Committee of PACJA, said: “Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement should not discourage us but should galvanise people power and international solidarity as the only hope we have of averting an unimaginable climate crisis which will fan the flames of every existing inequality and injustice.
“It will take all of us around the world, organising together, to hold the historic emitters like the U.S. under the watch of Donald Trump to account and ensure our governments also do their fair share of climate action in the next four years to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. Trump’s decision doesn’t change that.”
The Federal Government has called on the media to mobilise, educate and sensitise the Nigerians on the need to embrace agriculture and promote food security in the country.
Agriculture
Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security stated this at a workshop for Agriculture Correspondents on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in Abuja.
The workshop, with the theme “Building Strong Partnership with the media for Food Security”, was organised by the Department of Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He underscored the importance to mobilise, educate and sensitise the Nigerian populace on the need to embrace agriculture.
Ogunbiyi said that the Ministry recognised the importance of effective communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing in achieving its lofty objectives.
He said the event had become expedient, given the emphasis the present administration placed on agricultural development and the priority it attaches to the attainment of food security.
“This workshop is, therefore, a critical step towards fostering a deeper understanding of our Ministry’s activities, programmes and projects among media correspondents for proper reportage.
“The importance of Agriculture in our national economy cannot be over-emphasised, especially with the global economic challenges and the need for diversification of our economy.
“There is therefore, the need to mobilise, educate and sensitise the Nigeria populace on the need to embrace agriculture,” he said.
Speaking, Dr Joel Oruche, the Director, Department of Information, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, called for stronger partnership with the association to actualise the ministry’s mandate on food security, employment generation among others.
“Essentially, as we make effort towards ensuring food security in our dear country, it is important that we forge a strong synergy to ensure that this is achieved.
“Your duty in this regard is to continuously educate the public on the policies, programmes and activities of the ministry that impact on farmers.
“Small holder farmers indeed depend on your ability to educate them on methodologies, inputs availability and application of implements that can enhance their yield,” he said.
In a presentation, the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Dr Deola Lordbanjou, said that food was a critical issue that is impacting the well-being and economic stability of any nation.
He said that the theme of the workshop underscored the critical role that media partnerships play in promoting food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
“The extension advisory services provide technical advice on best agricultural practices, helping farmers optimise their productivity,” he said.
Lordbanjou said the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) is an ongoing innovative initiative aimed at revolutionising agricultural extension delivery in the country.
He said that the NEEP was developed by the Ministry of Agriculture to provide real-time market information to farmers, helping them make informed decisions.
“Weather updates and alerts assist farmers in planning their activities and optimising their productivity.
“NEEP will offer services such as market information, weather updates, farm inputs, extension advisory services, and a feedback mechanism to bridge gaps between farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
“This platform will serve as a transformative tool for enhancing agricultural extension delivery,” he said.
In another presentation, Mr. Ishaku Buba, the National Coordinator, National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), said the scheme had registered farmers nationwide.
He said it was done through the use of ICT to promote transparency, accountability and ease assessment or evaluation of impacts.
The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) says it plans to light up one million houses in rural communities nationwide using clean energy.
A solar mini-grid system
National Coordinator, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Mr. Jabiru Abdullahi, disclosed this at an inaugural media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
He said that although the project would be tasking and require a huge amount of money, partners who also have an interest in clean energy would be engaged to ensure success.
While emphasising collaboration for transparency and sustainable development, Abdullahi highlighted the agency’s role in implementing the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He commended the media for its role in shaping narratives, holding institutions accountable, and connecting citizens with good governance.
Abdullahi also called on the media to amplify transformative stories and foster accountability.
He outlined priorities such as good governance, capacity building, and empowerment of farmers, youth, and women to ensure success.
According to him, aligning with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, the partnership aims to inspire collective action for a prosperous Africa while addressing national challenges.
“I have an agenda which I hope to achieve. Starting from this year, I intend to light up one million houses using clean energy. It is by no means an easy task.
“But it is doable. With the right partners that are there to mitigate climate changes, we will achieve this. We are targeting the rural communities they lack rural electrification access.
“Some may wonder how we intend to power one million houses, it is not going to be in one stare, it will be spread across the nation.
“I know the cost is huge, but I am optimistic that we will achieve it,” Abdullahi said.
The National Coordinator noted that AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria has made significant strides over the years, such as leading Nigeria’s second peer review process.
“Empowering over 55 professionals through the NEPAD Academy with skills in governance, technology, and leadership.
“Driving smallholder farmer programmes that provide tools, resources, and knowledge to enhance productivity and secure food systems across Nigeria.
“Also, through oganising nationwide sensitisation workshops and training on violence-free elections and governance, aligning with the principles of democracy and political stability,” Abdullahi added.
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged mining companies to adhere to environmental laws to avoid endangering the lives of inhabitants.
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Lafia
Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Mr. Mohammed Omadefu, stated this on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in Lafia, the state capital, when he hosted a team from the Netherlands under the auspices of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation.
Omadefu said that the house would continue to monitor the activities of mining companies in order to ensure that they adhere strictly to environmental laws.
“We will not allow companies in the mining sector to endanger inhabitants in the state by compromising environmental laws.
“This is to promote the health of our people and for the overall development of the state,” he said.
The chairman promised the team that the climate change bill he sponsored will soon be passed into law.
He appealed to the government of the Netherlands to shift its attention to erosion-affected areas in Nasarawa State as the programme winds down.
The lawmaker assured them of the assembly’s commitment to pass laws and resolutions that would have positive impacts on the lives of the people of the state.
Earlier, Mr Joseph Ibrahim, the Team Lead/Programme Manager, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, said the intervention has been implemented in eight African countries in the last four years.
Ibrahim said that Nasarawa State was ripe for climate policy to guarantee climate justice.
The programme manager also said that the visit was to appreciate the house for legislating on a bill seeking to curb the impact of climate change.
“And to brainstorm on how to mitigate resultant effects of climate change,” he said.
Reducing energy prices in the European Union is a top priority, and measures to achieve this will be revealed next month, according to European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen
“Energy prices in Europe are still structurally higher than in the United States and China, and they vary significantly within the European Union,” von der Leyen said on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
“We must bring them down while we complete the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels.”
Diversifying energy suppliers and investing in “next-generation clean energy technologies” were key to lowering prices in the bloc, she said, listing fusion, enhanced geothermal, and solid-state batteries as examples.
Geothermal energy uses heat from deeper layers of bedrock to generate energy. In fusion, unlike in the reactors of conventional nuclear power plants, atomic nuclei are fused at extreme temperatures instead of being split.
The EU also needed to attract more private capital to modernise electricity grids and storage infrastructure and better connect low-carbon energy systems.
Von der Leyen said she is planning to present a plan for affordable energy in February.
The commission sees the comparatively high energy prices in the EU as one of the main obstacles to reviving a weakening economy and the competitiveness of the bloc.
Health experts and stakeholders in Nigeria have warned that the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) could significantly affect Nigeria’s health sector and global health security.
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare
The stakeholders spoke on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in Abuja.
U.S. President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the country from WHO.
This marks the second time Trump is giving an order for the U.S. to pull out of the WHO.
He had been critical of how the international body handled COVID-19 and began the process of pulling out from the Geneva-based institution during the pandemic.
President Joe Biden later reversed that decision.
Dr Daniel Adakole, a public health expert, described the decision as a major setback for global health efforts, particularly for low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
“The WHO is one of the largest facilitators of health pprogrammes in Nigeria, from polio eradication to disease surveillance systems.
“The U.S. withdrawal means reduced funding, which could destabilise critical interventions, especially in rural and underserved areas,” Adakole said.
Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of WHO-supported programmes, including its fight against polio, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.
Dr Mercy Takpa, a Peadiatrician, highlighted how U.S. funding had bolstered immunisation programmes.
“The WHO, with U.S. support, played a pivotal role in helping Nigeria to eradicate wild polio in 2020.
“A reduction in funding might slow down ongoing efforts to maintain polio-free certification, address vaccine-preventable diseases, and achieve universal health coverage,” Takpa said.
According to her, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), heavily supported by U.S. contributions to WHO, is already facing funding uncertainties.
“This could lead to a resurgence of diseases that we have worked hard to control,” she said.
Dr Mojisola Akanji, a Virlogist, said that the decision came at a time when global health systems were still grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19.
“Without the US, WHO’s ability to coordinate international pandemic preparedness will be diminished.
“For Nigeria, this means delayed access to critical resources like vaccines, technical expertise, and early warning systems for emerging diseases,” Akanji said.
Stakeholders in maternal and child health have also expressed concern.
Mrs Lydia Dimka, a retired nurse and an advocate for maternal health, said that WHO’s programmes addressing maternal mortality and child immunisation were vital for Nigeria.
“Every year, WHO supports initiatives that save thousands of lives.
“If funding is cut, maternal and child health indicators will worsen, especially in the North-East and North-West, where health access is already limited,” Dimka said.
Mr Danladi Kutara, an Economist, called on African nations to strengthen regional health initiatives to mitigate the potential fallout.
Kutara urged Nigeria and the African Union to seek alternative funding sources.
“This is a wake-up call for African nations to take greater ownership of health programmess.
“While the WHO remains a key partner, we must work towards reducing dependence on foreign contributions,” he said.
Meanwhile, WHO expressed regret over the decision by the US to withdraw, highlighting the crucial role WHO plays in global health, including protecting Americans by addressing diseases and responding to health emergencies.
The organisation said that as a founding member since 1948, the US had significantly contributed to and benefited from WHO efforts, such as eradicating smallpox and nearly eradicating polio.
It expressed its commitment to ongoing reforms to enhance accountability and impact, urging the US to reconsider and maintain the partnership for the health and well-being of people worldwide.
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment towards attaining a clean, safe and sustainable environment in Nigeria.
Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, stated this on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at a one-day workshop on the review of decommissioning plans and environmental remediation strategies in Abuja.
The minister said that the workshop aimed to enhance the technical expertise of participants in evaluating decommissioning plans and environmental remediation strategies.
He said it also aimed to promote compliance with national and international environmental standards and guidelines among others.
Lawal said that the event was not just timely, but crucial to environmental sustainability.
He said that the event underscored the collective responsibility to ensure that environmental sustainability remains at the forefront of the country’s national development agenda.
“This workshop also represents an important step toward ensuring that industrial activities in Nigeria align with the highest standards of environmental protection and sustainability,” he said.
He said that decommissioning and remediation were critical aspects of sustainable resource management.
“Nigeria like many nations, faces challenges in the areas of regulatory compliance, capacity building and the availability of advanced technologies for decommissioning and remediation.
“However, these challenges also present opportunities. By investing in training and fostering collaborations among stakeholders.
“We can build a robust framework that ensures best practices are adopted and enforced.
“As Nigeria continues to grow its industrial, extractive and energy sectors, we must not lose sight of the potential environmental and social impacts of these activities.
“Ensuring that sites are properly decommissioned and that effective remediation strategies are implemented is vital to safeguarding the health of our people.
“This will also protect biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of our natural resources.
“Over the years, we have witnessed poorly managed decommissioning and remediation efforts leading to long-term environmental damage, public health crises and substantial economic costs,” he said.
Lawal said the ministry recognised the invaluable contributions of agencies like the National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in enforcing environmental regulations.
He equally recognised the contribution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP) for remediation and cleanup of the Niger Delta region.
“Together, we will continue to build a future where industrial growth is balanced with environmental protection as well as ensuring a safe and sustainable Nigeria for generations to come,” he said.
In a remark, Dr. Innocent Barikor, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), said that decommissioning industrial facilities was an integral part of the agency’s regulatory oversight.
He said that NESREA plays a vital role in safeguarding Nigeria’s environment by enforcing compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards.
“Our responsibilities span multiple sectors, including energy, manufacturing, telecommunications and extractive industries.
“Our work ensures that industrial activities do not compromise the well-being of our ecosystems or communities.
“As you know decommissioning industrial facilities is an integral part of our regulatory oversight.
“This process goes beyond the cessation of operations; it involves managing environmental risks, ensuring safe disposal of waste, mitigating hazards and remediating sites to protect public health.
“This workshop is designed to provide you, as NESREA staff, with the tools to effectively evaluate and oversee these processes, ensuring they align with both national regulations and international best practices.
“As a regulator, our effectiveness depends on the strength of our knowledge base, the clarity of our processes, and our ability to adapt to evolving environmental challenges,” he said.
In a presentation, European Union (EU), programme facilitator, Mrs Agharese Onaghise, said that the idea of decommissioning was to serve as an environmental cleanup and remediation strategy to help recover and protect lands for future purposes.
“Decommissioning can be defined as the administrative and technical actions taken to remove some or all of the regulatory controls from a facility so that the facility and it’s site can be reused or repurposed.
“This process encompasses all activities from initial planning to final site release, including decontamination, dismantling waste management and environmental remediation,” she said.
She said that the scope of decommissioning varies, depending on the type and complexity of the facility, the nature and extent of contamination and the applicable regulatory requirements.
UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) have officially launched the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, marking a crucial milestone in global efforts to protect the vital ice that provides freshwater to over 2 billion people.
The disappearance of glaciers is considered by scientists as one of the clearest signs of climate change. Photo credit: beforeitsnews.com
This global and coordinated initiative throughout the year will seek to highlight about the critical role of glaciers and address the urgent challenges posed by accelerated glacier melt.
Around 70% of the global freshwater is stored in glaciers and ice sheets, however these ice formations are rapidly retreating due to climate disruption. Preserving these crucial resources is essential for environmental sustainability, economic stability and safeguarding cultures and livelihoods.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to raise awareness on the vital role glaciers, snow, and ice play in the climate system and water cycle, as well as the far-reaching impacts of rapid glacial melt.
UNESCO and WMO are the lead agencies coordinating these international efforts supported by over 75 international organisations and 35 countries. WMO hosted the launch event at its Geneva headquarters on Tuesday, January 21, while UNESCO will host celebrations of the very first World Day for Glaciers at its Paris headquarters from March 20 to 21. On this occasion, UNESCO will dedicate its World Water Report to the issue of glaciers, with new data on their disappearance and the measures put in place deal with this challenge.
“The preservation of glaciers stands as one of humanity’s most urgent challenges. These ancient ice formations are not just frozen water – they are the guardians of our planet’s climate history, the source of life for billions, and sacred places for many cultures. Their rapid disappearance is a stark reminder that we must act now,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
“WMO recently confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record and has sounded repeated Red Alerts about the state of our climate, including the retreat of glaciers. In 2023, glaciers suffered the largest mass loss in the five decades of record-keeping. It was the second consecutive year in which all regions in the world with glaciers reported ice loss. Melting ice and glaciers threaten long-term water security for many millions of people. This international year must be a wake-up call to the world,” said Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO.
The International Year of Glacier Preservation will focus on several critical areas:
Expanding global glacier monitoring systems to enhance data collection and analysis
Developing early warning systems for glacier-related hazards
Promoting sustainable water resource management in glacier-dependent regions
Preserving cultural heritage and traditional knowledge related to glacial environments
Engaging youth in glacier preservation efforts and climate action
‘Water towers of the world‘
Glaciers supply freshwater to over half of humanity. As they retreat they are altering water availability and quality downstream, with implications for aquatic ecosystems and sectors including agriculture and hydropower. This is accompanied by a short-term in landslides, avalanches, floods and droughts, as well as a long-term threat to the security of water supplies for billions of people.
As frozen time capsules of the earth’s past, glaciers provide scientists with invaluable data about historical climate patterns, atmospheric composition, and even human activity spanning thousands of years. Their disappearance also results in the loss of unique ecosystems and biodiversity that have evolved in these specialised environments.
For Indigenous Peoples especially, glaciers hold profound cultural and spiritual significance, often considered sacred spaces and the abode of deities. The loss of these ice formations would mean the irreversible disappearance of sites central to cultural heritage and spiritual practices that have been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 will mobilise governments, scientific institutions, private sector organisations, and civil society to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement effective adaptation strategies. Only through collaborative action and increased awareness will these vital resources be preserved for future generations.
