Le ministère de l’Environnement de l’Égypte et l’Organisation des Nations unies pour le développement industriel (Onudi) ont uni leurs forces dans le cadre d’un projet de 3 millions de dollars visant à atténuer les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et à préserver la biodiversité à Hurghada. L’initiative, baptisée « Green Hurghada » ou « Verdir l’industrie touristique à Hurghada », vise à favoriser une reprise durable dans les secteurs du tourisme, de l’énergie et des transports.
Toute l'actu sur la protection de l'environnement
Le ministère de l’Environnement de l’Égypte et l’Organisation des Nations unies pour le développement industriel (Onudi) ont uni leurs forces dans le cadre d’un projet de 3 millions de dollars visant à atténuer les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et à préserver la biodiversité à Hurghada. L’initiative, baptisée « Green Hurghada » ou « Verdir l’industrie touristique à Hurghada », vise à favoriser une reprise durable dans les secteurs du tourisme, de l’énergie et des transports.
Bordant la mer rouge, au sud du canal de Suez, la ville d’Hurghada, l’une des plus importantes stations balnéaires du pays des Pharaons, accueille le projet baptisée « Green Hurghada » ou « Verdir l’industrie touristique à Hurghada ».
Financé par le Fonds pour l’environnement mondial (FEM), un fonds international axé sur la conservation de la biodiversité et l’atténuation du changement climatique, le projet qui vise à favoriser une reprise durable dans les secteurs du tourisme, de l’énergie et des transports, s’étalera sur cinq ans et s’alignera sur les plans de relance post-COVID-19. Il se concentrera sur la mise en œuvre de solutions technologiques durables et la promotion d’investissements verts dans le secteur touristique d’Hurghada, tout en sensibilisant à l’importance de la préservation de la biodiversité.
Promotion de pratiques touristiques durables
L’objectif ultime est de développer une industrie touristique plus résiliente en privilégiant la durabilité environnementale, économique et sociale. Lors de la cérémonie de signature, Patrick Gilabert, représentant de l’Onudi en Égypte, a souligné l’objectif du projet d’encourager des pratiques touristiques durables et de répondre à l’impact des activités touristiques et de pêche sur la biodiversité.
Des évaluations environnementales stratégiques seront menées, et des efforts seront déployés pour atténuer les effets du changement climatique et de la pollution atmosphérique, a ajouté Gilabert. Le projet comprendra également un programme dédié pour fournir une assistance technique, promouvoir le développement technologique et offrir des incitations à l’investissement.
Le ministère de l’Environnement établira un Comité de pilotage du projet (PSC) pour superviser la mise en œuvre du projet. De plus, la ministre de l’Environnement, Yasmine Fouad, a déclaré qu’elle superviserait également la collaboration entre divers ministères et organisations égyptiennes impliquées dans le projet, fournissant une assistance stratégique cruciale pour atteindre ses objectifs. Fouad a en outre mentionné que le FEM et l’Onudi joueront un rôle dans la préparation d’études de suivi essentielles sur le projet et de rapports.
Vision pour un Sharm El-Sheikh vert
La vision plus large de l’Égypte inclut la transformation de Charm el-Cheikh en une ville verte d’ici 2028, dans le cadre d’une initiative financée par le FEM et mise en œuvre en collaboration avec le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD). Ces dernières années, l’Égypte a déjà pris des mesures en faveur du développement durable à Charm el-Cheikh, comme l’adoption de véhicules électriques pour le transport, l’obligation de certifications vertes pour les hôtels et l’interdiction des sacs en plastique à usage unique.
Hurghada et Charm el-Cheikh sont des destinations touristiques vitales le long de la côte égyptienne de la mer Rouge, attirant chaque année des millions de visiteurs du monde entier. Selon le ministre du Tourisme Ahmed Issa, ces deux villes ont accueilli collectivement environ sept millions de touristes en 2023, sur un total de 14,9 millions de touristes ayant visité l’Égypte.
Boris Ngounou
Tensions rise as Tanzania issues three new elephant hunting permits, sparking outrage from Kenya, particularly regarding the preservation of rare « Super Tuskers » – majestic elephants with tusks weighing up to 45 kilograms.
For nearly thirty years, an agreement safeguarded these iconic creatures in the border region shared by Tanzania and Kenya. However, the recent issuance of hunting permits casts doubt on the sustainability of this pact. Joseph Ole Lenku, Governor of Kajiado County in Kenya, voiced profound concern, stating that the new permits only exacerbate anxiety about the future of these majestic animals. He urged Tanzanian authorities to reconsider their decisions.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Cynthia Moss, founder of the Amboseli Elephant Fund, reveals that there are only around ten « Super Tuskers » remaining in the border area between Kenya and Tanzania. The Big Life Foundation, a local NGO, confirms that the three elephants recently hunted in Tanzania were among these rare specimens, known for their tusks exceeding 45 kilograms.
The disappearance of nearly two-thirds of « Super Tuskers » in just eight years raises alarms, not only for their survival but also for biodiversity at large. At a time when Africa’s protected areas witnessed a 60% decline in large mammal populations between 1970 and 2005, the practice of elephant hunting prompts fundamental questions.
While hunters often cite financial contributions to reserve management and species preservation, these justifications are challenged by instances of corruption and poaching, particularly in Tanzania. Reports from 2016 revealed foreign hunters using Kalashnikovs to shoot pregnant elephants, contributing to a drastic decline in elephant numbers in reserves like Selous, where populations plummeted by almost two-thirds in just eight years.
The issuance of elephant hunting permits raises profound ethical and conservation concerns, highlighting the urgent need for responsible wildlife management practices.
Fanta Mabo
Tanzania’s Elephant Hunting Permits Draw Criticism from Kenya
Tensions rise as Tanzania issues three new elephant hunting permits, sparking outrage from Kenya, particularly regarding the preservation of rare « Super Tuskers » – majestic elephants with tusks weighing up to 45 kilograms.
Le numéro de ce jour, nous emmène à Somalomo. Un petit coin de paradis situé à 208 kilomètres de Yaoundé (la capitale du Cameroun), où la nature est reine et les abeilles sont les gardiennes du trésor écologique de la réserve du Dja. Somalomo, quand l’apiculture moderne se positionne comme alternative de développement et de protection de la Biodiversité. Environnementales est un magazine radiophonique conçu et présenté par Boris Ngounou.
Email: contact@environnementales.com
WhatsApp: +237674033989
Agréable écoute à vous.
CAMEROUN: L’apiculture moderne comme alternative de développement dans la Boucle du Dja (audio)
Le numéro de ce jour, nous emmène à Somalomo. Un petit coin de paradis situé à 208 kilomètres de Yaoundé (la capitale du Cameroun), où la nature est reine et les abeilles sont les gardiennes du trésor écologique de la réserve du Dja. Somalomo, quand l’apiculture moderne se positionne comme alternative de développement et de protection de la Biodiversité. Environnementales est un magazine radiophonique conçu et présenté par Boris Ngounou.
Email: contact@environnementales.com
To mark the 49th International Women’s Rights Day on 8 March 2024, Environnementales highlights the vital role of African women in the fight against climate change. The devastating effects of climate change on the African continent are amplifying already existing gender disparities, highlighting the urgent need for concerted action to strengthen women’s resilience.
Women are 14 times more likely to die from climate-related disasters than men. This finding by UN Women reflects the growing recognition that the adverse effects of natural disasters disproportionately affect marginalised groups, particularly women and children.
The reason for this is simple. African women, particularly in rural areas, are the pillars of communities, shouldering crucial domestic and economic responsibilities. However, the scarcity of natural resources and climatic shocks are increasing their vulnerability. In Ethiopia, where the worst drought in nearly 40 years has hit, thousands of girls have been forced to drop out of school to take on the increased burden of household and agricultural tasks. They are suffering loss of income due to lower agricultural productivity and are travelling longer distances to access water, while men and teenagers are migrating to urban centres in search of work.
The situation is the same in West and Central Africa, where women are on the front line of these effects of climate change. According to analyses of the impact of climate change, reported by AfricaInteract, a 2% rise in temperature is likely to lead to the disappearance of 10-15% of species in West Africa, and would affect agricultural production by 30%, a sector that employs 60% of the working population.
Women, the key to the future of climate action in Africa
On this Women’s Day, it is essential to recognise the challenges faced by African women in the context of climate change, while celebrating their central role in the search for sustainable solutions. For they bring effective knowledge and skills. In rural areas, women, who are often responsible for the family water supply, have invaluable expertise in rainfall patterns and water conservation practices. With this in mind, involving women in the development of effective adaptation strategies has become a priority in many African countries.
By August 2023, 40 of the 41 African countries that had updated their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) had integrated gender considerations, with 25 countries focusing on adaptation and 12 on mitigation. Notable advances have been made, notably in Nigeria, where the National Gender Policy has been revised and a National Action Plan on the link between gender and climate change adopted in 2022. Similarly, Malawi has set up a National Technical Committee on Climate Change, with representation from the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Security, thereby strengthening its policy and institutional frameworks for more inclusive climate action.
Fanta Mabo
8 March: African women’s challenges and priorities in the face of climate change
To mark the 49th International Women’s Rights Day on 8 March 2024, Afrik21 highlights the vital role of African women in the fight against climate change. The devastating effects of climate change on the African continent are amplifying already existing gender disparities, highlighting the urgent need for concerted action to strengthen women’s resilience.
Sierra Leone’s coastal communities, faced with rising sea levels and increasingly violent storms, are receiving crucial support with the announcement on 6 March 2024 of a $26.8 million initiative. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), in collaboration with the government of Sierra Leone and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Save the Children, is launching an ambitious project to build resilience to the devastating effects of climate change along the coast of this West African country.
The Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project aims to enable communities to better plan for and adapt to the impacts of climate change, while improving their livelihoods. With the direct aim of reaching 260,000 people and benefiting a further million, the initiative will involve the conservation and restoration of 1,500 hectares of mangrove ecosystems essential for coastal protection and marine biodiversity.
Working with local partners, this five-year project will focus on improving food and water security, supporting education, enhancing social inclusion, and improving the health and well-being of coastal populations. Particular attention will be paid to women, young people and children, who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Efforts will include building resilience in more than 70 schools, as well as improving education on climate change.
The $26.8 million funding comes primarily from a $25 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), supplemented by contributions from Sierra Leone’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the law firm Clifford Chance and Jersey Overseas Aid. This project, Save the Children’s fourth with the GCF and the first in sub-Saharan Africa, reflects the commitment of international organisations to supporting the most vulnerable communities in the face of the impacts of climate change.
Inclusive approaches and nature-based solutions
« Through this project, we have the opportunity to implement innovative solutions, harnessing nature-based approaches and sustainable practices to strengthen our coastal defences. We will work hand in hand with local communities, ensuring that they are actively involved in the decision-making process and that their voices are heard and valued, » explains Abu Bakar Massaquoi, Executive Chairman of the Sierra Leone EPA.
The project will be implemented in partnership with the EPA, local communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), following extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders. The funding agreement was signed on 6 March 2024 at the GCF Board meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
Fanta Mabo
SIERRA LEONE: a $26.8 million investment to strengthen climate resilience
Sierra Leone’s coastal communities, faced with rising sea levels and increasingly violent storms, are receiving crucial support with the announcement on 6 March 2024 of a $26.8 million initiative. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), in collaboration with the government of Sierra Leone and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Save the Children, is launching an ambitious project to build resilience to the devastating effects of climate change along the coast of this West African country.
Launched in 2017 by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) is launching two new platforms to support sustainable cocoa farming in West Africa. The two new resources presented on 14 February 2024 aim to halt deforestation caused by cocoa and restore forest areas. This initiative commits companies in the sector to mapping their supply chains and adopting methodologies for assessing the risks of deforestation, all with a view to transparency and reporting.
As part of these efforts, the World Resources Institute (WRI) has teamed up with 19 major cocoa and chocolate companies to create two key new databases.
The West Africa Cocoa (WAC) dataset, listing the location of cocoa plots in the direct supply chains of participating companies in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Available on Global Forest Watch (GFW), an application that monitors the world’s forests in real time, it provides a detailed view of cocoa production in the region.
Cocoa Deforestation Risk Assessment (Cocoa DRA), a standardised map assessing the risk of future deforestation linked to cocoa production. This resource can be used to identify priority areas for action to promote sustainable production and protect the remaining forests.
These initiatives, the result of unprecedented collaboration, provide a common vision of priority areas for coordinated action to promote an environmentally friendly cocoa sector in West Africa. The WAC data, although sensitive, is made available to the public in the form of a heat map on GFW, guaranteeing the protection of farmers’ privacy. Similarly, the Cocoa DRA identifies areas at risk of future deforestation, helping companies to make informed decisions to reduce their environmental impact.
In 14 years, cocoa has razed 1/3 of Ghana’s forest cover
Together, the WAC and the Cocoa DRA provide a solid basis for decision-making and collective action to eliminate cocoa-related deforestation. As public resources, they contribute to transparent monitoring of the sector and the promotion of sustainable cocoa production in West Africa.
The growing demand for chocolate is having a significant impact on the region’s forests. Around 70% of the world’s cocoa supply comes from Ghana and Ivory Coast, where production sites have replaced millions of hectares of forest. Between 2001 and 2015 alone, cocoa was associated with the loss of a third of Ghana’s forest area and a quarter of that of Ivory Coast.
Fanta Mabo
WEST AFRICA: two new tools to combat cocoa deforestation
Launched in 2017 by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) is launching two new platforms to support sustainable cocoa farming in West Africa. The two new resources presented on 14 February 2024 aim to halt deforestation caused by cocoa and restore forest areas. This initiative commits companies in the sector to mapping their supply chains and adopting methodologies for assessing the risks of deforestation, all with a view to transparency and reporting.
Le ministère des Eaux et Forêts, représenté par le Général de Brigade, M. Maurice Ntossui Allogo, en collaboration avec l’ONG Conservation Justice (CJ), représenté par son Directeur Exécutif M. Luc Mathot, a signé le 1er mars 2024 deux protocoles d’accord, d’une part, avec les sociétés forestières Rougier Gabon et SOMIVAB, représentés respectivement par leurs directeurs généraux M. Stéphane Jaffret et M. Andrea Rigoni, d’autre part, avec la société Gabon Advance Wood (GAW) et la Fondation Lékédi Biodiversité représentés par Mme Sylvie Boldrini et M. Eric Willaume.
Lesdits protocoles d’accord s’inscrivent dans le cadre de la politique forestière de gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers du Gabon. à laquelle s’ajoute la promotion des systèmes de certification de gestion forestière dont les référentiels imposent aux gestionnaires forestiers de conserver entre autres la diversité biologique (faune et flore). Les brigades faune créées ont d’abord pour rôle l’information, la sensibilisation et l’éducation environnementale, suivie de la surveillance et de la lutte contre les trafics illégaux des ressources naturelles.
D’une durée de deux ans, ces derniers permettront au ministère de mettre en place un cadre de collaboration entre les différentes parties prenantes visant à lutter contre le braconnage et les activités illicites dans les zones périphériques des Parcs Nationaux d’Ivindo et de Minkebe, dans les Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (UFA) de Rougier Gabon situées dans l’Ogooué-Ivindo ainsi que dans les UFA 1 et 2 de la Compagnie Forestière des Abeilles (CFA) et les Conventions Provisoires d’Aménagement (CPAET) GSEZ de Mvoung, Kouye et Touro, gérées et exploitées par SOMIVAB ; et enfin dans la périphérie du Parc de la Lékédi et de l’UFA Ogooué de la société Gabon Advance Wood.
Pour le ministre des Eaux et Forêts, la gestion durable des forêts et de la faune sauvage sont intrinsèquement liées car cette dernière contribue au maintien des services écologiques des forêts et à la santé des écosystèmes : « Les crimes contre la faune tels que le braconnage et le trafic illicite des espèces animales constituent des menaces aussi bien pour la santé de nos forêts que pour le développement économique et la sécurité de notre nation.
Le directeur Exécutif de l’ONG Conservation Justice explique la structure des deux brigades faune créées : « Il s’agit de Partenariats Publics-Privés, financé notamment par l’Union européenne et la coopération allemande (PPECF). Seul on va vite, ensemble on va plus loin. Les enjeux autour des vastes espaces forestiers concernés dépassent d’ailleurs le cadre du Gabon. En effet, la riche forêt gabonaise est utile pour la production de bois mais aussi pour les communautés qui en ont besoin pour leurs besoins quotidiens. Il est estimé que la forêt gabonaise séquestre chaque année 140 millions de tonnes de CO2 par an, ce qui correspond plus ou moins à ce qui est produit par 30 millions de voitures ».
Le Directeur général de Rougier Gabon, Stéphane Jaffret a déclaré : « En tant que gestionnaire forestier responsable, il nous revient de garantir l’intégrité de l’environnement et des ressources naturelles des concessions que nous gérons. Traduit dans l’axe 3 de notre politique RSE, cet engagement nous pousse à travailler en synergie avec nos parties prenantes pour améliorer la biodiversité et prévenir son extinction. »
Boris Ngounou
GABON : signature de 2 accords de partenariat public-privé (PPP) pour la biodiversité
Le ministère des Eaux et Forêts, représenté par le Général de Brigade, M. Maurice Ntossui Allogo, en collaboration avec l’ONG Conservation Justice (CJ), représenté par son Directeur Exécutif M. Luc Mathot, a signé ce jour deux protocoles d’accord, d’une part, avec les sociétés forestières Rougier Gabon et SOMIVAB, représentés respectivement par leurs directeurs généraux M. Stéphane Jaffret et M. Andrea Rigoni, d’autre part, avec la société Gabon Advance Wood (GAW) et la Fondation Lékédi Biodiversité représentés par Mme Sylvie Boldrini et M. Eric Willaume.
As African heads of states and governments gather at the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 17-18, environmentalists have called for a unified commitment to and greater leadership in tackling the escalating plastic pollution crisis and overfishing in Africa’s waters.
Dr. Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa, emphasized the critical need for a robust, ambitious global plastics and high seas treaties. “We are at a pivotal moment where our actions can shape the future of our continent. African governments must mobilise and unite in supporting a strong Global Plastics Treaty and High Seas Treaty that prioritise reducing plastic production, keeping the oil and gas used in its production in the ground and protecting our oceans. This is not just an environmental issue; it’s a justice issue, it’s also about the health, livelihood and rights of our people,” said Dr. Keita.
Plastic is the fastest growing source of industrial greenhouse gases. Greenpeace Africa applauds the progress made by the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) and urges more African countries to join the Coalition in strengthening their positions on the plastics treaty. The move would significantly bolster the efforts of existing coalition members, including Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, in advocating for a treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
« Our demand is clear: a treaty that reduces structural inequalities, protects human health, the environment, and ensures a just transition to a low-carbon development pathway. It must be centered on justice for frontline communities most affected by plastic pollution and overfishing, » Dr. Keita added.
Greenpeace Africa urges African leaders at the AU Summit to demonstrate true leadership by adopting a progressive plan that tackles the full lifecycle of plastic and invests in sustainable solutions like reuse and refill systems. This is a critical opportunity for African nations to lead the way in creating a plastic-free future with protected oceans, showing the world that they stand firmly on the side of their people.
Ferdinand Omondi – Greenpeace Africa
AU Summit: Greenpeace Africa Calls for Africa’s Leadership for a Strong Global Plastic Treaty and Global High Seas Treaty
As African heads of states and governments gather at the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 17-18, environmentalists have called for a unified commitment to and greater leadership in tackling the escalating plastic pollution crisis and overfishing in Africa’s waters.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $10 million equity investment in the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa-Project Development Fund (AGIA-PD). Led by the AfDB, the AGIA-PD fund is a $10 billion initiative designed to help accelerate Africa’s green transition.
A new contribution to the capital of the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa-Project Development Fund (AGIA-PD) is announced. On January 24, 2024 in Abidjan, members of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Board of Directors adopted the proposal for a $10 million equity investment in the AGIA-PD fund. This is the first tranche of a $40 million equity investment to which the bank committed at the 28th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023.
A component of the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA), the AGIA-PD Fund is a $10 billion initiative led by the AfDB and created jointly with the African Union Commission (AUC), the pan-African investment platform Africa50 and several other partners. The aim is to help accelerate the continent’s green transition by working with African countries and the international and local private sector to prepare and develop transformative green and resilient infrastructure projects and programs on a very rapid and large scale.
The projects targeted by AGIA-PD are aligned with recipient countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as with the AfDB’s High 5 strategic priorities of Lighting up and Powering Africa, Feeding Africa, Industrializing Africa, Integrating Africa and Improving People’s Quality of Life, and the Bank’s Climate Change and Green Growth Framework 2021-2030.
To achieve its objectives, AGIA will be implemented through three pillars, the first of which is project preparation, aimed at mobilizing $100 million in grants for targeted activities. The second pillar, with AGIA-PD as its instrument, is project development, aiming to mobilize $400 million in mixed capital to transform green infrastructure project concepts into bankable opportunities. Finally, the third pillar, Investment and Financing, consists of putting in place a framework to facilitate the mobilization of ten billion dollars of financing (equity, loans and risk mitigation instruments) to enable the large-scale financing of green infrastructure projects prepared and developed under the first two pillars.
Fanta Mabo
AFRICA: AfDB injects $10 million into AGIA-PD green infrastructure fund
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $10 million equity investment in the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa-Project Development Fund (AGIA-PD). Led by the AfDB, the AGIA-PD fund is a $10 billion initiative designed to help accelerate Africa’s green transition.
Since January 6, 2024, a plastic art exhibition has been taking place in the Pahou classified forest, located 30 minutes from Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital. The initiative, supported by the Institut français du Bénin, aims to protect nature through artistic expression.
A collective of 23 Beninese visual artists are presenting their works in the classified Pahou forest, located in the historic town of Ouidah, in southern Benin. Supported by the French Institute of Benin as part of the « Vodun-Days » festival organized from January 9 to 10, 2024, the exhibition dubbed « N. art.urel » is a project conceived and executed by Dominique Zinkpè, Beninese visual artist and promoter of the art gallery Le lieu Unik-Abomey.
« This project came about because we wanted visual artists not to be confined to conventional exhibition venues. We also draw our materials from nature. It’s a way of bringing art and nature into harmony. Each artist brings his or her own intelligence to the table, so that the exhibition as a whole makes sense, » explains Dominique Zinkpè. At the opening of the exhibition on January 6, 2024, the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, was present. The Head of State exchanged views with the artists’ collective, who introduced him to works of contemporary art representative of Benin’s history and cultural heritage.
Covering an area of 520.2 hectares and rich in 247 plant species, the Pahou classified forest will host this exhibition until Wednesday January 17, 2024.
In their quest for communion between nature and art, Dominique Zinkpè and his comrades have set themselves the next challenge, to exhibit their works far from the ground. « We hope to exhibit our work on the water in Ganvié (a lakeside town on Lake Nokoué, north of the metropolis of Cotonou), » explains Dominique Zinkpè.
Fanta Mabo
BÉNIN: sculpture and conservation in symphony in the Pahou classified forest
Since January 6, 2024, a plastic art exhibition has been taking place in the Pahou classified forest, located 30 minutes from Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital. The initiative, supported by the Institut français du Bénin, aims to protect nature through artistic expression.