It is no secret that the big polluters across the world are mostly power generating companies coal and petroleum. It is these companies and the NGO's they fund that at every point they could, hampered the Paris Agreement. These companies, have become almost immune to the rule of law in their various host countries.

The top three polluters in America for instance are American Electric Power, Duke Energy and Southern Company. AEP emits the equivalent of 130 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, accounting for about 2% of the annual total, with Duke at 127 million tons and Southern Co. at 118 million.

This has always been the case, the big polluters taking a firm stand, implicitly or explicitly against 1.5 degrees. Common among the big polluters is that they have large stakes in the fossil fuel industry, one they wish to protect at all costs. Eventually, they have melded themselves into a bulwark of resistance to the progress and development of nations in aiming for a sustainable future.

Let me bring this discourse home, for who knows where the feet hurt like the person that wears the shoes. Nigeria, is an oil rich nation that plays host to an array of international oil companies, many of whom are big polluters especially in the Niger Delta area who pollute with impunity,disregard court judgments and never have their licenses revoked. Curiously, our story is seemingly no different from that of developed countries. A certain publication in Truth-out in 2013 revealed that Williams Energy was one of the big polluters in the US which was facing n consequences because even though the law prescribed a fine, there was no political will to implement it. The reason is not far-fetched. Many of these big polluters equally have the big bucks that they pour in as investments into the country's economy, they also find their way into the good books of the law makers and the institutions that are charged with enforcement. In Nigeria, Shell's clean up for a 2008 oil spill only just started and according to data analysts will take at least 30 years to clean up. 30 years in which the process will probably lose its strength, become flabby and slither away like the oil they have generously splayed over the waters of host communities.

Nigeria has laws against gas flaring –laws that directly prohibit it- yet the flaring of gas continues without any attendant penalties. In situations where there are penalties, the penalties are very ridiculous, amounts even a secondary school leaver could pay without breaking a sweat. The truth that stares us in the face is appalling.

It is important to note though, that there are companies –oil companies- that are shifting base towards renewables. Total, for instance currently runs an 'Awango' solar lighting project in many African communities. They are also in a partnership with SunPower to produce 5, 000 solar gas stations. Statoil is also currently invested in wind farms. This goes to show that some of these companies are posturing for the future, getting ready to shift and not be taken by surprise when the change comes fully eventually, like the dawn of day that comes in bits but is not noticed until the full glare of the morning sun. This is the step we hope most fossil-based corporations will take.

Essentially, the big polluters will remain poised against 1.5C even if not outrightly, but their actions will constantly undermine whatever commitment any country has. And until nations of the world can shun corruption and value lives, health, and sustainability more than investments, brown envelopes and capital markets funded by monies that shave cubic feet out of the health or agriculture or livelihood or environmental wellness of the citizens, then we will have no progress. We will keep marking time, and hoping for targets while the opposition to its achievement is from within.

I will conclude by then alluding to this Biblical truism that they of your household are your enemies. The big polluters will not have their guts if there is no government turning its back to their actions. So indeed, our governments and institutions are the big polluters, the enemies of sustainability, until they decide to take a stand and fight the pollution.

 

 

REFERENCES

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/30/companies-pay-out-more-than-15m-for-breaking-environment-laws Accessed 24 May, 2017

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/16720-seven-companies-polluting-the-world-without-consequences Accessed 24 May, 2017

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/29/toxic-air-pollution-concentrated-small-number-sites/90846584/ Accessed 24 May, 2017

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2013/06/10/americas-20-worst-corporate-air-polluters/#524731ae41c6 Accessed 24 May, 2017

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/just-90-companies-are-blame-most-climate-change-carbon-accountant-says Accessed 24 May, 2017

https://qz.com/399765/nigerias-delta-oil-spill-clean-up-will-cost-shell-billions-of-dollars-over-30-years/

Nwilo, Peter C., and Olusegun T. Badejo. "Impacts and management of oil spill pollution along the Nigerian coastal areas." Administering Marine Spaces: International Issues 119 (2006): 1-15.

Obabori, A. O., A. O. O. Ekpu, and B. P. Ojealaro. "An appraisal of the concept of sustainable environment under Nigerian law." J Hum Ecol 28.2 (2009): 135-142.