23.6 C
Lagos
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Home Blog Page 15

Elochukwu Anieze: Youth and fight against climate change in Nigeria

Michael Simire
-
0
Elochukwu Anieze: Youth and fight against climate change in Nigeria

Climate change has resulted in considerable environmental challenges in Nigeria, impacting every region and socio-economic group. Nigeria has a youthful population with more than 70% of the population below 30 years of age.

Youth agripreneurs
Youth agripreneurs during a visit to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB),

The Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had earlier stated that the youth population account for about 51% of the total population with the age bracket 15 to 34 years old. Despite the growing onset of climate emergency, it has been reported that climate change literacy and awareness remain poor among the Nigerian youth.

In Nigeria, the catastrophic flooding in 2022 displaced more than 1.4 million individuals, resulted in over 603 fatalities, left approximately 2,400 people injured, and caused damage to around 82,035 homes. Additionally, the heatwaves of 2024, which affected all geopolitical zones serves as a stark illustration of these effects, placing immense pressure on commercial agriculture and jeopardising food security among other immediate challenges.

As reported by statista.com, in 2020, over 60% of Nigerians were unaware of climate change. Given that more than 70% of Nigeria’s population consists of young people, it is imperative to effectively harness the potential of this youthful demographic bulge in the battle against climate change. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Nigerian populace remains indifferent to discussions surrounding climate change.

This indifference highlights the relatively small number of youths actively engaged in climate advocacy compared to those who lack awareness. Consequently, it is evident that the struggle against climate change in Nigeria is far from being resolved, as most of the workforce lacks essential knowledge regarding this critical issue.

Nonetheless, while significant work remains, it is essential to acknowledge the contributions of various organisations that are diligently collaborating with both local and international partners to educate young people about climate change. These organisations emphasise the importance of empowering youth with strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

As the generation that has grown up with technology, if properly educated on climate change issues, these young individuals can play a crucial role in assisting the country in executing the numerous policies and action plans aimed at addressing the effects of climate change in Nigeria.

On August 28, 2024, GreenHub Africa, in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, conducted a “Youth Environment and Climate Change Leadership Training” for more than 300 young individuals in Nigeria. This training served as an introduction to a comprehensive course developed by the collaborating organisations, aimed at educating Nigerian youth about climate change and its fundamental aspects. The curriculum will encompass five key modules: Climate Change Negotiation and Policy Analysis, Climate Change and Health, Climate Finance and Grant Writing, Green Entrepreneurship, and Just Transition & Energy Access.

It is essential for governments at all levels to support the commendable initiative offered by these organisations, aimed at educating the youth about climate change. This objective can be realised if the state Ministries of Environment throughout the federation work in partnership with the organisers to facilitate easy access to these educational programmes for the youth in their respective states.

Additionally, organising one or two days dedicated to sensitisation and awareness-raising activities for the youth in their states would further enhance this effort and making the youth participant ambassadors in their respective domains will go a long way in entrenching sustainability.

I urge the partners who have diligently created these materials to leverage all available platforms, particularly, social media channels such as TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube, to effectively reach the intended audience, specifically the youth. Additionally, it is essential to collaborate with major telecommunications companies in the country to ensure that targeted flash messages are disseminated to all subscribers whenever they recharge their phones or check their account balances, informing them about how to access training modules at no cost.

Utilising unskippable advertisements on YouTube videos and Facebook reels will further capture the attention of young individuals, encouraging them to enroll in courses that equip them with the necessary knowledge to combat climate change.

The Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), in close collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), aligns with the initiatives put together by the WRI and Green Hub, Both CCCD and SPP recognise the importance of the youth population in addressing climate change. The organisations believed that the future is in the hands of the youth, and if we do not safeguard the present, there will be no future to speak of.

The CCCD and SPP are poised to commence empowering youth with climate education and building their capacity to participate in decision making process for the development of effective climate solutions and ensuring sustainable development without leaving anyone behind.

Therefore, to achieve this, immediate action is imperative, and collective efforts must be made to educate the youth on the critical issue of climate change. The platform for accessing these courses is set to be launched on September 26, 2024, and will be available for three months.

Anieze is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

Maiduguri flood: SPP commiserates with Borno, calls for urgent climate action, support

Michael Simire
-
0
Maiduguri flood: SPP commiserates with Borno, calls for urgent climate action, support

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a non-governmental organisation based in Abuja, has expressed deep sadness over the flood disaster that recently struck in Maiduguri, Borno State, in Nigeria.

Flooding in Maiduguri
Flooding in Maiduguri

The tragic event, said to have been triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulted in numerous casualties, loss of lives and widespread destruction of livelihoods with over 30 deaths and at least 414,000 people displaced, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“NEMA also estimates that over one million people have been affected by flooding across the country with many communities at risk. While the immediate cause of the disaster is the dam’s failure, the underlying cause is climate change, which, through increased rainfall, exerted pressure on the dam which eventually overflowed,” SPP said on Monday, September 16, 2024, in a statement endorsed by Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, its Communications Officer.

The group added: “At this point, it is crucial that we deal with the root cause of the flood given the many obvious risks and impacts of climate change. It has become very clear that we cannot continue to play the ostrich. This unfortunate incident is once more a rude awakening to the dangers ahead, most especially highlighting the vulnerabilities of the subnational regions which bear the brunt of these climate impacts.”

SPP expressed concern over the “sad occurrence” and advocated that urgent action be taken by governments at all levels, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to provide relief to the people of Borno State.

As the world prepares for the forthcoming COP29 in two months’ time, generally regarded as the “Finance COP,” and as Nigeria prepares to submit her NDC 3.0, SPP is advocating for:

  1. Easier access to international finance; speedy implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund; and improved funding of the Adaptation Fund to meet current needs. It is equally important that these resources when available are used efficiently and transparently, with the subnational also able to access these funds to help them enhance their disaster preparedness, adaptation efforts and mitigation measures.
  2. Governments, particularly at the sub-national level, must urgently implement climate vulnerability risk assessments, and develop early warning systems. They should also prioritise developing climate change policies aligned with these assessments in order to mitigate future risks.
  3. Efforts should be made to improve climate change awareness among the people. Informed communities are better equipped to adapt and embark on meaningful community-led actions against climate change.

SPP said it commiserates with the government and people of Borno State during this difficult time, adding: “We stand in solidarity with you as you begin the recovery process.”

Benue prepares for flooding, creates IDP camps

Michael Simire
-
0
Benue prepares for flooding, creates IDP camps

The Benue State Government says it has prepared camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IPDs) across the 18 local government areas in the state in case of flooding.

Makurdi
Flooding in Makurdi, Benue State

The Technical Committee on Flood Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Response team took the decision during their meeting on Sunday, September 15, 2024, in Makurdi, the state capital.

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted that eight local government areas in Benue would be heavily affected by the impending flooding.

The agency had listed Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Agatu and Apa.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, said that the committee had earmarked camps to relocate the would-be victims of the expected flooding.

Kunde listed some of the camps to include International Market, Suswam Thank You Primary School and Demekpe Primary School in Makurdi, Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala and RCM primary School in Logo.

He explained that there was a compelling need for people living in flood-prone areas, especially at riverbanks to relocate.

Also, the Executive Secretary, State Executive Management Agency, Mr James Iorpuu, said that the agency was fully prepared to respond to the needs of those who might be affected by flooding.

Iorpuu said that the agency would, as usual, supply food and non-food materials in the event of displacement.

He noted that he had requested for five flying boats from the National Emergency Management Agency.

In the same vein, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, called for a comprehensive document indicating the number of children and women in the flood-prone areas.

He said that this would enable the ministry to respond to their health challenges urgently and effectively.

The Team leader, International Organisation for Migration, Mrs Mediatrix Barendayo, assured the government of the organisation’s support in that regard.

Also, Mr Sally Okpaje, Team Lead, UN Refugee Agency, said that they were committed to supporting the state government.

Okpaje said that they were also supporting the government to ensure that everything was ready to respond to any eventualities.

By Emmanuel Antswen

Govt moves to restore 1m hectares of degraded land in the North

Michael Simire
-
0
Govt moves to restore 1m hectares of degraded land in the North

The Federal Government, through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, says it will restore about one million hectares of degraded land in Northern Nigeria.

AbdulHamid Umar
AbdulHamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL)

Its National Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement on the “Development of Strategic Catchment Management Plans in Wetland Zones of Northern Nigeria” on Friday, September 13, 2024, in Kano.

He said that the workshop was organised to derive a shared vision of the strategic stakeholders for an ideal riparian catchment.

This, Umar said, was to build and forestall peace in the wetlands, adding, ”and take into consideration, the opportunities that would form part of the catchment management plan.

”This is the first time the Nigerian government is developing a catchment management plan of this magnitude.

”This assistance is being received with the guidance of the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA).”

The ACReSAL boss further said that the engagement would focus on interacting with the strategic stakeholders.

They came from Ngada West Chad, Yedseram-East Chad, Hadejia, and Katagun K-Gana catchments, covering Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi and Kano States.

Umar highlighted that the strategic plan would facilitate ACRESAL to meet her “Project Development Objective (PDO)”.

”This will help in sustainably restoring one million hectares of degraded land, making them cultivatable, habitable, and usable for any other purpose be it commercial, domestic or otherwise.

”ACRESAL seeks to impact 3.4 million direct beneficiaries out of which 1.68 million (49.41 per cent) would be women,” Umar said.

The ACReSAL boss said that catchment management plans would enable the integration of social and economic needs with the natural ecosystems and the long-term use of natural resources.

According to him, it will elaborately and comprehensively bring out the structures and mechanisms for environmental cooperation and coordination as well as the development of social commitment and cohesion.

“Catchment management plans not only provide answers to what, when, and where of catchment management, they also provide scientifically guided decisions.

”This is regarding early strategies for preparing and averting potential environmental challenges (early warning).

“The development of 20 strategic catchment management plans is the bedrock of the implementation of the ACRESAL project and would have come long before this time of pProject implementation.

“The strategic catchment management plans would create the platform and structure into which the micro catchment management plans will dovetail,” Umar said.

He added that the project development Plan was to increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in Northern Nigeria.

It is also to strengthen Nigeria’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.

According to him, the 20 strategic catchments are delineated from Nigeria’s Hydrological Areas (HAs), numbered HA 1 to HA8.

“ACRESAL states cover majorly 5 of the 8 hydrological Areas (HA 1-4, and 8).

”However, the remaining 3 Hydrological areas, (HA 5,6 and 7) still have slight touches on ACRESAL states.

“The ultimate goal of ACRESAL’s Strategic Catchment Plan is to strengthen the entire country’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management,” he explained.

On his part, the Managing Director of Mecon Geology and Engineering Services Ltd, Mr Chuka Offodile, assured that his company would deliver quality data.

Such data, he said, would guide the government or private entities that may be desirous of any form of investment within the developed strategic catchment management plan.

He said the development of the plan would help in addressing the issue of food production and food security, which he said, remained a priority of the Federal Government.

Offodile added that the plan was the result of collaborative efforts and stakeholders’ engagements, expressing gratitude for the support and inputs from all parties involved.

Some of the stakeholders who spoke at the event lauded the Federal Government for its efforts to make lands in the front-line states cultivable, habitable and usable.

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

NNPC deploys trucks to Dangote Refinery as Lagos ensures effective traffic management

Michael Simire
-
0
NNPC deploys trucks to Dangote Refinery as Lagos ensures effective traffic management

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, deployed more than 100 trucks to Dangote Refinery for petrol lifting.

Dangote Refinery
Trucks being deployed at Dangote Refinery by NNPC ahead of lifting of petrol on Sunday

The NNPC Ltd. in a post on its X handle on Saturday said that the mobilising of trucks to the refinery’s fuel loading gantry was in preparation for the scheduled petrol loading on Sunday.

“In preparation for the Dangote Refinery’s scheduled petrol loading on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, NNPC Ltd. has been mobilising trucks to the refinery’s fuel loading gantry in Ibeju-Lekki.

“As of Saturday afternoon, NNPC Ltd. had deployed more than 100 trucks, with hundreds more en route,” the NNPC Ltd. said.

The company said that by the end of Saturday, no fewer than 300 trucks would be stationed at the refinery’s fuel loading gantry.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has promised a comprehensive traffic management strategy to guarantee uninterrupted traffic flow along Lekki-Ajah corridor.

The measure is in view of Dangote Refinery’s commencement of fuel distribution to outlets on Sunday, Sept. 15.

Mr Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA).

It quoted Giwa as saying that LASTMA had been fortified with state-of-the-art equipment and trained personnel which would be strategically deployed to oversee and regulate traffic flow within the affected areas.

He reassured residents and commuters in the Lekki-Ajah vicinity that thorough preparations had been made, urging them to remain calm and confident in the state government’s capabilities.

“In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, LASTMA has mobilised advanced tow trucks and emergency response equipment to promptly address anticipated potential traffic disruptions.

“Medical ambulance services are also on high alert to ensure rapid response in emergency situations,” the special adviser said.

He said that it was imperative for tanker operators to strictly adhere to traffic regulations, particularly during loading and navigation, within the Lekki-Ajah axis.

Giwa said that the state government would rigorously enforce the regulations to avert traffic disruptions and ensure seamless vehicular movement.

“The Lagos State Government reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ welfare and maintaining orderly traffic during this pivotal period of industrial activity.

“All motoring public, particularly commercial bus operators, including mini-bus drivers, are hereby cautioned to comply with traffic laws refraining them from picking up, or dropping, passengers at undesignated bus stops.

“They are urged to avoid driving against traffic. They are also advised to observe all road signs, including traffic signals, among other regulations.

“Adherence to these regulations will ensure a harmonious and efficient transportation system,” he said.

By Emmanuella Anokam and Chiazo Ogbolu

 

Maiduguri flood: UN team arrives Borno on assessment visit

Michael Simire
-
0
Maiduguri flood: UN team arrives Borno on assessment visit

A team comprising various organisations under the United Nations arrived in Maiduguri on an assessment visit over the Alau Dam flood disaster.

Maiduguri
The UN team visit to Maiduguri on Saturday

The team, which also comprised International and National NGOs led by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, arrived in Maiduguri on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

The team which, visited camps to interact with victims, also paid solidarity visits to Gov. Babagana Zulum and later interacted with the press.

Speaking, Fall assured the government and people of Borno of UN support in addressing the challenges.

“We are all with you in sympathy and solidarity and we will translate it into action.

“I want to tell you that we will not spare any of our resources in this response.

“We will refocus resources designed for some other interventions to see how we can bring them towards scaling up this response,” Fall said.

He said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would do a comprehensive post disaster assessment looking at setting up a recovery plan.

Responding, Gov. Zulum thanked the UN delegation for its series of interventions in the state, while assuring the government commitment to collaborate with them.

Zulum, who spoke on the magnitude of destruction caused by the flood, urged the UN agencies to first focus on the immediate needs of the victims such as food, health, shelter, water sanitation and hygiene.

“We need to immediately start fumigation of areas identified as safe to guard against outbreaks and to make them ready for people to go back to their homes.”

He said that some people using schools as camps need to be supported to go back to their homes within the shortest possible time to enable children to go back to school.

“Our children have suffered from lack of education for a long time due to insurgency and we cannot afford to miss this session completely.”

The governor said that, with support from reliable partners, his administration would not allow the flood incident to deter it from pursuing its development plan.

More than 414,000 people were displaced by the Tuesday’s devastating flood in Maiduguri.

The Head of Public Information, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Abuja, Ann Weru, stated this in a Media Advisory.

Weru said that the data was collected by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as at Sept. 11.

“NEMA’s records also show that 37 people died, and about 58 people sustained injuries,” she said.

Access to hospitals, schools and markets, she added, had been hampered.

“Damages to infrastructure, including bridges, were recorded.

“Evacuation of people in high-risk areas to safer ground is ongoing, amid concerns about the risk of disease outbreaks,” she said.

By Yakubu Uba

NEMA warns of imminent flood in Rivers

Michael Simire
-
0
NEMA warns of imminent flood in Rivers

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned residents of Rivers of an impending flood within the next four weeks.

Anambra State flood
A flooded Umueze Anam, Anambra West LGA of Anambra State

The South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Adebiyi Razak, who issued the warning in an interview in Port Harcourt on Sunday, September 15, 2024, stated that NEMA had already begun preparing residents to mitigate the impact of the flood as the intensity of rainfall increases in the South-South, particularly in Rivers.

“In the next four weeks, the intensity of the rain will be high in Rivers, and we have already sensitised people in areas prone to flash floods.

“We have visited Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Andoni, Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas, as well as coastal areas that are likely to be impacted.

“Tai has experienced flash floods, and two Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps have been identified in the area,” he said.

Razak said a significant water rise in the region was imminent, particularly as heavy rains in the North were draining into the South-South.

“We have advised the Local Government Councils to prepare schools and other facilities where IDPs can be accommodated and to stockpile essential items for use during the floods.

“Residents should also begin preparing to move to higher ground or seek refuge in upper, safer areas such as schools, churches, and mosques within their communities.

“They should also consider evacuating entirely to areas that won’t be affected by the floods,” he advised.

Razak further said NEMA had already started stockpiling essential items to support local authorities if the need arises.

The state coordinator said the agency was working closely with the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency and LG councils to mitigate the impact of the impending floods.

HEDA sensitises farmers on flood preparedness in Bauchi, Benue communities

Michael Simire
-
0
HEDA sensitises farmers on flood preparedness in Bauchi, Benue communities

As flooding continues to threaten communities across Nigeria, HEDA Resource Centre, a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has intensified its efforts to mitigate the impact on farming communities, particularly in Bauchi and Benue states.

HEDA
HEDA Community Outreach in Benue State

In collaboration with local partners and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands under the African Activists for Climate Justice Project, HEDA launched a flood sensitisation and awareness campaign across the country to educate and empower small-holder farmers on climate change impacts and flood preparedness.

In Bauchi State, communities such as Walia, Melandige, and Sakuwa in Itas Gadau LGA were visited.

During a sensitisation session, Hajia Aminat Bala Jubril, Director, Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), and a partner with HEDA, addressed farmers on strategies to mitigate flood risks. She highlighted the importance of investing in flood-resistant rice seeds and advised farmers to incorporate these improved seeds into their future budgets to protect their crops.

Hajia Aminat also urged farmers to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, which has predicted potential flooding in the area between April and October 2024.

Hajia Fatima, a community leader and farmer, spoke on behalf of the local farmers sharing their experiences with flood, and called on governments and corporate organisations to come to their aid by building long-term infrastructure that can withstand the flood, as well as dredging of the river, which had previously reduced the impact flood risks in the region.

Similarly, in Benue State, HEDA engaged with the communities of Agasha, Adaka, Ajaha and Abatse of the Guma and Makurdi local government areas. The campaign focused on early warning systems and flood-resistant farming techniques.

Farmers like Racheal Uzor shared their struggles with flooding, explaining how they had to navigate farming in flood-prone areas, often losing their crops despite flood warnings. She also appealed to the government for clean water access through boreholes, as their water sources have been severely affected by flooding.

Victor Osimo, another farmer in Benue, highlighted the poor drainage systems and the impact of floods on their farmlands. He called for government intervention to address issues like agro-chemical contamination and poor infrastructure, which exacerbate their vulnerability to flood impact.

HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasised the importance of adopting modern, climate-resilient farming techniques to mitigate agricultural losses.

He encouraged farmers to remain vigilant and use climate data to inform their planting decisions. He further explained that the objective behind this campaign is to equip climate frontline communities, especially farmers with the right information and knowledge that will empower them to help themselves and reduce their climate related risks.

Meanwhile, HEDA has visited five other states (Adamawa, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa) in the ongoing campaigns and in both states aim to equip communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to reduce the impacts of climate-related disasters.

As the October-November flood period approaches, interventions, such as HEDA’s, are crucial for improving the resilience of vulnerable communities across the country, in order to ensure that lives, livelihoods, and food security are better protected.

Climate lawsuits filed against Big Oil tripled since 2015 – Report

Michael Simire
-
0
Climate lawsuits filed against Big Oil tripled since 2015 – Report

Eighty-six climate lawsuits have been filed against the world’s largest oil, gas, and coal producing corporations – including BP, Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies – with two in five cases involving claims for compensation for climate change damages linked to fossil fuels.

TotalEnergies
Eighty-six lawsuits have been filed against the world’s largest oil, gas, and coal producing corporations like TotalEnergies, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell

The number of cases filed against fossil fuel companies each year has nearly tripled since the Paris Agreement was reached in 2015, according to a new report, titled “Big Oil in Court – The latest trends in climate litigation against fossil fuel companies” by Oil Change International and Zero Carbon Analytics.

The analysis reveals the intensifying legal pressure on fossil fuel corporations responsible for 69% of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions, the main driver of the climate crisis. The report is the first in-depth analysis of the escalating wave of climate litigation aimed at fossil fuel giants.

Three categories of lawsuits have grown significantly in recent years, and they are listed to include:

  • Compensation for climate damages that hold companies accountable for the environmental and community damages they have caused (38% of cases);
  • Challenges to misleading advertising claims by companies about the climate and environment (16%); and,
  • Requirements for companies to reduce their emissions (12%).

David Tong, Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, said: “The growing number of lawsuits against fossil fuel corporations underlines how their historic and continued role in driving and profiting from climate change is catching up to them. No major oil and gas company is pledging to do the bare minimum to prevent climate chaos, so communities are taking them to court.

“The wave of lawsuits against Big Oil could lead to serious impacts on their bottom line, a disincentive for investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, a reduction in corporate value, and a challenge to their social licence to continue harming communities around the world.”

Climate Damages Cases
The report shows that compensation claims for climate damages make up the largest share of climate lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, accounting for 38% of cases. These cases heighten the financial and liability risks these corporations and their investors face, as scientists are increasingly able to connect specific extreme weather events with the fossil fuel emissions that drove them.

ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP are estimated to be responsible for climate-related costs of at least $1 trillion each, a similar value to their profits over the last three decades.

One example is a case filed against RWE, a German electricity producer, by a Peruvian farmer, Saúl Luciano Lliuya. Lliuya claims that the company’s greenhouse gas emissions contribute to the melting of a glacier near his home, which threatens 50,000 residents with flooding. He argues that RWE should partially reimburse him and the local authorities for the costs of flood defenses. The case, which was filed in 2015, is ongoing.

Lliuya said: “Taking on carbon majors in court can be daunting. But the fear of losing your home and everything you’ve worked for due to the reckless actions of fossil fuel companies is even greater. For those of us directly impacted by the climate crisis, the courts offer a glimmer of hope. People like me are in court because our livelihoods are at serious risk, and we are asking judges to hold the fossil fuel companies responsible.”

Misleading Advertising Cases

Oil and gas companies are also under growing pressure for making false claims about climate and the environment. Cases challenging companies’ misleading advertising make up 16% of lawsuits and are a winning legal tactic, with nearly all concluded complaints resulting in decisions against corporations or adverts being withdrawn.

Recently, ClientEarth successfully challenged BP’s ads in the UK for exaggerating its investments in renewable energy, leading BP to withdraw the ads.

Emission Reduction Cases
Emissions reductions cases make up 12% of climate lawsuits. These cases are brought against fossil fuel companies over their failure to set and implement Paris-aligned emissions reductions.

In 2021, a landmark ruling by a Dutch Court ordered Shell to cut its emissions by 45% by 2030, setting a precedent as the first legal mandate for a major fossil fuel company to reduce emissions. Shell has appealed, with a decision expected in autumn 2024.

Cote d’Ivoire to mobilise $22bn to fight climate change

Michael Simire
-
0
Cote d’Ivoire to mobilise $22bn to fight climate change
About 13 trillion CFA francs ($22 billion) are needed for combating climate change and mitigating its effects in Cote d’Ivoire, a senior official said.

Alassane Ouattara
President of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara
Jacques Konan, Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, said this during a workshop.
“The action plan developed by Cote d’Ivoire to address climate change is estimated at 13 trillion CFA francs,” said
The minister said that he has been tasked with mobilising partners to assist the country in securing funding to meet its commitments.
A portfolio of projects has been developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to enhance the resilience of affected populations.
According to the World Bank, rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, flooding, and coastal erosion pose significant challenges for Cote d’Ivoire and threaten its economic growth.
1...141516...2,033Page 15 of 2,033

TV Report

Archives

2024 EnviroNews Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.

×