COP28: Developing nations can learn from Nigeria’s emission strategy – Experts

Stakeholders at the ongoing UN 28 Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP28) have hailed the processes leading to the formulation of Nigeria’s Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LTS).

They called on other developing nations to take a cue from it.

This formed part of the shared experience between top Nigerian delegations to the conference and their counterparts from Senegal which was monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Lagos.

NAN reports that side event at the COP 28 which held at the NDC Pavilion was titled: Long Term Climate Vision and Development Strategies: Lessons from Nigeria and Senegal.

Speaking at the event, Dr Eugene Itua, Chief Executive Officer, Natural

Eco – Capital, said that the LTS was Nigeria’s means of achieving the country’s Long Term Vision of Net Zero emission by 2060.

Itua said that the strategy adopted by Nigeria was country- driven. According to him, no fewer than 34 Nigerian experts participated in one way or the other in developing the document.

“The last aspect of it was peer review; then, there was validation which afforded many Nigerians the opportunity to make contributions to it.’’

The chief executive officer said that a major part of the process was alignment- which afforded the team to work in synergy with other stakeholders.

“Working in synergy, we came up with a document that has laid a beautiful foundation for other countries to follow,” Itua said.

Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the Director of the Centre of Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi, also spoke at the event.

He said that every country trying to develop its long term strategy should form a steering committee and a technical committee.

Okereke said that the steering committee in the case of Nigeria consisted of 12 directors from the ministries who met regularly to question the team’s assumptions, data sources and made input.

He said that there was the second committee–the technical committee–which was below the steering committee comprising 14 to 20 members selected from various ministries, departments and agencies of government who also met regularly.

Okereke said that there were suggestions to include other stakeholders from the private sector and the academia to guide the team in working out the long term strategy.

“That is why we can truly say that the document we produced was the voice of Nigerians and thus distinguished from its precursor, the Energy

Transition Plan (ETP), which is a very good document but it was produced by a smaller fraction of people, driven by Mackenzie, which formed the basis for which Nigeria met the Net Zero.

“So, when we first started the process for the LTS, we discovered that as good as the ETP was, it ignored an important aspect known as the AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use).

“It is difficult to achieve Net Zero target without AFOLU, which is the biggest source of subsector emission in Nigeria.

“The LTS we have done now integrates back the AFOLU emissions.

“It then means that the baseline for reducing to Net Zero was harder than it was thought when the ETP was designed.’’

He explained that when Nigeria did the expansive emission analysis using the same baseline as 2018 which was the basis for the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), it was discovered that Nigeria’s emission was higher than was reported in the NDC.

“This is because we went deeper into the AFOLU and also the transport sector.

“We could only do this because we had more indigenous technical people doing the analysis,” Okereke said.

He noted that a large percentage of African NDC had been written by experts from abroad, except South Africa and Nigeria.

The representative from Senegal, Mr Samba Fall, Climate and System Transition Manager, Enda Energie, Senegal, said that setting up his country’s LTS had been very innovative.

Fall said that Senegal had a pool of five ambassadors including researchers and policy makers.

He underscored the importance of the five groups since the country was working in different transitions including agriculture, energy and Industry.

Fall said it was a bit difficult at the onset; however, he added that Senegal developed a synergy between the ministry of the environment and that of petroleum and energy to make headway.

He said that the overall objective for Senegal was not just about planning for the LTS, but that the process, relying on local experts has positioned Senegal to plan for any climate change development issue.

Fall noted that there was a lot to learn from Nigeria in its approach to achieving its long term development strategy, adding that the lessons from Nigeria could be used to develop a regional West African LTS.

Nigeria launches Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy at COP28

Nigeria has achieved what looks like another major milestone in her effort to achieve a net zero carbon economy by 2060 by launching its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy on Friday, December 1, 2023, at COP28 in Dubai, UAE.

The event, which was graced by dignitaries and delegates from different countries around the world, was held at the African Pavilion in the Blue Zone and was moderated by Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development, AEFUNAI, and Dr Eugene Itua, Executive Director of the Natural Eco Capital, the organisation that coordinated and led the development of the LT-LEDS, which was started under the supervision of the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of the Environment, and concluded under the auspices of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

Director General of the NCCC, Dr Salisu Dahiru, who was temporarily represented by Ms Halima- Bwa-Bari, stated that Nigeria was proud to launch the LT-LEDS, which is guaranteed to support sustainable development and climate resilient economy for the nation.

Minister for Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who represented the Minister for Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said that the LTS was an important milestone in Nigeria’s effort to implement the country’s net-zero pledge made at COP26 in Glasgow. He said that Nigeria was committed to pursue the transition from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a low carbon future in keeping with the global trend and the Paris Agreement and urged international development partners to support the implementation of the LT-LEDS.

Global Director of the NDC Partnership, Mr. Pablo Vieria, said that Nigeria should be very proud of accomplishment. He stated that by developing the LTS, Nigeria is joining a distinguished group of countries that are exhibiting leadership in developing a clear strategy to decarbonise their economies in response to global climate change. He urged the country to take the next step in adopting the LT-LEDS and pledged the NDC Partnership’s cooperation in this regard.

Head Climate and Nature at the French Development Agency (AFD), Ms Mathide Bord-Laurans, congratulated Nigeria on launching the LT-LEDS. She said that AFD was delighted to have provided support to the Centre for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University under the Nigeria Deep Decarbonisation Project (DDP), which enabled the Centre to lead the creation of scenarios and the modelling work that went into the development of the LT-LEDS. She pledged that the Bank would stand firmly by Nigeria and support investments that are geared towards the implementation of the LT-LEDS.

Mr. Richard Baron, Executive Director of the 2050 Pathways Platform, expressed his joy at having assisted Nigeria in the design of the LT-LEDS and the precursor document, the Long-Term Vision (LTV 2050) which was also developed by Natural Eco Capital for Nigeria and submitted to the UNFCCC in 2021, served as the initial first step to the LT-LEDS.

He stated that the LT-LEDS was developed in collaboration with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, making it a truly national document of which Nigeria could be proud.

He expressed his delight that the modelling work for the LT-LEDS was done by Nigerian academics at the CCCD-AEFUNAI, led by Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, and praised the collaboration between the Nigeria Deep Decarbonisation Project, the 2050 Pathways, the National Council on Climate Change, and Natural Eco Capital, with Dr Eugene Itua as the National Coordinator, which resulted in the creation of a high-quality document.

In his closing remarks, the Director General of the NCCC, who had now arrived at the event in person, stated that while the launch of the LT-LEDS was a significant milestone, he would like to see all hands on deck to ensure that the document does not sit on the shelf but that the many projects identified in the documents are translated into practical investment. He stated that the two important next steps are the creation of an LT-LEDS Implementation Plan and the mobilisation of capital from domestic and internal sources to implement the LT-LEDS.

Miss Chioma Amudi, Desk Officer at the NCCC, noted that translating the LT-LEDS into investments would require finance, effective stakeholder engagement, and adequate institutions, among other key factors.

Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Environment of the Federal House of Representatives, pledged the support of the national parliament in implementing the LT-LEDS.

By Gboyega Olurufemi, Senior Climate Change Analyst and Fellow at the Centre for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria

First published in environewsnigeria.com

 

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PHOTOS: SPP Leads Nigeria’s Sub-national Climate Action Campaign, Launches Comprehensive Report

By Emmanuel Ogodo
Communications Officer, SPP
The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) has emerged a pivotal force in Nigeria’s climate action campaign with the release of the first ever report on Mapping of Climate Impact, Policy, and Action in 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). SPP in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), launched the comprehensive report in Abuja on Friday, 17th November, 2023.

The Report Launch recorded the presence of stakeholders including the Honourable Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako who lauded the report as being unique and timely. The report’s overarching goal is to meticulously evaluate climate change awareness at the grassroots state level, foster a deeper understanding and facilitate the development of peculiar policies crafted to address the unique climate risks faced by each region.

Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, the President of SPP and the driving force behind this landmark initiative, during the launch highlighted the paramount importance of state-level policies in the intricate battle against climate change, emphasizing a critical imbalance in the allocation of attention between federal and state-level initiatives.

According to Prof. Okereke, this strategic initiative stands as a linchpin in the broader context of achieving Nigeria’s net-zero emissions target and fulfilling the nation’s climate commitments.

Despite the existence of federal-level endeavour such as the National Climate Change Law, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and flagship projects like the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), and the Great Green Wall (GGW), Prof. Okereke astutely pointed out the disproportionately limited attention given to state-level policies. He stressed the urgent need for an augmented implementation of climate actions at the sub-national echelon.

This call was echoed by Sam Onuigbo, Member of the Governing Board and Chairman, North-East Development Commission’s (NEDC) Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions. Onuigbo urged governors and local council chairpersons to conscientiously allocate substantial budgets for climate change, grounded in the insights derived from the newly conducted assessment.

Also present at the Launch was the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago who was ably represented by Hon. Yakubu Muhammed Kolo, the Commissioner for Environment, Niger State, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Sokoto State, Nura Shehu, Representatives of World Bank, UNDP, AfDB among other dignitaries.

This exhaustive mapping effort transcends its immediate goal of heightening public awareness. It unveils the intricacies of subnational climate programmes, meticulously spotlighting both their strengths and limitations. The SPP’s advocacy for a nuanced and region-specific approach to climate change governance underscores the imperative of tailoring strategies at the state level to effectively combat the multifaceted impacts of climate change in Nigeria. In essence, the SPP not only spearheads this initiative but also serves as a beacon, guiding the nation toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

The first ever report on Mapping of Climate Impact, Policy and Action across the subnational level of Nigeria was written by Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Wole Adegbule and Timothy Ogenyi who are Senior Policy Analysts (Climate Change) at the Society for Planet and Prosperity.

Have a glimpse of the epoch-making event through the following captivating photos:

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Nigeria Unveils Report To Map Climate Impacts Across 36 States

The Federal Government of Nigeria has released a report as part of its efforts to identify the specific support needs of the federation’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to combat climate change.

Titled “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy, and Action in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” the report is aimed at how to effectively domesticate policies concerning climate change to attract funds and investments to increase action at the subnational level and ease climate-related transitions for sustainable development.

Nigeria has a tropical climate, with heavy precipitation in the southwest and southeast and low precipitation in the north. According to Dr. Ishaq Salako, state minister of environment, this type of weather pattern can induce erosion and flooding in the south and aridity, drought, and desertification in the north.

The minister, who made the comment on Friday, November 17, 2023, in Abuja, during the official launch of the report, went on to clarify that these differences in weather conditions expose northern states to greater climatic vulnerability than those in the country’s southern region. Additionally, the prevalence of climate-sensitive agricultural practices also aligns with this pattern of vulnerability to climate change.

Thus, he explained, this study would help in assessing the awareness of climate change in every state in the nation, including the Federal Capital Territory, and explore the willingness of states to participate and improve their understanding and response to prevent climate catastrophe. It would also help the government develop particular policies and action plans to protect each state based on its climate risk.

“With this, funding support and resources can be effectively allocated and directed to areas that are most vulnerable and require urgent action,” Dr. Salako said.

Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, the convener and President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), described climate change as one of the most significant development concerns confronting Nigeria today.

According to him, climatic impacts, such as flooding, desertification, drought, erosion, and sea level rise, are destroying ecosystems and livelihoods, thereby pushing many into poverty.

The Nigerian government signed the National Climate Change Law, which creates the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. In addition, to address the effects of climate change, it has a National Climate Change Policy, a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and a few flagship projects like the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), and the Great Green Wall (GGW).

Prof. Okereke did, however, point out that the majority of federal climate change activities and actions have paid little to no attention to state-level climate change policies, action plans, and investment. This, he says, is a considerable imbalance, given that the states that host the local populations face the majority of the burden of climate change impacts.

“Therefore, the implementation of policies and actions at the subnational level is crucial to addressing climate change and meeting Nigeria’s net-zero target and other national climate commitments,” he said.

The present circumstances, the convener argued, necessitate a better understanding of the subnational climate change governance environment, including the degree of climate change awareness, the scope and diversity of policies, and their degree of implementation.

In a similar spirit, Sam Onuigbo, Member of the Governing Board and Chairman of the North-East Development Commission’s (NEDC) Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions, decried the nation’s vulnerability to the disastrous impacts of climate change.

As a result, he advised governors and local council chairmen to make adequate climate change budget provisions based on the new assessment.

“With the responsibilities assigned to the representatives of the subnational, governors, and local government chairmen by the Act, they should begin to make adequate budgetary provisions for improved climate change action and resilience,” he stated.

This is the first and most comprehensive mapping of Nigeria’s subnational climate action. It will increase public awareness of climate action, provide information on the state of climate change policies, draw attention to the shortcomings and efforts in subnational programmes and actions related to climate change, and promote better action from the public sector, private industry, civil society, or foreign donor organisations.

Download Report here>>

By Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Abuja

First published in environsnewsnigeria.com

Launching! Launching!! Launching!!!

Launching! Launching!! Launching!!!

The Society for Planet and Prosperity in Collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment Abuja and the Nigeria Governor’s Forum hereby invite the public to the launch of the FIRST EVER REPORT on the Mapping of Climate Impact, Policy and Action at the Sub-national Level in Nigeria..

This shall be an opportunity for the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT to understand the exact level they are on Climate Action

Date: Friday, 17th November, 2023
Venue: Sandralia Hotel, 1 Solomon Lar Road, Jabi, Abuja.
Time: 9am

For more information, kindly visit our websites or check the nearest media outlets