The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume says the federal government has begun taking bold steps regarding climate change after the Paris Agreement by prioritizing climate action in the national budgets and planning such as green bonds introduction, carbon pricing mechanism implementation, reallocation of resources to low-carbon technologies, establishment of regulatory frameworks, increased awareness amongst other sustainable practices.
Delivering the keynote speech at the National Launch and Presentation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Framework(NDC-IF) in Abuja, Senator Akume represented by Prof. Babatunde Bernard described the document as a signpost of Nigeria’s collective vision, shared values and unwavering commitment towards fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.
The SGF further revealed that the framework is designed to be a central platform that will ensure coordination, transparency and resources mobilization from stakeholders including the public sector, private sector and international partners as trillions of dollars are needed annually for the global endeavour.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal Represented by Etigbue Dilichukwu disclosed that the NDC-IF is designed to provide a robust and comprehensive framework for implementing the nation’s climate change goals, pointing out that Scientific Assessment Reports and documentation call for the urgent need to accelerate efforts towards climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The minister while assuring that the NDC-IF will facilitate partnerships, mobilize resources and promote best practices and accelerate progress in the journey towards a cleaner environment, also appreciated the NDC partnership and its members for their expertise, commitment and hardwork which culminated to the development of the framework.
Addressing the participants, the South-East member of the Governing Board and Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions, North East Development Commission, Chief Sam Onuigbo congratulated the leadership of the National Council on Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the NDC Partnership and other facilitators on the landmark project which he described as a clear pathway towards attaining section 1 of the Climate Change Act which he sponsored while in the House of Representatives as Member for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
Chief Onuigbo who reminded the audience of a UN report made by an official of UNICEF that ranks Nigeria amongst top countries where children are badly impacted by climate change, expressed confidence that with the comprehensive activation of the Climate Change Act by President Bola Tinubu administration, achieving the strategic milestone and realizing the 2050-2070 net-zero target will not be a mirage.
Also making remarks at the NDC Implementation Framework National Launch on behalf of the NDC Partnership, Ms.Mariana Panuncio Feldman commended Focal Points at the National Council of Climate Change and Ministry of Finance for their leadership leadership in the process as well as commitment to working closely with other sectoral ministries, sub-national governments, non-state institutions, partners and stakeholders to drive Nigeria’s NDC implementation and transition together.
According to Ms.Feldman, the NDC Implementation Framework has three important characteristics: “First, it reflects an effort on the part of the government of Nigeria to tackle climate change through an integrated whole-of-economy, whole-of society approach and translates Nigeria’s 2030 climate commitment into actionable plan, encompassing the mitigation and adaptation actions to be taken by seven major sectors of the Nigerian economy – agriculture, forestry and land use, water, energy, transport, waste and industry as well as critical cross-cutting enabling actions including in the development of MRV systems, the integration of gender considerations and the institutionalization of more effective collaboration mechanisms.”
The event featured the presentation of the framework of the review of the implementation process by the Director General of the National Council on climate change, NCCC, Dr Salihu Dahiru
