The British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, has said a British battery recycling company is to be set up in Ogun State, an official disclosed on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Abeokuta.
Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State
Mr Lekan Adeniran, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, said in a statement that Montgomery disclosed this when he visited Gov. Abiodun in his office.
He said Montgomery, who led some officials of the British High Commission on the courtesy call on Gov. Abiodun, stated that when operational the company would be the best in Africa.
“The British High Commissioner added that his brief visit to the state was about the deal, put together for recycling, which was moving out of Lagos State and establishing a new plant in Ogun for recycling e-waste.
“He (Montgomery) said further that Ogun Invest and the Director General of Lands were working to ensure the deal comes off the line, and he was glad to join in the final conversation,” Adeniran said.
He went on to report him (Montgomery) as expressing that the company would hopefully bring new technology and new jobs to the state.
“The battery we will be manufacturing in Ogun will be the first of its kind in Africa, and we will make the state the leader in battery recycling in Africa.
“For the first time, it is now possible to recycle the cell back into chemical form in Africa and export the black mass, which contains the minerals inside the battery, to make new batteries.
“It is really exciting that we received support from Ogun Invest, and officials from the Bureau of Lands confirmed the Certificate of Occupation.
“We can say that the investment will be about five million dollars, and we want Ogun to be the place where this industry can grow,” the High Commissioner was reported as saying.
“Montgomery also added that the UK would like to participate in energy, technology, tertiary education, agricultural processing, and also explore how to find more UK-linked companies to invest in the state.”
Adeniran quoted Gov. Abiodun as saying Ogun had a large expanse of land suitable for cultivating food and cash crops, just as large deposits of limestone and other minerals were available.
“He (Abiodun) said the state remains home to numerous manufacturing companies and had the biggest industrial park as a result of the gas pipelines from the Niger Delta which crisscross the length and breadth of the state.
“Abiodun noted that the deliberate provision of road infrastructure and other amenities was to attract more investments to meaningfully impact the lives of the people.
“The governor, who acknowledged the relationship between Nigeria and the UK, said the state had benefited from the training of its staff, especially those managing the state transport system.”
“We are open for business. Our administration has made the environment attractive. We have reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks to the barest minimum.
“Also, we have made land acquisition seamless for investors,” the governor was quoted as saying.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has constituted an ad-hoc committee on emergency preparedness plan for earth tremor in some parts of the FCT.
Earth tremor
The Director, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, after a meeting with stakeholders over the earth tremor in parts of Mpape, Katampe and Maitama on Saturday.
Mohammed outlined the committee’s plan to conduct public awareness campaigns, informing residents of essential safety measures and emergency procedures to follow in the event of a tremor in their communities.
He appealed to residents of the affected areas to evacuate their buildings in the event of a vibration and urged them to stay away from electric poles during tremors.
The director further appealed to residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.
Also, Mr Ulom Ifop, Deputy Director, Solid Minerals, FCT Administration, explained that the tremor was caused by a fault line under the ground, which places stress on the rocks.
Ifop, who expressed concern that the incidents may continue, stressed the need for a seismic substation at Toro and at Katampe Hill.
“We equally need a substation at Area 11, Asokoro and Maitama,” he added.
Similarly, a water consultant, Mr Taiwo Oyekan, blamed the development on human activities, which caused a friction on the edges of the rocks, leading to the tremor.
Oyekan, who advocated a blast threshold by quarry companies, added that all rock blasting in the area must be put on hold for now.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, who confirmed the Saturday’s vibration as earth tremor, has urged residents not to panic.
The agency explained that the tremor was low, and thereby, posed no threat.
Concerned residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, have expressed worry about the recent flooding in the state, describing it as devastating.
Hydropower dam
They note that the occurrence is the fallout of a system failure in public infrastructure, including dams across the country.
They also observe that, due to such system failures in Alau Dam in the Alau community of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno, the collapse of the dam has caused massive displacement and destruction in the city.
They express regret that many residents have been displaced from their homes, means of livelihood while a lot of property, including farm produce washed away.
Perspective observers note that the flooding has affected many sectors of economy and lifestyles in the environment, including the zoological garden where animals, including the wild ones, are thrown to the city in the flood.
Research has shown that Alau Dam, located 20 kilometres outside Maiduguri, was constructed in 1986 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida for irrigation purposes, flood control, and water supply, and it had collapsed previously.
The first collapse was in September 1994 when it displaced more than 4,000 people and destroyed a lot of property.
Alau Dam’s case is not isolated; Bunkure Dam in Kano also collapsed and destroyed farm produce on its bank in the early 1990s.
More than 200 dams, holding more than 31 billion cubic litre of water, are spread across the country largely for irrigation, power generation water supply, flood control and fisheries and they ought to be effectively maintained to check system failure, analysts observe.
However, it is a regret that Alau Dam, which has the capacity to store 112 million cubic litres of water, failed in spite of the N400 million budgeted for its rehabilitation in the last four years, an unconfirmed source notes.
It notes further that the dam got N285 million in 2020, N80 million in 2021, N37.5 million in 2023, and N30 million in 2024.
Minister of Water Resources Minister, Prof. Joseph Utsev, however, justifies why the dam emptied its massive water content to the street, saying: “The dam did not collapse but struggled to handle the excess water from nearby tributaries causing overflow into surrounding areas.
“Government officials confirmed that climate change has intensified rainfall leading to excess water that many dams are struggling to manage, and as temperature rises, we expect increased rainfall, leading to higher water volumes in our rivers and channels’’.
The minister also announced measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident, noting that “proactive measures are crucial to preventing future escalations; long term solutions are under way with budgetary allocation in 2024/ 2025 specifically targeting dams rehabilitation’’.
Raising more concerns about dam collapse, Prof. Simon Joshua, a water resources engineer, listed problems of dams in the country to include inadequate spillway flood capacities, loss of reservoir capacity due to sediments accumulation, and seepage.
“There is also absence of downstream release facilities for either irrigation or water supply, lack of hydrological information and monitoring, absence of reservoir operation rules and inadequate instrumentation,’’ he said.
Another engineer, Mr Lawrance Ekpo, however said that dam failure could be naturally triggered or caused by the failure of engineering sub-system that might cause instability of the dam or its operation.
“Dam failure in Nigeria is caused by combination of the many factors, including flood events, inadequate spillways, resulting in substantially or large consequences,’’ he said.
Apart from Alau Dam, available documents and records show that other dams, such as Bagauda Dam in Kano, failed due to similar factors that triggered the collapse of Alau Dam.
The Bagauda Dam was constructed and designed as zoned earth filled dam in 1969 and 1970 by direct labour.
The dam was constructed mainly for Kadawa irrigation site and to provide water to Kano metropolis and surrounding villages.
The dam failed on Aug. 16, 1988, after two days of intense rainfall which added about 10 cubic litres of water to the already filled reservoir, it overtopped the embankment and collapsed.
Similarly, Cham Dam in Gombe failed on Sept. 1, 1998, following overtopped by floods caused by 13 hours of continuous rainfall. The incident involved not only overflow of the embankment, but overflow without gate spillway.
Goronyo Dam in Sokoto failed twice, the first was on Aug. 15, 1984, and second in 2018. It was built in 1983 by the Shehu Shagari administration.
The Bagoma Dam incident in Kaduna State was no different. It failed on Sept. 10, 1994, due to piping through its foundation. The treatment and power houses were flooded, so also the access roads to nearby villages.
The same incident was recorded in Cross Rivers when Obudu Dam failed on Oct. 3, 2003, when 16 hours of excessive rain over filled its reservoir, and with the spillover structurally inadequate to accommodate the volume of water, the channel was eroded completely.
Waya Dam in Bauch State also failed on May 15, 1997. Waya dam is a homogenous earth dam with reservoir capacity of 30 million cubic litre of water.
The major cause of the failure was poor construction from the onset. The effect was the erosion of the inadequate spillway channel and flooding of the dam embankment.
The dam spillway was designed to discharge 150 cubic metres, but the flood that undermined the dam was recorded at 250 cubic metres.
It is clear that the immediate and remote causes of dam failure in Nigeria are almost the same as such maintenance must be given top priority.
There is also the need for government to redesign, maintain and transform multi-purpose dams into more viable facilities, and engage in massive advocacy and public awareness of water users and communities on risks and emergency actions to be adopted in case of flooding or any disaster.
Since dams can fail due to overtopping caused by floods, acts of sabotage, or structural failure of materials used in dam construction, dam experts suggest that dam operators should perform routine maintenance.
They also suggest that staff should undergo regular training to ensure they are fully prepared for a possible failure event.
By Abdul Hassan Abdullahi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Vice President Kashim Shettima says urgent action are necessary to mitigate harsh realities of climate change as communities face devastation in the country.
Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria
Shettima stated this on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Gombe during the North-East Climate Summit, organised by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).
The theme of the summit is: “Setting the Course for Sustained Climate Action in the North-East”.
Represented by Dr Aliyu Moddibo, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Shettima said that lives and livelihoods were being disrupted by the extreme weather conditions, forcing the nation to confront the urgent challenge head-on.
According to Shettima, the summit comes at a critical time signalling a long-overdue awakening to the existential threat posed by climate change.
“The climate crisis, evident in fluctuating water bodies, erratic weather, and widespread environmental instability, spares no region or population.
“Nigeria’s leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to the global fight against climate change, with an emphasis on cooperation and action.
“At the 2021 Dubai Climate Summit, Nigeria pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement an energy transition plan aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
“The country’s dedication to global environmental goals remains strong, with a clear focus on the urgent need for action,” he said.
The summit, he said, is a crucial step in finding solutions to the escalating impacts of climate change.
Shettima said that it reinforced Nigeria’s role in leading climate action, particularly in regions like the North-East, where environmental degradation and conflict compounded the challenges facing local population.
According to him, key initiatives such as the Great Green Wall project, are central to Nigeria’s strategy in combating desertification and restoring ecological balance.
On Nigeria’s 2024 flood outlook, Shettima warned that climate change cannot be taken lightly.
“Despite careful planning and proactive measures, the looming threat of floods is yet another indicator of the urgent need for comprehensive climate solutions,” he said.
The NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, underscored the need for long-term solution to the climate challenges facing the region.
Alkali noted that while significant progress has been made in rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods, the escalating impacts of climate change ranging from desertification to biodiversity loss demand swift and decisive action.
“This summit is not just a gathering, it is a platform for innovative solutions and partnerships that will help the North-East become a model for climate resilience,” Alkali said.
He said the summit would provide platform for academics, experts and stakeholders to develop strategies to combat environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development.
Also, the Chairman of the commission, Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa (Rtd), said the summit was important in making strategies to facilitate effective implementation of the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan.
He called for collaboration and innovation to overcome the lingering effects of the insurgency and socio-economic challenges towards building a prosperous future for the region.
“We face profound challenges, but they are surmountable. With the right strategies, this summit will lay the groundwork for a resilient North-East, restored and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.
On his part, Mr Manassah Jatau, the Gombe state deputy governor, said the state government’s efforts toward addressing the issues of climate change earned it second position after Lagos, in climate governance.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on downstream states of Lagdo Dam in Cameroon to activate flood control measures to avoid loss of lives and properties.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, gave the advice in Abuja on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at a news conference on earth tremor in Mpape, FCT and flood risks in some states of the federation.
The minister recalled the opening of the Cameroonian Lagdo Dam, saying that the overflowing of the dam affected about 137 hectares of land between July 1 and 31.
“Between August and September, a sharp increase was observed, with the overflow affecting 2,053 hectares by the end of August and reaching staggering 18,737 hectares by mid-September.
“These satellite images indicate a significant and escalating flood risk, and we advise downstream states, including Kogi, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa, to activate all necessary flood control measures.
“We will continue monitoring activities across the country and provide regular updates.”
Nnaji said series of earth tremor occurred in Mpape area of the FCT on Sept.16, saying that the tremor would have occurred due to seismic activities, but Mpape area was located on a fault lines.
He stated that there were foreshocks and aftershocks of the tremor, with local magnitudes of 2.4 and 2.2, respectively.
“The foreshocks may have occurred as a result of gradual strain withdrawal, which led to the total strain failure that caused the main event.
“This also reinforces earlier assertions of the reactivation of faults within the locality.
“The government is currently processing and analysing comprehensive datasets from its Seismological and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations to provide relevant recommendations to the FCT Administration.
“We urge the residents of Mpape, and by extension the wider Abuja area, to remain calm and continue their normal activities,” minister said.
According to Nnaji, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is closely monitoring the situation and will soon implement measures to mitigate the seismic risks.
The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju, said space science and technology had the capacity of providing the necessary information needed to addressing natural disaster.
Adepoju said that residents should not be panic, adding that the government was making efforts to mitigate serious consequences of such occurrence.
“When it happened in 2018, the Federal Government constituted a committee, and we got intervention from Federal Government to set up seismic and GNSS stations around the country.
“We are calling the attention of the public that we are monitoring because we have our equipment there and if the situation gets to an alarming rate, the government will not hesitate to do the needful.
“The government can evacuate people if need be but what we have in that axis has not gotten to that level at all,” he said.
He said that government had few seismic and GNSS stations across the country, hoping on more funding to cite more stations so as to develop early warning mechanisms.
He urged the FCT Administration to continue to reduce drilling and mining activities in Mpape area so as not to aggravate seismic activities along the fault lines because human activities have a way of impacting it.
One in four people on the planet experienced climate change-driven temperatures every day in June, July, and August because of the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, and coal, and human activities, according to a new report by Climate Central, a non-profit organisation.
Fossil fuel pollution from a coal power station
Between June and August, some 2 billion people were exposed to more than 30 days of health-threatening temperatures strongly influenced by climate change.
Seventy-two countries experienced their hottest summer since at least 1970, significantly driven by climate change, according to the report, adding that 180 cities in the Northern Hemisphere experienced at least one extreme heatwave from June to August.
These heatwaves are, on average, 21 times more likely today because of carbon pollution, mainly caused by burning coal, oil and gas, the Climate Central report added.
“High temperatures that were clearly influenced by climate change jeopardised the health of billions around the world during the past three months,” said Andrew Pershing, vice president for science at Climate Central. “No region, country, or city is safe from the deadly threats posed by burning fossil fuels.”
Using Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index, the new analysis quantifies the impact of climate change on temperatures and estimates the number of people affected by these extreme conditions. It provides detailed data on heat exposure at global, regional, local levels, and in about 1,200 cities.
To estimate the risks of heat to human health, researchers looked at days in which temperatures were significantly hotter than the historical record – the “risky heat” days. Temperatures on these days are hotter than 90% of temperatures observed in a local area over the 1991-2020 period – this represents a minimum mortality threshold at which heat-related health risks climb statistically.
Key Findings
Over 2 billion people (25% of the global population) experienced 30 or more days of risky heat that were made at least three times more likely by climate change.
More than 4 billion people faced unusual temperatures made at least three times more likely by climate change on August 13, the peak of the global heat.
During this record-breaking season, when 72 countries broke their heat record for the June-August period, few urban areas escaped the impacts of carbon pollution, mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
The average person experienced 17 extra days of “risky heat” around the world because of climate change, representing a potential risk to global health.
A community dialogue organised by Connected Advocacy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, brought together community leaders, environmental experts, and local stakeholders to discuss the ongoing environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, particularly in relation to divestment by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the urgent need for environmental remediation.
Participants at the Local Community Dialogue on Divestment and Environmental Remediation in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
The event, which focused on amplifying local voices and advocating for sustainable climate adaptation solutions, addressed critical issues including the health, environmental, and economic impact of oil exploration and extraction in the Niger Delta.
It also emphasised the need for wholistic community involvement in global climate action decision, and robust regulatory frameworks to hold IOCs accountable for decades of environmental damage before divestment which participants said informed the need for compensation and remediation of degraded environment.
Led by Mr. Israel Orekha, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, the opening session focused on the importance of uniting communities for a sustainable future as they express their concerns of neglect. Mr. Orekha stressed the need for collective action to address the pressing environmental issues faced by Niger Delta communities.
He highlighted the key pillars of the dialogue to include:
• Community organising for impact
• Local Climate Action, what the community can do
• Environmental demand charter and what it will achieve
• Strategy to hold International Cooperation without violence.
Orekha discussed the harmful impacts of IOC divestment on the local communities, emphasising that oil companies must be held accountable for their activities.
He called for immediate action to remediate polluted lands and waterways and urged the communities to stand together in demanding justice, restoration, and long-term sustainable development.
He reiterated that strengthening community resilience through collaboration for local solution to achieve a future of hope and sustainable growth they want is imperative.
Orekha said: “The Niger Delta is a region of immense beauty, resilience, and cultural richness. It is time to restore its health and ensure a just and sustainable future for its communities.
“The region has suffered from the impact of oil exploration and exploitation; oil has become more of a cause then a blessing to our people. A need to demand for technology transfers, local green investment, true transition from the fossil fuel to renewables, our leaders should priorities people over profit as IOCs divestment from our region after decades of profit making without proper financial compensation, and environmental remediation.
“Our government should use this window of opportunity to demand for debt cancelation to save our natural resources from being used as a medium to service loans that further impoverish us and make us continue to remain at the mercy of the West.”
Mr. Gabriel Mfon, an expert on environmental law and policy, delivered a compelling session on environmental accountability. He detailed the regulatory framework that should be applied to hold oil companies accountable for the environmental damages in the Niger Delta.
Mr. Mfon addressed how transparency and accountability reforms such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) can promote greater oversight of the extractive sector.
He outlined the various Nigerian legal frameworks governing environmental health and safety to include: Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulation 2022, Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations 1969, NESREA Act 2007 and NOSDRA Act 2004.
He highlighted the alarming consequences of IOC divestment without proper remediation, warning that local communities may be left grappling with ongoing pollution and health crises. Furthermore, he warned that indigenous oil companies may lack the financial and technical resources to address the massive environmental problems inherited from the departing IOCs.
Mfon called for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure that IOCs are held responsible for cleaning up polluted sites and providing necessary compensations before their exit.
“We must ensure a comprehensive plan is in place to address the legacies of pollution and safeguard the future of the Niger Delta communities,” he urged.
Several community leaders and participants expressed concerns and hopes during the dialogue.
Chief Digienini Kientei of Gbaran Community expressed regret that communities were only now learning about the true impact of IOCs divestment and how to engage in global climate action dialogue. He thanked the organisers for raising awareness and called for immediate action to hold oil companies accountable.
“This knowledge has opened our eyes to the danger ahead, and we will take steps to ensure IOCs face their responsibilities,” he said.
His Royal Highness, David Osene Osene, underlined the urgent need for environmental and health remediation, lamenting the long-term effects of pollution on his community.
He advocated for stronger engagement with government agencies and legislative bodies to address the crisis.
“We must engage the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to register the health implications and the ecocide damages we have suffered,” he stated.
Chief Mrs. Ayibakoro Warden from Ikarama Community spoke about the adverse health effects linked to oil pollution, including a high rate of miscarriages and respiratory issues. She condemned the oil companies for not investing in local healthcare infrastructure to address these challenges.
Chief Victoria Agbariso from Biseni Community recounted how oil drilling operations had brought a wave of health crises to her people, including asthma and chronic respiratory problems.
“We were living healthily until the drilling started,” she said, calling for more information and action on the health impacts of oil pollution.
Mr. Joel John Ebi, a youth advocate, urged more young people in the Niger Delta to engage in research on pollution levels in the region. He stressed the need for evidence-based advocacy to hold IOCs accountable and secure compensations for affected communities.
The event concluded with a call to halt IOC divestment until a clear, accountable, and comprehensive environmental remediation plan is in place.
Mr. Orekha emphasised that Connected Advocacy would continue to support communities in their fight for justice and environmental restoration but urged the communities to take an active role in using the knowledge gained to demand adequate compensation and restoration of their land and livelihoods.
The dialogue underscored the necessity of a unified response from Niger Delta communities and their leaders to ensure that their voices are heard, and their environmental rights are protected.
It is believed that, through collective action and continuous engagement, the region can begin the long process of healing and transitioning towards a sustainable and equitable future.
The event also featured participants from Rivers, Delta, Edo and Akwa Ibom states.
As the world prepares for COP29, the urgency of addressing climate change through a just financial system has never been more critical. Climate justice focuses on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalised communities, emphasising the need for equitable solutions.
Olumide Idowu (right)
Transforming the financial system is essential for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind in the transition to a sustainable future.
Climate justice advocates for the equitable distribution of resources and responsibilities in addressing climate change. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights that the poorest 50% of the global population are responsible for only 10% of carbon emissions, yet they suffer the most from climate impacts. Recognising this disparity, the financial system must prioritise investments that support climate-resilient development in these marginalised communities.
Despite the growing recognition of climate finance, current investments remain insufficient. According to the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), global climate finance flows reached $632 billion in 2019, but this amount falls short of the estimated $5 trillion needed annually to meet climate goals. A significant portion of climate finance is directed toward mitigation efforts, often overlooking adaptation initiatives crucial for vulnerable communities. Transforming the financial system requires a shift in focus toward equitable and inclusive climate finance.
Financial institutions have a pivotal role in directing capital toward climate justice initiatives. According to a report by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, sustainable investments reached $35.3 trillion in 2020. However, many financial institutions continue to support fossil fuel investments. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into their investment strategies, financial institutions can align their portfolios with climate justice goals, channeling funds into renewable energy and sustainable projects.
Innovative financing mechanisms can help mobilise resources for climate justice. Green bonds, impact investments, and blended finance structures are examples of instruments that can attract private capital for climate-resilient projects. The World Bank estimates that green bonds could reach a market size of $1 trillion by 2023. Policymakers and financial institutions should collaborate to create frameworks that support the growth of these mechanisms, ensuring that marginalised communities benefit from climate finance.
Access to climate finance remains a significant barrier for many marginalised communities. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims to provide financial support to developing countries, but complexities in application processes often limit access. According to the GCF, only 30% of approved funding has reached the most vulnerable communities. Transforming the financial system requires simplifying access to climate finance and ensuring that funding reaches those who need it most.
Collaboration among various stakeholders is crucial for effective climate finance. Public-private partnerships can leverage resources and expertise to enhance the impact of climate investments. For instance, initiatives like the Climate Finance Partnership bring together governments, philanthropic organisations, and private investors to fund climate-resilient infrastructure in developing countries. Such collaborations can create synergies that amplify the effectiveness of climate finance.
Strong regulatory frameworks are essential for guiding the financial system toward climate justice. Governments should implement policies that require financial institutions to disclose their climate-related risks and impacts, following the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Regulatory measures can also incentivise sustainable investments and penalise practices that contribute to environmental degradation, creating a more accountable financial system.
Education and capacity building are vital for empowering communities and financial institutions alike. Financial literacy programmes can help communities understand how to access and utilise climate finance effectively. Additionally, training for financial professionals on the principles of climate justice can foster a culture of sustainability within the financial sector. Investing in education will ensure that stakeholders are equipped to navigate the complexities of climate finance.
As COP29 approaches, it is imperative to prioritise transforming the financial system for climate justice. Recommendations include increasing transparency in climate finance, simplifying access for vulnerable communities, promoting innovative financing mechanisms, and fostering collaboration across sectors. By implementing these strategies, stakeholders can ensure that climate finance serves as a tool for equity and resilience, paving the way for a sustainable future that leaves no one behind. The time to act is now, and the financial system must be at the forefront of this critical transformation.
By Olumide Idowu, Executive Director ICCDI Africa, @OlumideIDOWU
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is stepping up efforts to combat plastic pollution across the region.
Plastic waste pollution
A two-day workshop in Accra, Ghana, which concluded on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, focused on developing a regional action plan for plastics management and promoting a circular economy.
The workshop brought together representatives from member states’ environment and finance ministries, along with private sector and civil society stakeholders.
The World Bank’s Programme for Blue Economy (PROBLUE) supported the initiative.
Yao Bernard Koffi, acting director of environment and natural resources at ECOWAS, emphasised the transboundary nature of plastic pollution.
“The management of plastics requires national, regional, and global actions given the transboundary dimension of the resulting pollution,” Koffi said.
Michelle Keane, World Bank acting country director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, highlighted the bank’s commitment to regional solutions.
“Beyond country-level efforts, the World Bank supports harmonized regional solutions to combat plastic pollution at scale,” Keane said.
She added that the bank is “dedicated to supporting ECOWAS in the development of a Regional Action Plan on Plastics Management and Circular Economy.”
The initiative follows ECOWAS’ adoption of regional regulation on plastic products and waste management in December 2023. It also aligns with global efforts to negotiate an international treaty to combat plastic pollution by the end of 2024.
Despite lower per capita plastic waste compared to OECD countries, West Africa is estimated to be the second-largest source of ocean plastic pollution from rivers.
The World Bank warns that the region could become the largest contributor to poorly managed plastic waste globally by 2060 without intervention.
Some environment experts have urged manufacturers to adopt effective, efficient and sustainable waste management mechanisms in their operations to safeguard the environment.
Delegates at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) dialogue session on efficient industrial waste management
They spoke on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in Lagos at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) dialogue session on efficient industrial waste management, with the theme: “Options for Manufacturers”.
Dr Innocent Barikor, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), said that the role manufacturers played in managing industrial waste directly impacted the environment, economy and the well-being of the communities.
He said that waste management was not just a regulatory requirement but key to sustainable development, environmental stewardship and public health.
Barikor said that improper waste disposal threatened the environment, human health, business and economic viability.
He said that ignoring the consequences was not an option.
He said that, in the industrial landscape, embracing sustainable practices was no longer a choice but imperative.
The NESREA boss said the agency had made significant strides in championing and enforcing sustainability practices via the development of regulatory frameworks and implementation of several extended producer responsibility initiatives.
“We must also focus on public awareness and education, and it is essential that both industries and communities understand the importance of proper waste management practices.
“MAN can play a pivotal role in driving environmental compliance and promoting sustainable waste management practices within the industrial sector.
“By advocating treatment of effluents before discharge and ensuring regular submission of essential documents such as environmental audit reports, environmental management plans and monitoring data, MAN can ensure that industries adhered to critical environmental standards.
“Additionally, MAN can lead efforts to combat sharp practices such as illegal dumping and improper handling of hazardous waste, safeguarding both the environment and public health,” he said.
Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, Nigeria, said that, to achieve sustainable manufacturing and efficient waste management, it would be necessary to consider all waste management steps holistically.
Adogame urged manufacturers to create specific waste management plan tailored to their organisations in line with regulations guiding waste management.
He said that sustainable industrial waste management options for manufacturers included zero waste and green manufacturing.
He added that manufacturers must use reclaimed or recycled materials to minimise waste, upgrade to modem and energy-efficient machinery and implement waste-reduction techniques such as recycling and pollution control.
“It is important that manufacturers replace harmful chemicals with eco-friendly alternatives to reduce pollution and environmental impact and avoid or reduce the use of single-use plastics,” he said.
Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of MAN, stressed the need for manufacturers to get insight into available options that would ensure effective management of industrial waste and the role of regulatory agencies in assisting and facilitating compliance.
He said that manufacturers were continuously adopting a range of effective strategies.
According to him, introduction of efficient waste management is not only crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy environment but also offers significant economic and environmental benefits.
“The regulatory agencies are pivotal in this ecosystem, providing the framework and support needed to ensure effective waste management.
“This dialogue session has been designed to foster a collaborative atmosphere where we can share insights, discuss innovative strategies, and explore real-world solutions to the challenges associated with industrial waste management.
“By promoting best practices and supporting innovation through funding and incentives, regulatory agencies can drive the development of new technologies and processes that will make waste management more efficient and sustainable,” he said.
