Nigeria set to reduce emissions in new climate action plan

FUELLED by the need to prevent average global temperatures rising above two degrees Celsius and to reap the many opportunities that arise from a necessary global transformation to clean and sustainable development, the Federal Government last week began a process to formulate new climate action plan for the country.

The proposed document is part of the Decision 1/CP.19 adopted in Warsaw in 2013, further strengthened by COP 20 “Lima Call for Climate Action”, called on all Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)to initiate or intensify preparation of their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) towards achieving the objectives of the Convention.

To commence the development of the document, the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organised a one-day National Stakeholders Initiation Workshop recently in Abuja on the Development of Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). The workshop was expected to enhance understanding of the contents of the document as it relates to various sectors in the Nigeria’s socio-economic milieu.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede who opened the workshop said that the INDC is a requirement to be submitted by all Parties to the UNFCCC as a major component of the climate change treaty to be adopted in Paris later in 2015.   “Nigeria’s INDC is to be communicated well in advance of the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21) to be held in December 2015 in Paris France,” she said.

Represented by the Director, Department of Climate Change, Dr. Samuel Adejuwon, she explained that the UNFCCC has been ratified by all 192-member nations of the UN. “However, due to the inadequacy of the Convention to sufficiently tackle climate change, the Kyoto Protocol (KP), a complementary instrument to the UNFCCC was established in 1997 in response to recognition that the commitments contained within the Convention were inadequate and required reinforcement. The KP, which entered into force in 2005, facilitates the implementation of the UNFCCC objective by setting legally enforceable emissions reductions targets for countries. The text reiterates the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities by applying binding targets to Annex I countries alone. The first commitment period under the KP ends in 2012.

She said that the workshop is one of the activities planned by the ministry in preparation for the forth coming COP21, and designed to provide a forum for dialogue amongst experts aimed at enhancing understanding of the contents of the document and types of data and information required from sectors.

While appreciating the unflinching support of UNDP, in the activities of the ministry and specifically for financial support towards development of the INDC, Mede called for the cooperation of experts and participants in the provision of data and information in the whole process of development of the document that will make the product a national document containing national contribution, related concerns and interest.

In his remark, the UNDP Country Director, Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai, congratulated the Permanent Secretary for her recognition of the importance of stakeholder engagement and in particular the demonstration of high level political leadership, both of which are critical elements of success in the bid to develop Nigeria’s INDCs. “With these, we are very confident that the Government is well on its way to meeting its INDC aspirations,” he said.

Beyal, represented by Mr. Muyiwa Odele, said, “With a new global climate change treaty on the horizon, developing countries worldwide are increasingly focusing on reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, today’s meeting is very significant for Nigeria, as a signatory to the Climate Change convention, because the INDC is a requirement to be submitted by all Parties to the UNFCCC. It is a major component of the climate change treaty to be adopted in Paris and is therefore, crucial to the success of the UN’s climate deal.”

He noted that to promote ownership and firm commitments towards successful implementation of INDCs, the process of its development must not only be inclusive, but also rooted in national priorities.

“Knowing fully well that National GHG inventories are a critical starting place for preparing the INDC, it is noteworthy that the entire process would benefit immensely from national capacities developed with UNDP’s support during the preparation of the First and Second National Communications to UNFCCC. Coincidentally this would set the tone for the preparation of the Third National Communications, he stressed”