By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change and Director General, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe has identified carbon pricing as a cost-effective approach to reducing greenhouse.
She stated this at the HYBRID Stakeholders Consultation Workshop on Carbon Pricing in Nigeria’s Telecommunication Sector in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Director General said the NCCCS is currently leading the development of a comprehensive National Carbon Market Policy, Manual of Procedure and Regulation for carbon pricing mechanisms in Nigeria.
The documents, she said will provide the overarching structure for carbon pricing mechanisms in Nigeria, including those potentially applicable to the telecommunications sector.
She said that assigning a monetary value to carbon incentive investment in low–carbon technologies and solutions.
She noted that the workshop will explore the telecommunications sector’s carbon footprint and mitigation opportunities and the various carbon pricing mechanisms and their suitability for the sector.
Dr Maduekwe, explained that the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat is committed to driving co-creation as this is crucial to fostering implementation.
“We recognize that the telecommunications sector is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial that we adopt a tailored approach that considers the specific circumstances of the sector. Your insights, perspectives, and experiences will provide us the tools useful to develop a carbon pricing mechanism that is both effective and feasible for the telecommunications sector.
She explained that mechanism will not only contribute significantly to national emissions reductions but also serve as a valuable model, informing the development and implementation of similar mechanisms in other key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The insights and best practices derived from this pilot initiative will be instrumental in scaling up carbon pricing across various industries, catalyzing innovation, stimulating investment, and fostering sustainable economic growth nationwide.
Dr. Maduekwe noted that the workshop forms part of the process to ensure a whole of government and society ownership of the charted pathway.
“We are exploring the feasibility and implementation of carbon pricing instruments, such as emissions trading schemes and carbon tax as stipulated in sections 4 and 15 of the CCA, to incentivize emissions reduction and drive investments in clean technologies.
She further noted that the workshop is a prime example of Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive policy development.
“We believe that collaboration is key to effective climate action. We are actively engaging with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as media, academia, and civil society organizations, to ensure that our policies are inclusive and effective,” she added.
Regional Lead UNFCC-Regional Collaboration Centre for West and Central Africa, Mr Walter Tubua, encouraged all stakeholders to conduct formulation of a carbon tax “a pilot carbon tax design” in a very transparent and inclusive manner.
He said that the UNFCCC is committed to formulating climate change polices that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and poverty eradication.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Malick Fall, urge all stakeholders to actively participate, share knowledge, and collaborate to ensure that this pilot carbon tax design is effective, equitable, and aligned with Nigeria’s development aspirations.
He emphasized that the outcomes of the workshop will lay the foundation for future climate policies in Nigeria and demonstrate the country’s leadership in adopting innovative solutions for emission reductions.
“The UNFCCC, through the RCC WAC Africa, has also been quite instrumental in supporting our exploration of innovative climate finance mechanisms, including the interesting subject of carbon pricing.
The UNFCCC’s guidance has been invaluable in helping all of us to navigate this complex landscape, and their support is exemplified by our gathering here today. UNIDO is driving industrial decarbonization and promoting clean energy projects, helping us to green our industries and build a more sustainable economy,” he said.
Deputy Director, Head, Knowledge Management, Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, Dr Beluchi Nwanisobi said, the NCC will continue to collaborate and work with National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, NCCCS to achieve its mandate.
The workshop was organized by NCCCS in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission with the support of UNFCCC Secretariat and its Regional Collaboration Centre for West Africa.
The workshop explores the potential of deploying carbon pricing mechanisms
to engender climate resilience in the Nigeria’s telecommunications sector
