The Nation Newspaper

Tag: climate change

  • Nurturing climate change narratives

    Nurturing climate change narratives

    • By Esther Adeyanju

    Sir: Climate change, an existential challenge of our time, demands a collective and strategic response from all sectors of society.

    Picture this: A world inundated with climate data, scientific jargon, and dire predictions. How do we bridge the gap between the complexities of climate science and the understanding of the everyday citizen? How can we make sure regular people grasp the full significance of climate change and actively support experts in achieving their goals? This is where Public Relations, PR professionals play a crucial role. They serve as the communicators who simplify intricate climate science into understandable language, making it relatable and emphasizing why it is crucial at this very moment.

    In this endeavour, the role of public relations professionals emerges as an anchor for effective communication, advocacy, and mobilization. As we try to understand and deal with the challenges of climate change, the impact of PR extends far beyond managing reputations; it becomes a vital force in shaping the narratives that drive sustainable action.

    Public Relations professionals are storytellers with a unique responsibility to frame the climate change narrative in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. It is not merely about presenting data but crafting compelling stories that bridge the gap between scientific findings and public understanding. In a world besieged with information, PR acts as the translator, making climate science accessible, relatable, and urgent.

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    A study by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication reveals that the public’s understanding of climate change often hinges on how the message is communicated. PR professionals, armed with communication expertise, have the power to influence perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours. By strategically framing messages, they can inspire action and foster a sense of shared responsibility.

    PR professionals within these sectors act as conduits, communicating transparently about sustainability initiatives, emission reduction strategies, and the integration of eco-friendly practices. According to a survey by Edelman, 64% of consumers identify as belief-driven buyers, emphasizing the need for companies to communicate their environmental commitments effectively.

    As climate-related crises become more frequent, PR professionals are at the forefront of crisis communication. Whether addressing the aftermath of natural disasters or managing the fallout from environmental controversies, their role in maintaining transparency, providing accurate information, and guiding crisis response is indispensable.

    Beyond crisis response, PR professionals are instrumental in educating the public and mobilizing communities for sustainable action. Initiatives like climate awareness campaigns, educational forums, and community engagement efforts not only raise awareness but also empower individuals to contribute to climate solutions. Data shows that informed and engaged citizens are more likely to advocate for policy changes and support eco-friendly practices.

    The urgency of addressing climate change requires a unified effort, and PR professionals are uniquely positioned to lead the charge. By leveraging their skills in communication, advocacy, and relationship-building, they can propel climate action from rhetoric to reality. As we confront the challenges of a changing climate, the importance of PR professionals in shaping public understanding and fostering meaningful change cannot be overstated. It is time to recognize them not just as communicators but as catalysts for a sustainable future.

    •Esther Adeyanju,

    Esther.wunmi.adeyanju@gmail.com

  • Firms partner on efficient production, climate change

    Firms partner on efficient production, climate change

    Water engineering company, Jos Hansen Nigeria & Alga Africa, in collaboration with UNIDO/ITPO, is working on implementing sustainable practices to ensure efficient production and stop climate change.

    At a one-day interactive session with the private sector in Lagos, indigenous firms and those of German origin or partnerships were able to showcase their goods and services.

    Chairman of Jos Hansen Nigeria & Alga Africa, Des Braithwaite, said the event was to ‘rub minds to see how we can take our countries, our businesses and organisations and our collective selves further along the road to success’.

    UNIDO, according to Braithwaite, is focused on ending hunger by helping businesses from farm to fork; stopping climate breakdown by using renewable energy, and energy efficiency to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, as well as supporting sustainable supply chains so that developing country producers get a fair deal and scarce resources are preserved.

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    The Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO), on the other hand, he said, provides services for potential investment partners and institutions, promotes sustainable technologies to potential beneficiaries; promotes investment and technology promotion tools.

    Braithwaite, who hailed the Federal Government for being proactive and having a policy direction, noted that ‘this may not be enough except there is a conscious attempt to put round pegs in round holes’.

    He added: “The president has been busy and there has been some unusual focus on Nigeria by the German government, and Jos Hansen Alga, being a company with German shareholding, holds dearly to these initiatives on both sides. We want to support these initiatives.

    Deputy Head of UNIDO & ITPO Germany, Michael Smidth, said the gathering was timely going by the prevalent climate change, which calls for immediate action. He noted that the world cannot stop climate change by stopping industries, ‘but by finding ways of helping out, especially in the case of countries like Nigeria, where there are huge potentials’.

    According to Smidth, UNIDO is ‘about finding the proper infrastructural development, developing energy, processing and capturing produce value in the country rather than exporting the raw materials’.

  • Climate change: CSOs advocate end of fossil fuels expansion

    Climate change: CSOs advocate end of fossil fuels expansion

    Oilwatch Africa and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) have advocated an end to expansion in fossil fuels exploration to check adverse effects of climate change.

    The groups noted that curtailing fossil projects was fundamental to bring about the needed changes to reject false climate solutions and ensure an inclusive solution.

    A statement on Friday by the Media/Communication Lead at HOMEF,  Kome Odhomor, said the groups gave the advice at the sidelines of the just-concluded COP-28 in the United Arab Emirate.

    According to the statement, the advocacy included the call for payment of ecological debt owed to the global South, elimination of energy poverty, and a rejection of land grabbing or green colonialism.

    It quoted the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Center, Emem Okon, as highlighting the challenges and issues women face due to extractive activities.

    The statement said:  “Grassroots women in the Niger Delta are very vulnerable to environmental degradation. Women contribute immensely to the local economy with a heavy reliance on environmental resources.

    “This exposes them to the disruptive impacts of land grabs, gas flaring, and oil spillages.”

    It also noted that women are excluded from decision-making processes thus complicating their dilemma.

    The statement explained that as women face violence due to fossil fuel extraction and climate change, there is a need to integrate their roles, concerns, and interests in decision-making.

    It also noted that the Project Officer in charge of the Youth Desk, Ukpono Bassey, called for youth involvement in the fight against environmental degradation.

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    Bassey said: “This is the time for youth to be involved in leadership. After 28 COPs, it is evident that the elders have fallen short. The baton must be passed to the youth who are ready and compelled to take charge.

    “The time for change is now – a change that ensures a sustainable future for generations to come.”

    In her contribution, Odudabasi Asuquo, Project officer, Oilwatch Africa, maintained that it was unacceptable to continue the climate debate without phasing out fossil fuels.

    She regretted that there is a mad rush of fossil investments in Africa, assaulting sensitive ecosystems and vulnerable communities and risks saddling them with toxic stranded assets.

    She cited examples of communities in Uganda, Senegal, Namibia, and Botswana that need global solidity to ensure ecological justice.

    The Coordinator of Fishnet Alliance, Mr. Stephen Oduware, highlighted the various challenges faced by fisherfolks through diverse false climate solutions.

  • Of Climate Change and Green Africa

    • By Felix Oladeji

    The global conversation on climate change in Africa tends to be focused on physical risks. Climate models show that the continent is considered to be among the regions of the world that could be hardest hit by the changing climate. And with 600 million Africans still without energy access and 36 percent of the continent’s population living in extreme poverty, low levels of resilience and adaptation in many countries are likely to exacerbate the socio-economic impacts of climate change and make the continent’s pressing development imperative more challenging to achieve.

    But what if this is only part of the picture?

    The data landscape on emissions in Africa is relatively more fragmented and diverse than other regions. The detailed emissions data from multiple sources indicate the following emissions breakdown for the continent:

    Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF): 2.2 Gt carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), about 40 percent of total; agriculture: 1.1 Gt CO2e, about 20 percent of total; industry: 0.8 Gt CO2e, about 15 percent of total; power: 0.5 Gt CO2e, about 10 percent of total; and transportation, waste, and buildings: 0.8 Gt CO2e, about 15 percent of total.

    At a total of 5.4 Gt CO2e, these numbers suggest Africa currently contributes just under 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions—a somewhat higher share than often cited, as this includes non-energy emissions and all greenhouse gases. However, it is worth noting that at 4.5 t CO2e per annum, the average per capita emissions in Africa are much lower than the annual OECD average of 10.0 t CO2.

    The sectoral mix on the continent is skewed more towards agriculture and LULUCF and less towards industry, power, and transportation compared to the typical emissions profile of a developed country. By comparison, over three quarters of European emissions come from industry, power, and transport. Because of its different emissions profile, the de-carbonization pathways of African countries will likely differ—in some respects significantly—from those of developed countries. The continent’s sectoral composition, which includes a high economic focus on basic materials production, rapid economic growth and urbanization rates, constrained government budgets and capabilities, and last but not least, the imperative of continued inclusive growth to advance living standards and health, will also affect its de-carbonization choices.

    While generalizations are difficult, key differences in typical African de-carbonization journeys will likely include a strong focus on decentralized renewable power solutions alongside grid-scale renewables to enable universal energy access; some build-out of gas power capacity to provide near-term flexibility to balance renewables’ intermittency; and a greater emphasis on agriculture, land-use change, and cooking.

    The scientific consensus is that global warming of 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels will be exceeded during the 21st century unless rapid and deep reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades. It is also clear that not all regions will be affected equally. Parts of Africa, for example, are warming faster than many other world regions, and there is a high probability that African countries will be among the most severely affected by intensifying climate hazards. At the same time, the continent’s levels of adaptation and resilience are among the world’s lowest. Around 80 percent of African countries have vulnerability scores in the lowest band, meaning that they are likely to be more sensitive to climate hazards and less able to adapt to or cope with climate change.

    Moreover, low levels of insurance and savings in many African countries mean that recovery after a disaster typically takes much longer. This puts lives and livelihoods at risk on an unprecedented scale, threatens human health and wellbeing, and jeopardizes hard-won economic gains, which, in turn, could undermine societal stability.

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    Furthermore, the deep structural changes now underway in the global economy as countries gear up to transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 are resulting in another set of economic risks for economies in Africa, commonly referred to as transition risks. The main concern is that a move towards de-carbonization globally could lead to a decrease in demand for fossil fuel exports and a prioritization of low-carbon-intensity production alongside cost by buyers of commodities, which could negatively affect the global competitiveness of African exports. As African economies are generally more dependent on commodity exports than most regions, this could have adverse consequences for employment and fiscal health. These risks are amplified by the generally more constrained monetary capacity of most African countries, which limits their ability to invest in structural countermeasures.

    As a result of its high exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards, a third of the people considered most at risk in the world live in Africa. About 370 million people—roughly 30 percent of the total population of the continent—live in areas which are likely to experience high levels of climate hazards and to have high vulnerability. By contrast, 19 percent of the total population of Asia, four percent of Latin America, and two percent of Oceania are exposed to this combination.

    An analysis by the McKinsey Climate Analytics team suggests that if the world sees a 2°C increase in average temperature by 2050, the number of Africans exposed to one or more physical hazards related to climate could almost double from approximately 460 million people today to more than 900million. This increase is partly due to rapid population growth (tempered by increasing urbanization), but the primary drivers are the broader geographic reach and increasing intensity of climate hazards, with 45 percent of the population likely to be exposed to at least one climate hazard by 2050 compared to 36 percent today. The top four physical hazards confronting Africa in a 2°C-by-2050 world are as follows: Heat stress: Upwards of 640 million Africans could be exposed to more days with high levels of heat and humidity; Agricultural droughts: About 175 million people in agricultural regions could experience an average of seven to eight droughts per decade, making it much harder for smallholder farmers to maintain a livelihood in rain-fed agriculture; Flooding: Nearly 130million more people could be exposed to severe riverine and/or coastal flooding driven by rising sea levels and intense rainfall events which could breach existing defences; and urban water stress: About 20 million more people living in urban areas could experience water stress, meaning that they may not have access to adequate water supplies for drinking, washing, and maintaining industrial operations. This situation is likely to be exacerbated by continued unplanned urbanization.

    The direct economic impacts of these events could intensify the hardships.

    Rising temperatures may reduce the amount of time it is possible to work outside by a quarter, cutting productivity, particularly for those employed in outdoor occupations, while increased droughts throughout the growing season could impact crop yields. External research suggests that staple crops such as rice and wheat could be hardest hit with possible yield losses of 12 percent and 21 percent respectively by 2050.

    As things stand there is insufficient funding available to the continent either to adapt to the risks or capture the opportunities available. Initial steps may include setting up a cross-regional effort to overcome investment barriers, and engaging with donors to match climate finance pledges with concrete projects. Decarbonize the grid and commit to an energy transition plan to provide universal zero-carbon energy access. The steps may include drawing up an integrated plan for achieving universal energy access by 2030 and fully decarbonizing power production by 2040, and identifying key roadblocks and working with international development partners on removing them.

    •Oladeji writes from Lagos.

  • UK okays £100m for vulnerable countries to tackle climate change

    UK okays £100m for vulnerable countries to tackle climate change

    The United Kingdom (UK) has approved £100million to help vulnerable countries strengthen their resilience to the increasingly frequent and severe effects of climate change.

    International Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell announced £100 million to support some of the most climate-vulnerable countries to tackle climate change at the COP28 Summit. This will support an initiative to strengthen early warning systems in countries on the front line of climate change, giving people advanced warning of cyclones, flooding and other extreme weather so they can move away from danger, saving lives and protecting vulnerable communities.

    The funding will also help make health care in these areas more resilient and able to withstand disasters, like floods, and ready to deal with spikes in infectious diseases, like cholera and malaria, due to floods caused by climate change.

    Recognising the urgency of the situation, which forces 26 million into poverty every year, the Government also joined calls for bolder collective action to protect the lives, health and livelihoods of those most impacted by climate change.

    This supports the Prime Minister announcing major funding for climate projects and stressing the need for ambitious, innovative and pragmatic action.

    Commenting on the Mitchell said: “The devastating effects of climate change hit the most vulnerable the hardest. These funding commitments will help countries and people be better prepared and protected against extreme weather events and natural disasters. They will help roll out measures such as early warning systems, and open up access to climate finance to build resilient health services.

    “The UK will continue to press for a bold and ambitious approach to support those on the frontline of our changing climate, and to create a safer planet for us all.”

    On behalf of the UK, Minister Mitchell endorsed the ‘Getting Ahead of Disasters’ Charter, the ‘COP28 Declaration on Relief, Recovery and Peace’, and the ‘COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health’.

    Speaking at COP28, he outlined details of the funding package, which include nearly £20 million for a package of disaster risk financing and early warning systems. This will help the one-third of the world’s population who are not covered by early warning systems to prepare for climate shocks and extreme weather, reducing disaster-related mortality and damage. It will also provide affordable insurance against climate disasters, such as droughts.

    Another is funding of £36 million for climate action in the Middle East and North Africa to support long-term climate stability. This will mobilise $500 million for clean energy and green growth projects, support 450,000 people to adapt to climate change, and support 200,000 women in better protecting their families from climate shocks. This delivers on the UK’s commitment to scale up pre-arranged finance for crisis recovery.

    Additionally, over £4.4 million to improve access to climate finance for Small Island Developing States and enable them to adapt to the impacts of climate change, with support from the Global Environment Facility’s Special Climate Change Fund and the Alliance of Small Island States.

    Another £3 million for a new research hub in partnership with Canada, to help local communities address climate shocks and adapt to the long-term impacts of a changing climate. This will be delivered through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme, launched by the UK at COP26.

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    Up to £18 million for an innovative new programme to adapt and strengthen health systems. This will help partner countries manage the growing health impacts of climate change, from infectious diseases and food shortages, to water insecurity and other health-related emergencies. It will be the first climate and health programme to be announced by a G7 country.

    A further £20 million for a new research programme to guide the UK’s future work on climate-resilient health systems, recognising the fast-evolving agenda and the need for a stronger evidence base of what works to address the growing threats from climate change to health.

    Finally, £3 million for a new partnership with the International Rescue Committee to reduce the impact of climate-related crises on schools, students and communities. The Climate Resilient Education Systems Trial will build an evidence base of effective approaches to combatting climate change in and through education.

    At the COP28 Summit on Sunday (3 December), the UK convened experts and thought leaders for a panel discussion on climate security. It was the first time that the UK has hosted such an event, with the US, the EU, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, NATO, and United Nations Development Programme in attendance. It aims to improve collective understanding of the security implications of climate change, including global instability and conflict, while exploring best practice to respond to these risks through data-informed policy making, stress testing, analytical foresight capability, and international cooperation.

    The £20 million disaster risk financing package consists of £5 million for the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative to enable the least developed countries and Small Island Developing States to better prepare for climate shocks and extreme weather; £7.4 million to fund drought insurance protection for Somalia over the next three years through African Risk Capacity (ARC), Africa’s risk pool, which will provide rapid payouts to vulnerable communities if rains fail; and £7.1 million to fund disaster insurance cover in Senegal, Somalia, Madagascar and Zimbabwe over two years through the Start Network, which allows members to pool funds and risks in order to stretch funding further and provide additional cover. This will also cover locally-led responses to the impact of El Niño-driven extreme weather across multiple countries.

    The £40 million climate-health package consists of £18 million for the UK’s flagship Climate Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems Programme; and £20 million for a newly approved Climate and Health Research Programme; Increased funding to UNICEF to help develop the climate resilience of Water, Sanitation and Health services and to unlock climate finance.

    The new CLARE Research for Impact (R4I) Hub will identify demand from key stakeholders and match it with past research investments made by the UK and Canada. By repurposing this evidence to meet the specific decision-making contexts and the local adaptation needs and priorities, it will lead to more tangible impacts on the ground.

  • COP28: Children demand action in climate change

    COP28: Children demand action in climate change

    Nigerian kids have joined their voices by demanding for action in the fight against climate change.

     The children reminded the Federal Government and governments at the subnational over the multiple effect of climate change.

     They called on governments as well as global leaders to allocate more budget for climate activities to provide more sustainable solutions and resilient future.

    The children, while speaking at a COP 28 Simulation event on Climate Change organised by an international non-governmental organisation, Save the Children International (SCI), stressed the need for governments to set aside funds that will help tackle the current challenges.

    World leaders are presently meeting in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates to deliberate on climate change.

     A member of the Kaduna State Children Parliament, Nana Kabir, called on government at all levels to educate citizens on the need to build houses in highlands to avoid flooding.

    She expressed worry that floods, in recent times, swept communities within the riverine areas, saying there should be more advocacies to save lives.

    Also, a member of the Benue Children Parliament, Shamiga Rita urged governments to create opportunities and green jobs in the country.

     She also called for the need to address the challenges of people displaced by floods.

     Also, Osina Kaghini-nse, from Cross River Children Parliament, urged governments to create alternative for fossil fuel.

     He harped on the need to discourage deforestation in the country.

     The Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media, Save the Children International (SCI), Nigeria, Amanuel Mamo, said the impact of climate change on society would increase.

     He said: “As a result, in the coming years, droughts are expected to intensify, rainfall variability is projected to increase, extreme weather events will persist, new human and livestock diseases are projected to increase, new conflicts over the decreasing resources will increase and more people will be displaced by the rising oceans, floods, wildfire, drought and expanding deserts and the like. That is what we generally referred to as effects of ‘climate change.’ All concerned parties need to take an urgent action before it is too late.

    “Climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our time. It is a grave threat to children and their rights. ‘Child rights’ might not even survive a global climate catastrophe. We have created a huge environmental debt to our children and the future generation. Children have contributed the least to the climate crisis, and yet we know that they are paying the highest price.

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      “While children share many of the same rights as adults, their violations due to climate change are experienced with greater severity due to their physiological and psychological vulnerabilities.”

     He added that children have a number of specific rights, such as the right to childhood, to primary education and to protection – all of which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

     “As a part of Save the Children’s flagship campaign initiative, Generation Hope, that focuses on addressing key climate change drivers, particularly for children facing acute inequality and discrimination, we are happy to be able to organise Children’s National COP28 Simulation.

    “The simulation is a unique initiative designed to amplify the voices, choices and perspectives of children in climate discussions leading up to COP28 (Conference of Parties 28), World Climate Summit. As you may already know, COP28 is an important international conference where countries convene to discuss and negotiate actions for combating climate change, building upon commitments and progress being made from the previous COP meetings.

    Therefore, the ‘Children Climate Ambassadors Forum’ and the ‘Climate Action Assembly,’ that will take place today and tomorrow respectively, is organised with an aim to enable children have their say in the decision-making process of an issue that affect them. It serves as a vital platform for collaboration, policy enhancement, and innovation in our collective efforts to address climate challenges in Nigeria and the world.”

  • Climate change: A pandemic in disguise

    Climate change: A pandemic in disguise

    • By: Olaogun Michael Sunkanmi

    A midst unprecedented global challenges ranging from economic hardship to military takeover in some parts of Africa to the Russian-Ukraine and Israel–Gaza wars, conversation continues on the “war” of nature against man—climate change. This is a result of the intended and unintended actions of man against the environment. Climate change has not only posed threats to the human and animal environment; it is also a major contributor to food insecurity and inter-community and violent conflicts globally, more specifically in the Sahel region, leading to human and animal displacements caused by sea level rise, degradation, drought, erosion, flooding, and desertification.

    The National Climate Change Policy (2021-2030) asserts that “climate change is a complex environmental problem because of its long-term uncertain timeframe, scales of occurrence, differential impacts and vulnerabilities, as well as equity and justice within the global power asymmetries.” 

    No doubt, climate change issues continue to take centre stage due to the threats that the change in the climate poses to global economic and environmental narratives. The rapid changes in climate have been modelled at multiple levels, including impacts on one of the most fundamental human rights: food. The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations explains that “food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” And sadly, this narrative is not so in Nigeria and, by extension, the Sahel region because of the contentious issues between farmers and herders caused by drought and the insecurity that has kept farmers away from their farmlands, thereby leading to poverty. 

    In 2021, the Climate Change Act, 2021, was enacted by the 9th National Assembly, followed by an assent by former President, Muhammadu Buhari. The policy has been identified as one of the most significant means to address the effects of climate change in Nigeria. Similarly, there is the National Climate Change Policy (2021–2030) and several other related policies to address climate and environmental threats. However, there is no doubt that the implementation of the Act and other policies has not been well considered and planned by the key stakeholders within the government for the common good of Nigerians. The Act can be said to be the right method if properly implemented in mitigating some of the existing realities before us.

    Despite the heavy funding that goes to states from the Ecological Fund by the federal government, it appears that little or no effort is being made by the subnational government in addressing flood issues, which is one of the major impacts of climate change. According to a Punch report, “36 states of the federation shared N300bn allocation from the Ecology Fund from 2017 to 2022”. The Ecological Fund is an intervention fund by the federal government to address the multifarious ecological challenges in various communities across the country. The perceived misappropriation of the Ecological Fund by subnational governments, especially state governments, is a hint to how issues of climate change are significantly addressed at the state level. This is not without exception to states that have taken ecological challenges seriously.  

    In Nigeria, the lack of political willpower is a major challenge to the implementation of government policies. This is followed by poor awareness among the citizens who are directly affected by socio-economic challenges. Similarly, funding is critical to the implementation of government policies; however, poor funding often characterises the activities of the government. Where little funding may be made available, the perceived corrupt practices in government institutions have, in no small measure, inhibited the smooth and proper implementation of policies and projects on climate change issues without exception.

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    The near-dead state of local government administration is a major contributor to the avoidable impact of climate change, especially at the grass-roots level. The elementary role of the local government as the closest governance structure to the people has been “taken away” due to poor funding and political subjugation by the state governors.

    At the 2023 United Nations General Assembly, President Bola Tinubu posited that “climate change severely impacts Nigeria and Africa. Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land. Our south is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion. In the middle, the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes.”  Speaking from the African lens, he opined that “African nations will fight climate change but must do so on our own terms. To achieve the needed popular consensus, this campaign must accord with overall economic efforts.”

    Similarly, in the address at the 2023 Cabinet Retreat for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries on November 1, the president also maintained that “we have challenges in the Sahel, we have challenges of climate change, south and north of Nigeria is battered, with ocean surge, we have desert encroachment in the north, but we are still blessed with arable lands. We can do it; we can build our country.”

    Also, at the presentation of the 2024 Annual budget at the National Assembly, President Tinubu stressed that “as we approach the COP28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals…”

    The re-echoed position of the president on climate change may be said to be a clear indication of his interest and readiness in addressing the challenges of climate change and perhaps setting a tune for the African continent. However, one cannot help but worry about what may become of his intention due to the “institutional deficiencies” of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), whose principal responsibilities are to combat environmental challenges. Irrespective of this, it is the responsibility of the president to drive and demand accountability.

    In addressing the challenges of climate change in Nigeria and Africa by extension, there is a need for strategic support of stakeholders at the national level on the speedy domestication and implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021, which will, in no small measure, aid collaboration and advocacy towards the effective implementation of the Act, especially at the subnational level. 

    Similarly, there is a need for a framework for mainstreaming climate change action, carbon budgeting, and the operationalization of the National Council on Climate Change. There is also a need to create an improved knowledge base and awareness level regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation. The existing knowledge gap with respect to climate change is an area that essentially needs to be tackled before the Climate Change Act (2021) can live up to its mandate. And in the long run, it will help to promote and demand accountability and transparency.

    Knowledge, either derived from formal or informal systems, drives actions. To this end, it is vital for citizens to be made aware of the adverse impacts of climate change, more from a personal impact viewpoint. This would help in developing actionable plans for its mitigation.

    It is important to state that the Climate Change Act cannot operate in a vacuum. Hence, there is a need for concerted efforts by government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), the private sector, and CSOs towards its achievement. Additionally, there is a need for a wider reach; the Act also called for the incorporation of climate change discourse in the school curriculum from the basic level up until the tertiary level of education. 

    The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), media, and other pressure groups should ensure adequate checks on the commitment of governments to ensure their mandates are carried out. There is a need for indigenous research and local technological strategies to address issues of climate change based on community peculiarities. Private sector actors and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can play a great role in combating climate change. As such, there is a need for a coordinated approach to engaging them, seeing as they are one of the major contributors to carbon emissions.

    • Sunkanmi, a policy analyst and development practitioner wrote from Abuja.
  • COP28: Solution17 holds climate change session

    COP28: Solution17 holds climate change session

    CYCDI-Solution17 for Climate Action, Nigeria, in partnership with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi), will host the COP28 Art for Climate Change at the Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with approval of the UAE Ministry of Education and UNESCO Greening Education Partnership on December 2.

    The event will be held on Thematic Day 3 at the World Climate Action Summit in the Green Zone – Greening Education Hub from 11am.

    COP28 Art for Climate Change Summit represents a critical milestone for demonstrating the connectivity between climate change, art and humanity to accelerate the climate-resilient global economy’s pace and scale and transition to renewable energy and low-carbon world.

    Project Director of CYCDI- Solution17, Foluke Michael, said the event would open with poetry titled “ArtNovation to The World’ by Princess Marinay, followed by a dive into COP28 Art for Climate Change virtual gallery and a high-level opening plenary that brings together leaders from educational institutions, youth groups, students, climate advocates, non-profits, government agencies and businesses.

    She added: “The session highlights include the opening of the Net-Zero Carbon Exhibition, an extraordinary Live-Speed Painting on ‘Why COP28 Matters’ (to be hosted by Climate Artist Michael Tobi and AI and energy Specialist Fisayo Adeyemi), and the launch of the global Climate Pledge Web App, designed by Ayodeji Oluwadare and the Book of Climate Acts, cofounded by Haoma Worgwu.

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    “The event will present Climate Artworks co-created by a team of climate artists, technologists, innovators, communicators and poets. The project began in August 2023 with a press conference hosted by the Lagos State government.”

    The project stared in September 2023, with on-boarding of actors to ArtNovation Hub, followed by a live marathon painting in Lagos State.

    Also, The New York University Dialogue Series will hold in Abu Dhabi late November, and the COP28 Art for Climate Change – Net-Zero Carbon Exhibition will also hold in Dubai early December”, Ms. Michael added.

    Key outcomes of the summit will be conveyed by Dr Awam Amkpa, Dean of Arts and Humanities, Professor of Drama, Social and Cultural Analysis, NYU, Abu Dhabi.

    COP28 Art for Climate Change supports a pledge system for climate change as a powerful tool for mobilising action and raising awareness about the urgent need for climate solutions.

    By setting clear goals, providing support, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility, the systems will contribute to meaningful climate action at all levels of society.

  • Legislative leadership and climate change

    Legislative leadership and climate change

    Sir: From legislations on how states are safeguarding the public’s interest while fostering responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, to making laws that guide human and corporate activities on climate change, legislatures across different democratic climes have a responsibility to set legal basis for building a sustainable world. To provide legal and institutional backing for Nigeria’s climate-related programmes and actions, the Climate Change Act was signed into law in 2021, while the Nigerian de-carbonization strategy is presented in the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan which proposes a path for Nigeria to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

    Beyond these legal and policy-related instruments on climate action, legislative leadership is required to ensure a “just transition” that manages possible job losses, enable the use of natural gas as a transition fuel to support Nigeria’s long-term net zero aspirations, and improve access to modern energy services for everyone, including rural communities. 

    Legislating for the future of the planet starts with legislative commitments to building the new climate economy. To accelerate global action beyond series of conversations at climate change conferences, local and national legislatures must be more aggressive with constant and comprehensive actions on climate change.

    In legislative climes like Nigeria, legislators have a responsibility to understand that though Nigeria and other 53 African countries only contribute 4% to global greenhouse emissions at 1.45 billion tonnes, the continent is the most vulnerable to the effect of climate crisis.

    According to the International Rescue Committee, out of the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate disaster, seven are in Africa. The Lake Chad Basin for instance, which is home to 8% of the African continent and 42 million people whose livelihoods revolve around fishing, farming and pastoralism, has shrunk 90% in 60 years, reduced from 22902km2 in 1963 to 304 km2 in 2000 due to a significant contribution of climate change. In 2009, an estimated 6,000 gullies were destroying roads, highways, pipelines and houses across Nigeria.

    Beyond the Nairobi Africa Climate Summit 2023, Africa needs legislative leadership that boldly legislate on critical climate issues bedevilling African nations, leveraging the global de-carbonization agenda and agreements, expanding opportunities therewith to invest in novel enterprises and leapfrog existing development models, without resulting in the loss of jobs for petroleum exporters. This requires two crucial variables – legislating and designing targeted polices that place climate actions at the core of our short, medium and long-term development plans; and transformational legislative leadership interventions that strengthen institutional efficiency to drive implementation of climate action laws and policies, and oversighting quality project delivery across all tiers of governments.

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    Nigeria, for instance, has designed three important development plans since 2011 – Transformation Agenda, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, and the Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Plan, yet these development proposals have not been adequately implemented to deliver climate-related results.

    Perhaps, this speaks to the reality that legislating and leading climate action in a country like Nigeria comes with complex challenges that the legislature must navigate beyond politics to solve. With the oil sector accounting for seven percent of GDP, 89 percent of exports, and 80 percent of government revenue, and with a proven natural gas reserve that stands at more than 900 times its total oil reserve by volume, as the largest in Africa and the ninth largest in the world as at 2018, legislating and implementing some components of climate action in line with global green transition may pose a serious fiscal challenge and job loss that may worsen the current unemployment rate in Nigeria.

    Another challenge is on how to balance the heterogeneous and geographical variation in climate change impacts across different parts of the country, as the climate vulnerability in the semi-arid Sahel savanna in the north is different from the mangrove swamps and rain forests in the south. More importantly, the challenge of climate finance is fundamental – and the legislature has a huge role to play in ensuring transparent financial flows towards low-carbon and resilient development.

    • Ekpa, Stanley Ekpa, ekpastanleyekpa@gmail.com
  • Govs, council chairmen urged to take climate change seriously

    Govs, council chairmen urged to take climate change seriously

    The Chairman, Security, Special Interventions and Climate Change of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC), Hon Sam Onuigbo, has urged state governors and the local government chairmen to take the multifaceted threats posed by climate change to life, livelihoods, security and humanity as a whole very seriously.

    This, he said, is because we are now living with the devastating impacts of climate change.

    He spoke during th report launch of the mapping of climate impact, policy and action at the subnational level in Nigeria which held in Abuja.

    Onuigbo said the era of saying that climate change is issuing warning shots is over. 

    He said, “With the responsibilities assigned to the representatives of the subnational–the Governors and the Local Government Chairmen by the Act–they should begin to make adequate budgetary provisions for improved climate change action and resilience.”

    He said the “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy and Action in Nigeria’s 36 States” project clearly aims to map the impact of climate change in the 36 states, and even the 774 local government areas.

    He said this is to analyse the existing policies and actions in these sub-nationals, and identify the support needs of these sub-nationals to effectively domesticate climate change policies to attract climate fund and investments.

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    “The objectives of this programme are aligned with the provisions of Section 5 (1) of the Climate Change Act 2021, that describes the composition of the National Council on Climate Change.

    “Section 5 (1) (p) and (q) unambiguously provide for the sub-nationals through the presence of the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, and the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria on the Council. 

    “The reason for this is to allow for resolutions and policy decisions made at the Council to be conveyed by the representatives of the sub-nationals, namely the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria to the States and Local Governments, respectively. 

    “The combination of the provisions of the Act and the execution of this important project is a practical application of vertical integration of policies from the national to the states and Local Government Areas.

    “In Section 11 (1) (a) (b) and (c), the Act provide for the appointment of six (6) Zonal Coordinators from the six (6) geopolitical zones and State Directors for each state, and such other persons as may be required to pursue the objectives of this Act. 

    “To eliminate working in silos and to achieve collaboration and productivity, Section 11 (2) stipulates that “a Zonal Coordinator or State Director appointed under this Section shall be appointed by the Council on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for Environment.”

    “Today, through this launch, we are putting into effect critical provisions of the Climate Change Act 2021, for the sustainable development of our nation and humanity,,” he said.