By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) have indicated interest to help Nigeria develop a gender justice agenda inclusive transition, monitoring, reporting and verification framework.
The former national focal point for climate change for Nigeria, Dr. Peter Tarfa, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Authority at the Nigerian pavilion at the just concluded UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai.
The former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour said the project is implemented through the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment.
“It is focusing on just transition that as we transit, from a carbon intensive economy, to low carbon trajectory, there are going to be implications not only for workers, but also for the general public, and even government policy.
“So the ICAT in collaboration with WRI is helping Nigeria to develop a gender justice agenda inclusive transition, monitoring, reporting and verification framework.
“That framework has three key objectives. First, is to have that framework, which will help policymakers in taking decisions to is to enable inclusivity, whereby the labour movement trade unions in Nigeria, as well as the employers, as well as the government will come together to agree on that kind of framework. And then finally to it will give us a roadmap for for the sustainability, even as we implement the climate change program in Nigeria.
The former Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment lauded the country’s outing at the just concluded UNFCCC COP28.
He said the delegation performed excellently in selling the country’s climate ambitions to the outside world.
Tarfa said the country is grooming young officers who will compete favorably with any other nation in terms of climate negotiation.
He said the presence of President Bola Tinubu indicates political will to implement climate action in the country.
“We’ve also developed a long term low emission development strategy that will help the country to have a roadmap for its development in a green pathway. So, these to me quick harvest of what the country is gradually moving into.
“And also if you should take an analysis, you will discover that issues of renewable energy is getting embedded in the country, especially solar. We are now moving to a cleaner source of energy that has no emissions.
He said Government should subsidize the renewable energy sector to increase investments.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy from an environmental point of view is the best thing to do, because it reduces the level of emissions. So, for us, it will help us emit in our targets. Economic wise, initially, it has brought a lot of burden on Nigerians, on the long run government will use that saved resources to provide like transportation, you now enhance the infrastructure in the country.”
