By Vivian Emoni

Mr Seyifunmi Adebote, an environmentalist, has called on the Federal Government to involve the youth while negotiating on climate change issues, to help tackle environmental challenges in the country.

Adebote made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said that other countries gave opportunities to their youths in the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) and negotiation on climate change issues.

Adebote said young people brought dynamic climate-responses and innovation that would help track effort of the government, industries and businesses; ultimately.

“Young people monitor and support Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) process ensuring the intended results were achieved in other countries.

“Nigerian youths cannot be bystanders in the global climate conversation. The youths must contribute actively to the process,’’ he said.

Adebote said that COP26 would be holding in Glasgow on Nov. 1 to 12, to discuss the commitment made by various countries in the implementation of their NDC.

He explained that NDC was a Paris Agreement by which about 190 countries including Nigeria committed themselves to the reduction in national emissions and adaptation to impact of climate change.

Adebote said that involvement of the youth was not about number of young people that travelled to Glasgow for COP26, but the tangible ideas that they could incorporate into the negotiation framework.

He made reference to the recent Climate Innovation Hub which brought together over 1,000 youth-led solutions designed to address climate change in Nigeria.

Adebote also explained how DEAN Initiative through its Road to COP26 project, directly engaged one million Nigerian school children with 2,000 volunteers in 4,000 identified schools in the country.

He advised the youth to participate and show more interest on environmental issues to enable government tackle climate change and other environmental challenges in the country. (NAN)