The Federal Government on Monday called on developed countries through their high commissions and embassies to support Nigeria in the implementation of its environmental protection programmes.
Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, Minister of Environment, made the call at the inauguration of Nigeria’s National Reduce Emission Deforestation and Forest Degradation, (REDD+) plus strategy document, in Abuja.
Abubakar said the government would remain committed at ensuring a healthy and safe environment was healthy, adding that the support from other developed countries would enhance its efforts.
According to him, we call on the United Kingdom and other governments, through their high commissions and embassies here in Nigeria, to hear and to amplify our message.
“As we, like many other nations, are suffering from the effects of climate change today, we are committed to protecting and improving our own natural environment for the benefits of Nigerians.
“We are eager to partner with others in supporting these efforts in combating global climate change.
“Nigeria is willing to raise its ambitions in this area but cannot do so without international support and collaboration, for which the United Kingdom government should be able to provide or deploy its network in making this happen.
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“We are, therefore, looking forward to expanding and strengthening our relationships within the global climate change community, as we showcase this strategy at the forthcoming Conference of Parties 26 (COP26) in Glasgow, this November,’’ he said.
The minister said that the REDD plus strategy was a strong indication of the commitment and efforts of the government in reducing the rate of deforestation and forest degradation. He said the strategy would also contribute to the objective of the Paris agreement in addressing climate change.“It is also a process that was building momentum for a decarbonised and a more inclusive and resilient economy,” Abubakar said.
He added that other development partners such as the UN Development Programme, and various environmental stakeholders at the national, state, and community levels as well as broad and in-depth analytic studies led to the development of this strategy.
Abubakar said that Nigeria’s vision for implementing REDD plus was to establish a climate resilient economy through sustainable management of forests.“To enhance carbon sinks, and reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by at least 20 per cent by year 2050.
“Over the next decade, we propose to reduce projected total forest sector emissions by 20 per cent, or approximately 150 MtCO2e through the implementation of the REDD plus strategies and other initiatives.“
The objective of the REDD plus is to reduce the rate of carbon emissions and enhance removals from the forest sector while creating benefits for resilience building and green economic development.“This will be by way of adopting ecologically friendly and climate-smart forest and forest-related investments.“
The REDD plus strategy has identified four broad options as a set of strategic response to enable Nigeria to achieve the objectives of this strategy,” he said.
Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, the Country Director for Nigeria, World Bank, in his remark, said that the inauguration of the REDD plus would help in addressing environmental challenges, especially climate change in the country. Chaudhuri, who was represented by Mr Diar Motovani, said that the World Bank was committed to support the ministry in the implementation of its projects both technically and financially.
He appreciated the government on its efforts at ensuring that programmes and projects were effectively implemented in the country.Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs and Youth Development, said that the ministry was committed to ensure that women were involved in the implementation of the REDD plus programme.
Tallen said that use of firewood was one of the major factors that contributed to increase in emission, adding that women across the country had embraced alternative means of cooking.
She said that the ministry had also engaged women across the country in sensitising the public on the dangers associated with indiscriminate dumping of waste and cutting of trees.
She added that the efforts would help to mitigate climate change impact. (NAN)