By Chuks Oyema-Aziken reporting from Dubai
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal on Wednesday said Nigeria is poised to advance its climate resilience and adaptation efforts, concurrently contributing to global mitigation.
The minister said this in his keynote address at the COP28 Nigeria Day Celebration held at the country’s Pavilion, Blue Zone, Expo City, Dubai.
He noted that Nigeria confronts challenges in implementing its climate commitments, including dependence on fossil fuels, deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, poverty, and insecurity.
“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.
“Addressing these challenges, 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.
“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 makes provision for regular review of the country’s climate actions.
“Nigeria 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 and Health, Security, Migration.
“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.”
