A coalition of over 30 African civil society organisations has called on governments across the continent to take urgent steps to protect ecosystems and hold major polluters accountable as the world marks Earth Day 2026.
The Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) Coalition, in a statement issued on Wednesday, warned that the climate crisis is no longer a distant concern but an immediate and intensifying threat, particularly for African countries.
Referencing this year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” the coalition said the impacts of climate change are already being felt across the continent, from biodiversity loss and extreme heat to erratic rainfall, rising sea levels and displacement of communities.
According to the group, Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.
The coalition cautioned against what it described as the continued exploitation of Africa’s natural resources under the guise of green transitions, carbon offset markets and mineral-driven energy projects. It argued that such approaches often replicate historical patterns of inequality and environmental degradation.
It also rejected the use of African ecosystems as testing grounds for carbon schemes that fail to address structural injustices.
Reaffirming the “polluter pays” principle, the coalition specifically called for stricter accountability for multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta, including Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil, as well as other industrial actors across the continent.
The group demanded an immediate halt to new fossil fuel exploration and a clearly defined timeline for phasing out existing infrastructure, warning that continued extraction is worsening environmental conditions and increasing the vulnerability of affected communities.
The coalition further urged governments to adopt policies that prioritise ecological sovereignty and protect the rights of local and Indigenous communities who depend on natural ecosystems for survival.
It criticised the growing trend of commodifying nature through carbon markets and biodiversity offsets, arguing that such mechanisms allow industrialised countries to maintain high emission levels while shifting environmental costs to the Global South.
The statement also highlighted the importance of soil health to food security and climate stability, warning that industrial agriculture, mining activities and poorly regulated carbon projects are putting soil systems at risk.
The coalition stressed that meaningful climate action must go beyond symbolic commitments and focus on systemic reforms that reduce dependence on fossil fuels while promoting community-led environmental governance.
It added that without holding major polluters accountable and ending extractive practices, global climate targets would remain out of reach.
The MBPP Coalition, which comprises organisations from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Togo, Liberia and other African countries, said it remains committed to exposing the environmental impact of transnational corporations and advocating sustainable alternatives through its storytelling and advocacy platforms.
