The importance of reviewing and achieving the outcomes of the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was emphasized by the Federal Government on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s development ambitions and climate efforts across various sectors are influenced by the results of the negotiations, the government stated.
The assessment of the outcomes is intended to ensure Nigeria’s effective engagement at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
The COP of the UNFCCC is the primary governing body that meets annually to evaluate progress in addressing climate change and develop plans for climate action in accordance with UNFCCC guidelines.
COP28, which took place in Dubai last year, outlined the necessary actions to maintain the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C as per the Paris Agreement objective.
During COP28, Nigeria emphasized its request to be included in the G7’s climate partnership list for the Just Energy Transition Partnership to establish an efficient and sustainable structure for addressing the socio-economic impacts of energy transition.
Nigeria also reiterated the need for increased adaptation finance, expansion of adaptation acceleration programs, and a substantial global target for adaptation.
At a one-day workshop on reviewing the outcomes of COP28 organized by the National Council on Climate Change and the Delegation of the European Union in Abuja, Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal stated that the 28th session of the UNFCCC COP serves as a strong reminder of the urgent need for decisive action in response to escalating climate crises and environmental problems.
Lawal remarked, “The outcomes of COP28, with negotiations focused on critical issues such as mitigation, adaptation, finance, and transparency, have broad implications for the future of our planet.
“As we prepare for COP29, it is vital that we cultivate a spirit of cooperation, unity, and shared responsibility, leveraging the collective knowledge, expertise, and resources of all stakeholders and making firm commitments to advance Nigeria’s environmental objectives.
“Like many other countries, Nigeria is already enduring the consequences of climate change. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, the impacts of climate change are visible in our daily lives.”
The minister emphasized the need for stakeholders to take action and strive towards a more sustainable and resilient future for both people and the environment.
The Director General of the NCCC, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, highlighted that as an oil-producing and developing country, the agreements reached during COP28 necessitate a strategic reassessment of our national actions and climate targets.
“Therefore, this workshop presents a crucial opportunity for us to analyze these outcomes and plot a course towards sustainable solutions as we expedite our transition to a climate-resilient future.
“We aim to facilitate an inclusive participatory process to inspire actions towards achieving more ambitious goals for our shift to a low carbon economy and to provide a platform for government, business entities, states, and other stakeholders to continuously mold and bolster Nigeria’s climate action processes,” Dahiru affirmed.
The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, urged stakeholders to translate words into action when it comes to climate initiatives.