The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to addressing issues regarding climate change and enhancing climate action for sustainable development.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made this disclosure during the courtesy visit of the United Nations Executive Secretary on Climate Change, Mr. Simon Stiell to the Ministry yesterday.
Bagudu appreciated the UNFCCC as well as other development partners for their support. He seized the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s proactive approach in combating climate change, with specific emphasis on the government’s ambitious plans, including the successful implementation of the 2021-2025 climate policy.
According to the Minister, despite significant progress made, challenges remain, particularly in areas such as oil remediation in the Niger Delta and water scarcity exacerbated by climate impacts. “We are doing everything possible to enhance the potential capabilities of climate action. Yet, we need more collaborative support, particularly in securing funding opportunities for sustainable climate projects.”
Nigeria’s climate goals include fostering a just transition, particularly for sectors like agriculture, livestock, and energy, all of which are critically affected by climate change. The government’s efforts are focused on modernizing industries, creating climate-resilient policies, and encouraging private sector investment to ensure sustainable development.
Sen. Bagudu further called on the UN system to recognize the need for innovative financing mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of leveraging private sector capital to achieve long-term climate goals.
This year, Nigeria remains committed to tackling climate-induced challenges while ensuring that solutions benefit both local communities and the environment. With the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria continues to invest in efforts such as the transformation of the livestock sector and hydrocarbon remediation projects, all aimed at reversing the harmful effects of climate change.
The Minister added that Nigeria recognizes the urgency of climate action which cannot be overstated. As climate impacts intensify, the government is determined to push for stronger international collaborations that deliver results, ensuring that climate change does not exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.
The Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Mr. Simon Steill earlier in his speech, commended Nigeria’s leadership role in the global climate process and underscored the importance of the country’s contribution to the global response to the climate crisis.
He promised the UN’s unalloyed support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in tackling climate change. Steill said “We are here to support you. The UNFCCC, along with the broader UN system, is committed to assisting Nigeria as it works to develop a credible climate plan that scales up finance and addresses both the climate crisis and economic growth: “Your commitment to developing the next generation of climate plans, particularly the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is crucial in shaping the global climate agenda.”
Steill highlighted the significance of the NDC, which will serve as not just a climate action document but also an investment and economic development plan. He emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s whole-of-government approach to crafting a comprehensive and actionable plan, with an emphasis on integrating climate considerations into the national economic development strategy.
The upcoming NDC is set to distinguish itself as a forward-looking investment plan, with a focus on sectors such as energy transition, agriculture, water security, and the use of technology in addressing climate change. Steele encouraged Nigeria to continue exploring the opportunities climate action presents, including attracting private sector investment to support sustainable development.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss opportunities for a strong climate plan with the involvement of the stakeholders as government officials, Civil Society and the private sector.