BY Abbas Nazil
African nations have deposited their weighty climate vulnerability before the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Belem, Brazil, pleading for urgent support.
The continent, among the hardest hit by environmental crises, is using COP30 to articulate its needs and aspirations for sustainable development and climate resilience.
Simon Stiell, Head of UNFCCC, warned that developing nations remain dangerously short of resources necessary to cope with worsening storms, floods, and droughts.
Stiell called for immediate climate finance, highlighting that extreme weather events, including wildfires, catastrophic droughts, and floods, are increasingly affecting all regions globally.
He noted that effective measures such as high sea walls, cyclone warning systems, floating homes, and drought-tolerant crops could help nations adapt to these challenges.
Vice President Kaship Shetima of Nigeria stressed the need for a reliable and equitable climate finance architecture that recognizes the realities of developing nations and enables them to fulfill global commitments.
Shetima emphasized that Africa is an integral part of the solution, highlighting the continent’s potential in carbon capture, renewable energy expansion, and regional cooperation to translate ambition into prosperity.
African delegates expressed optimism that COP30 would address climate impacts on the continent, including emissions reduction, financing for adaptation, and equitable resource distribution.
Tamba Nyaka, Director of Climate Change, Sierra Leone, highlighted his country’s engagement in adaptable measures and said COP30 provides a platform for critical negotiations.
Francis Opolot of Uganda emphasized the need for increased climate finance, innovative mechanisms such as debt-for-climate swaps, and fulfillment of past pledges by developed nations.
Tewaney Seifesellassie, Senior Climate Advisor, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, stressed Africa’s frontline position in climate-induced disasters and the importance of establishing a loss and damage fund.
African delegates also aim to promote a just energy transition, renewable energy development, and the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems including rainforests, savannas, and wetlands.
Youth and local communities are expected to play an active role, advocating for actionable commitments and incorporating traditional knowledge into climate resilience strategies.
Africa’s united stance at COP30 seeks not only immediate support but also to shape the continent’s sustainable future, leveraging collective bargaining to influence global climate action for decades to come. END
COP30: Nigeria, California forge climate cooperation
By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria and the state of California in the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on climate change mitigation, environmental protection, and trade relations.
The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, with Mrs. Tenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change Commission (NCCC), and California Governor Gavin Newsom present for the signing.
Majekodunmi stated that the partnership aims to reinforce both parties’ climate and economic initiatives and to foster coordinated policies to combat climate change while protecting the environment.
She highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to scaling up technology, clean energy, creative industries, and agricultural sectors, noting that these complement California’s key economic areas.
According to Majekodunmi, Nigeria plans to achieve net-zero emissions across all development sectors and establish a climate-resilient, high-growth circular economy in a gender-responsive manner by 2060.
She also pointed out that Nigeria’s population is expected to grow from 240 million to 400 million by 2050, representing a significant workforce and consumer base capable of driving economic growth.
The MoU is designed to provide a flexible framework for collaboration on climate action, environmental protection, and economic cooperation, promoting shared goals between Nigeria and California.
Governor Newsom emphasized that the agreement will strengthen efforts to protect both natural and built environments, reduce air pollution, and lower carbon emissions.
He noted that the partnership focuses on advancing medium- and long-term low-carbon development, supporting national climate plans, and fostering policy research, innovation, and sustainable transportation solutions.
The MoU also seeks to encourage mutually beneficial trade relations, private sector collaborations, and public-private partnerships in areas including sustainable land use, urban planning, and integrated transportation systems to reduce urban sprawl and commuting times.
Both parties agreed that the collaboration would enhance policy development, research, and innovation, enabling more effective climate mitigation strategies and sustainable economic growth while leveraging technological and demographic advantages.
The signing of this MoU underscores Nigeria’s commitment to global climate action and strengthens international cooperation with subnational partners like California to address climate challenges collaboratively.