By David Njagi
NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - Illegal traffic in live animals is one of the leading causes of zoonotic diseases spread around the world, a new report by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has warned.
The report, Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern, lists Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), avian flu, monkey pox and even ebola as some of the diseases which may have jumped species into the human genome.
According to the document, humans are likely to catch infections from animals because a live animal requires a courier to transport it along the value chain, often though secret trade routes.
“The animals may not be quarantined and often make contact with the person transporting them,” explains Jacqueline McGlade, the chief scientist at UNEP.
At least 40,000 primates, four million birds, 640,000 reptiles and 350 million tropical fish are traded globally each year, argues the report, adding that it is the fourth most lucrative black market after drugs people and arms trafficking.
The Middle East is the leading transit and destination for wildlife, where cartels are using technology to pitch for markets.
“It is an industry that now uses the internet and popular social media sites such as facebook and instagram to contact customers,” says the report launched today at the ongoing United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi.
Zoonotic diseases are those that are transmitted from animals to human beings, and have widely been linked to climate change.
Latest intelligence collected by UNEP however indicates that crime syndicates are also causing the spread of disease.
“We need to bring together veterinary and medical experts to tackle the spread of zoonoses,” says McGlade.
DAR ES SALAAM (PAMACC News) - Nigeria's Minister of Water Resources, Eng. Suleiman Adamu has restated Federal Governments’ commitment towards increasing access to potable water for all Nigerians by 2030.
Adamu said this in an interview with PAMACC News at the recently concluded Africa water Week in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
He said that without universal access to safe water and sanitation, poverty and inequality cannot be eradicated in any country.
``We are working to ensure that all Nigerians have access to potable water by 2030 through urban water sector reform programme.”
``We realise that implementing the first and second urban water reform programmes have resulted in moderate success and improved piped water supply, if we put more efforts, we can achieve more.’’
Adamu said that the results from the Millennium Development Goals, showed that Nigeria was not able to meet its target due to sole reliance on budgetary allocation. He said Nigeria would soon launch the National Programme on Partnerships for Extending Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, aimed at meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6) of universal access to water.
This programme, the minister said, was a partnership between the three tiers of government, the development partners and communities to commit funds and mobilise towards meeting the SDG 6 by 2030.
``We have also realised that one of the reasons why Nigeria failed to meet the MDGs was because we have been relying only on budgetary allocation from the three tiers of government.
``Due to dwindling resources, there is a huge challenge of scaling up; this is why we must include all other stakeholders.
He said Nigeria needed to take the lead on its issues, rather than relying also on development partners.
He said Nigeria would do everything possible to reform the water sector because of its centrality to health, agriculture, and others.
He said the ministry has created a data bank and census for water supply and sanitation for all water infrastructures in the country. Adamu emphasised the need for attitudinal change toward public utilities, saying Nigeria must begin to see the importance of paying for water consumed.
He stressed the role of political will and commitment from state actors and chief executives in funding water, saying they are the decision makers in parts of the country.
He said the ministry would continue in its advocacy to ensure that governments begin to allocate more funds for such projects.
The minister commended the World Bank and other development partners for funding water projects in the country and pledged government`s commitment to increasing fund allocation to water.
The 6th Africa Water Week aspires to lay the building blocks for Africa to achieve the SDG 6 as well as other inter-linking SDGs connected with water resources management. The week represents a political commitment at the highest level for creating platform to discuss and collectively seek solutions to Africa's water and sanitation challenges.
By Isaiah Esipisu and Robert Muthami
KIGALI, Rwanda (PAMACC News) – African Civil Society Organisations, on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th African Union and Governments Summit in Kigali-Rwanda have launched an energy advocacy initiative dubbed the “The Big Shift” aimed at enhancing energy access among millions of African Energy poor.
The Initiative is in line with the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) launched during of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), and spearheaded by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).
“African States continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels that are becoming more and more expensive for governments and households as prices are skyrocketing,” said Benson Ireri, the Senior Policy Advisor at the Christian Aid.
He noted that 70 percent of the African population still does not have access to modern clean energy services that are efficient, reliable.
According to Mithika Mwenda, the Secretary General for PACJA, there are two global crises in the energy sector which often seem to have contradictory solutions. “The urgency of tackling climate change through a rapid global shift to low-carbon energy is one of the issues, and the secondly is the fact that more than two billion people continue to live in poverty because they have little or no access to clean and reliable energy,” he said.
And now, through a shift of investment away from centralized fossil fuel based energy towards diverse renewable energy sources, the CSOs believe that it is possible to deliver clean energy to developing countries, helping them overcome energy poverty in a way that will not lead to further devastating levels of global warming.
However,the CSO representatives said that, the shift will require a great political goodwill and a massive shift in energy investment strategies across the globe.
Over the next three years, the Big Shift campaign targets to build an international advocacy movement, supported by clear national and regional evidence from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. This is to ensure that the tens of trillions of dollars available for energy infrastructure projects are directed towards low-carbon renewable energy.This will allow the world’s poorest countries to pursue development agendas which will not have dangerous implications for the climate.
So far, the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) has launched an initiative known as Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), which aims to produce 300 gigawatts (GW) of electricity for the continent by 2030.
The bank also has another initiative known as‘The New Deal on Energy for Africa,’which charts the way for a transformative partnership on energy focuses on mobilizing support and funding for the initiative from five key areas.
This is among many other many energy deals targeting Africa, such as the Obama Power Africa Initiative, and the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4A).
The ‘Big Shift’ will therefore track the implementation of investment under these energy initiatives.
“We need other civil society organisations to join the Big Shift initiative and demand for investment in the energy sector to be moved from fossil fuel to renewable or low carbon energy,” said Mithika Mwenda.
The initiative was launched with support from PACJA, Christian Aid and Action for Environment and Sustainable Development Network (AESDN).
By David Njagi
NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - Illegal logging is collapsing the world timber market, experts at the ongoing United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) meeting in Nairobi have warned.
Scientists accuse cartels involved in the fourth most profitable illegal trade of applying elusive tactics such as bribery and money laundering to deny the global economy billions of dollars.
Investigations by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), indicate that small illegal timber trade has fanned out and entered the world market cheaply.
But the amount being trafficked by big traders through international financial flows has become almost impossible to trace, argues Paolo Cerutti, an official with (CIFOR).
“The market for certified timber is very small and so it could be crippled by illegal trade,” says Cerutti.
According to Jamie Webb of the UNEP REDD+ project, the global economy losses more than 30 billion dollars annually due to illegal timber logging and trade.
Details shared by the UNEA team which scrutinized the economic potential of fighting illegal logging indicate that most of the cartels have their roots in Africa.
“Africa is a place where the timber industry is often working along the margins of unclear laws,” argues Davyth Stewart, of the environmental security programme at the International Police Organization (INTERPOL). “Illegal logging takes advantage of these ambiguous laws.”
According to him, logging cartels in Africa could be working with government officials in the Ministries of infrastructure and development, as well as mining, agriculture, or forestry departments.
This, he says, makes it difficult for law enforcers to track the illegal trade chain because it is protected by powerful government personalities.
“The biggest concern for Africa is the inability to regulate, control and manage the timber industry because of unclear and ambiguous laws,” says Stewart. “This is how the cartels have been able to remain undercover.”
Poor land tenure in Africa, he says, also makes it very difficult to identify the owners where the logging is taking place.
In some countries like Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 90 per cent of the timber is sourced illegally.
However, Webbe of UNEP, recommends the use of DNA tracing to hunt offenders, where the technology is so far working in USA.
By Protus Onyango
NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - Calls for paradigm shift, a united approach, more funding and ratification of the Paris Agreement to tackle global environmental degradation dominated the high-level session of the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA 2) yesterday.
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta while officially opening the high-level segment attended by ministers and high-level representatives of over 170 governments, stressed the need for partnerships to address effects of climate change.
"For the past two decades, we have seen a movement emerge across the world that protecting the environment cannot be a tertiary matter. We must make sacrifices now to leave our children a viable tomorrow," Uhuru said.
The President noted that with African countries dependent on agriculture to tackle poverty and unemployment, the continent has more to lose if it acts to conserve the environment and most to gain by mitigating climate change challenges.
"Africa must prioritize environment matters and be supported to achieve its goals towards sustainable development. We have to work together to accelerate environmental management so that we win as a team or all of us lose," Uhuru said.
He noted that as a country Kenya is at the forefront of ensuring sustainable growth and called on the world to help it in its efforts to conserve the environment.
"We have taken steps to ensure a sustainable planet. We have invested in renewable energy in wind, geothermal and sun to power our activities. We have adopted a green economy strategy. We call upon our partners to support us in our endeavours to make the world a better place to live in," the President said.
He reiterated Kenya's commitment against poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products.
"In April, we held the Giants Summit here and went forth to burn ivory from 8000 elephants and 100 rhinos. This showed the world that ivory is worthless unless it is on the elephants," Uhuru said.
As a follow up to the ivory burn, the President urged the world to back the country's call for a total ban on illegal ivory trade.
"Later this year, my government will in South Africa during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) conference seek for a total ban on ivory trade," Uhuru said.
He promised that Kenya will support actionable outcomes agreed upon at the conference and continue supporting UNEP to execute its mandate to preserve the environment.
Jan Eliasson –UN Deputy Secretary General who represented Secretary General Ban Ki Moon echoed Uhuru's sentiments for a universal approach to mitigate against effects of environmental erosion.
"I am inspired to be here among UNEA member states because decisions made here will impact on the future generations to come," Eliasson said.
The Deputy Secretary General called for a more comprehensive, clear and decisive action plan to tackle environment matters.
"We need to safeguard the world and in turn make peace for the world. In 2015, we signed the Paris Agreement for climate change and now we have the sustainable development goals (SGDs). We now need a transformative agenda to tackle water, sanitation, climate change and human settlement," Eliasson said.
He added, "We need courage, foresight and wisdom to address devastating impacts of climate change. Let us have an integrated approach to build peace and security, build resilience, address conflicts before they reach tipping points," he said.
He called for partnerships so as to be able to address climate change.
"We need to revitalize global partnerships to address the challenges for global growth. 2016 is more demanding as we need to translate environment issues into national and international agenda and deliver a sustainable future to our children," Eliasson said.
Achim Steiner – the outgoing UNEP Executive Director urged delegates to dialogue and come up with concrete agreements to foster the environment agenda.
"I have been at the helm of UNEP for ten years. I am happy with my achievements. I leave when we now have a global voice through UNEA on environment," Steiner said.
He added, "We need a new era for environmental governance. I cite the Kenyan proverb that says 'Baba yangu alinifunza kutunza mazingira ndipo dunia iwe nzuri (My father taught me to protect the environment so that the world becomes a good bless to live in) as my challenge to the world.
France's Environment Minister Ségolène Royal who was the Conference of Parties (COP21) president which was held in her country last year called for implementation of the Paris Agreement.
"I urge governments to implement the Paris Agreement to address climate change as it gives rise to conflicts, war, poverty, drought, access to water, desertification and human and animal migration," Ms Royal said.
She noted that if climate change is not tackled now, millions of people will be forced to migrate to better zones and accelerate conflicts.
"So far, 50 nations have ratified the Paris Agreement including 14 most vulnerable ones. This meeting offers us an opportunity of a lifetime to work together with scientists who discovered that human activities are responsible for climate change and disasters," Ms Royal said.
She added, "We need money to do this. We have mobilised US 60 billion dollars of the US 100 billion dollars committed by the international community towards climate change activities. We need to act without greed to stop destruction of the environment."
She promised Kenya for her efforts in conservation. "I was here when President Uhuru burnt ivory and rhino horns. I promised to ban trade in wildlife products in France. I have already signed a ministerial order for this. I urge others to follow suit so that we save our animals," Ms Royal said.
Salaheddine Mezouar, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP 22 president called for more funding to enable countries carry out climate change mitigation projects.
"We need dynamic renewal in Africa. We need a paradigm shift and work in solidarity, commitment and determination. We need a new civilisation, a new world mindset that shares resources equitably. We should act as a team because this is a global problem," Mezouar noted.
He called for a collaborative effort towards achieving SDGs.
"As hosts for COP 22 in December, we want to start something new. We need a conviction to move away from promises to actions. Let us work together with governments, civil society and private sector to have a one-stop-shop for financing climate change activities," Mezouar said.
Dr Edgar Gutierrez,the incoming president of UNEA called for ambitious decisions to save the world from further degradation.
"It is time for a new world order, more coherence and coordination in the UN system and clarity for sustainable development. UNEA 2 offers us a chance to agree on steps to transform the world," said Minister of Environment for Costa Rica.
He added, "We need a new world alliance that is inclusive to share economic aspects, scientific knowledge and technology to save the world."
Solheim pledges to tackle major environmental issues such as ocean and air pollution, climate change, and nexus between conflict, migration and the environment
NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - Erik Solheim, a former Minister of Environment and International Development in Norway has began his tenure as Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, with the concurrent position of UN Under-Secretary-General. Mr. Solheim assumes his new role as chief of the global authority on the environment after three years as head of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
In taking up office, Solheim pledged to work with countries around the world to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, including ocean and air pollution, the destruction of ecosystems, climate change and the relationship between the environment and conflict and migration.
He also promised to focus on environment issues close to people, such as damage to human health from air pollution.
Solheim said, "There is an urgent need to fight climate change, halt ecosystem destruction, and reduce pollution for the benefit of all peoples everywhere. By protecting our planet, we protect ourselves and in the process can help bring every last person out of poverty. We all have a stake in a healthy planet."
He noted other urgent areas to address include the private sector investment needed for sustainable development, greening the finance sector and creating jobs and markets with clean and green technologies.
"Financing the preservation and rejuvenation of our planet cannot be the purview of governments alone. Private sector finance is both vital for sustainable development, and an opportunity for business. As never before, markets are rewarding investments in clean and green jobs and technologies."
Solheim also underlined that issues like climate change and sustainable development are issues that no one country or organization can solve themselves, and that the world must come together to tackle environmental challenges.
"With successes like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, the world has achieved a lot in recent years when it comes to the environment. We can achieve a lot more. But the only way to do this is by working cooperatively. I look forward to working with member states and welcoming voices and efforts from all parts of society to tackle our common challenges.
"Our planet is vulnerable, but I'm optimistic we can resolve the environmental problems we face. There's little we can't achieve when we pull together with cooperation, collaboration and a can-do attitude."
Solheim arrives after having served as Chair of the DAC of the OECD since 2013. Since that time, he has also served as UN Environment Programme's Special Envoy for Environment, Conflict and Disaster. Known as the 'green' politician, he held the combined portfolio of Norway's Minister of the Environment and International Development from 2007 to 2012, and served as Minister of International Development from 2005 to 2007.
Having spent most of his career fighting for the environment in national and global politics, including through non-governmental organizations and during his combined ministerial portfolio, Mr. Solheim has focused on the challenge of integrating environmental and developmental issues. During his ministerial tenure, Norway reached 1 per cent of its GDP for overseas development assistance and passed the unique Nature Diversity Act. He initiated the process leading to the global coalition to conserve and promote sustainable use of the world's rainforests - the UN REDD - gaining invaluable diplomatic and organizational experience.
Holding an undergraduate degree in history and social studies from the University of Oslo, Mr. Solheim has received several awards for his work on climate and environment, including UN Environment Programme's "Champion of the Earth" award, and contributed to a number of peace and reconciliation efforts, most notably as the chief negotiator of the peace process in Sri Lanka.
Born in 1955, he is married, with four children.
