Nigerian negotiators laud FG on INDC, call for implementation plan

Under the INDC, Nigeria is considering development of gas to power plants at gas flare sites and ending gas flaring by 2030, 2 per cent per year energy efficiency (30 per cent by 2030), working towards off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) of 13GW (13,000MW), efficient gas generators, and climate smart agriculture and reforestation.

AS the Nigeria leads the campaign for a new universal agreement at the 21st United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 21), experts and negotiators have applauded the Federal government for its submission of climate action plan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The climate action plan comes under the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), underlines Nigeria’s commitment and support towards the successful outcome in Paris. About 182 countries out of the 192 parties to the UNFCCC have formally submitted their INDCs. Governments agreed to submit their INDCs in advance of Paris.

INDCs are national post-2020 climate action commitments that will form the foundation of the 2015 climate agreement.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved Nigeria’s INDC prepared by the Federal Ministry of Environment on November 26, 2015, which proposed reduction of carbon emissions by at least 50 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Prof. Olukayode Oladipo of University of Lagos, urged the government to develop an implementation strategy that would translate the efforts at reducing greenhouse gas emission in the country, by linking it with the nation’s economic development to ensure pro-growth, pro-green and pro-people.
“I strongly advise that we immediately put an implementation plan in place and provide a national leadership in its implementation to show our national commitment to the INDC implementation,” he said.

For Prof. Adeniyi Osuntogun, said there is need for government to constitute a team of experts to advice on the implementation plan.

The Executive Director, Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba and deputy vice chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Babajide Alo, lauded the government for meeting its international obligation. Alo said: “We are proud of our joining the committee of proud nations with bold commitments.”

Similarly, Prof. Francis Adesina of Obafemi Awolowo University, said: “We should continue to implement the existing policies and see additional strategies that need to be operationalised in the new document.”

Prince Lekan Fadina of Centre for Investment, Sustainable Development, Management and Environment, wants the business community to rebrand their corporate social responsibility towards green economy.

In the document, under a business-as-usual growth scenario, consistent with strong economic growth of 5 per cent per year, Nigeria’s emissions are expected to grow to around 900 million tonnes per year in 2030, which translates to around 3.4 tonnes per person.

The Paris agreement will, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, and keeping global warming below 2° degrees Celsius, assist countries reap the many opportunities that arise from a necessary global transformation to clean and sustainable development.

Specifically, Nigeria is considering development of gas to power plants at gas flare sites and ending gas flaring by 2030, 2 per cent per year energy efficiency (30 per cent by 2030), working towards off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) of 13GW (13,000MW), efficient gas generators, shift in transportation from car to bus, improve electricity grid, climate smart agriculture and reforestation.

Other proposed strategies include stopping use of charcoal, setting standard for appliances, generators, drastic measures to reduce soot (black carbon) pollution from cars and trucks, small generators and industry such as enforcement of the importation ban of cars over 15 years’ old, stricter inspections, and further consideration of setting efficiency standards for new cars as well as review no implementation of the National Forest Policy.