For Nigeria to realise its climate commitment, there must be collaboration among government, private sector stakeholders, funders, and civil society groups, as independent action will not achieve results, says energy experts under the aegis of The Electricity Hub (TEH).
The experts made their recommendations in Abuja at the 91st Power Dialogue, themed ‘COP 28: Keeping the 1.5 Climate Commitment in Nigeria’, hosted by TEH, a subsidiary of public policy solutions firm, Nextier.
Moderated by Emeka Okpukpara, the Partner for the Power arm of the Nextier Group, the dialogue had a panel of experts that included Michael Ivenso, Director of Energy Transport and Infrastructure at the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC); Lucky Abeng, Research Expert in Climate Justice from the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Networks; and Zainab Datti, Project Manager for the Energy sector portfolio at Agence Francaisede Developpement (AFD).
They focused on achieving Nigeria’s energy transition in line with her climate commitment at the recent international climate change conference – 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28).
Obukpara noted Nigeria’s strong commitment to addressing climate change and sustainable development, going by its attendance of the global summit with a delegation of 1,400 representatives, comprising 2% of total attendees.
The panellists unanimously agreed that “achieving Nigeria’s climate commitment requires collaboration among the government, funders, private sector stakeholders, and civil societies.
“Acting independently is not viable for conducting a national goal, making collaboration crucial.”
The session delved into strategies for improving renewable energy integration, addressing grid stability and reliability challenges, and actively pursuing energy transition goals, while proffering innovative solutions for optimizing renewable energy deployment and ensuring a smooth transition to a sustainable energy future.
They recalled that during COP28 in November 2023, Nigeria secured significant pledges totaling $300 million to combat energy poverty, demonstrating international recognition of Nigeria’s energy challenges.
Zainab Datti, in her presentation, however, emphasized the importance of tailoring climate action strategies to Nigeria’s unique context, even as she noted that Nigeria leverages its influence within Africa and ECOWAS to secure tailored financing solutions for sustainable development initiatives.
Emphasizing the commitment to the 1.5-degree Celsius target, she stated, “we recognize the importance of diversifying our renewable energy portfolio, including hydroelectric power alongside solar.”
Datti stressed the significance of understanding local community needs and involving stakeholders from various sectors to ensure projects make a positive difference.
Collaboration with the private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs), NGOs, and financial institutions aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to implementing projects that address climate goals, tackle local issues, and promote sustainable development, she further pointed out.
While acknowledging the global nature of climate change, the panellists stressed the need to balance energy access with sustainable development, aligning with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Michael Ivenso stated that “the increased engagement of the private sector at COP28 signifies a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s climate journey. As we emphasize sustainable development, the active involvement of businesses is essential in accelerating progress towards our climate goals.”
He pointed out that Nigeria’s 2% representation in absolute population terms paled in comparison to the substantial 70% private sector presence at the conference.
“Despite substantial pledges, questions remain about the tangible execution of commitments, emphasizing the need for diligent scrutiny and accountability”, he stated.
Ivenso suggested prioritizing the rapid adoption of renewable energy and enhanced energy efficiency in response to the recent GST outcome.
Stressing the importance of utilizing domestic solutions, he highlighted growing security risks associated with escalating temperatures and committed to global initiatives like the Global Coding Pledge.
It was agreed that the dynamic exchange of ideas at COP28 deepened awareness of the urgency surrounding climate action, highlighting the significance of global cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges.
The robust representation of the private sector at COP28 reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing the expertise and resources of the business community for meaningful climate action.
Lucky Abeng emphasized that discussions at COP28 primarily focused on the inaugural Global Stocktake (GST) and the imperative of adaptation in the face of climate change.
While progress was noted, there was recognition of the need for enhanced representation, particularly concerning the participation of young people.
Abeng also stressed the civil society’s commitment to advocating for greater inclusivity in future climate negotiations.
He concluded that “following a recent government validation of NDC costing, the firm acknowledges its responsibility to contribute despite being among lower emitters.
“We are committed to playing our part within the framework of our NDCs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving climate goals.”
