• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Cleanest air since Sept 29, Delhi out of GRAP’s grasp

The air quality in the capital recorded a satisfactory range reading of 85 on Saturday due to strong winds and rain and prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke measures enforced under stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The CAQM had imposed the GRAP restrictions on March 7 after the AQI reached 202. Delhiites on Saturday inhaled the cleanest air since Sept 29 last year when the AQI was 76. "The AQI has shown significant improvement due to favourable winds, light rain/drizzling and improved meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR. Forecasts by IMD/IITM indicate that the average air quality of Delhi to stay in the ‘satisfactory' to ‘moderate' category in the coming days. It was unanimously decided to revoke Stage-I of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect," said CAQM in a statement. CAQM wrote on X that Delhi recorded an average AQI of 85, the lowest in the last three years for the period from Jan 1 to March 15. The commission directed all the agencies to take note of various actions and the targeted timelines issued by CAQM to curb air pollution in NCR and take appropriate actions accordingly in the field, "particularly the dust mitigation measures for C&D activities and roads or open areas, which would become a predominant factor in the coming months determining the air quality in Delhi-NCR." The measures under Stage I are preventive in nature, directing govt agencies to intensify measures to control air pollution. This includes intensifying the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling and dust suppression measures in road construction, widening or repair projects and maintenance activities, and strict vigilance and enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, said: "Air quality will be highly variable now as we are transitioning from winter to summer and meteorological conditions will keep changing. But we need to see a firm downward trend in pollution levels...." The city recorded the highest maximum temperature of the year on Friday on Holi. It was 36.2 degrees Celsius, which was seven degrees above normal. However, the maximum on Saturday dipped to 33 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal. No rain was reported from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday. However, SPS Mayur Vihar and Rajghat recorded 1.5 and 1.2mm of rainfall, respectively, till 8.30am on Saturday. However, Safdarjung, Palam and Lodhi Road saw just ‘trace' rainfall till 8.30am on Saturday. The minimum temperature was 18.7 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal, on Saturday, compared to 17.6 a day earlier. There is a possibility of very light rain or drizzle on Sunday. The maximum temperature is expected to stay between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Congress targets govt. over air quality report ranking India as fifth most polluted country

The Congress on Sunday (March 16, 2025) attacked the government after a world air quality report ranked India as the world's fifth most polluted country, and demanded that all "anti-people" environmental law amendments over the past 10 years be rolled back. In a statement, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Swiss air quality technology company IQAIR has just released its 2024 World Air Quality Report which finds that India is the world's fifth most polluted country. The Rajya Sabha MP said in his statement that according to the report, India's population-weighted average concentration of fine particulate matter is 50.6 µg/m3 which is 10 times the WHO's annual guideline level of 5 µg/m3. He claimed that according to the report, 74 of the world's 100 most polluted cities are in India, and national capital New Delhi is the second-most polluted city in the world after Brynihat in Meghalaya. "Among the lesser-known tragedies of the non-biological PM's reign is the rapidly deteriorating air quality nationally and the inattentiveness and policy chaos that has characterised the government's response to it," he said in his statement. Mr. Ramesh cited several studies in the past about air pollution-linked fatalities in the country. Lancet study In early July 2024, he said, a study published in the prestigious Lancet journal showed that 7.2 % of all deaths in India are associated with air pollution which comes about 34,000 deaths each year in just 10 cities. The former Environment Minister said that around the same time, a study by the Centre for Science and Environment revealed that the government's interventions in pollution control are poorly designed, with the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) largely focused on mitigating road dust rather than industrial, vehicular, and biomass emissions — the source of PM 2.5 — that are the leading causes of mortality.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Tackling pollution warrants regional cooperation and an airshed approach

An annual survey on air pollution has presented, yet again, a bleak picture for India. Delhi retained its dubious spot as the world’s most polluted capital in 2024 although India bettered its position from the third to fifth most polluted country, Swiss air quality technology firm IQAir found. Last year’s gains are measly, and eradicating pollution remains a Himalayan task. For instance, the country witnessed 7% decline in concentrations of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5; yet 13 of the 20 most polluted cities including the one with the worst air are in India. More than a third (35%) of Indian cities recorded annual PM2.5 levels that were 10 times worse than the recommended safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. Cities adjoining Delhi are among the worst performers, the data shows. In a broader context, Bangladesh and Pakistan suffer a similar fate as India to make South Asia one of the worst regions. Within India, there is a North-South divide. Factors like burning biomass besides coal, and vehicular emissions —the major source of air pollution in Delhi —are common across India. In North India, an added contributor like stubble burning (also practised in neighbouring Pakistan) has been politicised in recent years. The region’s geography also conspires against it. Pollutants emanating in the Indo-Gangetic Plain get mixed with those blowing in from the coast and get trapped as the Himalayas act as a natural barrier.Clearly, air pollution can spread across cities, states, and even countries. Sadly, political expediencies often take over as parties blame each other instead of working in unison. The Aam Aadmi Party, while it was in power in Delhi, and the Bharatiya Janata Party have traded accusations for the crisis in the capital. Officials in India and Pakistan too have attributed spikes in pollution to conditions across the border. It therefore warrants regional cooperation and an airshed approach to tackling the menace. The World Bank has supported the government by considering all sources of emissions that fall within the airshed, which it defines as “a region that shares a common flow of air, which may become uniformly polluted”. Steps like curbing biomass burning by promoting liquefied natural gas cylinders should be enforced in rural areas. Air pollution is a health hazard in India, with a Lancet study stating that 1.5 million deaths annually from 2009 to 2019 resulted from long-term exposure to PM2.5. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, reported that 95 out of the 131 cities under it had shown improvement. But the bulk of its funds have been spent on reducing road dust, a major part of PM10 which the NCAP evaluation focuses on. Prioritising PM2.5 instead will encourage cities to spend further on limiting more harmful emissions. Delhi is a test case for India. An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment showed that the city’s PM2.5 levels in 2024 were more than twice the national ambient air quality standard, despite a dip in farm fires in Haryana and Punjab.

• Climate Change and Green Economy

Doubts over climate funding as donors squeeze aid

PARIS: There are growing doubts about a pledge by rich nations to provide more climate finance to poorer nations, as foreign aid budgets are slashed and the US guts environmental spending. Richer nations committed at the UN COP29 summit in November to boost spending on climate action in developing countries to $300 billion a year by 2035, an amount decried as woefully inadequate. Since then, President Donald Trump has frozen US contributions to the global pot and withdrawn from a funding deal to help developing nations transition to clean energy, among other climate initiatives. The UK, meanwhile, has trimmed overseas aid to raise defence spending, following a slew of similar cuts by climate-friendly governments in Europe. Diplomats and analysts say it remains unclear where the axe may fall, but there are fears that money earmarked for climate finance could be on the chopping block. Laetitia Pettinotti, a climate economist from the think tank ODI Global, told AFP that signs are not good and cuts could be expected. “It’s really hard to see where the money is going to come from,” she said. Difficult road With the United States halting its climate action, expectations have fallen largely on the European Union, historically the third-largest producer of greenhouse gases, and the biggest contributor to climate finance. But the 27-nation bloc is under budget strain, facing US tariffs and trying to ramp up military spending to defend itself and Ukraine, and reduce strategic reliance on Washington. Recent elections meanwhile have seen right-wing populists’ hostile to climate policies make gains across the continent. France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom have all announced recent aid cuts as economic and security priorities shift and budget pressures take hold. The EU “needs to find a new way to prioritise its limited resources, for very legitimate reasons”, said Li Shuo, a climate analyst at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “This will make the climate finance discussion very difficult.” ‘Worrying trends’ Azerbaijan, which hosted the COP29 summit where the $300-billion deal was brokered, is seeking reassurances at a two-day meeting of climate negotiators in Tokyo that starts on Thursday. Yalchin Rafiyev, the country’s top climate diplomat, said he would be asking developed nations if the cuts impacted money “they were thinking or planning to allocate for climate or not”. “We are not sure yet. There was not any concrete kind of climate fund cuts that we have heard from any of the parties. There were only some worrying trends,” he told AFP. He added: “We are opposed to any kind of action that can reduce the funding for climate action.” Brazil, which is hosting this year’s COP30 summit, said it was exploring ways to raise the enormous sums needed for developing countries to wean off fossil fuels and adapt to global warming. According to independent experts, these countries — excluding China — will require $1.3 trillion a year in outside assistance by 2035 to meet their climate needs. Under the Paris Agreement, developed countries — those most responsible for global warming to date — are obligated to pay climate finance, but other countries do make their own voluntary contributions. “Climate finance for developing countries was already insufficient, but the recent cuts to foreign aid budgets represent a renewed challenge,” the COP30 presidency said in a written statement to AFP. ‘Not looking good’ Donors have struggled to meet their climate finance pledges at the best of times, even for commitments well below the $300bn pledged last year. Developed nations provided about $116bn in 2022, the latest year for which official OECD climate finance figures are available. The US provided about 10 percent of that money. Trump’s spending freeze means other contributors will have to make up the difference. Other ways to possibly plug the shortfall — such as greater lending from multilateral development banks like the World Bank — are also in doubt. “You’re going to hear more and more that there simply isn’t money out there to fill up such a big pot… it’s not looking good,” Avantika Goswami, climate change lead at the Centre for Science and Environment in India, said.

• Down To Earth

Unnecessary consumption of antibiotics falls in Kerala; Centre hails the state model.

Pathanamthitta: The unnecessary consumption of antibiotics has drastically decreased by 20 to 30 percent in Kerala, Health Minister Veena George said. The government had earlier prohibited the sale of antibiotics in medical stores without a doctor’s prescription. The minister was responding to the ndings of the State of India's Environment 2025 report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a leading environmental advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. The report hailed Kerala as a model for the nation in raising awareness about the dangers of antibiotic overuse. Efforts are underway to make all hospitals in Kerala antibiotic-smart, the minister stated. The state has launched a massive public awareness campaign about antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—the growing threat posed by microorganisms developing resistance due to excessive antibiotic use. As part of this initiative, health workers are conducting door-to-door visits to educate the public. "We anticipate a signicant change through this initiative," the minister told Manorama. According to the minister, KARSNET (Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan), Kerala’s AMR surveillance network, is the largest of its kind by any state in India. “Through KARSNET, we are compiling AMR-related data from 59 tertiary hospitals and over 100 spoke hospitals across the state. Kerala is also the only state to conduct AMR surveillance at primary and secondary healthcare levels,” she noted. Veena George also emphasized that the dangers posed by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics are far greater than commonly perceived. "By anticipating this crisis early, Kerala has taken proactive steps that now serve as a model for the entire country," she added. In the report titled State of India's Environment 2025, Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, praised Kerala’s initiatives in tackling antimicrobial resistance, calling them world-class. She urged other states to follow Kerala’s lead in implementing robust AMR management strategies. The report highlighted several of Kerala’s key measures, including strict enforcement of prescription-only antibiotic sales curbing unnecessary consumption of such medicines and preventing its improper disposal into soil and water. Kerala was also the rst state in India to introduce a state-level AMR action plan in 2018 Several public health centres, including those in Kakkodi, Vattiyoorkkavu, and Ernakulam, have already achieved antibiotic-smart status. In addition, the Health Department has directed pharmacies to use blue-coloured covers for selling antibiotics to distinguish them from other medications. Awareness campaigns have reached households in 43 panchayats, with National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers playing a key role. Kerala has also set a benchmark by establishing antimicrobial committees in 191 blocks,

• DTE - Web

Reports critical of Ambani’s Vantara vanish, news outlets get suspicious emails, legal notices

Reports about Vantara – the animal rehabilitation centre of Reliance’s Anant Ambani in Gujarat’s Jamnagar – are curiously unavailable, hours after they were published by Deccan Herald, The Telegraph India and The Tribune. These reports had highlighted concerns of a South African animal protection organisation over the large-scale import of animals to Vantara, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3. TNM has learned that independent news organizations that published similar reports received emails and legal notices pressuring them to take down the story. Mahesh Deka, executive editor of NorthEast Now, told TNM that his firm received a threatening mail, a day after publication of the article, alleging that the news website was inciting violence and hatred against organisations. The mail, signed by one Bilal Ahmad, carried a link of the article and alleged that the website was seeking money to remove it. The next day Mahesh also received messages from multiple PR agencies - based in Mumbai and Delhi - requesting him to remove four articles related to Vantara. "One agency even asked me to publish a paid content, which I refused stating that it was against our editorial policy," Mahesh said. He said that NorthEast Now is not planning to remove any of the articles from its website. The email said, “I came across the website by chance and was shocked at the type of content it is promoting. The website is manipulating people's personal information with the intention of defaming and blackmailing them. It is evident that the website's contents are defamatory and violate the rights of individuals to online privacy and protection. I strongly urge your help center to take action and remove the website as it is promoting terrorism and violates the laws of the land.” The email was signed by a man named Bilal, who listed a mobile number with a Pakistan ISD code. Down To Earth magazine confirmed that they first received an email and call asking them to remove the story. Later, they received a notice of defamation up to Rs. 1,000 crore from lawyers claiming to represent Anant Ambani. It is however unclear whether Deccan Herald, The Telegraph India and The Tribune received any such emails or legal notices. Newslaundry reached out to the chief editors of Deccan Herald and The Telegraph India. Meanwhile, TNM reached out to officials of Vantara for a comment. This report will be updated if they respond.

• Director General Office

Africa not net contributor to global emissions, says Veheijen

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments to address energy poverty, emphasising that Africa is not a net contributor to global emissions. Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, spoke on Tuesday during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global, with the theme: “Policy and people: pathways to a just transition.” The session, chaired by the Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global, Vera Blei, featured the CEO of Tinker Energy Association, Scott Tinker, and the Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain. Nigeria, along with other African and middle-income countries, continues to advocate for a just energy transition amid the global push for net-zero emissions. Under its “Decade of Gas” initiative, the Nigerian government has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions.

• Director General Office

‘Oil & Gas Investments Won’t Make Africa Net Contributor to Global Emissions’

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments to address energy poverty, emphasising that Africa is not a net contributor to global emissions. Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, stated this during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global with the theme: Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition. The session, which was chaired by Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global, Vera Blei, featured key speakers including CEO of Tinker Energy Association, Scott Tinker and Director-General, Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain. On Africa’s role in global emissions, Veheijen, who said Nigeria and other African and middle-income countries, continue to canvass a just energy transition amid the global push for net-zero emissions, maintained that under its “Decade of Gas.” initiative, the Nigerian government has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth, while reducing carbon emissions. Verheijen noted that Africa and other low-income countries contribute only about 3-4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, compared to China and the United States, which account for approximately 30 percent and 13 percent of global CO2 emissions. Together, both countries are responsible for nearly 40 percent of global emissions. Assuring that the government remains focused on creating an attractive investment environment, she stressed that Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a stable investment climate and addressing climate-related risks through clear and transparent policies, was not in doubt. “In Nigeria, we will continue to ensure that we create an enabling environment for investments. On climate change, we recognize the importance of risk perception in our markets and are committed to transparent policies that stand the test of time, enabling the deployment of capital,” she stated. She also underscored the need for greater regional integration to attract capital and enhance market efficiency, adding: “We need to strengthen economic integration across African nations to create a larger, more attractive market for investment. By pooling resources, integrating markets, and leveraging collaboration across the continent and regional blocs, we can drive sustainable development.” Verheijen, who also made a case for data-driven policy for sustainable growth, stressed the importance of better data collection and analysis in Africa to support informed decision-making and policy development. “Even if Africa experiences exponential economic growth and reaches middle-income status, the continent will still not be a major contributor to global emissions. The bulk of emission reductions will have to come from developed nations, which must diversify their energy sources and invest heavily in carbon removal and reduction technologies,” Verheijen said. She further noted that a balanced approach is necessary to ensure that developing economies can utilize their natural resources to drive prosperity, while also adopting climate solutions that enhance adaptability and sustainability. Through strategic investments and policy reforms, Nigeria and the broader African continent aim to bridge energy poverty, attract investment, and contribute to a more sustainable global energy transition.

• Climate Change and Green Economy

Doubts Over Climate Funding As Donors Squeeze Aid

There are growing doubts about a pledge by rich nations to provide more climate finance to poorer nations, as foreign aid budgets are slashed and the US guts environmental spending. Richer nations committed at the UN COP29 summit in November to boost spending on climate action in developing countries to $300 billion a year by 2035, an amount decried as woefully inadequate. Since then, President Donald Trump has frozen US contributions to the global pot and withdrawn from a funding deal to help developing nations transition to clean energy, among other climate initiatives. The UK, meanwhile, has trimmed overseas aid to raise defence spending, following a slew of similar cuts by climate-friendly governments in Europe. Diplomats and analysts say it remains unclear where the axe may fall, but there are fears that money earmarked for climate finance could be on the chopping block. Laetitia Pettinotti, a climate economist from the think tank ODI Global, told AFP that signs are not good and cuts could be expected. "It's really hard to see where the money is going to come from," she said. With the United States halting its climate action, expectations have fallen largely on the European Union, historically the third-largest producer of greenhouse gases, and the biggest contributor to climate finance. But the 27-nation bloc is under budget strain, facing US tariffs and trying to ramp up military spending to defend itself and Ukraine, and reduce strategic reliance on Washington. Recent elections meanwhile have seen right-wing populists hostile to climate policies make gains across the continent. France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom have all announced recent aid cuts as economic and security priorities shift and budget pressures take hold. The EU "needs to find a new way to prioritise its limited resources, for very legitimate reasons", said Li Shuo, a climate analyst at the Asia Society Policy Institute. "This will make the climate finance discussion very difficult." Azerbaijan, which hosted the COP29 summit where the $300-billion deal was brokered, is seeking reassurances at a two-day meeting of climate negotiators in Tokyo that ends on Thursday. Yalchin Rafiyev, the country's top climate diplomat, said he would be asking developed nations if the cuts impacted money "they were thinking or planning to allocate for climate or not". "We are not sure yet. There was not any concrete kind of climate fund cuts that we have heard from any of the parties. There was only some worrying trends," he told AFP. He added: "We are opposed to any kind of action that can reduce the funding for climate action." Brazil, which is hosting this year's COP30 summit, said it was exploring ways to raise the enormous sums needed for developing countries to wean off fossil fuels and adapt to global warming. According to independent experts, these countries -- excluding China -- will require $1.3 trillion a year in outside assistance by 2035 to meet their climate needs. Under the Paris Agreement, developed countries -- those most responsible for global warming to date -- are obligated to pay climate finance, but other countries do make their own voluntary contributions. "Climate finance for developing countries was already insufficient, but the recent cuts to foreign aid budgets represent a renewed challenge," the COP30 presidency said in a written statement to AFP. Donors have struggled to meet their climate finance pledges at the best of times, even for commitments well below the $300 billion pledged last year. Developed nations provided about $116 billion in 2022, the latest year for which official OECD climate finance figures are available. The US provided about 10 percent of that money. Trump's spending freeze means other contributors will have to make up the difference. Other ways to possibly plug the shortfall -- such as greater lending from multilateral development banks like the World Bank -- are also in doubt. "You're going to hear more and more that there simply isn't money out there to fill up such a big pot... it's not looking good," Avantika Goswami, climate change lead at the Centre for Science and Environment in India, told AFP.

• Down To Earth

Extreme weather will be your new normal in 2025: Here's why

Year 2024 was a big eye-opener on climate change, even for the uninitiated, with some or the other region of the world experiencing extreme weather events. India was among the countries worst-affected by this global crisis. To put this into perspective, out of the 274 days tracked by the New Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in its ‘State of India’s Environment 2025’ report, 255 days (93 per cent) saw extreme weather in at least one region. This is a marked spike from the corresponding period in 2023 (235 days of extreme weather) and 2022 (241 days). The report was released recently at the Anil Agarwal Dialogue (AAD) 2025, conducted by CSE in Rajasthan.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Pollution not just a winter worry, summer months are toxic too

New Delhi: With the exception of the Covid year of 2020, the summer months — from March till June — have recorded high levels of pollution, an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data from 2019 till 2024 has shown. Dust and ozone are among the main sources of pollution during the season. Currently, GRAP Stage I is in force in the city, with the air quality remaining ‘poor' on four of the past seven days. According to experts, the trends indicate that pollution is a year-round challenge for Delhi, and not just a winter issue. The CPCB data shows PM10 levels in the summer months in the past few years were almost double the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). For instance, in 2024, the monthly average PM10 concentration was 179 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in March, 201 µg/m³ in April, 248 µg/m³ in May and 195 µg/m³ in June. The daily NAAQS is 100 µg/m³ while WHO's daily safe limit is 45 µg/m³ for PM10. Similarly, the city failed to meet daily NAAQS for PM2.5 of 60 µg/m³ and WHO's daily safe limit of 15 µg/m³ in most of the summer months. In May 2024, for example, the monthly average for PM2.5 was 92 µg/m³, the data revealed. Ground-level ozone, whose standards are provided at hourly and eight-hourly intervals, remained high in the summer months, particularly during the afternoon hours. Likewise, the city recorded elevated levels of nitrogen oxides on many days during the summer months. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, said, "PM2.5 and PM10 levels during the summer months of March to June have consistently been at least 1.5 to two times the daily NAAQS and four-five times the WHO-recommended daily guideline levels. This clearly indicates that air pollution is not just a winter phenomenon in Delhi-NCR, but a year-round challenge." Dahiya said the primary sources of high pollution levels remain consistent throughout the year, including transport, energy, industry, construction and waste. "While stubble burning plays a significant role in winter, dust storms contribute to the problem during the summer months. High temperatures dry and loosen dust, leaving it easily re-suspended, which leads to elevated PM10 levels and a higher PM10 to PM2.5 ratio. This underscores the urgent need for dust-suppressing technologies and interventions around sensitive locations during these months. Such measures are essential until a more systematic and consistent solution for removing loose dust and capturing it at the source is implemented," he said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at Centre for Science and Environment, underlines two main concerns in the summer. "During these dry months, the impact of wind-blown dust increases. Secondly, ozone exceedance rises as gases in the air react under the influence of sunlight to form the harmful gas ozone. These gases come from vehicular and industrial sources." "Pollution is high during the summer even, though not as smoggy as in the winter. Though the regional impact of pollution is high, the impact of local pollution sources is significant. All priority solutions to control dust and emissions from vehicles and industries are known. These need to be implemented at scale for an effective reduction in pollution," she added.

• Director General Office

Oil, gas investments won’t inflate Africa’s contribution to global emissions – FG

The Federal Government has reassured the public that its ongoing efforts to attract investments in the oil and gas sector will not lead to a significant increase in Africa’s contribution to global emissions. It emphasized that such investments will not drastically affect the continent’s carbon footprint. The government reiterated its commitment to creating a favorable environment for hydrocarbon investments to combat energy poverty, stressing that Africa is not a major contributor to global emissions. The assurance was given by the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global on Tuesday, themed “Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition.” A statement issued on Wednesday noted that the session, chaired by Vera Blei, Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global, included key speakers such as Scott Tinker, CEO of Tinker Energy Association, and Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment. During the panel discussion, Verheijen pointed out that Africa and other low-income countries contribute only about 3-4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, compared to China and the United States, which are responsible for roughly 30 percent and 13 percent of global CO₂ emissions, respectively. Together, these two countries account for nearly 40 percent of global emissions. Verheijen emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a stable investment climate and addressing climate-related risks through transparent and clear policies. She also highlighted the importance of greater regional integration to attract capital and improve market efficiency. “We need to strengthen economic integration across African nations to create a larger, more attractive market for investment. By pooling resources, integrating markets, and collaborating across the continent and regional blocs, we can drive sustainable development,” she added. She also stressed the need for improved data collection and analysis in Africa to support informed decision-making and effective policy development. Verheijen concluded by advocating for a balanced approach to ensure that developing economies can use their natural resources to drive prosperity while also adopting climate solutions that enhance adaptability and sustainability.

• Director General Office

Africa's Energy Future: FG Reaffirms Commitment to Create Enabling Environment for Hydrocarbon Investments

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments to address energy poverty, emphasizing that Africa is not a net contributor to global emissions. The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, made this statement on Tuesday in Houston Texas, United States during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global, themed "Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition." The session, chaired by Vera Blei, Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global, featured key speakers including Scott Tinker, CEO of Tinker Energy Association, and Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment. Africa’s Role in Global Emissions Nigeria, along with other African and middle-income countries, continues to advocate for a just energy transition amid the global push for net-zero emissions. Under its "Decade of Gas" initiative, the Nigerian government has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions. Verheijen highlighted that Africa and other low-income countries contribute only about 3–4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, in contrast to China and the United States, which account for approximately 30% and 13% of global CO2 emissions, respectively. Together, both countries are responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions.

• Director General Office

Olu Veheijen reaffirms FG’s commitment to combating energy poverty

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments to tackle energy poverty, emphasizing Africa’s minimal contribution to global emissions. Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, made the statement on Tuesday in Houston, Texas, during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global. The session, titled “Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition,” was chaired by Vera Blei, Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global. Key speakers included Scott Tinker, CEO of Tinker Energy Association, and Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment. Verheijen highlighted that Africa, along with other low-income countries, contributes only 3-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, contrasting sharply with China and the United States, which account for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions. “Nigeria, through its “Decade of Gas” initiative, is leveraging natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions.” Olu Verheijen emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a stable investment climate and addressing climate-related risks through transparent, long-term policies. She stressed the importance of regional integration to attract investment and enhance market efficiency, calling for stronger economic cooperation across African nations. “We need to integrate markets, pool resources, and collaborate to create a larger, more attractive market for investment,” she said. Verheijen also stressed the importance of better data collection and analysis to inform policy decisions. She noted that even if Africa experiences rapid economic growth, the continent will remain a minor contributor to global emissions, with the bulk of emission reductions coming from developed nations. She emphasized that a balanced approach is crucial for developing economies to use their natural resources for prosperity while adopting climate solutions that ensure adaptability and sustainability. “Through strategic investments and policy reforms, Nigeria and Africa aim to address energy poverty, attract investment, and contribute to a sustainable global energy transition,” she said.

• Director General Office

FG committed to creating enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments — Tinubu’s aide

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments to address energy poverty in the country, emphasizing that Africa is not a net contributor to global emissions. The Special Adviser (SA) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Ms. Olu Verheijen, made this assurance during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global, themed “Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition.” The session, which took place on Tuesday in Abuja and was chaired by Vera Blei, Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global, featured key speakers, including Scott Tinker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tinker Energy Association, and Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment. Verheijen noted that Nigeria, along with other African and middle-income countries, has continued to advocate for a just energy transition amid the global push for net-zero emissions. She stated that Nigeria has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions. According to her, Africa and other low-income countries contribute only about 3–4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, in contrast to China and the United States, which account for approximately 30% and 13% of global CO₂ emissions, respectively. She emphasized that both countries are responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions.

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FG committed to creating enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments — Tinubu’s aide

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for hydrocarbon investments to address energy poverty in the country, emphasizing that Africa is not a net contributor to global emissions. The Special Adviser (SA) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Ms. Olu Verheijen, made this assurance during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global, themed “Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition.” The session, which took place on Tuesday in Abuja and was chaired by Vera Blei, Head of Market Report & Trading Solutions at S&P Global, featured key speakers, including Scott Tinker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tinker Energy Association, and Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment. Verheijen noted that Nigeria, along with other African and middle-income countries, has continued to advocate for a just energy transition amid the global push for net-zero emissions. She stated that Nigeria has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions. According to her, Africa and other low-income countries contribute only about 3–4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, in contrast to China and the United States, which account for approximately 30% and 13% of global CO₂ emissions, respectively. She emphasized that both countries are responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions. “Even if Africa experiences exponential economic growth and reaches middle-income status, the continent will still not be a major contributor to global emissions. The bulk of emission reductions will have to come from developed nations, which must diversify their energy sources and invest heavily in carbon removal and reduction technologies,” she explained. Related News CSW69: Women can lead future sustainable cities — Minister US: Man shot by dog while lying in bed Drama as Kogi SDP produces two parallel excos Verheijen further assured Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a stable investment climate and addressing climate-related risks through clear and transparent policies. “In Nigeria, we are ensuring that we create an enabling environment for investments. On climate change, we recognize the importance of risk perception in our markets and are committed to transparent policies that stand the test of time, enabling the deployment of capital,” she stated. She also underscored the need for greater regional integration to attract capital and enhance market efficiency, stating that this could be achieved by pooling resources, integrating markets, and leveraging collaboration across the continent and regional blocs. “We need to strengthen economic integration across African nations to create a larger, more attractive market for investment. By pooling resources, integrating markets, and leveraging collaboration across the continent and regional blocs, we can drive sustainable development,” she said. Speaking further, Verheijen stressed the importance of better data collection and analysis in Africa to support informed decision-making and policy development. She noted that a balanced approach is necessary to ensure that developing economies can utilize their natural resources to drive prosperity while also adopting climate solutions that enhance adaptability and sustainability. She affirmed that through strategic investments and policy reforms, Nigeria and the broader African continent aim to bridge energy poverty, attract investment, and contribute to a more sustainable global energy transition. Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now