AGP Executive Report

Climate Commitments: The UN climate chief praised Algeria’s updated national pledge, including its 2035 emissions target and long-term low-carbon vision to 2050. Circular Economy: Algeria’s environment and startup ministers urged young people to build recycling and waste-recovery businesses, with agency support and tax incentives. Sahara Oil Incident: Algeria sent energy experts to Niger after the Goumeri W-8 well incident to help contain the spill and limit environmental harm; reports also allege a major methane leak. Methane Rules: The European Parliament backed delaying EU methane requirements for oil and gas importers by three years, extending the deadline for measures affecting fuel suppliers, including Algeria. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria outlined its conservation strategy and called for greater international support; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said the country had made significant progress protecting biodiversity.

Circular Economy: Algeria is stepping up support for young people entering recycling and environmental businesses, with agencies helping entrepreneurs connect to waste streams and recycling firms. Tax incentives and the 2025 waste-management law are intended to encourage investment. Climate Commitments: The UN climate chief praised Algeria’s updated emissions pledge, including its 2035 reduction target and long-term plan for low-carbon development and climate resilience through 2050. Niger Oil-Well Incident: Niger says the spill at the Goumeri W-8 well has been contained, with Algerian experts among those assisting the response. A relief well is planned as work continues to address the incident’s effects. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria presented its nature-protection strategy as countries face pressure to turn global biodiversity goals into action.

Niger Oil-Well Spill: Algeria sent Sonatrach and government experts to help Niger respond to the Goumeri W-8 well incident and limit environmental harm. The spill has been reported contained, but a relief well is planned and the incident’s full impact remains unclear. Biodiversity: At COP17, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Algeria had made a “qualitative leap” in conservation, while the country outlined its biodiversity strategy and called for greater international support. Green Finance: Algeria’s financial regulator adopted rules for green securities, creating a framework to channel investment toward environmental projects. Clean Energy: A new assessment says Algeria’s strong wind resources remain largely untapped, with financing, grid infrastructure and reliable investment frameworks among the barriers to development. Methane Rules: Algeria was among energy exporters warning the EU that its methane-import requirements could affect supply and prices; proposed changes to the law remain under negotiation.

Niger Oil Spill: The Goumeri W-8 spill has been contained, with Algerian and Chinese specialists supporting the response. Niger plans to drill a relief well from 24 October to address the damage; Algeria’s technical mission also worked with Niger’s environment and petroleum ministers to limit impacts. Green Finance: Algeria’s financial regulator, COSOB, has adopted rules for green securities, creating a framework for environmentally focused investment. Biodiversity: At the UN biodiversity summit, Algeria outlined its conservation strategy and called for greater international solidarity; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said the country had made a “qualitative leap” in protecting nature. Renewable Energy: A new African wind report identifies Algeria as having major untapped wind resources, while noting that investment, grid access and reliable project frameworks remain key to turning potential into power.

Niger Oil Spill: Algeria sent hydrocarbon experts to help control the Goumeri W-8 blowout and limit environmental damage. The spill has continued for weeks, with nearby wells also affected and concerns over desert wildlife. Biodiversity: At COP17, President Tebboune said Algeria had made a “qualitative leap” in conservation and outlined the country’s strategy. Green Finance: Algeria’s COSOB adopted a regulatory framework for green securities, creating a new channel for environmentally focused investment. Renewable Energy: A new African wind report says Algeria has strong wind resources, but the continent’s potential remains largely untapped; it points to grid infrastructure, contracts and financing as key barriers. Forest Protection: Algeria’s new death-penalty provisions for forest arson have taken effect, marking a tougher legal response to fires that threaten ecosystems.

Oil Spill Response: Algeria sent hydrocarbon experts to Niger to help control the Goumeri W-8 blowout and limit environmental damage; the well has been spewing oil and gas since September, raising fears for desert wildlife. Rock Art and Parks: Djanet has opened Algeria’s first International Rock Art Festival, with events at Tassili n’Ajjer National Cultural Park highlighting the need to protect and study the region’s heritage. Wind Power: Africa’s installed wind capacity has reached 11.1GW, but Algeria’s strong wind resources remain largely untapped; the sector’s constraints include grid infrastructure, investment and reliable power-purchase agreements. Cleaner Energy: Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab and Norway’s Scatec discussed cutting methane and greenhouse-gas emissions at Sonatrach facilities, improving efficiency and powering desalination with renewables. Green Finance: Algeria’s COSOB has adopted a regulatory framework for green securities. Biodiversity: At COP17, President Tebboune said Algeria had made a “qualitative leap” in biodiversity conservation and called for greater international solidarity.

Niger Oil Blowout: The Goumeri W-8 well continues to spew oil and gas, threatening nearby wildlife and facilities. Algeria has sent a team to assist with the response. Cleaner Energy: Hydrocarbons Minister Mohamed Arkab and Norway’s Scatec discussed cutting emissions at oil and gas sites and using renewable power for desalination projects. Green Finance: Algeria’s market regulator adopted rules for green securities, covering projects such as renewable energy, clean transport, biodiversity protection and climate adaptation. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria outlined its conservation strategy and called for greater international solidarity; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said the country had made significant progress in protecting nature. Food Security: Algeria’s agriculture minister said innovation, research and stronger local production are central to improving food security amid climate and economic pressures.

Energy Transition: Algeria and Norway’s Scatec discussed cutting methane and greenhouse-gas emissions at oil and gas facilities, improving energy efficiency and powering desalination with renewables. Green Finance: Market regulator COSOB adopted rules for green securities, directing proceeds to eligible projects including clean transport, renewable energy, biodiversity protection and climate adaptation, with monitoring and independent review. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria presented its conservation strategy and called for stronger international solidarity; President Tebboune said the country had made significant progress in protecting nature. Agriculture: Officials say innovation, research and stronger local production are central to food security amid economic and climate pressures. Wildlife and Climate: A study projects sharply different futures for Mediterranean whip snakes as the climate warms: the Algerian whip snake may gain suitable habitat, while related species face major losses.

Green Finance: Algeria’s market regulator has adopted rules for green securities, allowing funds to support renewables, clean transport, biodiversity protection, the circular economy and climate adaptation. Food and Farming: At World Food Day events, the agriculture minister said innovation and research are central to boosting domestic production and food security, including through expanded grain cultivation and access to certified seeds. Biodiversity: At COP17, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune cited 24 protected areas, more than 27,000 documented species and a revitalized Green Dam spanning 4.7 million hectares, while calling for stronger international funding. Coastal Protection: Environment Minister Kaoutar Krikou and a UN Mediterranean official discussed recovering value from desalination brine and advancing marine and coastal protection projects. Solar Power: A six-year study of a 12 MW plant in Sidi Bel-Abbès found that reduced maintenance during the pandemic coincided with a sharp performance decline, underscoring the need for regular upkeep. Wildfire Prevention: Algeria’s new death-penalty provisions for forest arson have taken effect.

Green Finance: Algeria’s market regulator has adopted rules for green securities, allowing bond proceeds to fund eligible projects such as renewable energy, clean transport, biodiversity protection and climate adaptation. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria highlighted 24 protected areas, more than 27,000 documented species and a 4.7-million-hectare Green Dam, and called for greater international funding to turn biodiversity pledges into action. Coastal Protection: Environment Minister Kaoutar Krikou and a UN Mediterranean official discussed protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, including a project to recover useful materials from desalination brine. Wildlife and Climate: A new study projects sharply different climate-driven habitat shifts among four whip snake species, including Algeria’s whip snake. Solar Power: A six-year assessment of a 12 MW plant in Sidi Bel-Abbès found output fell when maintenance was reduced during the pandemic, underscoring the need for regular upkeep.

Climate & Wildlife: New modeling of Mediterranean whip snakes, including Algeria’s Algerian whip snake, warns that warming could sharply shrink suitable habitat for three of the four species studied; some projections show losses nearing 90%. Coastal Protection: Environment Minister Kaoutar Krikou and a UN Mediterranean environment official reviewed marine-protection projects and a proposal to recover valuable materials from desalination brine. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria cited 24 protected areas, more than 27,000 documented species and a 4.7-million-hectare Green Dam. Its 2025–30 plan sets 24 targets and 93 actions, while President Tebboune called for more international funding. Solar Power: A six-year review of Sidi Bel-Abbes’ 12 MW solar plant found performance declined when maintenance was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, underlining the importance of regular upkeep. Forest Protection: Algeria’s new death-penalty provisions for forest arson have taken effect.

Coastal Protection: Environment Minister Kaoutar Krikou and a UN Mediterranean official discussed projects to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, including ways to make use of brine from seawater desalination plants. Biodiversity: At COP17, Algeria presented its 2025–2030 biodiversity plan, with 24 national targets and 93 actions. The country cited 24 protected areas, more than 27,000 documented species and a 4.7-million-hectare Green Dam, while calling for greater international funding to help developing nations protect nature. Solar Energy: A six-year review of a 12 MW solar plant in Sidi Bel-Abbès found performance fell in 2020 when pandemic restrictions curtailed maintenance, underscoring the importance of regular upkeep to limit energy losses.

Solar Performance: A six-year study of Algeria’s 12 MW Sidi Bel-Abbes solar plant found output fell in 2020 when pandemic restrictions curtailed maintenance, highlighting the need for regular upkeep. Coastal Protection: Environment Minister Kaoutar Krikou and a UN Mediterranean official discussed protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, including ways to reuse brine from desalination plants. Biodiversity: At COP17, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Algeria has 24 protected areas and more than 27,000 documented species. The country’s 2025–30 biodiversity plan sets 24 targets and 93 actions; Tebboune called for more international funding to turn global pledges into action. Forest Protection: New death-penalty provisions apply to forest arson, among other crimes, following deadly fires. Air Quality: Canary Islands researchers detected pollution episodes traced to industrial sources in Algeria, including power stations, refineries and fertiliser production.

Biodiversity: At COP17 in Yerevan, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Algeria had expanded its protected-area network to 24 sites and set 24 national targets and 93 actions in its 2025–2030 biodiversity plan. He cited desertification, forest fires and climate change as key threats. Forest Protection: Algeria’s death-penalty provisions for forest arson have taken effect, following deadly fires last summer; the law also covers acts that damage ecosystems and natural resources. Ports and Emissions: A.P. Moller Capital has agreed to buy Portek International, which operates a terminal in Algeria. The buyer says it plans to address environmental performance, including emissions reductions, after the deal closes. Regional Pollution: Niger declared an environmental emergency after an oil-well blowout at Goumeri W-8; the leak remained only partially contained, raising concerns about pollution in the region.

Forest Protection: Algeria’s new penal code provisions make deliberate forest arson punishable by death, including fires that damage ecological balance and forest, plant, animal or agricultural resources. Cross-Border Pollution: Canary Islands researchers reported episodes of industrial pollution traced to Algeria, including emissions linked to power stations, refineries and fertilizer production. Methane Rules: The EU delayed methane monitoring and reporting requirements for oil and gas imports by a year, citing energy-market pressures; Algeria had warned the rules could disrupt fuel deliveries.

Forest Protection: Algeria’s new penal code makes deliberate forest arson punishable by death, extending the penalty to acts that damage ecological balance and forest, plant, animal and agricultural resources. Cross-Border Air Pollution: Canary Islands researchers detected industrial pollution traced to Algeria, including emissions linked to power stations, refineries and fertiliser production; Saharan dust remains the main cause of poor air quality. Methane Rules: The EU delayed oil and gas import monitoring requirements by a year, with Algeria among the exporters that warned the rules could disrupt fuel deliveries. Regional Spill: A blowout at Niger’s Goumeri W-8 oil well has released more than 40 tonnes of methane an hour, prompting an environmental emergency and raising concerns about the leak’s climate impact.