Climate policy experts, government officials and other critical stakeholders in energy sectors from Nigeria and the United States will come together in a virtual event to discuss how the Nigeria’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its post-COVID-19 recovery plans could be aligned to put the country on the path to just green transition.
The webinar, entitled “Aligning Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions with the COVID-19 Recovery Plan”, is being organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD) of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State, in partnership with World Resources Institute (WRI). It will hold on Thursday, February 25, 2021.
The webinar is part of a project aimed at injecting independent critical analysis into, and increasing public engagement and awareness, in the revision process of Nigeria’s NDC due for submission later this year.
The aim of the webinar, according to the Director of the Centre, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, is for global experts to explore ways in which Nigeria’s revised NDC and its post-COVID-19 economic stimulus (the NESP) could be more closely connected so that they can reinforce each other and help put the country on the path to just green transition.
Commenting on the forthcoming webinar, Professor Okereke says: “I am looking forward to hosting top national and international experts to discuss how Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) can be more strongly aligned with the country’s Covid-19 Recovery Plan the Nigerian Economic and Sustainability Plan (NESP).
“In assembling these highly respected, experienced and diverse panelists from across the world to share their thoughts on how the Nigeria’s NDC can be strongly connected to the country’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, CCCD AEFUNAI is delivering on its mandate to serve as a major think tank for facilitating research, awareness creation and advocacy for sound climate and development policies and practices in Nigeria. Also, recommendations from the webinar would be documented and submitted to relevant government agencies for actions and implementations.”
Prof. Okereke adds: “The main presentation will draw from how the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the Post COVID-19 Economic stimulus can reinforce each other to set Nigeria on the path of a just green transition towards meeting its NDC contribution, a commissioned short analytical piece by the Center for Climate Change and Development as part of the project on providing independent critical analysis and input into the revision process of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which is due for submission later this year.”
The webinar will feature James James Okeuhie, a climate change specialist; David Watskow, Director of World Resources Institute’s International Climate Initiative; Mario Finch, Research Analyst on International Climate Action Climate Programme, World Resources Institute; Dayo Adesina, Director of the Project on Gas Expansion. Office of the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Dr Oladunni Owo, National President of Women in Energy (oil and gas); and Sam Onuigbo, former Chairman House of Reps. Committee on Climate Change and Vice President (Africa) GLOBE International, as panelists while Professor Okereke is the host and facilitator.
The webinar is part of the webinar series under “Promoting critical analysis of, and stakeholders’ engagement with the revision of Nigeria’s NDC,” a project being undertaken by the CCCD AEFUNAI, with support from the WRI.
The one-year initiative that commenced from July 2020 will, according to Project Coordinator, Professor Okereke, help to widen the horizon of the discourse and compliment the current government led NDC revision process.
By Chinedu Jude Nwasum (Communication Officer, CCCD AEFUNAI)
