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COP 25
Nigeria Flag
COP 25 – Nigeria Engages in International Climate Policy
Negotiations
As nations across the globe gathered for the 25th United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change in Spain, Madrid with
various expectations and agendas. The Honourable Minister of
Environment Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has tasked Nigeria
delegates to the Convention to actively engage in International
Climate Policy Negotiations that will facilitate the realisation of
Nigeria Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
The Minister who sees Climate Change not only as a disaster but
also as an opportunity affirmed that, “Nigeria sees Climate Change
as an opportunity, thus approaching it to help diversify its
economy and build resilient towards achieving sustainable
development, lifting its people out of poverty and providing
greater physical and economic security”.
Nigeria participation at this year convention on climate change
will be characterise by its commitment to implementing an
all-inclusive natural response to Climate Change through emission
reduction and optimal solution to Climate Change response.
This is in addition to other previous concerted efforts by the
Federal Government of Nigeria at reversing the effect of Climate
Change which include the signing of the Paris Agreement by
President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 a step that demonstrated
Nigeria’s commitment to the global efforts of reversing the effect
of climate change and open the opportunity for reducing greenhouse
gas emission unconditionally by 20 percent and with international
support by 45 percent.
Towards realising the objectives of the Paris Agreement, Nigeria
issued a Sovereign Green Bond becoming the first African Country
and fourth globally to achieve this milestone towards financing
green projects.
The proceed of the first trench of the Green Bond was deployed
to fund green projects which include provision of solar powered
electricity to higher institutions through the energising education
scheme and afforestation activities.
The second trench of the Green Bond has been issued and fully
subscribed to fund environmental projects across 5 sectors (Water,
Transportation, Agriculture, Oil and Gas and; Power/Energy).
Nigeria remain focused towards its commitment to meeting its
Nationally Determined Contributions as re-affirmed by President
Muhammadu Buhari during the recently concluded 2019 United Nations
Climate Summit where he reiterated his administration’s commitment
to increasing Nigeria Climate ambitions.
Nigeria has a high expectation as delegates has been charged to
among other things ensure and support the quick resolutions of all
outstanding issues pertaining to the Paris Rulebooks and carried
over from Cop 24. Nigeria will also be leading other African
Countries to call on developed countries to examine which new
commitments and initiatives they can support and implement as well
as investigate how these initiatives will unlock and strengthened
nationally determined commitment and national action by 2020, with
the hope that these will in turn strengthens climate ambition, long
term decarbonisation and increase resilience.
Faced with the challenges of increase vulnerable to extreme
weather events, Nigeria expect to see to the conclusion of the
review of the Warsaw International Mechanism ahead of the updating
its Nationally Determined Contributions to include additional
sectors (Water and Waste Management)
Nigeria will also explore the links in the different negotiating
themes and translate the complexity and outcomes to the non-state
actors in a business and policy relevant manner, including
articulating the opportunities arising out of the international
climate agenda that can help mobilise the resources and expertise
required to finance Nigeria’s enhanced climate action.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a
Conference of Parties with good ideas, intentions, Promises
Instruments, Protocols and Agreements aimed at improving global
vision and understanding on climate change and sustainable
development issues, including the pursuit of cleaner energy and
technology as well as green growth and paradigm climate resilient
development. (END)
Saghir el Mohammed
Director Press
Federal Ministry of Environment
(From Spain, Madrid)