Posts in category: News & Updates

Accra, Ghana – November 11, 2024:

The Ghana Philanthropy Awards, held at the luxurious La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on Friday, November 8, 2024, recognized outstanding contributions to various social causes.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HATOF Foundation, Dr. Samuel Dotse, emerged as a winner in the Environmental Protection and Development category, joining an esteemed group of 50 awardees from diverse fields.

The prestigious awards ceremony celebrated the selfless efforts of individuals and organizations that positively impacted Ghana. Categories included Health Care Support, Youth in Development, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Education, and Women Empowerment.

Dr. Dotse’s award acknowledges his tireless dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable development. His work has significantly promoted eco-friendly practices, supported community-led initiatives, and advocated for climate action.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Dotse expressed his humility by the recognition. He said, “I am humbled by this recognition. This award is not just a personal honor but a testament to the collective efforts of my team, partners, and supporters. Together, we can create a greener, more resilient future for all.”

The Ghana Philanthropy Awards aim to inspire and encourage philanthropic endeavors, fostering a culture of giving and social responsibility.

The event brought together philanthropists, business leaders, government representatives, and civil society organizations.

Other categories included:

• Innovative Leadership in Social Change 
• Excellence in Health Support and Sustainability 
• Corporate diversification and Inclusivity 
• Sustainable Development Practices
• Community Empowerment and Sustainability
• Innovative Educational Impact
• Community and Local Business Growth

The Ghana Philanthropy Awards have become a benchmark for excellence in social impact, recognizing the unsung heroes driving positive change in Ghana.

October 28, 2024, Cali, Colombia – Yesterday, October 27, 2024, marked the end of the first week of the two weeks of negotiations on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, and the stakes are already very high.

The main issues discussed at the COP, among other things, have been:

• finalization of the multilateral mechanism for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources,
• mobilization of biodiversity finance,
• integration of climate change and biodiversity and
• recognition and leveraging the contribution of Indigenous people and local communities to biodiversity conservation.

The first week was already characterized by contentious positions and disagreements, particularly on lack of clarity on what constitutes DSI, the scope of biological information DSI should cover, and how to address the potential conflict between DSI-related patents and traditional knowledge rights, as well as how to distribute monetary and non-monetary benefits derived from DSI data fairly.

Another bone of contention is securing sufficient funding and distributing it to developing countries to protect their diverse ecosystems. Some developing countries have clashed over the future of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), created two years ago in Montreal, Canada, in 2022.

These biodiversity-rich nations believe that the current architecture of the GBFF puts them at a disadvantage. Hence, they want the GBFF replaced with a new Fund that balances the governance arrangement to give them equal representation and easier access to the fund and its resources.

As the first week of the negotiations ends, the stage is set for intense discussions in the second week. The arrival of ministers of state in the coming days will likely bring increased pressure to resolve these differences.

The high-level segment is scheduled for October 29-30, and ministers will join the negotiations, bringing their countries’ positions to the table. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the success of COP 16 and the future of biodiversity conservation.

With over 15,000 delegates from almost every country, this two-week meeting is crucial for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) adopted in 2022 at COP 15 in Montreal, Canada.

The KMGBF is the landmark global biodiversity plan that aims to address the alarming rate of biodiversity loss while promoting sustainable development. It sets four (4) ambitious goals and 23 targets for 2030, including protecting 30% of the world’s land and seas, reducing harmful subsidies, and restoring degraded ecosystems.

World leaders emphasized urgent collective action to protect biodiversity under the theme, “Peace with Nature,” at the conference’s opening on October 20, 2024, in Cali, Colombia.

Typical of all conferences, the opening witnessed many statements, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s admission that nature must flourish for humanity to thrive.

The Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Astrid Schomaker, admonished the global community to “seize the moment to ensure that biodiversity is not just preserved but also restored and valued for the crucial role it plays in sustaining life on Earth.”

Optimistic about the conference’s success, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development in Colombia, H.E. Susana Muhamad, was hopeful that the conference would bring concrete actions to fulfill the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

HATOF looks forward to COP16 adopting an ambitious decision on how the multilateral mechanism for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from using digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources should operate, including creating a dedicated fund to collect and disburse the generated resources. We are also keen to understand better what constitutes non-monetary benefits from DSI.

Available statistics indicate that the primary economic activities in Hohoe Municipality are agriculture, forestry, fisheries, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing, which collectively employ 70% of the local population.

However, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the area are increasingly threatened by climate change. These threats could lead to business failures and exacerbate local poverty if left unaddressed.

In response, the HATOF Foundation conducted a training workshop on August 14 and 15, 2024, for SMEs in Hohoe Municipality, focusing on how to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This initiative aimed to enhance the skills of local business owners to mitigate the risks posed by climate change effectively.

The workshop attracted over fifty participants from various sectors, including beauty, fashion design, hospitality, and small-scale trading. Attendees learned about climate change, its causes, effects, and implications for their businesses.

The facilitator, Ms. MaryJane Enchill, also outlined three types of climate-related risks: physical risks (such as floods, droughts, and wildfires), transition risks (increased costs due to climate regulations), and liability risks (stemming from non-compliance with evolving legal standards).

Despite the challenges presented by climate change, it was emphasized that there are also opportunities for SMEs. Sectors like agribusiness, retail, food and beverage, and handmade products can leverage climate change to create new business growth, generate jobs, and stimulate economic revitalization.

The workshop concluded with the recognition that every business faces some physical, transitional, or liability risk.

While regulatory concerns may affect some, the potential for asset loss due to physical threats is significant.

SMEs are encouraged to incorporate climate risk considerations into their business plans, conduct regular impact assessments, and collaborate with insurers and local governments to manage these risks effectively.

From August 12 to 16, 2024, the HATOF Foundation, represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Dotse, is actively participating in the Second Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Genetic Resources (WGDSI-2), which is being held at the ICAO Conference Centre in Montreal, Canada.

This pivotal meeting brings together international delegates and stakeholders to advance discussions on the multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from the use of DSI on genetic resources.

This mechanism, established under Decision 15/9 of COP 15 and part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), includes a global fund designed to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.

Key agenda items for WGDSI-2 include:

Development of the Multilateral Mechanism: Deliberations focus on the operational aspects of the mechanism and the associated global fund, as outlined in document CBD/WGDSI/2/2. This involves setting practical modalities for payments, disbursements, and management of the fund.

Technical Insights and Policy Options: Participants will review summaries from Mphatso Kalemba (Malawi) and William Lockhart (United Kingdom), alongside executive summaries of studies commissioned by the CBD Secretariat, providing crucial insights for shaping the multilateral mechanism.

What is at stake?

The multilateral mechanism, including the global fund, is expected to achieve several key objectives:

Provide a Multilateral Solution: The mechanism will offer policy guidance on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, ensuring that the process is transparent and inclusive.

Bridge Gaps in Science and Technology: The mechanism is anticipated to generate non-monetary benefits, such as capacity-building, development, and technology transfer, which will help bridge scientific, technical, and technological gaps in how DSI on genetic resources is accessed and utilized globally.

Mobilize New Funding for Biodiversity Conservation: The establishment of the global fund is expected to mobilize new streams of additional funding that will be channelled towards biodiversity conservation, contributing to the sustainable use of genetic resources.

The HATOF Foundation’s involvement underscores our commitment to promoting equitable benefit-sharing and enhancing global capacity for biodiversity conservation.

We are engaging with various stakeholders to ensure that the interests of developing countries and local communities are well represented in these crucial discussions.

On 6^th 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.

On March 1, 2024, delegates at UNEA-6 successfully adopted 15 of the 19 draft resolutions the Committee of the Whole (COW) considered, along with two decisions and the UNEA-6 Ministerial Declaration. These actions reinforce UNEP’s role as the leading UN agency dedicated to facilitating effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

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.

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:

1. Circularity of a resilient, low-carbon sugar cane agro-industry
2. Amendments to the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility 
3. 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 
4. Promoting synergies, cooperation or collaboration for national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant environmental instruments.
5. Environmental aspects of minerals and metals 
6. 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 
7. Combating sand and dust storms 
8. Promoting sustainable lifestyles
9. Sound management of chemicals and waste
10. Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally
11. Highly hazardous pesticides
12. Environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflict
13. Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies to achieve sustainable development in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
14. 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.
15. Strengthening ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution.
16. Decision on the Management of trust funds and earmarked contributions
17. Decision on the provisional agenda, dates and venue of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly

Download the resolutions and decisions here (https://www.unep.org/environmentassembly/unea6/outcomes)

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.

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.