Ahead of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Nigeria is reviewing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and gearing up for increased climate action.
President Bola Tinubu stated that Nigeria would need $177 million in investments to meet its NDC targets by 2030.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, disclosed this during a one-day national workshop aimed at evaluating the outcomes of COP28 organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), in conjunction with the European Union in Abuja.
He emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the imperative of mobilising internal climate finance. Akume stressed that while external funding is essential, Nigeria must also harness its internal resources to combat climate change effectively.
The workshop focused on strategies for internal finance mobilisation, greening the national budget, and enhancing government leadership in addressing climate change.
Represented by the permanent secretary, general services office, OSGF, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, Akume highlighted the significance of integrating climate considerations into all sectors and policies through a whole-of-government approach.
He called for innovative financing mechanisms such as carbon pricing and green bonds to diversify climate finance sources and ensure adequate funding for ambitious climate goals. Akume emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society and international organisations to advance climate action across various sectors.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, stressed the urgency of addressing climate change collaboratively. He underscored the outcomes of COP28 as crucial for global environmental efforts, focusing on mitigation, adaptation, finance and transparency. Lawal emphasised the need for Nigeria to take action for a sustainable future, given the impacts of climate change.
The director-general of NCCC, Dr. Salisu Dahiru. highlighted the need for strengthened collective climate action across adaptation, finance, and mitigation pillars. He noted that the workshop provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on COP28 outcomes and chart a path toward sustainable solutions for a climate-resilient future.
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are critical documents embodying ambitious pledges and actions set by countries that have endorsed the Paris Agreement. Nigeria, in its updated NDC document submitted in July 2021, affirmed its commitment to low-carbon development and proposed stronger and more ambitious targets.
As Nigeria prepares for COP29, the review of its climate commitments underscores the nation’s determination to combat climate change and pursue sustainable development goals. The workshop serves as a platform for stakeholders to engage in purposeful discussions and collaborate on actionable strategies to address climate challenges effectively.
Earlier, the Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the EU and ECOWAS to Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, urged stakeholders to walk the talk on climate actions.
