COP27: President Buhari gives VP Osinbajo-led climate council mandate to harmonise ETP, Emission trading scheme others

Oredola Adeola

President Mohammadu Buhari has given the mandate to the National Council on Climate Change to harmonise all issues relating to Climate Change, Energy Transition Plan, Emissions Trading Scheme, and the Carbon Trading Framework, ahead of COP27 in Sharm El Shiekh, Egypt, so that Nigeria can record impactful outing that captures the priority of Nigeria’s Climate Change priorities.
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He gave the instruction while Inaugurating the National Council on Climate Change(NCCC), prior to the commencement of the Wednesday Federal Executive Council(FEC) meeting.

Speaking on the harmonisation of all the climate issues, President Buhari said that the composition of the Council is a reflection of the magnitude of the problem and the seriousness of our response, adding that it comprises the highest level of governance and a representation of all key sectors of the economy.’

He urged the Council to consolidate on these first steps and ensure sustained marketing of the plan.

The President also commended Vice President. Professor Yemi Osinbajo for championing Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan(ETP) on behalf of the Nigerian Government. He particularly thanked him for presiding over the global launch of the plan and initiating its marketing potential by engaging key stakeholders in the United States.

Buhari while challenging the Council to formulate appropriate policies toward achieving green growth and sustainable economic development for Nigeria, disclosed that the inauguration marked the commencement of the implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021 and a new chapter in the renewed response to climate change in the country.

The President also directed the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in conjunction with the Minister of Environment to initiate appropriate amendments of ”noticeable implementation challenges” inherent in the Act.

Highlighting the losses and damages caused by the recent increasing floods in several parts of the country as well in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other parts of East and Southern Africa, the President described climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing humanity.

“Climate Change is complex and dynamic; and requires multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral initiatives to address its impacts and avert its rapid advance. Updated data show increases in sea level rise, heat waves, wildfires, floods, desertification, drying wetlands, and many more disruptive climate occurrences

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”The latest Intergovernmental Panel on climate change report warns that rising Green House 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, lamenting the loss of lives, damage, and destruction of infrastructures such as roads, bridges, schools, and agricultural production.

President Buhari, therefore, reiterated the determination of his Administration to strengthen the national response to climate change and accelerate the implementation of decisive actions to reduce its impacts on the people and economy.

He reaffirmed that Nigeria is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is an established international treaty to combat “dangerous human interference with the climate system,” in part by stabilizing Green House Gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

”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 Green House 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-Target by 2060, I also approved, on 25th July 2022, the appointment of the Director General and Secretary for the National Council on Climate Change,” he added.

Mohammed Abdullahi, the Minister of Environment, thanked the President for ”walking the talk” on climate change at the international, regional and national level, demonstrating immense leadership towards Nigeria’s quest for net-zero by 2060.

The Council is chaired by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the Vice President as Vice Chairman, while  Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, is made the Secretary.

The members include Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Council are the Ministers responsible for Environment; Petroleum Resources; Budget and National Planning; Justice; Mines and Steel Development; Finance; Agriculture and Rural Development; Power; Women Affairs;  Transportation; and Water Resources.

Others are the Governor of the Central Bank; the National Security Adviser; President of the Association Local Governments of Nigeria;  a representative of the private sector on climate change or environmental-related matters (representative of National Conservation Foundation); a representative of National Council on Women Societies; a representative of National Youth Congress, and a representative of the Civil Society Organisation are also members of the Council.