Ekwueme Varsity to Hold Virtual Event To Examines Legal Implications Of Raising Climate Ambition

By Abdulrahman Abdullahi

Nigeria to hold a virtual meeting with Climate and legal experts from Ethiopia, the United Kingdom and the United States to discuss the legal implications of legal dimensions of Nigeria and other world governments to raise ambition and implement their national climate change pledges through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with views from Nigeria and other parts of the world.

The webinar, entitled “Legal Perspectives to raising ambition and implementing Nigeria’s NDC”, is being organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State, in partnership with World Resources Institute (WRI). It will hold on Thursday, February 11, 2021, from 4pm to 5.30pm West African Time (WAT).

The webinar is part of a project aimed at injecting independent critical analysis into, and increasing public engagement and awareness, in the revision process of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) due for submission later this year.

The aim of the webinar, according to the Director of the Centre, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, is for global experts to share ideas and best practices as well as explore the legal dimensions of the efforts by world governments to raise ambition and implement their NDCs, with views from Nigeria and the rest of Africa, the US and the UK.

While expressing the hope that the event would generate ideas that the NDC Partnership and the Nigerian government can use to improve the legal dimension of the ongoing NDC revision due for submission in 2021, the Centre stated that the event would provide a platform where national and international experts will x-ray the multi-dimensional legal implication of raising ambition and how the Nigerian governments intend to implement the NDC objectives. Also, recommendations from the webinar would be documented and submitted to relevant government agencies for actions and implementations.

Commenting on the forthcoming webinar, Professor Okereke says: “I am delighted to host a cast of great minds to discuss the legal implications of Nigeria’s intent to enhance and implement its national climate pledge.

“In bringing these highly respected and diverse panelists from across the world to share their thoughts on the legal implications of raising climate ambition, CCCD AEFUNAI is delivering on its mandate to serve as a major think tank for facilitating research, awareness creation and advocacy for sound climate and development policies and practices in Nigeria.”

According to Professor Okereke, “The main presentation will draw from the legal aspects of raising ambition and implementing Nigeria’s NDC as commissioned by the CCCD as part of the project focused on providing independent critical analysis and input into the revision process of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which is due for submission in November 2021.”

The webinar will feature Huzi Ishaku Mshelia, the National Facilitator of Nigeria’s NDC revision programme; Yamide Dagnet, the Director, Climate Negotiations at WRI; Selam Kidane Abebe a Legal Advisor to the African Group of Negotiators – the technical group that represents Africa in the UNFCCC negotiations; Professor Chris Hilson, an environmental law professor at the School of Law at Reading University in the UK; and Dr. Tomilola Akanle Eni-Ibukun, a consultant on Climate Change and Sustainable Development as panelists while Professor Okereke is the host and facilitator.