By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Ms Ejiro Gray, has called for the protection and rehabilitation of Africa’s natural carbon sinks, such as forests, oceans, coastal mangroves, wetlands and grasslands to mitigate the effects of climate change.
She made this call on Monday in Lagos at the maiden Asharami Square, an initiative of the organisation designed to promote sustainability through media advocacy.
Ms Gray noted that natural gas development and commercialization, increased use of renewables, investment in low-cost/low emissions clean energy solutions, carbon capture storage/carbon capture and reutilization are other factors that can help accelerate Africa’s march towards sustainability.
She posited that developing intentional policies and investments in protecting the continent’s carbon sinks would enhance carbon sequestration and reduce net emissions.
According to her, these natural landscapes act as significant carbon reservoirs, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, adding that developing reforestation and afforestation programs, implementing strict conservation policies, and providing financial incentives for conservation projects are critical for combating climate change in Africa.
“Natural gas presents a viable opportunity to serve as a transition fuel as Africa continues to gradually invest in renewable energy. It is a relatively clean-burning fossil fuel, producing fewer CO₂ emissions compared to coal or petroleum.
“In 2021, Africa’s natural gas reserves totalled over 620 trillion cubic feet. By developing and monetizing these reserves through processing and eventual usage of CNG, LNG, LPG and other gas products, Africa can leverage its natural gas resources to support sustainable energy development,” Ms Gray said.
On his part, the Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, Mr Bethel Obioma, submitted that Africa needs to articulate and promote a robust sustainability narrative that leaves no one behind in issues relating to climate change, energy access and energy transition, among others.
He disclosed that, “To achieve this, Sahara Group hopes to make Asharami Square a formidable platform through advocacy and collaboration towards shoring up capacity and participation of all segments of the media to drive accuracy, clarity, impact, positive policy formulation, agenda-setting and collective action.”
Mr Obioma said Asharami Square would feature mentoring, training, exchange programs, facility tours for media practitioners and competitions to recognise and celebrate exceptional reporting of sustainability in the media.
BusinessDay, a foremost provider of business and financial intelligence and insight in West Africa emerged as the winner of the Asharami Square’s Sustainable Media Reporting Excellence award.