Nigeria to Embrace Carbon Pricing for Climate Change Mitigation Efforts

The Nigerian government has announced its intent to fully harness the potential of carbon pricing as a strategy to combat climate change challenges across the nation.

The adoption of a carbon trading scheme aligns with the country’s national policy framework.

The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mr. Salisu Dahiru, conveyed this significant development in Abuja.

Dahiru highlighted the pivotal role that carbon pricing can play in tackling climate issues and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon pricing involves placing a fee on emitting carbon, thus incentivizing reduced emissions. It is regarded as foundational groundwork necessary for Nigeria’s participation in the emissions trading scheme, whose processes have already commenced.

The Director-General emphasized that the understanding and implementation of carbon pricing would be woven into Nigeria’s policy framework.

He underscored the importance of harnessing every avenue for emission reduction certificates in ongoing Nigerian activities and integrating these with the NCCC.

He elaborated, “Carbon trading is not solely the purview of NCCC but also extends to all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and sectors interested in pursuing projects conducive to earning carbon credits.”

Expressing optimism about the future, Dahiru highlighted the potential for Nigeria to develop a robust carbon trading system in Africa through coordinated efforts.

He emphasized the urgency of collective action to address climate change impacts, drawing attention to recent flooding incidents in the country.

Acknowledging the significance of the private sector’s role in carbon trading, Dahiru urged governmental investment in this sector to capitalize on the opportunities it presents.

Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar, Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), added to the discourse by emphasizing the importance of the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by NAGGW, GROASIS B.V of Netherlands, and Boplas Industries.

This MoU, inked on April 14, 2023, focuses on the production of water boxx technology in Nigeria, aiming to boost economic activities and create new jobs.

Maina-Bukar stated that this MoU would accelerate Nigeria’s tree planting campaign and further contribute to mitigating climate change.

The innovation’s ecological water-saving technology, known as the waterboxx, has demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing tree survival and growth speed.

The adoption of this technology showcases NAGGW’s commitment to transformative and sustainable planting strategies, emphasizing its dedication to reducing carbon footprints and ensuring long-term competitiveness.

Nigeria’s proactive adoption of innovative strategies like carbon pricing and waterboxx technology underscores the nation’s commitment to climate resilience and environmental stewardship.

As the nation leads the Pan-African Agency for the Great Green Wall, it not only spearheads progress on the continent but also sets an example for the global community in addressing climate change challenges.