Toute l'actu sur la protection de l'environnement
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Four individuals involved in the illegal trafficking of four ivory tips were arrested on April 5 and 6, 2023 in Makokou, a town in northeastern Gabon. The elephant population in Gabon remains threatened despite regular ivory seizures by Water and Forestry agents. This observation has led civil society to explore actions upstream of the ivory trade process. 

In Gabon, efforts to fight crime related to protected wildlife species have just resulted in new arrests. A joint team of agents from the Water and Forestry Administration and the Judicial Police in the province of Ogooué-Ivindo in northeastern Gabon has just dismantled an ivory trafficking circuit operating in the town of Makokou.

A total of four individuals involved in the commercialization of ivory were arrested on April 5 and 6, 2023. The first was arrested with four ivory tips, two of which were whole and two cut into pieces. Overwhelmed by this arrest, he revealed the details of this case. He confirmed that he was the owner of part of the ivory found in his possession. The driver was also arrested at the same time. On April 6, the owner of the severed ivories and another intermediary were arrested in turn.

Arrested with the technical assistance of Conservation Justice, all of these suspects are being prosecuted for possession, attempted commercialization, as well as complicity in possession and complicity in attempted commercialization of ivory tips. Articles 390 and 392 of the new Gabonese penal code provide for a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine equivalent to five times the market value of the ivory spikes found in their possession. It should be noted that a pair of ivory tips can easily be traded for 22,500 euros, according to estimates by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Reducing the demand for ivory in China

Gabon’s elephant population remains threatened despite regular ivory seizures by Water and Forestry officials. Since 2010, Conservation Justice has helped seize 754 elephant tusks, totaling over 3.5 tons of ivory. According to Gaspard Abitsi, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Gabon, this trafficking is mainly aimed at international markets. The new measures adopted in recent years at the international level are aimed precisely at curbing this demand. « In recent years, many efforts have been made, including in the United States of America in 2016 with the measures that were taken to ban domestic ivory markets, and in China, which also took steps to ban these official state markets in 2018. All of these decisions are helping to reduce demand. Because for poaching to occur, there has to be a market, and that market is often driven by demand. Naturally, countries like Gabon, which are home to forest elephant species, are the supply side, » he said.

In Gabon, the legislator has strengthened the legal framework in 2019 by increasing the maximum penalty from 6 months in prison to up to 10 years in prison. This measure is intended to deter those tempted to engage in this traffic. 

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Une lettre de dénonciation reçue (en ampliation) par  Greenpeace Afrique appelle le Gouvernement du Cameroun à ne pas délivrer l’autorisation de déversement des eaux usées au profit de l’entreprise FIPCAM du fait des risques de pollution, de destruction de l’environnement et des ressources vitales ainsi qu’une atteinte à la santé des populations.

Par un Avis Public rendu publié le 16 novembre 2022, le Préfet du département de la Mefou et Afamba annonçait l’ouverture d’une enquête publique relative à l’impact de déversement des eaux usées par la société de fabrique camerounaise de parquet (FIPCAM). Une lettre d’opposition et de dénonciation adressée au Ministre camerounais de l’Eau et de l’Energie relève les dangers et le désastre que représenterait la délivrance de l’autorisation visée par l’enquête publique. Dans sa correspondance datant de 21 février 2023, Sosthène Amougou, natif de Mfou, relevait déjà les éventuels risques d’une telle initiative sur les populations. “ Nous vivons de l’agriculture, de la pêche et consommons l’eau des ruisseaux. Notre opposition se base sur les conséquences que ces déversements d’eaux usées auront sur l’équilibre écologique, le cadre et la qualité de vie des populations ainsi que leur environnement.” a-t-il écrit.

En effet, si FIPCAM déverse ses eaux dans l’environnement, cela élève le risque de destruction de la flore et de la faune aquatique ainsi que la pollution des eaux dans la localité.

“ La ville de Mfou n’est pas une poubelle et ses habitants ont le droit de respirer un air pur. Le droit à un environnement sain est consacré dans la Constitution du Cameroun. Octroyer une telle autorisation à FIPCAM serait choisir délibérément d’endommager la santé des Camerounais qui ont pourtant déjà une longue liste de défis à relever au quotidien, et ainsi violer ce droit fondamental de l’Homme. Le gouvernement est le garant du bien-être de la population et doit agir en conséquence dans ce cas de figure“ a déclaré Ranece Jovial Ndjeuda, Responsable de la Campagne Forêt chez Greenpeace Afrique. “Dans la même lancée, il est curieux que l’avis au public du préfet de Mfou soit signé le jour de la date annoncée pour l’ouverture de l’enquête publique, et l’affichage dudit avis public (sensé permettre aux populations d’avoir l’information sur ce projet qui impactera négativement leur vie) le 18 novembre 2022 soit deux jours après la date de l’ouverture de l’enquête publique. Ceci représente une illégalité notamment en ce qui concerne l’observance des délais en pareille circonstance sachant que les populations devaient avoir besoin de temps pour se préparer pour l’enquête susmentionnée” ajoute Ranece Ndjeudja.

“Les compagnies comme FIPCAM doivent disposer d’une usine de traitement d’eau  pour éviter d’intoxiquer la population environnante. Nous encourageons le Ministre de l’Eau et de l’Energie à demander à l’entreprise de suivre le même processus pour en construire une ou la mettre à jour en vue de traiter ses eaux usées, et ainsi donner une chance aux habitants de Mfou de vivre dans un environnement sain” conclut Ranece Jovial Ndjeudja.

Greenpeace Afrique

The French perfumery and cosmetics industry, united and coordinated by Cosmetic Valley, has announced a financial endowment of more than 500,000 euros for the study of the forest cosmetopoeia of the Congo Basin. This funding, supported by Cosmetic Valley’s endowment fund, will allow the allocation of grants for the realization, on site, of internships, doctoral theses and post-doctorates in the field of cosmetopoeia.

This is the cosmetic version of the sustainable exploitation of forest resources. The forest cosmetopoeia, presented by the French cosmetics industry, on the occasion of the One Forest Summit, held on 1 and 2 March 2023 in Libreville, Gabon. 

Developed by Cosmetic Valley over the past ten years, the forest cosmetopoeia was at the heart of discussions in Libreville. The aim was to encourage the continent’s states to develop their genetic wealth and traditional cosmetic uses associated with them in order to conserve them, inventory them, and then develop, around them, an economic and ecological ecosystem that will create growth and jobs.

« I am pleased that the President of the Republic and the Gabonese authorities wished to have the cosmetics industry testify on the occasion of this first One Forest Summit. It is with enthusiasm that we have responded to this call. Cosmetics are as old as the world. It concerns humanity, children or elderly people, women or men, on the whole earth. It was born from natural resources. Preserving them is an imperative. Knowing the extent and multiple properties is a wealth for all, » says Marc-Antoine Jamet, President of the Cosmetic Valley cluster.

Funding for the study of forest cosmetopoeia in Central Africa

To promote the forest cosmetopoeia in the Congo Basin, the French cosmetics industry, coordinated by the association Cosmetic Valley announces a financial endowment of over 500,000 euros. This funding, supported by the Cosmetic Valley endowment fund, will allow the allocation of scholarships for the realization, on site, of internships, doctoral theses and post-doctoral studies in the field of cosmetology.

Cosmetic Valley is the cluster of the French perfumery and cosmetics industry, charged by the French government with implementing a strategy to coordinate the actions carried out for the sector. The organization brings together 3,200 companies, 80% of which are small and medium-sized businesses and about 100 major brands, representing all areas of the cosmetics industry. With a turnover of 45 billion euros and 250,000 jobs, Cosmetic Valley is also the world’s leading network for research in cosmetology with 500 projects representing an investment of 520 million euros.

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CONGO BASIN: Cosmetic Valley finances the forest cosmetopoeia

14 mars 2023 0 Comments

The French perfumery and cosmetics industry, united and coordinated by Cosmetic Valley, has announced a financial endowment of more than 500,000 euros for the study of the forest cosmetopoeia of the Congo Basin. This funding, supported by Cosmetic Valley’s endowment fund, will allow the allocation of grants for the realization, on site, of internships, doctoral theses and post-doctorates in the field of cosmetopoeia.

Environmental activists and representatives of South African fishing communities are touring Europe. The mission is to alert leaders and the public to the environmental risks of TotalEnergies’ planned gas extraction projects in South Africa. The French oil company has applied for a production licence for two gas blocks off South Africa’s southern coast.

TotalEnergies has a new fossil fuel extraction project in South Africa. On 5 September 2022, the oil company applied for a licence to develop two gas blocks off the southern coast of South Africa. The investment could amount to $3 billion for reserves estimated at over one billion barrels.

The project is supported by the South African government, which sees it as an opportunity to diversify its national electricity mix based on coal. A fuel that is more polluting than oil and which is responsible for 80% of South Africa’s current electricity production. « Our transition will be sustainable if we access the oil and gas on our shores. No one complains when we import gas from Mozambique, but when we announce that Shell, for example, is operating, everyone jumps up and down, » says Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Environmental risks

The South African government’s arguments in support of TotalEnergies’ gas project are not unanimous. Environmental activists and fishing communities see it as a threat to biodiversity and their livelihoods. The two gas blocks in question are located in Mossel Bay, in the south of the country, on the east coast. An area of high biodiversity that attracts whales and thousands of tourists every year.

« My family has been fishing for decades, and now the climate crisis is getting worse because of companies like Total or governments like South Africa’s, so my business may be coming to an end with my generation, » laments Christian Adams.

The South African artisanal fisherman has joined activists from the marine conservation group Bloom and the South African organisation Green Connection on a tour of Europe. The activists’ mission is to alert policymakers and the public to the environmental risks of TotalEnergies’ planned gas extraction projects in the Rainbow Nation. « Total is trying to get a production licence, which would mean wells and potentially leaks. Now, if we all stand up to it, we believe we can stop it, » hopes Liziwe McDaid, Green Connection’s strategic manager.

 TotalEnergies’ assurances

In a memo issued on 22 November 2022 in response to the accusations by Bloom and Green Connection, TotalEnergies promised to conduct an environmental and societal impact assessment (ESIA) of its fossil fuel extraction project in South Africa.

« In addition, I would like to stress that TotalEnergies EP South Africa has already voluntarily reduced the scope of the licence application by excluding the area currently classified by the South African authorities as a marine protected area, » said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.

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As the host country of the 9th Conference on the Oceans in 2024, Greece is counting on the active participation of Gabon, in its capacity as « African champion of the environment ». This was the message delivered on Friday 13 January 2023 in Libreville by the head of Greek diplomacy, Nikos Dendias.

Greece recognises Gabon’s African leadership in biodiversity protection. Within the framework of the 9th Conference on the Oceans (Our Ocean Greece 2024) that the South-East European country is organising in 2024, the Gabonese expertise and model are being sought. « Gabon is a major country on the international scene in terms of the environment. This is the case for the climate, but also for biodiversity and the oceans. Gabon was the first country in the world to commit to preserving 30% of its marine areas. This is why we are counting on its involvement in the perspective of the Conference on the Oceans that we will host next year, » explains a Greek diplomat who came to Libreville on 13 January 2023 to accompany his Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias.

This is the second meeting of its kind between the Gabonese and Greek authorities. The first took place on 25 July 2022 in Athens, Greece. The former Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michaël Moussa Adamo, took part in the preparatory meeting of the 9th international conference « Our Ocean Greece 2024 » alongside his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Greece, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the protection of nature. The aim of this preparatory meeting was to examine ways of dealing with the consequences of climate change, overfishing and marine pollution.

Gabon, a model country

As an exemplary country in terms of nature protection, Gabon was chosen in January 2017 to coordinate the African Heads of State and Government Committee on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). The fact that Gabon has been asked to host the 9th Ocean Conference is no coincidence. By 2022, the Gabonese government has created a network of 20 marine protected areas in Gabon, including 9 marine parks and 11 aquatic reserves covering 26% of Gabon’s marine space.

The ocean conference, which was first organised in 2014, was an initiative of then US Secretary of State and current presidential climate envoy John Kerry, « The Ocean is the source of everything, » he had argued.

The ocean is a vital buffer against climate change, absorbing about 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions. More than 3.5 billion people depend on the oceans for their food security, while about 120 million people are directly employed in fishing and aquaculture activities. The majority of these workers live in developing countries, particularly small island developing states and least developed countries.

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