Stakeholders chart roadmap for Nigeria’s climate action

Emerging from a successful participation at the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in Marrakech, Morocco, stakeholders have begun a fresh effort to ascertain Nigeria’s obligations under the new global agreement in Paris and effective strategies for Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) targets.

They met at a one-day Post COP 22 Stakeholders Consultative meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with Surez Global Resources Limited in Abuja, and agreed that Nigeria should submit proposal to the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP) towards the preparation of its long overdue Technology Need Assessments (TNA).

The discussion anchored by the Director, Department of Climate Change (DCC), Dr. Peter Tarfa focused on the activities and outcomes of COP 22 and role Nigeria played at the Convention; analysis of the implications and opportunities presented by the implementation of the Paris Agreement; role of the relevant stakeholders in fulfilling Nigeria’s obligation.

They also expressed the need to strengthen the climate finance unit already in place to become a functional structure for climate finance in the country and also need to pursue the Green Bonds and other initiatives to a logical conclusion.

Similarly, the participants urge the ministry to monitor closely developments happening at the Adaptation Fund to ensure that the country benefits maximally from the financial resources provided by the fund.

They agreed to set up a technical committee to look at the various issues raised and make inputs into the expected submissions by parties before April 1 2017; forward its nominations of experts to participate in the activities of the established ad hoc technical expert group on response measures, through the coordinators of the regional groups and the SBI and SBSTA Chairs.

Dignitaries, which included the Chairmen of the Climate Change Committees in the National Assembly, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, senior officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media also agreed to review the nation’s Gender and Climate Change Action to make it more robust to incorporate many of the issues that the country is expected to address as it communicates with the Convention.

They recommended for a co-ordinated national approach to COPs, such as a robust leadership to head the delegation – the need for President/Minister to attend; early notification to be sent to various stakeholders; identify core negotiators/designated negotiators and adequate budgetary allocation for participants.

The participants also sought for designations of clear roles and responsibilities; enhance synergy with MDAs, States and Federal Government; need to facilitate knowledge fare before conferences within MDAs.

They also agreed for a research conference to support Climate Change negotiations to be hosted in Abakaliki through a robust preparatory/planning committee; research on sustainable low carbon development pathways, especially on key mitigation measures mentioned in Nigeria’s INDC.

Stakeholders further called for Nigeria to develop a Gender and Climate Change Action for the COPs, adding that relevant knowledge should be equipped in the issues of loss and damage, developments and transfer of technologies, gender and climate change action and capacity building.

However, to ensure consistency of delegates participation to COP meetings; they agreed that the ministry should pursue early accreditation to ensure readiness; setting up a desk Unit within DCC for COP activities to enhance information sharing.