LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- An African environmental coalition has raised alarm over worsening pollution and ecosystem damage, urging global action to hold major polluters accountable.
In honor of Earth Day 2026, the Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) Coalition has issued a strong warning about the growing impact of pollution on ecosystems across the continent.
The group says environmental damage is accelerating, driven by powerful industries and weak accountability systems.
In its latest statement, the coalition stressed that this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” reflects a harsh reality on climate crisis that is already affecting daily life.
Across Africa, pollution and environmental decline are damaging forests, grasslands, and water systems.
These effects include biodiversity loss, rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and increasing displacement of communities.
The group highlighted how countries that contribute the least to global emissions are facing the most severe consequences.
From Kenya’s forests to Nigeria’s fragile ecosystems, pollution is disrupting natural balance and threatening livelihoods.
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Furthermore, the coalition criticized the growing use of African land for carbon offset projects and resource extraction tied to so-called green transitions.
According to MBPP, these practices often worsen environmental harm instead of solving it.
They warned against turning ecosystems into profit-driven ventures, arguing that such approaches ignore deeper inequalities while allowing pollution to continue elsewhere.
Reaffirming the Polluter Pays Principle, the coalition called out major oil companies such as Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil for their long-standing operations in regions like the Niger Delta.
It also pointed to industrial activities in Central Africa, noting their role in polluting land and water while increasing pressure on local communities.
“As exploitation of Africa’s resources grows, the earth’s climate deteriorates,” the group stated.
Furthermore, the MBPP went on to demand an immediate stop to new fossil fuel exploration, alongside a clear and time-bound plan to phase out existing infrastructure. The coalition therefore, called for stronger environmental governance that respects local communities and protects natural resources.
They strongly emphasized that forests, wetlands, oceans, and soils should be treated as living systems, not commodities for trade in global markets.
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Attention was also drawn to the condition of soil, a critical yet often overlooked part of the ecosystem. The group warned that pollution from industrial farming, mining, and poorly managed carbon projects is damaging soil health, which is essential for food production, biodiversity, and climate stability. They maintained that soils must not be reduced to carbon storage tools for financial gain.
Meanwhile, the coalition urged governments and global stakeholders to move beyond symbolic gestures tied to Earth Day.
It argued that real progress depends on systemic change, including reducing reliance on fossil fuels and empowering Indigenous and local communities to manage natural resources.
“This year’s Earth Day must go beyond symbolic observance and instead signal a decisive shift toward ecological protection, enforceable climate justice, and systemic accountability,” the statement added.
The coalition, made up of more than 30 organizations across Africa, says it will continue to spotlight the environmental damage caused by large corporations while pushing for sustainable alternatives.
Ultimately, they reiterated their message, stating that
