In a strategic move at COP 28, Nigeria has outlined a comprehensive agenda, focusing on critical priorities of energy transition, financial commitments, and operationalizing the Loss & Damage Fund.
This landmark accord underscores a unified stance, emerging from a pivotal one-day workshop orchestrated by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in collaboration with Oxfam in Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The strategic gathering took place in Abuja, positioned ahead of the imminent Conference of Parties (COP) slated for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.from 30th November to November 12,2023
Notably, the accord aims to streamline
Nigeria’s position at the forthcoming conference,to navigate diplomatic complexities and garner international support for these pivotal initiatives.
Director-General of the Council, Salisu Dahiru, said “Nigeria’s focus for this cop 28 will be to operationalize the loss and damage fund and to be in a position to support countries that are vulnerable to climate change including Nigeria without with with with that emphasis on leaving no one behind”
He added “we’re also interested in looking at ramping up funding for adaptation. Contrary to that focus where most of the attention or the finance that has been coming in support of developing countries have been tilted more in favor of mitigation.
“So in essence, this forms the basis of what is our objective and not our respective targets. But the point I want to highlight is that the UNF Triple C negotiation process is governed by that principle of what is governed by the principle of consensus on what the honorable deputy chair of the House Committee on environment is used to integrate chambers, where matters are presented and debated upon.
According to him, if there is no consensus, they can go into voting. Under the UNF, Triple C there is no room for voting at all.”
“The second is about raising additional finance based on the pledges that were made as far back as 2009. Of the $100 billion that advanced countries have pledged to support mitigation and some little adaptation in developing countries
He emphasized “to arrive at a deal between these countries, and a developing country like Nigeria or South Africa or Senegal requires massive lobbying and also requires massive request on the part of those funding institutions in those countries to request for sometimes policy reforms, sometimes the necessary legislation, sometimes financial reform reforms and a host of other things as you know conditions that will give them comfort and confidence in wanting to invest in the energy transition plan. Nigeria has done two very important things and have achieved them.
“One is to have the energy transition plan in place, which is very clear. well studied with specific targets and expected outcomes and the means by which to achieve them. The second one is to demonstrate political will and commitment to wanting to implement the energy transition plan, “He said.
Also Speak the Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Environment, Terseer Ugbor explained that Nigeria aims to achieve at COP28 by securing sustainable funding mechanisms for climate adaptation and enhancing the capacity and technical skills of stakeholders involved in addressing climate challenges.
“As COP28, Nigeria is not just a participant but a proponent of substantial climate initiative, striving to activate the $100 billion loss and damage funding, and championingan equitable climate action and finance distribution.
“I’m hoping that our presence in COP28 will see that Nigeria comes home with at least $1 billion of investment commitments to help support our climate change efforts in the country,” he said.
Ugbor, representing the Kwande/Ushongo constituency of Benue State, additionally mentioned that the House Committee is suggesting the transformation of the National Council on Climate Change into a Commission.
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On his part, the representative of Oxfam, Mr Kenneth Akpan said “We are here to support to make sure this narratives these realities, these actions are being implemented, being accountable for and also for the overall group. Nigeria is also in the right part to solve the climate crisis.
“We want to see at the end of the day or this workshop that Nigeria comes up with a position that everybody understands. You see, I think what Nigeria has stands to gain is first and foremost the passing into law the National Council for climates, you know, because, for us, it is a very disturbing evaluation of Nigerians, mostly when you engage them on the matters of climate change.
“Most times, they seem like it’s science fiction. Now everybody relates to what you see with this notion of this condition as we hope to become, it is something that people are getting to religions day in day out, because they are mandated to implement and to trickle down all of these realities to the people’s association, “he said.
