The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated the National Council on Climate Change, and charged members to formulate appropriate policies toward achieving green growth and sustainable economic development for Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Council before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, according to a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.
The Council will be chaired by the President, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Vice Chairman, and Salisu Dahiru, the Director-General of the Climate Change Council as the Secretary.
Other members include the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Aminu Tambuwal, the Ministers for Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Justice, Abubakar Malami; and Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite.
Others are the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar; Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo; and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Also on the list are the National Security Adviser; President, Association Local Governments of Nigeria; a representative each from the private sector on climate change or environmental related matters (representative of National Conservation Foundation); National Council on Women Societies; National Youth Congress, and the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and many others.
The President explained that the composition of the Council, which comprises the highest level of governance and a representation of all key sectors of the economy, “is a reflection of the magnitude of the problem and the seriousness of our response to it.”
We cannot ignore what is happening in our local environment. The increasing re-occurrence of floods in several parts of the country is a wakeup call.
Response to climate change
The statement said the inauguration of the Council marked the commencement of the implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021, and a new chapter in the renewed response to climate change in Nigeria.
The President was said to have also directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and the Minister of Environment to initiate appropriate amendments of “noticeable implementation challenges” inherent in the Act.
The President, who described climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing humanity, said: “It (Climate Change) is complex and dynamic; and requires multidimensional and multi-sectoral initiatives to address its impacts and avert its rapid advance.
“Updated data show increases in sea level rise, heat waves, wild fires, floods, desertification, drying wetlands and many more disruptive climate occurrences.
“The latest Intergovernmental Panel on climate change report warns that rising Greenhouse Gas emissions could soon outstrip the ability of communities to adapt, and the window for taking decisive steps needed to spare our planet from the gravest impacts of climate change is rapidly narrowing.
“We cannot ignore what is happening in our local environment. The increasing re-occurrence of floods in several parts of the country is a wakeup call,” he said, while lamenting the loss of lives, damage and destruction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and agricultural production.”
The President also reiterated his determination to accelerate the implementation of decisive actions to reduce the impact of climate change on the people and economy.
The Council is tasked with the responsibility of formulating appropriate policies and other mechanisms for achieving low greenhouse gas emissions, including green growth and sustainable economic development for Nigeria.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an established international treaty to combat “dangerous human interference with the climate system,” in part by stabilizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere.
He continued: “It is against this background that in November 2021, after COP 26 in Glasgow, I signed the Nigeria Climate Change Act despite noticeable implementation challenges inherent in the Act, to set the framework for mainstreaming climate change action, carbon budgeting and the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change.
“The Council is tasked with the responsibility of formulating appropriate policies and other mechanisms for achieving low greenhouse gas emissions, including green growth and sustainable economic development for Nigeria.
“In a clear demonstration of our commitments as enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contributions and the net-zero targets by 2060, I also approved, on 25th July 2022, the appointment of the Director-General and Secretary for the National Council on Climate Change.”
Ahead of the COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the President expressed optimism that the Council would harmonise all issues relating to Climate Change, Energy Transition Plan, Emissions Trading Scheme, and the Carbon Trading Framework, in line with its mandate under the Act, so that Nigeria can have a robust and impactful outing that captures its climate change priorities.
President Buhari also used the occasion to thank Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for heading Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, presiding over the global launch of the plan and initiating its marketing by engaging key stakeholders in the United States.
He urged the Council to consolidate on these first steps and ensure a sustained marketing of the plan.
The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, thanked the President for “walking the talk” on climate change at the international, regional and national levels, as well as demonstrating immense leadership towards Nigeria’s net-zero targets by 2060.
