By Obiabin Onukwugha
Environmental stakeholders have called for the implementation of the Climate Change Framework, Policies and Plans as provided for in the Paris Agreement, to ensure Nigeria’s just and equitable transition to clean energy.
They decried the continued flaring of gas by oil multinationals, despite Nigeria’s target to end emissions by 2030.
The stakeholders, particularly condemned Shell’s recent reignited flares at Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and urged relevant government agencies to prevail on Shell and other oil multinationals to end gas flaring in the Niger Delta communities because of the adverse effect on the livelihood of the people.
The stakeholders made the submissions at a one-day Meeting/Dialogue organised by the African Network for Economic and Environmental Justice, (ANEEJ) on “Sustainable Energy Transitions for African Petroleum Producers” in Warri Delta State on Monday.
The participants drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in the Niger Delta working on environment and climate change issues, journalists, community representatives, representatives of National Climate Change Council and the Delta State Ministry of Environment, X-rayed the existing Climate Change Act 2021, and Nigeria’s energy transition policy.
They pointed out that oil multinationals have continued to flare gas because the fine imposed on them was too meagre.
The environmentalists who resolved to undertake advocacy at the national and sub-national levels to ensure implementation of the climate change framework, policies and plans, noted that climate change is affecting the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians and the globe at large, especially women and children.
In his paper titled: “Nigeria’s Framework and Policy Response to Climate Change, an environmentalist, Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, submitted that efforts by multinationals in drilling new oil wells across Nigeria is an indication that the federal government is not sincere in transiting from fossil fuels.
He also argued that tree planting initiatives towards carbon capture is more political than solution to climate change as it encourages the global north to continually emit gases and pay stipends to communities for their pollution.
Ojo called on the need for climate actions which is to phase out fossil fuels and transit to renewable energies.
Earlier, Acting Executive Director of ANEEJ, Dr. Leo Atakpu, said the event is part of the implementation of Advocacy for fossil fuel phase out in Nigeria project and is supported by the African Climate Foundation (ACF).
Atakpu said despite the urgent need for the world to quickly move away from fossil fuel or at least drastically reduce carbon emission, to meet the 1.50C target set in Paris, and save the planet from destruction, oil and gas companies in Nigeria have failed to provide realistic plans that will ensure global comfort.
He called on international bodies to stop funding Shell projects on fossil fuel as they have failed to keep to their fossil fuel phase out commitments.
“Our gathering here today signifies a collective commitment to address the pressing environmental challenges faced by our region knowing that our deliberations will pave the way for meaningful change,” he said.
Atakpu therefore thanked the African Climate Foundation for sponsoring the event and expressed hope that the meeting will enhance participants’ knowledge on these issues to enable them to contribute to climate change advocacy from an informed perspective.
