By Lamin Barrow
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established the World Environment Day. Since then, World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year to raise awareness on the protection of the environment as well as the need to take positive actions, especially in the context of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The theme aptly chosen for the 50th Anniversary this year is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”.
I want to thank my friend, Mr. Aliu Akoshile, Founder of NatureNews, for his efforts to create awareness on issues related to climate change, and their impact on sustainable environment in Nigeria, and across Africa. I hope NatureNews will continue to be a pacesetter in the news coverage on environment and climate change as they impact our continent, and globally.
Plastic pollution poses a significant environmental challenge worldwide. It is estimated that 7 billion tons of plastics are produced each year globally and about 21 million tons finds their way to the rivers, the seas, and the oceans where they can remain for a thousand years. Only about 10% of the plastics are recycled globally. The rest are dumped arbitrarily in open spaces, creating public health problems, damaging our ecosystem and defacing the aesthetics of our cities.
The story of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is not different. Indeed, plastic pollution ranks among the topmost environmental challenges in the country, evidenced by the huge tons of plastic waste generated on a daily basis, particularly in our teeming cities and urban areas.
The negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment are manifold. It is visible in landfills, water bodies and public spaces and affect the ecosystems, communities and public health. It is therefore imperative that urgent and effective solutions are found to address the growing menace of plastic waste pollution.
Addressing plastic pollution requires effective multi-stakeholder partnerships between the government, the private sector, youth groups and civil society in order to mitigate the challenges posed by plastic pollution and create a sustainable future for our continent. Nigeria and other African countries must explore new strategies to control, if not entirely eliminate, single use plastic.
Among the crucial steps in combating plastic pollution is raising public awareness and educating citizens about the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste pollution. Through comprehensive campaigns leveraging various communications platforms, workshops and educational programs, individuals can be sensitized to adopt environmentally friendly and sustainable practices to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic waste.
By highlighting the negative consequences of plastic pollution and providing viable alternatives, awareness campaigns can inspire behavioral changes and promote responsible plastic consumption. It is also important to mention some of the opportunities that plastics offers through repurposing and reuse.
The theme for year’s World Environment Day is well-aligned with the African Development Bank’s priorities. Specifically, the 2023 edition of the African Economic Outlook launched recently at the Bank Group’s Annual Meetings in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, underscores the need for increased private sector participation in financing environmental and climate actions in Africa, with specific focus on the role of natural capital and application of circular economy approaches for the efficient utilization of our environmental assets.
Finding lasting solutions to plastics waste pollution in Nigeria requires a combination of hard and soft interventions along the plastics value chain. To this end, we commend the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for supporting the Nigeria Plastics Action Plan (NPAP), which provides a framework for stakeholder collaboration to tackle the problem of plastic waste pollution in the country, and promote circular economy practices.
Enhancing waste management systems is also vital for effective plastic pollution control. Nigeria needs to invest in infrastructure for waste collection, sorting and recycling. By establishing recycling facilities and encouraging waste segregation at source, the country can significantly reduce plastic wastes that end up choking landfills and the natural habitats.
Strengthening partnerships with private sector actors, youth groups, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and local communities will help accelerate actions to implement sustainable waste management practices and create job opportunities in waste recycling.
Another viable solution is the use of biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastic. The Federal Government of Nigeria can promote the production and distribution of environmentally friendly packaging materials made from biodegradable substances, such as plant-based polymers.
Fiscal incentives and regulations can be deployed to stimulate adoption of biodegradable packaging by businesses, reducing demand for traditional plastics, thereby lessening plastic pollution.
Implementing strict regulations and bans on single-use plastics is an effective measure to combat plastic pollution. In this case, Nigeria can follow the lead from countries like Rwanda which have successfully implemented such policies and regulations. By prohibiting the production, importation and distribution of certain plastic items such as plastic bags and straws, Nigeria can significantly reduce the volumes of plastic waste generated. Simultaneously promoting the use of reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags and stainless steel straws, can help foster a culture of sustainability. For instance, since 2014, Cote D’Ivoire, has banned the production and use of plastic bags.
The Federal Government of Nigeria can encourage industries to adopt sustainable practices and develop innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste throughout the supply chains. Promoting corporate social responsibility, supporting research and development of eco-friendly packaging, and establishing partnerships with organizations focused on sustainable development can further facilitate a more integrated approach to tackling plastic pollution.
The African Development Bank and key partners have rolled out some Flagship Programs to address plastic pollution in Africa through the circular economy approach. For instance, at the strategic level, we host the Secretariat of the Africa Circular Economy Alliance. This is a collaborative platform of several African countries that are committed to spur Africa’s transition to a Circular Economy.
Nigeria is a leading member of this Alliance. The Africa Circular Economy Alliance coordinates and links various plastics initiatives on the continent.
The Bank also has established the Africa Circular Economy Facility as a multi-donor trust fund to provide grants to support the mainstreaming of the circular economy approaches. As an inclusive green growth strategy, this facility/Trust Fund will help African countries meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The Facility is supporting the creation of institutional frameworks such as roadmaps to foster the circular economy and provide private sector support for the circular transition. Nigeria can tap into this facility to support some of its work on the circular economy, including managing plastic pollution.
More specifically for Nigeria, the African Development Bank and partners established the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group in 2019, to provide a platform for key stakeholders (including State Governments, Development Partners, the private sector and NGOs) to share ideas, experience and coordinate actions to support the development of circular economy policies and bankable projects in Nigeria.
Through the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program jointly established between the Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation, we have awarded grants to about 30-Youth-owned innovative enterprises through the Youth-Adapt Challenge, some of these have successfully adopted circular economy principles and practices. Several Nigerian youths have won these grants. But let me single out Salutaba shoes that makes sleek and comfortable modular shoes from plastic wastes.
With concerted efforts, sustainable solutions can be found to tackle the problem of plastic pollution, which poses a major threat to the environment, ecosystems and public health.
By raising public awareness, strengthening waste management systems, promoting biodegradable alternatives, implementing regulations, and fostering greater collaborative partnerships with industry and other Non-State actors, Nigeria can effectively address plastic pollution.
In conclusion, we would like to urge the Federal Government of Nigeria , State Governments, businesses, youth groups and communities to develop innovative partnerships to create a cleaner and healthier future, and by preserving Nigeria’s natural beauty for the present and future generations. We must say NO to single use plastics.
I wish to assure you of the Bank’s strong commitment to support your endeavors to turn the challenges posed by plastic and other wastes into opportunities towards building a greener and circular economy.
Mr Lamin Barrow, DG, Nigeria Country Department, Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Group, presented this as keynote address at a webinar hosted by NatureNews to commemorate the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 2023