On 6th August 2024, the HATOF Foundation and its partners launched the “Campaign Against Methane Emission in Ghana (CAMEG) to raise awareness about the impact of methane on climate change and health and to mobilize national and local action against methane emissions in Ghana.
The Campaign Against Methane Emissions follows a successful capacity development program for 40 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region on methane action in December 2023, which laid the groundwork for the campaign.
Climate change is a major global challenge, with methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction, livestock digestion, rice cultivation, landfills, and wastewater treatment being the most potent greenhouse gases—thus 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming.
At COP26 in Glasgow, countries representing 45% of global methane emissions pledged to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030, below 2020 levels.
Following the global methane pledge, Ghana has also made significant policy interventions, including the national action plan to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants to address methane emissions.
The campaign therefore aims to promote actions that reduce methane emissions from energy, waste, and agriculture and contribute to Ghana’s climate change mitigation goals and the global methane pledge through partnerships with national civil society organizations and government agencies.
Already, HATOF has collaborated with Lancaster University UK, CSIR-IR, Sewerage Systems, and Green Advocacy Ghana to develop anaerobic digestion demonstrator systems in Ghana for electricity, sustainable fertilizer for crops, and sanitation improvements.
HATOF led a series of knowledge management and awareness-raising activities on climate action and emissions reduction potential of bioenergy technologies, such as the biodigester, through social mobilization from the community to national levels and environmental campaigns within the school system.
The partnership with Greener Impact International on Clean Air Taskforce funded campaign continues to demonstrate HATOF’s commitment to empowering local communities with knowledge and innovative solutions to reduce emissions, promote sustainable waste management practices, and mitigate the negative impact of climate change on the environment and human health.
Dr. Samuel Dotse, CEO of HATOF Foundation, has congratulated the Parliament of Ghana for launching the Ghana Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change at the Parliament House of Ghana yesterday, August 28, 2024, and pledged HATOF’s support to the Caucus’ work.
The Caucus is to focus on legislative frameworks, adaptation measures, and climate finance to enhance climate resilience and sustainability while providing an opportunity for its members to strategize, network, and build capacity in tackling climate change issues in the country.
Delivering his goodwill message, Dr. Dotse extended his warmest congratulations and best wishes to the leadership of Parliament, especially the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, for the bold step.
He said that at a time when the world is currently facing the global planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—threatening to derail our development gains—as leaders, the legislature has a critical “role to play in shaping laws and policies, collaborating internationally, and ultimately promoting sustainable development and mitigating the impacts of and enhancing resilience to climate change.”
Dr. Dotse welcomed the theme, “Strengthening legislative action for climate resilience and sustainable development,” and stressed that it is “a vital step for ensuring the future for plants, animals, employment, and humans, who rely on a healthy planet and ecosystem.”
He revealed that while the International Labour Organization has estimated that 1.2 billion jobs depend on a healthy environment globally, the cost of Ghana’s national climate actions is anticipated to be between USD 9.3 billion and USD 15.5 billion, which is likely to produce over 1 million jobs by 2030.
Unfortunately, the World Bank 2017 Country Environmental Analysis Report for Ghana revealed that “our beautiful country loses USD$6.3 billion annually due to environmental degradation.”
He was however optimistic that “our combined efforts will assist bridge the gap between aspiration and action, transforming pledges into measurable outcomes.”
The Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, according to Dr. Dotse, “reflects the spirit of collaboration, inventiveness, and dedication required to confront the climate catastrophe locally, while we also take action to reduce the disastrous effects of climate change in coastal communities, especially the Keta Municipality.”
Urging all to embrace this opportunity to work together, share knowledge, and leverage their influence to drive meaningful policy changes, Dr. Dotse pledged HATOF’s commitment “to supporting Parliament on this noble course so that we can build a brighter and more sustainable future for all.”
In shedding light on the collaborative effort of Parliament, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin announced that the New Standing Orders of Parliament have established structures that will “permanently link us with civil society.”
He further stressed that the Caucus will “promote interparty collaboration” while engaging with civil society and international partners to support the implementation of Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
The Hon. Bagbin emphasised the caucus will commit to ensuring that climate action and disability issues are integrated into our national development agenda.
Initially, the Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) reviewed proposed resolutions from various countries, ultimately forwarding 19 draft resolutions to the COW for further negotiations and adoption by the Assembly.
The COW organized its work into five clusters:
Abating Pollution and Promoting Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste
Halting and Reversing the Loss of Nature while Restoring Ecosystems
International Environmental Governance
Addressing Root Causes of the Triple Planetary Crisis
Procedural, Budgetary, and Administrative Matters
By February 29, 2024, the COW had withdrawn four draft resolutions, provisionally endorsed 12 draft resolutions and two draft decisions, and submitted these for adoption by the Environment Assembly on March 1, 2024.
Three draft resolutions required additional consideration through informal consultations among parties with differing views. Ultimately, all dissenting parties agreed, allowing for the adoption of the final texts during the Assembly session.
The successful adoption of these resolutions and the Ministerial Declaration marks a significant step toward reinforcing global commitments to environmental sustainability and collaborative action.
The Sixth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) Ends With The Adoption Of 15 Groundbreaking Resolutions And Ministerial Decisions
President of the UNEA-6 and Minister of Energy and Sustainable Development of Morocco, H.E. Leila Benali
The 15 resolutions and two decisions adopted by delegates are:
Circularity of a resilient, low-carbon sugar cane agro-industry
Amendments to the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility
Enhancing the role and viability of regional forums of environment ministers and United Nations Environment Programme regional offices in achieving multilateral cooperation in tackling environmental challenges
Promoting synergies, cooperation or collaboration for national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant environmental instruments.
Environmental aspects of minerals and metals
Fostering national action to address global environmental challenges through increased cooperation between the United Nations Environment Assembly, the United Nations Environment Programme and multilateral environmental agreements
Combating sand and dust storms
Promoting sustainable lifestyles
Sound management of chemicals and waste
Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally
Highly hazardous pesticides
Environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflict
Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies to achieve sustainable development in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Strengthening international efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, restore degraded land, promote land conservation and sustainable land management, contribute to land degradation neutrality and enhance drought resilience.
Strengthening ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution.
Decision on the Management of trust funds and earmarked contributions
Decision on the provisional agenda, dates and venue of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly
On February 29, 2024, the Major Group Facilitating Committee hosted a multistakeholder dialogue titled “Partnering for the Environment: Inclusive Multilateralism Fit for Purpose.”
This session aimed to enhance effective multilateralism in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, focusing on synergies between these crises and the role of technology, including artificial intelligence, in identifying actionable, sustainable solutions.
The dialogue gathered representatives from member states, major groups, and the private sector, providing a platform for high-level discussions during the Assembly’s segment. Participants were able to interact directly with decision-makers, facilitating meaningful exchanges.
Stakeholders emphasized that each major group possesses unique strengths that can contribute to environmental action, underscoring the need to leverage these resources effectively.
Member state representatives stressed that governments should not shoulder the environmental burden alone and highlighted the importance of engaging with major groups and stakeholders. They advocated for including diverse delegations and consultation before negotiations and ensuring access to vital information.
The dialogue also illuminated the necessity of innovative partnerships and collaboration to harness the expertise of various stakeholders and foster new collaborative methods. Key elements identified for implementing effective environmental solutions included:
Financial Commitment: A dedicated investment in adaptation and green technologies.
Support for Women: Creating systems that empower women in environmental initiatives.
Indigenous Knowledge: Incorporating the insights and practices of Indigenous Peoples to enhance environmental strategies.
The dialogue reinforced the importance of inclusive and collaborative approaches in tackling pressing environmental challenges.
On February 28, 2024, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) held discussions on enhancing cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). The event featured an opening plenary and two high-level dialogues aimed at strengthening collaborative actions, sharing experiences, and increasing the visibility of MEAs.
During the opening plenary, H.E. Leila Benali, President of UNEA-6 and Minister of Energy and Sustainable Development of Morocco, characterized MEA Day as a “historical step on the road to strengthening convergence of action and dialogue on the global environmental agenda.” She emphasized the importance of multilateralism and called for equity, inclusivity, and mutual respect among delegates as they collectively leverage cutting-edge solutions to address the triple planetary crisis.
UNEP Executive Director Ms. Inger Andersen acknowledged the ongoing global efforts to combat environmental degradation but warned of the accelerating nature of the crisis. She urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity to “create the big picture of a stable climate, healthy nature, thriving lands, and a pollution-free planet.”
Statements were also delivered by leaders from various MEAs, including the President of the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the COP12 President of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification; the Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions; and the Director of the Transparency Division, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Hatof Foundation UNEA
The first high-level dialogue, “Strengthening the science-policy interface for effective implementation of environmental commitments,” aimed to enhance collaboration among MEAs, UNEP, scientific panels, and platforms. The focus was on improving the use of scientific information in decision-making to support environmental commitments addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The second dialogue centered on “Strengthening cooperation between UNEA, UNEP, and MEAs to enhance effective implementation at the national level, including through means of implementation.” Participants discussed challenges and opportunities in fostering integrated implementation of environmental commitments through enhanced cooperation among UNEA, UNEP, and the governing bodies of MEAs. They explored practical strategies for UNEA to support shared objectives in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
On Monday, February 26, 2024, the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) officially opened at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, with an ambitious plan for the week.
The Assembly aimed to restore harmony between humanity and nature, improve lives for vulnerable people, and tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and waste through multilateralism.
At the opening plenary, UNEA-6 President Leila Benali (Morocco) acknowledged the hard work of the various stakeholders in the lead-up to the Assembly and highlighted three nuances that may militate against the work of the Assembly. These included major conflicts impacting the world, the potential rise of populist movements in 2024 since fifty percent of the world’s population is preparing for the polls, and the opportunity to restore trust in multilateralism and humanity at UNEA-6.
The UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, urged UNEA-6 delegates to unite in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, urging for strong resolutions to build a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable future transcending political differences.
Many regional groups welcomed and expressed support for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Global Framework on Chemicals, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Establishment of the Committee of the Whole
At the opening plenary of the UNEA6, the Assembly established a Committee of the Whole (COW) to negotiate outstanding draft resolutions and decisions brought forward by the Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR).
The OECPR is a technical meeting for the UN Environment Assembly, preceding the Assembly from February 18–23, 2024. It prepares the agenda and considers proposals from countries for further negotiations by the COW.
Throughout the week, delegates met in plenaries and as the Committee of the Whole (COW) to finalize 19 draft resolutions and two draft decisions forwarded by the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives.
The Committee finalized its work on February 29, 2024, and submitted it to the Assembly for adoption on March 1, 2024.
HATOF Foundation is attending the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), convened from February 26 to March 1, 2024, at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world’s highest environmental decision-making body. At the sixth meeting, the UNEA is meeting under the theme “Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.”
The Assembly thus aims to restore harmony between humanity and nature, improve lives for vulnerable people, and tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste through multilateralism.
Among other matters, UNEA-6 will discuss international environmental policy and governance proposals related to the year’s theme.
The Assembly is preceded by a meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives from February 19–23, 2024, to consider the proposals for discussion at the UNEA-6 and lay the groundwork for the Assembly to take off.
The sixth Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6) serves as a preparatory meeting for the UNEA agenda and pre-negotiation.
It deliberates the content and wording of proposed resolutions, declarations, and decisions for endorsement and approval by the Assembly.
Other meetings to be convened at the Assembly include high-level segment and national statements, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day, leadership dialogues, and multistakeholder dialogues.
HATOF Foundation delegation is led by the Chiefe Executive Officer, Dr Samuel Dotse, and accompanied by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ms. MaryJane Enchill, and the Partnership and Engagement Officer, Mr. Josh Edem Kojo Dotse
Every year, the world meets at what we call the Conference of Parties (COP) to determine ambitions and responsibilities and identify measures for climate action. The COP also reviews and assesses the effect of measures parties have introduced to limit climate change against the overall goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
When the COP28 president, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), was announced, many people within the climate space felt his election was a mismatch for the climate debate where there were rising calls for keeping fossil fuels on the ground. There were many doubts about what the conference could achieve in a “petrostate,” and Dr. Al-Jaber was considered a fossil fuel mogul.
However, COP28 had a promising start as Dr. Sultan al-Jaber led the opening session on November 30, 2023, with the summit agenda adopted within hours and the funding arrangements for the Loss and Damage Fund operationalized.
The main themes discussed at COP28 have been the Global Stocktake, Fossil fuel phaseout or phasedown, renewable energy targets, carbon markets, loss and damage, climate finance, and adaptation. Here are some We will bring you some highlights.
Climate Finance
The discussions under finance have been to bridge the financing gap between developed and developing countries by setting a climate goal for 2030 and beyond and addressing calls to double the adaptation finance.
It would be recalled that in 2009 at COP15, developed countries pledged to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 for developing countries to combat climate change through mitigation and adaptation activities, and to date, this goal has not been achieved. This failure was because the decision was politically motivated and not necessarily science-based. To correct this mistake, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance is being negotiated to set realistic targets and ensure a more effective approach to climate finance. The NCQG is to raise the floor of climate finance above $100 billion annually to address the needs and priorities of developing countries and is set to be adopted at COP29 next year. The main issues to be addressed in the NCQG include the quantity, quality, accountability, additionality, and transparency of climate finance.
But so far, negotiations on this item have primarily focused on procedural or methodological matters, with moderate political sensitivity and slow progress. This makes it unlikely that any concrete decision will be made on this crucial topic at this year’s COP28.
Loss and Damage Fund agreed – But money is a drop in the ocean
Loss and damage in the context of climate change is an irreversible destruction and loss of lives and livelihoods resulting from climate change. Hence, the decision to establish the loss and damage fund was celebrated as a historic success of COP27 in Egypt. Despite the many dissenting views on the need to establish a different funding mechanism, the big news of the first day of COP28 was that countries reached an agreement to set up the loss and damage fund, with the UAE immediately pledging USD 100 million. Pledges flowed from other countries, including Germany, the UK, the USA, Japan, and the EU, totaling USD 726 million (€674 million).
Regardless, climate activists are unsatisfied with the total amount pledged because the amount is nothing compared with the profits oil industries are making.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the profit of the oil and gas industries jumped to $4 trillion (€3.7 trillion) in 2022. Meanwhile, the irreversible economic and non-economic impact that the loss and damage fund seeks to address is estimated at $400 billion (€371 billion) annually. This puts the current pledges at just 0.2 percent of developing countries’ cost of climate breakdown.
Energy Transition – Phase out and phase-down of fossil fuel
Contrary to the public outcry regarding the election of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber as COP28 president, negotiations at COP28 have focused, among other critical issues, on decarbonizing the energy sector and many calls to fast-tracking the energy transition.
We have witnessed momentum in the first week of COP28, with over 85% of the global economy, representing 123 countries endorsing goals to triple renewable energy capacity BY 2030 and energy efficiency.
The prominent bone of contention at COP28 has been the issue of fossil fuel phaseout or phase down by 2030. What is the difference? To phase out means a shift from coal, oil, and gas until their use is eliminated – thus a complete end, while to phase down is understood to mean a reduction in fossil fuel use but not a complete end.
The phaseout/phase-down language has become a flashpoint for many oil, gas, and coal-producing countries.
We observed that while Chile, the EU, and others want the final COP28 deal to include a clear call on phasing out fossil fuel use, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and others are pressing down on any mention of fossil fuel phase-down.
Meanwhile, the US and China have avoided the terms altogether. Negotiators are thus looking for alternative wording that will still signal a shift from fossil fuels by the 2030s.
Global Stocktake – COP28 Success definer
One of the significant concerns and perhaps the most important text to finalize at COP28, which could also determine the success or otherwise of COP28, is the global stock take (GST). The GST is a two-year assessment of progress made by countries in implementing their nationally determined contributions towards addressing climate impacts. With the assessment results being very disappointing, the big agenda at COP28 is to negotiate a text on fossil fuel phase-out or phase-down in the global stocktake of progress to limit temperature rise to 1.5C, as agreed in the Paris Agreement. We notice that the current draft text has retained the fossil fuel phase-out language, but the decision to maintain or delete it is yet to be taken – by the end of COP.
Shocking and dramatic
One shocking and dramatic issue of the first week was the COP President revealed to have said that there was “no science” behind the call for fossil fuel phase-out. Upon receiving backlashes from climate campaigners, he quickly held a press conference to state that he was taken out of context and that phasing out or phasing down fossil fuels was “inevitable and in fact essential.” A COP28 spokesperson further defended progress made at the summit by stating that about 51 oil companies were invited to COP28 to agree to decarbonization targets.
Declarations and Announcements
11 pledges and declarations launched and received mixed levels of multinational support in areas including agriculture, health and peace.
$83 billion (€76.9 billion) in financial pledges and contributions mobilized in just five days of the summit.
$467 million pledged for urban climate action.
Launch of the Coalition for High Ambition Multi-Level Partnerships (CHAMP) with 65 countries
Rest Day at COP28
On Thursday, 7 December 2023, the official negotiations paused for a day’s rest. As the conference resumes today, Friday, 8 December 2023, we look forward to tackling the finer details of negotiation texts for the second week.
Meanwhile, President Al Jaber has signaled a goal to close the summit on schedule – thus, December 12 at 9 am during an open dialogue held with observers and parties last Wednesday.
Considering that eight years of the last COPs have stretched over by 24 hours, including COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Egypt, closing on time would have been a great feat the climate talks would have chalked under his leadership.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HATOF Foundation, an environmental non-governmental organisation, Dr Samuel Dotse, has been appointed African Special Envoy on Climate Change by the International Society of Diplomats (ISD).
“I am pleased to convey to you the approval of your appointment as ‘African Special Envoy on Climate Change’ by the Governing Council of the International Society of Diplomats, and by this appointment you are also admitted into the International Advisory Council”, a statement signed by the Secretary General of the ISD, Manuel Fernandez, said.
New appointment
According to the statement, Dr Dotse is expected to liaise with the international organisation’s headquarters in discharging the functions of his new office for a period of two years, renewable for two years.
That, the statement said, included the development of programmes and activities of the organisation and providing regular updates on their progress as well as promoting international cooperation with other relevant authorities.
According to the statement, Dr Dotse is also expected to provide expert advice on issues related to international diplomacy, economy, trade and investment, peace and social justice.
About ISD
The ISD is an international organisation, founded with core mandates to promote international diplomacy through friendship, trade and investment, international cooperation, peace and social justice, for development and advancement of humanity.
Dr Dotse is a Board Member of the Stakeholder Advisory Network on Climate Finance, an Expert Member of African Scientific Research and Innovation Council of the African Union and was a Regional Focal Point for Global Environment Facility Civil Society Network for West and Central Africa from 2011-2015.
Keta Dev
Meanwhile the Keta Lagoon Development Association (KLADA), an organisation of citizens of Anlo to support developmental programmes in the area and beyond, has congratulated Dr Dotse on his appointment to the high office.
A terse statement signed by Nelson Dovoh reads “Our most hearty congratulation on your new appointment.
It said “ It is our best wish and that of Anloland, Ghana and Africa that the benefits of this appointment will bring great benefits to all humanity but most importantly, Anlo”.
On November 14, 2022, HATOF Foundation held its annual official side event on how to mobilize climate finance at scale, raise ambition and improve access to finance on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Hatof-COP27-Egypt-2022
The event which was on the theme “Raising ambition and improving access to climate finance” showcased actions on implementation and delivery through information sharing on best practices, innovative and blended finance, financial mechanisms that have enhanced access to finance, and offer space for dialogue and networking with climate finance actors.
Delivering the opening statement, the Chief Executive Officer of the HATOF Foundation, Dr. Samuel Dotse, emphasized the need to continuously finance flows to the continent of Africa, and Ghana in particular to address climate shocks.
He said, “it is unambiguous that continuous financial flow to developing countries is necessary to address mitigation, adaption, technology transfer, and capacity-building needs.”
Meanwhile, the debate for climate finance has not been smoothly discussed in the climate negotiations arena and thus has resulted in financial flow shortfalls.
Dr. Dotse added that “besides efforts towards climate-compatible developments across the continent, concerns around access, inadequacy, imbalance, and unpredictability of climate finance continue to characterize the discussion on finance- thus leading to the decline in financial flows to the continent.”
The interactive session, which brought speakers from government institutions, and development partners, gave insight into how to plan, mobilize, access, deliver, and scale up a variety of multilateral funds to address climate change.
Hatof-COP27-Egypt-2022
Speakers include Mr. Stephen Kansuk, Head of Environment and Climate Change, UNDP Ghana; Mr. Foster Aboagye Gyamfi, Principal Economic Officer, Ministry of Finance, Ghana; Mr. Kofi Agyarko, Director, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Department, Energy Commission; Ms. Roselyn Fosuah Adjei, Director, Climate Change Directorate, Forestry Commission; and Mr. Kwadwo Gyan, Risk Manager, Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund.
