As countries worldwide gathered for the 25th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Spain, Madrid with various expectations and agenda, the Minister of Environment Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has tasked Nigeria delegates to the cobference to actively engage in climate policy negotiations that will fast track the realisation of Nigeria Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
He made this statement during the 25th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Spain, Madrid.
The Minister nited that climate change is not only as a disaster but also as an opportunity affirming that, “Nigeria sees Climate Change as an opportunity, thus approaching it to help diversify its economy and build resilient towards achieving sustainable development, lifting its people out of poverty and providing greater physical and economic security”.
Nigeria participation at this year convention was characterise by its commitment to implementing an all-inclusive natural response to Climate Change through emission reduction and optimal solution to Climate Change response.
In addition to other previous efforts by the federal government at reversing the effects of Climate Change which includes the signing of the Paris Agreement by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016. It was a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to global efforts of reversing the effect of climate change and open the opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emission unconditionally by 20 percent and with international support by 45 percent.
Towards realising the objectives of the Paris Agreement, Nigeria issued a Sovereign Green Bond becoming the first African country and fourth globally to achieve the milestone towards financing green projects.
Proceed of the first trench of the Green Bond was deployed to fund green projects which includes provision of solar powered electricity to higher institutions by energising education scheme and afforestation activities.
The second trench of the Green Bond has been issued and fully subscribed to to fund environmental projects across 5 sectors (Water, Transportation, Agriculture, Oil and Gas and; Power/Energy).
Nigeria remain committed to meeting its NDC as re-affirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari during the recently concluded 2019 United Nations Climate Summit where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to increasing the country’s climate ambitions.
Nigeria has a high expectation as delegates has been charged to among other things ensure and support the quick resolutions of all outstanding issues pertaining to the Paris Rulebooks and carried over from Cop 24. Nigeria will also be leading other African Countries to call on developed countries to examine which new commitments and initiatives they can support and implement as well as investigate how these initiatives will unlock and strengthened nationally determined commitment and national action by 2020, with the hope that these will in turn strengthens climate ambition, long term decarbonisation and increase resilience.
Faced with the challenges of increase vulnerability to extreme weather events, Nigeria expect to conclude the review of the Warsaw International Mechanism ahead of the updating its Nationally Determined Contributions to include additional sectors (Water and Waste Management)
The West African country will also explore links in the different negotiating themes and translate the complexity and outcomes to the non-state actors in a business and policy relevant manner, including articulating the opportunities arising out of the international climate agenda that can help mobilise the resources and expertise required to finance Nigeria’s enhanced climate action.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a Conference of Parties with good ideas, intentions, Promises Instruments, Protocols and Agreements aimed at improving global vision and understanding on climate change and sustainable development issues, including the pursuit of cleaner energy and technology as well as green growth and paradigm climate resilient development.
