Stakeholders have called for sustainable environmental practices in coastal areas in the country.
They made the call at the Rites on the Beach Festival Symposium 2024, with the theme, ‘Social Justice’, held in Lagos on Monday.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the Board of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Angela Emuwa, said environmental justice is crucial, as coastal communities frequently bear the brunt of environmental degradation from oil spills and deforestation.
“In Nigeria, we see a dynamic landscape where our coastal communities are not only rich in biodiversity but also vulnerable to the impact of climate change. With rising sea levels and depleting resources, these communities face challenges that threaten their way of life.
“By adopting strategies like reforestation, mangrove restoration, and sustainable fisheries, we cannot only combat climate change but also create economic opportunities. In environmental resilience, we talk about emphasising the need for coastal communities to adopt sustainable practices to help them adapt to changing environmental conditions. By promoting this we create a narrative that fosters environmental stewardship among young people and community leaders.”
The Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze, who was represented by the Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Manager, Dennis Aideloje, said Nigeria’s coastal and marine environments, especially here on the western peninsula of Lagos, have seen a rapid accumulation of plastic waste.
He said, “This issue not only threatens marine biodiversity but also poses serious risks to human health, economic activity, and overall ecosystem.
The PET bottles that litter our beaches and waterways are emblematic of a broader environmental challenge that requires immediate action. Through the ‘Rite on the Beach’ symposium, we hope to ignite a sense of purpose in all of us, one that drives each participant to take responsibility for reducing plastic pollution at the source.
“One of the key themes for today is the development of native carbon credit sources and conservation of carbon sinks. But let’s remember that our natural carbon sinks, forests, oceans, and mangroves are only as effective as they are healthy. If plastic pollution continues to choke our waterways and shorelines, the capacity of these natural ecosystems to absorb carbon and support biodiversity will be drastically reduced.
“Our role is clear: to ensure that these areas remain free from pollutants, especially plastics, so they can continue serving as vital resources in our battle against climate change. These efforts, coupled with the framework established by Lagos State’s carbon registry, are pivotal steps toward creating an economy that conserves our natural resources while driving growth through eco-friendly innovations.”
Speaking on carbon markets, the Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Limits Nig. Heine Melevik, said there are four flaring clean development mechanism projects in Nigeria.
He said, “Carbon markets are the first internationally recognised project-based mechanism for GHG reductions under the Kyoto Protocol. They encourage developing countries to participate in GHG emission reductions.
“They allow for project emissions to be quantified and emission reduction transferred between countries. They have enabled the set-up of a registry for GHG reduction-based projects, with records of issued Certified Emission Reductions. So far, there are over 7,800 registered projects with about 1.9 billion CERs generated. There are four flaring CDM projects in Nigeria.”
