The government and stakeholders have been charged to take urgent steps at tackling challenges and dangers posed by climate change. The charge was made by participants in their various submissions at a workshop tagged, “The Rule of Law and Climate Justice” organised by the Attorney General Alliance Africa (AGA-Africa) Programme, in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Abuja. Participants also harped on need for all Nigerians to begin to act responsibly towards the environment.
In his remarks, Director General (DG) of NIALS, Professor Muhammed Ladan, who identified oil and gas, mining and automobile industries as major culprit in the emission of carbon climate change in the country, called on government, including all regulatory agencies, to align themselves with the Paris Agreement 2015 and the national laws as well as ensure that companies comply with laid down corporate responsibility action.
According to Ladan, the law provides that all MDAs have desk officers on climate change, while the private sector particularly, those in oil and gas, coal, mining and automobiles provide information about efforts they are making in ensuring that their products, operations, services, are within the climate goal targeted at reducing carbon emissions.
Citing the intergovernmental panel report, which warned against crossing the threshold of 1.5 degree Celsius to avert further global warming that will trigger climate change, the DG called on participants to harness efforts especially in the area of climate justice.
He disclosed that Section 20 of the Constitution and Section 1, 22 to 25 of the Climate Change Act 2021, “provides for a basis of litigation against government and against corporate entities in the oil and gas, coal and automobile sectors. So, we should be ready for litigation.
“We are not encouraging that, but we are saying that they should go back and read their obligation under the Act, so that they will advise themselves as to how best they can do their part in terms of climate action or reduce carbon emissions.”
On his party, the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said the agency is working with other regulators to reduce carbon emissions in the country, adding that in some instances, companies have been sealed up until they comply with climate laws.
Jauro further disclosed that the agency is also engaging with the judiciary to get their understanding and cooperation, so as to get speedy trial of offenders, thereby, serving as a deterrent to others.
While observing that the workshop was timely, as it would sensitise all relevant stakeholders on their respective responsibility when it comes to climate justice, he urged participants to come up with concrete solutions on how the country can achieve climate justice.
Similarly, Ebelechukwu Enedah of PUNUKA Associates and Solicitors, who spoke on behalf of AGA-Africa, stated that the workshop was aimed at creating awareness about climate change issues and also create synergy with the different organisations and agencies that are working in the area.
“We need to make a concerted effort in dealing with this issue. We are to ensure the preservation of the climate and our environment. We have to ensure that justice is being done in that area,” she said.
She also emphasised the need for all to work responsibly towards ensuring a safe and clean environment for future generations, which falls within their fundamental human rights.
