FG Calls for Collective Efforts to Harness Carbon Pricing Opportunities for Environmental Protection

The federal government of Nigeria has called for collective efforts to ensure that Nigeria is fully positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by carbon pricing, to mitigate climate change and establish mechanisms to protect the environment.

The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru, made this statement on Wednesday at a workshop held in Abuja to validate the assessment of carbon pricing initiatives in Nigeria, where he emphasized that no one can escape the impacts of climate change.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Regional Collaboration Centre, under the tagline “Collaborative Instruments of Ambitious Climate Action (CIACA).”

Dr. Dahiru further highlighted the awareness of Nigerians regarding the flooding experienced last year. He emphasized that signs of impending floods are already evident this year, not only in riverine areas but also in closer regions like Abuja.

Furthermore, he expressed the need to stop reporting to the designated national authority for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Nigeria.

He stated that every opportunity for emissions reduction certificates from ongoing activities in Nigeria should lead to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlined in the Paris Agreement.

The Nigerian government aims to capitalize on these opportunities, make necessary investments, prioritize targets, and curtail emissions.

Dr. Dahiru stressed that carbon trading in Nigeria should not be limited to the National Council alone but should involve various stakeholders, including sub-national entities, states, local governments, and the private sector.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s carbon trading skills are part of the national policy to address mitigation and adaptation challenges in the country.

Speaking on Africa Carbon Pricing, Mr. Ousmane Fall Savr, a representative of the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, highlighted the importance of setting up institutional frameworks to ensure effective government participation and knowledge sharing among West African countries.

He explained that under the Paris Agreement, all parties have commitments, and while Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are submitted by parties, non-state actors play a significant role in developing government actions, projects, and programs.

He further emphasized that policies and instruments, including carbon pricing, need to be implemented to achieve emission reduction and contribute to poverty eradication.

A representative from UNFCCC urged stakeholders to align their input with the Paris Agreement and make choices consistent with environmental goals. The stakeholders were reminded that emissions reduction and poverty alleviation should be key considerations when making choices that respond to Nigeria’s environmental needs.

Additionally, a study was conducted to map out the key elements influencing the establishment of a domestic carbon pricing instrument in Nigeria and to determine the most suitable instrument for the country.

The principal objectives of the study included providing an overview of existing policies and fiscal/economic instruments related to carbon pricing, identifying elements that may influence the feasibility and design of carbon pricing instruments, assessing readiness for carbon pricing in Nigeria, and exploring the link between carbon pricing instruments, NDCs, and domestic climate policy framework.