By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to tackling climate change through a series of policies and international partnerships.
The country made this reiteration at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, expressed the country’s support for the conference’ goals and congratulated Azerbaijan for hosting the first COP in the Caucasus region.
He also commended the leadership of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, highlighting the significance of the gathering in fostering global cooperation to combat the climate crisis.
The minister said, Nigeria, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, faces increasing challenges due to the impacts of climate change, including erratic weather patterns, desertification, and flooding.
These challenges, he stressed, are a serious threat to the country’s sustainable development goals.
However, the minister said Nigeria is proactively addressing these issues through a combination of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving resilience, and integrating climate change considerations into national development planning.
“Almost ten years after the Paris Agreement, the world stands at a defining juncture on the transition away from fossil fuels,” Lawal noted.
The minister emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to the global shift toward cleaner energy, including the adoption of renewable energy technologies, alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
He said the country has also made strides in energy efficiency, afforestation, and sustainable transportation.
A key aspect of Nigeria’s climate strategy, according to Lawal, is its Energy Transition Plan, which aligns with the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
He said the plan, alongside the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, is designed to increase the share of renewable energy in Nigeria’s energy mix, adding that the country is also keen to expand partnerships to support these efforts, aiming to boost investment in clean energy projects and technologies.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria is working towards enhancing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
The country, he explained, has developed a comprehensive NDC implementation framework and is committed to collaborating with international partners to achieve its climate targets.
On climate adaptation, Lawal said Nigeria is incorporating resilience measures into its policies and development programs, revealing that the country has established an Adaptation Compact with project pipelines to strengthen its resilience to climate impacts.
He said the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is also being finalized to ensure that Nigeria can better withstand climate-related disruptions while pursuing its development goals.
On the global stage, he said Nigeria is advocating for increased international support to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Lawal stressed the need for easier access to climate finance, including grants and concessional loans, to accelerate adaptation efforts.
He also urged for the swift operationalization of the loss and damage fund, which aims to address the consequences of climate change, particularly in vulnerable countries.
The minister revealed the state of Nigeria’s progress in the development of its carbon market strategy, saying that the country has established a framework for participation in the Article 6 Carbon Market, which is designed to facilitate international carbon trading.
A national carbon registry is also being set up to track emissions reductions, he announced.
“We align with the rest of Africa in demanding greater access to climate finance,” Lawal declared, while also emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to global health in the context of climate change, in line with the Harare Declaration by African Ministers of Health.
The Minister underscored that addressing climate change is a shared responsibility and that COP29 presents an opportunity to move from rhetoric to concrete action. “The world must act now,” he urged, calling for immediate and sustained efforts to address the climate crisis and secure a sustainable future for all.
He said Nigeria’s proactive stance on climate action underscores its determination to be a leader in global efforts to combat climate change while addressing the specific needs of developing countries facing the brunt of its effects. ENDS