At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26, which held in Glasgow, the United Kingdom from October 31 to November 13, the Nigerian delegation led by President Muhammadu Buhari joined other policymakers, world leaders and delegates around the world, to re-emphasise commitment to reducing emissions, among others. Alao Abiodun chronicles Nigeria’s activities in Glasgow.
President Muhammadu Buhari led Nigeria’s delegation to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) which was held in Glasgow, the United Kingdom (UK) two weeks ago.
Nigeria is among the over 190 countries that are signatory to the Paris Agreement, with a goal of combating climate change.
With over 30,000 delegates, this year’s summit underscored the Paris Agreement, with increased commitments on finance, emissions and adaptation.
At the end of this year’s conference, a climate compromise was reached and adopted by 197 nations/parties. It was tagged the “Glasgow Climate Pact.”
The Glasgow Climate Pact secured a 2023 timeline for countries to resubmit their national emissions-reduction targets to be more aligned with 1.5°C (2.7°F) of warming.
Over the years, the climate change conference has shaped climate negotiations and ensured countries stay consistently aligned and committed to reducing their emissions — global warming and climate change impacts.
The UNFCCC came into force in 1994; parties have been meeting annually since 1995. The first COP was in April 1995, in Berlin, Germany.
This year, the United Kingdom (UK) hosted the 26th session of the COP, otherwise known as COP26. However, from 1995 till now is 27 years, but due to the pandemic, COP26 was rescheduled.
Buhari had joined the World Leaders’ Summit, a special session of the 12-day event, where presidents and global personalities spoke on how to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
He made a commitment that Nigeria will cut its carbon emission to net-zero by 2060, saying it would be a gradual process, considering that the country is still developing and is oil-dependent.
On July 31, the country submitted to the UNFCCC its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) which are national commitments with an ambitious timeline.
In the NDCs, Nigeria said, with international support, it would reduce its emissions by 47 per cent instead of 45 per cent captured in its previous NDCs document.
But despite the series of paperwork, policies and strategies to tackle climate change in Nigeria, the legal framework backing the implementation of most of the country’s climate change plans is yet to be put in place.
Nigeria faces numerous challenges resulting from the impacts of climate change. This impact can be seen in rising temperatures, inconsistent rain patterns, flooding, drought, and polluted freshwater resources.
The climate change Act, according to experts who spoke to The Nation, would provide legal backing for the implementation of climate change policies and programmes, especially achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
The Act will ensure many organisations and individuals become more responsible and accountable for their actions and activities that affect the climate.
Addressing leaders at this year’s conference, Alok Sharma, the President for COP 26 said: “The science is clear that the window of time we have to keep the goal of 1.5? alive and to avoid the worst effects of climate change is closing fast.
“But with political will and commitment, we can, and must, deliver an outcome in Glasgow the world can be proud of.”
Despite having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa faces collateral damage from the activities of developed countries.
The World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate in Africa report, published in October, stated that climate change has accelerated extreme poverty and insecurity in low-income vulnerable communities—with 118 million people living in extreme poverty set to be exposed to droughts, floods, and extreme heat by 2030.
Similarly, according to a recent World Bank’s New Groundswell Africa, Africa has been identified as one of the vulnerable spots of climate change.
Owing to the different reports and findings, African countries at COP26 focused on adaptation, climate finance, a market mechanism (Article 6), ambitious NDCs, a transparency mechanism, meeting pre-2020 mitigation commitments and recognising Africa’s unique needs and circumstances.
While climate finance was a fundamental priority at this year’s conference, a series of discussions were also centred on how countries most vulnerable to climate change can access the finance needed to deliver climate adaptation and boost green recovery from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, it will be the turn of Africa to host the COP27. It will take place in November 2022, in Egypt.
But the bottom-line remains that the small steps of the Glasgow Climate Pact must be put into action, and must be fully realised before COP27.
Highlights of key decisions from #COP26
- A two-year ‘Glasgow Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme’ to define a new global goal on adaptation. A
- A pledge from developed countries to “at least double” adaptation finance between 2019 and 2025.
- Acknowledgement of the loss and damage already being caused by warming and welcome for the operationalisation of the “Santiago Network.”
- A two-year ‘Glasgow Dialogue’ “to discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage.”
- A note of “deep regret” that the $100 billion climate finance goal has not yet been met, with developed countries “urge[d]” to “fully deliver…urgently and through 2025.”
- A pledge to “significantly increase” financial support and a new body to agree on the post-2025 finance goal by 2024.
- An invitation for Parties to “consider further actions to reduce by 2030” other greenhouse gases, including methane
Nigeria will cut carbon emission to net-zero by 2060 – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, at this year’s summit, said Nigeria will cut its carbon emission to net-zero by 2060.
Buhari noted that the conference happened at a time the world is suffering from the devastating effects of climate change.
“Desertification in the North, drought in the centre, pollution in the coast are enough evidence for all to see, Nigeria is committed to net-zero by 2060.
“In our lifetime, Lake Chad has gone from an adverse expanse of biodiversity to a shadow of itself; we are investing in renewed growth, hydro dams, and solar projects – Nigeria is not looking to make the same mistake that will be suffered in the future.”
Buhari said the government is looking for partners, technology, and finance to make cleaner and efficient use of all available resources for a more stable transition in energy markets.
He informed the audience that Nigeria’s revised nationally determined contribution has additional priority sectors, including water and waste, nature-based solution, adaptation and resilience, vulnerability assessment and a clean, cooking, gender and green job assessment, bottom-up renewable energy transition pathway to 2030.
Calling the attention of the COP26 President to the centrality of financial support to developing countries in order to attain national and global climate change goals, he noted that it will require technical and financial support to developing countries.
Buhari said the country plans to electrify five million households and 25 million people using decentralised solar energy solutions.
“In the area of energy access, Nigeria’s commitment to a just transition is reflected in our initial energy compact, which includes the government’s flagship project to electrify five million households and 25 million people using decentralised solar energy solution. This is a major step towards closing our energy access deficit by 2030,” he said.
He said the outcome of COP26 must result in a quick resolution of all outstanding issues pertaining to the finalisation of the Paris Agreement rule book, adaptation, mitigation, finance, article six and loss and damages.
Nigeria, 104 countries pledge to end ‘deforestation’ by 2030
Nigeria at this year’s summit pledged to end deforestation by 2030. The countries that made the pledge cover about 85 per cent of the world’s forest.
Over 100 countries’ leaders made the pledge at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 26 in Glasgow.
The world leaders promised to raise $19.2 billion in public and private funds between now and 2030. It said some of the funds will be channelled to developing countries to restore the damaged environment.
About 28 countries also committed to removing deforestation from the global trade of food and other agricultural products such as palm oil, soya and cocoa.
These industries drive forest loss by cutting down trees to make space for animals to graze or crops to grow.
Climate Change bill assent will put Nigeria on track – Ekweremadu
Chairman, Senate Committee on the Environment and member of the Paris-based Climate Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the signing of the climate change bill, will put Nigeria on the right track.
Ekweremadu, who spoke to our correspondent at the summit, said: “I am happy that we have been able to pass the Climate Change Bill.
He was optimistic that Nigeria will have the necessary frameworks, in terms of well-outlined, articulated and attractive policy, to address climate change challenges and attract investments (climate finance).
‘Nigeria’s local women need access to climate finance’
Countries, world leaders, private organisations, others have been urged to make climate finance accessible to women.
This was stated at the unveiling of a project compilation entitled Women-led Climate Solutions in Nigeria.”
The unveiling was witnessed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Belinda Odeneye Aderonke and a host of other prominent Nigerian delegates at COP26.
During the unveiling, the Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st), Titilope Ngozi Akosa stated that many women do not have access to finance, noting that climate finance is pivotal to benefiting women and communities.
“Local women are doing actively well in their various communities, they’ve their gender just solutions, Women-led climate solutions. All they need is funding to upscale their solutions,” she stated.
She explained that the women-led climate solutions is a compilation aimed at promoting and showcasing solutions targeted towards addressing more equitable and sustainable ways to climate change crisis.
The document focused on capturing solutions addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation which aligns with the priority sectors of Nigeria’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) namely: agriculture, transport, energy, waste management, and water and sanitation.
While unveiling the document, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated that the solutions will address climate change issues in tandem with SDG goals.
She pledged more of the government’s commitment to climate change adaptation programmes.
Similarly, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who led the state delegation, commended the initiative and also noted that the state government is committed to tackling the various environmental challenges, including climate change.
Supporting communities to build resilience against disasters
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq stated that the Federal Government is committed to supporting communities to build resilience against disasters and shocks.
While speaking to our correspondent on Nigeria’s efforts in climate change adaptation in humanitarian and disaster risk reduction context, she explained that the Federal Government has put in place different systems and structures on how to mitigate and prevent disasters in communities across the country.
She further affirmed that the ministry under her leadership remains resolute in supporting communities and also improving the livelihood of citizens across communities.
How Lagos is tackling health-induced challenges
Lagos delegation at #COP26
The Lagos delegation led by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi stated that the numerous health challenges, especially the rise in infectious diseases, is due to the climatic aberration affecting Africa.
Abayomi explained that the state is adopting the ‘one health’ paradigm, which means looking at health holistically; focusing on human health in the context of environmental health, agricultural health, physical planning and urban development, and in the context of the law.
He said: “Under the THEMES agenda, pillar number 2 — health and environment — is in the same pillar because the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has a very futuristic vision because even before he (Sanwo-Olu) assumed office, he was able to see the synergies between health and environment.
Abayomi further said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has conceptualised the smart medical infrastructure transformation that is climate-smart.
“As populations increase, medical facilities must be designed in such a way that they can be expanded, and re-purposing so that whenever we have COVID-19 again, there won’t be a rush in building isolation facilities,” he explained.
Other officials, including General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) Dr Dolapo Fasawe; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Belinda Odeneye Aderonke, Chairman, Ojokoro LCDA, Hammed Tijani Idowu spoke separately on how the state under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to tackling the climate crisis and other health challenges.
LASEPA boss, Fasawe stated that the environment and the economy are really both sides of the same coin, noting that if one cannot sustain one’s environment, one won’t be able to sustain oneself.
She explained that many are ignorant of the disadvantages attached to air pollution, especially health-related challenges.
Fasawe stated that 75 per cent of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds are contributed by traffic in Lagos State.
Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Hammed Tijani Idowu, said the Ojokoro council area is keying into the agenda of the Lagos State Government with respect to managing climate issues, and putting up a climate action plan.
He noted that the local government under his leadership, has dedicated every October 4 as tree planting day and also a team of people have been instructed to sensitise people in the community to the effects of climate change.
Zamfara to plant one million trees, says Matawalle
Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle said his administration will plant one million trees to tackle desertification in the state.
He stated that the tree-planting project would be executed in partnership with Nigeria’s Great Green Wall project aimed at fighting desertification and soil erosion.
Matawalle argued that climate change, which was a major driver to armed banditry bedevilling the state, was the result of the taking over of pastoralists’ grazing reserves, water and resting points.
He further noted that his administration was doing its best to protect natural habitats, protect and restore the ecosystem and reclaim the land by building defences, including resilient infrastructure and agriculture.
The Nation
