By Hillary Asemota
The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said Nigeria’s total emission is the highest in Africa even as he said that it’s per capita emission is relatively low.
In a presentation made at the sideline of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Dubai, he admitted that Nigeria confronts challenges in implementing its climate commitments.
This he explained included dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, poverty, and insecurity.
He added that the conference holds significant importance for Nigeria, given its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change like other African countries, and has delineated its priorities and expectations.
Lawal, said: “While per capita emissions are relatively low, the country’s total emissions rank highest in Africa and 15th globally.
“Nigeria grapples with the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, flooding, drought and desertification.
According to him, Nigeria has initiated various programs, projects, and initiatives in the areas of mitigation and adaptation as the huge solutions and avenues to explore the opportunities and low-hanging fruits attached to climate change issues.
He said: “Institutional frameworks like the Department of Climate Change and the National Council on Climate Change coordinate and oversee policy implementation.
“Nigeria passed the Climate Change Act, providing a legal framework for its climate response, and defining roles and responsibilities for stakeholders.”
The Act according to him makes provision for regular review of the country’s climate actions.
He explained that in aligning with the conference’s objective to intensify efforts in limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels approved the revised National Climate Change policy, 2021, which mainstreamed Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and pledged a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to provide policy measures and actions for implementation at all levels of governments.
The revised policy document also focuses on emerging climate change issues such as Climate Change, health, security and migration, he said.
He said: “Nigeria is poised to advance its climate resilience and adaptation efforts, concurrently contributing to global mitigation goals as well as seeking international support, especially from developed countries, to implement climate actions and address climate change’s adverse effects.”
