Gabon has just been certified for carbon credit by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The government welcomes a step forward for the marketing of carbon credits in Gabon.
Gabon has just been certified for carbon credit by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The government welcomes a step forward for the marketing of carbon credits in Gabon.
On Friday 7 October 2022, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) published́ its report on the technical analysis of Gabon’s activities over the period 2010-2018 on reducing emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, as well as conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+).
The findings of the UNFCCC report indicate that over the period 2010-2018, Gabon has reduced its CO2 emissions by 90.6 million tonnes compared to the average emissions between 2000-2009. Based on its status as a High Forest Cover Low Deforestation (HFLD) country, the UNFCCC validated́ 187,104,289 tonnes of REDD+ credits for Gabon. They further attest that the data and information provided by the country are « consistent with the guidelines » in force and « transparent ». Based on these findings, Gabon is certified for REDD+ credits for the period 2010-2018.
For Gabon, obtaining this certification is a major turning point. From now on, Gabon, a country committed to climate and biodiversity protectioń, will be able to enhance its determined action in favour of climate preservation by drawing a significant share of its resources from the protection and sustainable management of the forest, and thus accelerate the preparation of the post-oil era. « This is an important step that paves the way for their commercialisation. For our country, which will now be able to draw part of its resources from the protection of the forest, this is a historic moment, » said Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba on social networks.
Carbon credits « will benefit all Gabonese
Reacting to his country’s certification for carbon credits by the UNFCCC, the Gabonese Minister of Water and Forests announced that the revenue from the sale of carbon credits would benefit all sectors of the country.
« Assuming $30 per tonne, I expect that in the post-Glasgow world, Gabon will generate 100 million tonnes of net carbon sequestration credits per year and sell them for $20 to $30, » explains Minister Lee White, before specifying that « these funds will be distributed as follows: 10% reinvested in forest management; 15% for rural communities; 25% for the private sector; and 25% for the public sector; 15% for rural communities; 25% for the Sovereign Wealth Fund to be reinvested for future generations; 25% to service Gabon’s debt; 25% in the national budget for education, health and climate resilience… ».
Fanta Mabo
Gabon has just been certified for carbon credit by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The government welcomes a step forward for the marketing of carbon credits in Gabon.
In a world increasingly prone to plastic pollution, it is natural to seek appropriate solutions to slow down this global phenomenon. The recovery of plastic waste is one of the most effective solutions to fight against environmental pollution.
The recovery or revalorization of waste is a set of processes by which we transform a material waste into another product, material or energy. As far as plastic waste is concerned, there are currently six stages in the collection and recovery process.
The recycling process of plastic waste starts with the collection stage. Although it is a determining factor in the process, this stage is carried out by the users of the plastic. Through the selective sorting of household waste, these users deposit plastic waste in bins or sorting containers provided for this purpose. This can be plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic films or plastic pots and containers.
After this stage, the collected waste is then transported by trucks to a sorting center. They are sorted according to their nature: polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene and others. After shredding and cleaning, followed by drying and homogenization, the sixth step consists of obtaining the pellets. The homogeneous paste from the previous step is flattened to form plastic balls or large cubes, which are then cut into small grains, called pellets. In this form, the plastic is reused to make new objects.
According to a report by the Cameroonian Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Cameroon produces 6 million tons of waste per year; 10% of which is plastic waste, or 600,000 tons.
Despite this potential, the Cameroonian plastic waste recycling industry (consisting of about ten companies) remains weak. According to official figures, the contribution of this sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) is only about 1%. The sector also faces technical and administrative constraints, including a small market, competition from imports, and payment of additional duties and taxes.
Fanta Mabo
In a world increasingly prone to plastic pollution, it is natural to seek appropriate solutions to slow down this global phenomenon. The recovery of plastic waste is one of the most effective solutions to fight against environmental pollution.
Le Secrétariat de la commission des forêts d’Afrique centrale (Comifac) devra accompagner les pays de sa zone dans la mobilisation des financements pour l’appropriation et la mise en œuvre de leurs Contributions déterminées au niveau national (CDN) révisées. C’est l’une des recommandations de l’Atelier sous régional de préparation des échéances futures sous la Convention Cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (COP27), qui s’est tenu du 22 au 24 octobre 2022, à Douala au Cameroun.
Dans le cadre du Groupe de Travail de la Comifac sur les Changements Climatiques (GTCCC), Il a été organisé par le Secrétariat Exécutif de la Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale (Comifac) avec le soutien du Projet GIZ « Appui régional à la Comifac », un atelier sous régional de préparation des échéances futures sous la Convention Cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques, du 22 au 24 octobre 2022, à Douala au Cameroun.
Cet atelier Il avait pour objectif global de s’approprier de la position commune et d’élaborer une Déclaration des pays de l’espace COMIFAC dans le cadre de leur participation à la 27e Conférence des Parties sous la CCNUCC (CdP27), sur les enjeux qui y seront discutés du 6 au 18 novembre 2022 à Sharm El-Sheikh en Égypte.
Lire toutes les recommandations de l’atelier Ici.
Le Secrétariat de la commission des forêts d’Afrique centrale (Comifac) devra accompagner les pays de sa zone dans la mobilisation des financements pour l’appropriation et la mise en œuvre de leurs Contributions déterminées au niveau national (CDN) révisées. C’est l’une des recommandations de l’Atelier sous régional de préparation des échéances futures sous la Convention Cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (COP27), qui s’est tenu du 22 au 24 octobre 2022, à Douala au Cameroun.
A publication highlights policy options for sustainable financing, with a focus on debt-for-climate/nature swaps. The report was released on October 13, 2022 by the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Potomoac Group and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Debt-for-climate/nature swaps are financial transactions designed to exchange debt cancellation for conservation actions. In a report released on October 13, 2022, the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Potomoac Group and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), recommends that African states turn to debt-for-nature/climate swaps to « mobilize biodiversity financing for nature-friendly projects on a case-by-case basis, as tailored solutions are needed for optimal results, » the report says.
Entitled « Debt-for-Nature Swaps: Feasibility and Policy Significance in Africa’s Natural Resources Sector, » the report aims to inform the AfDB’s debt action plan and sustainable borrowing policy, as well as specific interventions on debt management and sustainability in African countries.
An additional $484.6 billion in financing
To address the triple threat of unsustainable debt, climate risk and natural degradation through the African Union (AU) Green Recovery Action Plan 2021-2027, the report highlights opportunities and innovations for mobilizing external finance in indebted countries at concessional rates, including private sector financing.
In figures, the report estimates that Africa would need an additional $484.6 billion in financing over the next ten years. Its publication comes just a few weeks before the 15th United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) scheduled for December 2022 in Canada. A summit during which participants will have to rely on the 200 billion dollars proposed by the United Nations, in order to implement the global biodiversity framework for the post-2020.
Fanta Mabo
A publication highlights policy options for sustainable financing, with a focus on debt-for-climate/nature swaps. The report was released on October 13, 2022 by the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Potomoac Group and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The Bloom association for the protection of the oceans and the South African non-governmental organization (NGO) The Green Connection launched a campaign in Paris on Monday 17 October 2022 against a major gas project by TotalEnergies. According to the two conservation organizations, this project would threaten biodiversity.
TotalEnergies, a French oil company, is preparing to drill at a depth of 1,700 meters to reach two major gas fields in the Brulpadda area, located 175 km off the South African coast. But for nature conservationists, this project will have an impact on marine life. The drilling will be carried out on the migration route of large cetaceans such as whales and orcas.
To obtain the cancellation of this project, the association Bloom for the protection of the oceans, and the South African non-governmental organization (NGO) The Green Connection, launched an international petition on October 17, 2022 in Paris, France. « They know that these are complicated waters with a risk of oil spills, » warns Swann Bommier, Bloom’s Advocacy and Campaigns Officer.
« It’s a spectacular place from a biodiversity point of view, which is on the migration route of whales and sperm whales. It is also a living environment for dolphins, leatherback turtles and seals », defends the president of Bloom, Claire Nouvian.
Reducing dependence on coal
TotalEnergies has already carried out exploration drilling, with a platform to determine the extent of the reserves. And on September 5, 2022, the group filed an application for a production license to exploit the two major gas deposits discovered, which may contain up to one billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Faced with challenges from environmental NGOs, the French company claims that this new project will benefit South Africa. According to the company, it will replace coal (which made up 73.2% of South Africa’s energy mix in 2018, according to official figures) with gas, which is less polluting. But this argument is dismissed out of hand by environmental advocates. « Gas is not a transitional energy, we must stop the greenwashing, » retorts the Green MEP Karima Delli.
According to the two protesting organizations, the South African authorities should decide on the exploitation license requested by TotalEnergies, at the end of a public inquiry scheduled until January 20, 2023.
Fanta Mabo
The Bloom association for the protection of the oceans and the South African non-governmental organization (NGO) The Green Connection launched a campaign in Paris on Monday 17 October 2022 against a major gas project by TotalEnergies. According to the two conservation organizations, this project would threaten biodiversity.