Ahead of the commencement of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland next week, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, has advocated the consideration of “energy justice” in the implementation of energy transition.
Kyari stated this at the 17th All Nigerian Editors’ Conference in Abuja where he was Special Guest of Honour.
A statement by the Spokesperson of NNPC, Mr Garba Deen Mohammed, said Kyari’s advocacy comes as discussions on countries transiting to less carbon-intensive energy sources have been gaining momentum in the last few years, with global leaders calling for a shift away from fossil fuels as a critical action towards tackling climate crisis.
The NNPC boss argued that wholesale execution of energy transition without regard to the peculiar socio-economic conditions of various countries would cause dislocations that could exacerbate security challenges in developing nations.
He maintained that his concept of energy justice was to allow each country, especially developing nations, to progress at their own pace while leveraging on their hydrocarbon resources for smooth transition to Net Zero by 2050.
“Talking about energy transition, it is my very well-considered view that there must be energy justice, which means that countries should develop at their own pace while taking into consideration the realities that they face,” Kyari stated.
According to him, individual nations should be allowed to transit on the basis of their contributions to the carbon emission to the point that ultimately, there will be justice for all by 2050.
“Energy justice would ensure that as we transit, we are allowed to develop at a pace and in a manner that is just,” Mallam Kyari added.
The NNPC helmsman also urged the media industry and other stakeholders to champion the cause of energy justice in the global quest for cleaner energy, stressing that gas development remained the only option for Nigeria to achieve energy transition.
Earlier in his welcome address, the president of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Mustapha Isah, said the purpose of the conference was to find solution to the various security challenges facing the country.
Isah also called on all stakeholders to rise up to the insecurity challenge by giving their best in defence of the nation.
