In a follow-up to engaging with stakeholders at the national level for effective implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Nigeria has commenced a process aimed at gathering inputs from state representatives.
The initiative commenced on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at a three-day meeting in Keffi, Nasarawa State, which featured states in the North-Central Geopolitical Zone.
The Stakeholders’ Engagement on National Implementation of Nigeria’s Revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which will eventually hold in all the geopolitical zones, will result in the inputs, ideas, notes and activities harvested being incorporated in the implementation plan that the states would benefit from when executed.
Nigeria, in a bid to foster low carbon emission practice, submitted its updated NDC document to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in July 2021. The document contains Waste and Water Sectors in addition to the five initial sectors, with the country making a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by 47% conditionally while maintaining 20% unconditional target.
The UN Climate Conference COP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland, was the first meeting to succeed the submission of Nigeria’s updated NDC for enhanced climate ambition, and one of the key objectives of the global talks is achievement of global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.50C within reach.
At the COP, President Muhammadu Buhari made a pledge committing Nigeria to a net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
In a presentation at the stakeholders’ engagement in Keffi, Director, Department of Climate Change in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, said: “We are gathered here in the North Central Zone of the country to discuss and dialogue on implementation process of the updated NDC, the processes and outcomes of COP26 for Nigeria and the steps that need to be taken to translate the major outcomes of COP26 to national commitments.
“It is in line with the mandate of the Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Environment through the Department of Climate Change is engaging with relevant stakeholders at North Central geopolitical zone in enabling the implementation of decisions of the COP26 outcomes as well as initiating activities and buying of the states for the implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).”
According to her, the impact of climate change is real on the environmental, health, social and economy of the states and Nigeria at large as well as disproportionate negative impacts around the globe with women and young ones being more vulnerable.
“To combat these, the Revised NDC captures: Green Job Assessment; Vulnerability Mapping; Gender Mainstreaming; Just Transition; Nature Based Solution; Cleaning Cooking; Circular Economy, Clean Cooling and Youth Engagement,” she added.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Hassan Musa, emphasised that the implementation of revised NDC would be heavily dependent on cross sectoral engagements and international support in terms of finance and technical backing.
“It is, therefore, the role of the government to educate the populace on the dynamics of international and national climate governance of the NDC implementation. To achieve the climate goals for Nigeria there is need for strong buying-in of the sub-national government and present project idea notes that can attract support from donor partners,” he stated, adding:
“To this end, I strongly believe that partnerships between national and sub-national government authorities, bilateral and donor organisations, NGOs, community-based organisations, academia, the private sector and local communities is vital. The government on its part will continue to create an enabling environment and platform for all to achieve the net-zero 2060 emission pledge by Mr. President.”
On the challenges posed by climate change, he stated: “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a reality and a sign of what lies ahead. Climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge faced by our generation, and what we decide to do today will decide the fate of our future generations. climate change is not just an environmental issue.
“It is a developmental issue, which has enormous economic and social consequences. We need to understand the magnitude of the economic, social and ecological challenges that confront us. Action to tackle climate change will not be easy and will require all sectors working together by sharing resources and technologies.”
Musa stressed that the Climate Change Bill that became Law last November following Mr President’s approval provides an “all-encompassing legal framework to articulate a long-term climate plan for Nigeria to achieve a net-zero carbon emission target, national climate resilience, with the structure of the ICCC providing roles for each MDA in line with respective mandates to align, analyse gaps and opportunities and prioritise activities for the implementation of the NDC”.
His words: “The NDC activities are expected to be weighed against the Energy Transition Plan, National Adaptation Plan, Just Transition, Gender Action Plan, Circular Economy, and National Development Plan 2022-2025 to ensure alignment. This will accentuate activities with associated costs (as per sector) and timelines.”
In a communique issued at the close of the meeting, participants agreed that stakeholders should embrace continuous awareness programmes on climate change issues targeting the grassroot.
While underlining the need for synergy with public and private partners to access climate finance for bankable projects implementation, the need to engage and sensitise policymakers on the reality on the impacts of climate change was underscored.
Ministries that have cross related issues on climate change were asked to strengthen collaboration, even as mechanism that will enable tracking achievements in NDC implementation both in Federal and in State levels are to be put in place.
Other suggestions include:
- Formation of State technical Sub-committee across different Ministries in the state.
- Submission of project Idea note to the Department of Climate Change towards the development of projects.
- Mainstreaming initiatives and action into state annual budget.
- State specific adaptative measures base on state vulnerability and climate related issues and climate challenges.
- Continues engagement with DCC going forward.
