NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Former lawmaker urges consistency in climate policy implementation

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By Joseph Edeh

Former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Oniugbo, has urged African nations to be consistent in the implementation of policies aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change.

The climate change advocate, who participated in the just-concluded CoP29, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that many African countries were trying to enact Climate Change Acts, to guide them in policy directives.

“More importantly, there must be consistency in policy pronunciation and implementation. To avoid policy somersault there must be a framework to guide its implementation,“ he said.

He said that African nations went to the CoP29, to negotiate for a good deal and not to beg for money.

The former lawmaker said to have access to money from the international bodies, it was important to follow due process and stringent conditions.

Onuigbo said that the 54 African nations contribute only three per cent to climate change, but they bore the brunt of climate change.

“Africans are on the disadvantage side, we are not supposed to be bearing the devastation coming from climate change.

“Climate change is human activities like pushing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This has been done by developed countries who have been using coal and fossil fuel over the years,“ he said.

He said that Africa and other developing nations at CoP29 demanded the developed world to contribute 1.23 trillion dollars per annum to tackle the issues of climate change.

“After a long negotiation what was approved was 1billion dollars per annum and to now work to attain the 1.23 trillion over a period of time,“ he said.

On the part of Nigeria, he said President Bola Tinubu was working assiduously to mitigate the impact of climate change on Nigeria.

“Tinubu had clearly said that Nigeria will use climate change to attract investments to the country

“He also said that the developed world must bring money to the activities of climate change,“ he said.

Onuigbo said that to achieve that he had attended several meetings in Dubai on the issue of tripling renewables and activities of the carbon market.

He said the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) policy of the current government was a far-reaching action to tackle climate change impact on the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onuigbo sponsored the Climate Act in the 9th National Assembly. It provides the legal and administrative framework for Nigeria’s climate change policies and actions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

WMO to support Nigeria’s climate resilience efforts- Keyamo

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By Gabriel Agbeja

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on Wednesday pledged to provide technical support to Nigeria in addressing climate change challenges.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo in a statement said WMO’s Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Ko Barrett, made the commitment during a session with Nigeria’s delegation at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Keyamo stated that Nigeria, as one of the WMO’s Peer Advisors, would benefit from the organisation’s assistance to strengthen climate resilience strategies, particularly in the aviation sector.

He emphasised the interconnectedness of aviation and climate change, noting the need for sustainable practices across all sectors.

Speaking at the Nigerian Pavilion during the celebration of Nigeria Day at COP 29, Keyamo stressed the importance of aligning Nigeria’s aviation and aerospace policies with global climate objectives.

He outlined ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources in the aviation industry.

“Nigeria is fully committed to addressing the global climate crisis. Our aviation sector is undergoing transformative reforms to align with international sustainability standards.

“The commitments we secure here at COP 29 will drive our vision for a resilient and eco-friendly aviation ecosystem,” he stated.

Keyamo also highlighted Nigeria’s potential as a prime destination for green investments in the aviation and aerospace sectors, reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to positioning the country as a leader in sustainable aviation.

He noted that Nigeria’s participation at COP 29 reaffirms its commitment to global partnerships supporting the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Climate change: Nigeria making progress in energy transition – Onuigbo

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By Uche Anunne

Climate change activist, Sam Onuigbo says Nigeria is making progress in meeting its energy transition efforts.

Onuigbo, who is participating in the ongoing 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference, CoP29, said this during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

The conference is taking place in Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan.

Onuigbo, a former federal lawmaker, said the Climate Change Act which he sponsored as a member of House of Representatives and the establishment of National Council on Climate Change Nigeria, laid a solid foundation for climate change actions.

He is also a member, representing South-East, Governing Board, and Chairman Committee on Security, Climate Change, North-East Development Commission.

He said the Act and the Council provide the legal framework and institution for climate change policy implementation.

The former lawmaker said that the Compressed Natural Gas initiative as an alternative for fossil fuel vehicles by the Bola Tinubu`s administration was a bold step towards energy transition.

Onuigbo said the Electricity Act 2023 was a further impetus to providing cleaner energy.

The Act liberalises the nation’s electricity generation, transmission and distribution at the national level and empowers states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

The Act also permits private investors to obtain generation, transmission and systems operations licenses.

Onuigbo said CoP29 presented an opportunity for Nigeria to boost investment in climate change initiatives.

According to him, Nigeria’s delegation to the conference will market Nigeria’s climate change market to international investors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

American Union unveils framework on climate change interventions

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has unveiled an ethical framework to guide countries, world leaders and institutions on responsible decision making and inclusive dialogue towards addressing climate change and global warming.

 

The report tagged “Ethical Framework Principles for Climate Intervention Research” was signed by Mr Josh Weinberg, Vice-President, Strategic Communications and Marketing, AGU, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

 

With contributions from a global panel of earth and space scientists, the report re-emphasised geo-engineering as a strategy for addressing global warming.

 

It stated that any research into large-scale interventions in earth’s climate system must be grounded in sound ethical principles for the society to make informed choices⁰.

 

“The framework seeks to establish a set of globally recognised ethical principles to guide research, funding and policy proposals and precedents developed to guide research around other emerging fields with unknown consequences.

 

“Such consequences include ethical practices for biomedical research and genetic engineering.’’

 

The report recalled the 2015 UN Paris Agreement, where nations across the world pledged to pursue efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

 

It decried that global emissions were still increasing and every additional fraction of a degree would see more severe storms, floods, heatwaves while other climate impacts would increase the risk of triggering catastrophic tipping points.

 

“Climate interventions, also known as geo-engineering or climate engineering, are deliberate, large-scale attempts to alter the climate system in a way that halts, slows down or reverses global warming.

 

“Climate intervention technologies and methods include carbon dioxide removal, aiming to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store them, using approaches like reforestation or increasing the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon.

 

“There should be solar radiation modification, which aims to reduce the amount of solar radiation absorbed by earth, such as approaches that increase the amount of sunlight reflected from clouds or space sunshades.

 

“Interventions should include emerging technologies and research, including those aiming to preserve ice sheets and restore sea ice and permafrost,’’ it said.

 

The framework had been developed over a two-year period, under the guidance of an advisory board of more than 40 international experts from a wide range of disciplines, with extensive public consultation worldwide.

 

It proposed that all new research plans, funding decisions and policy proposals should meet five key principles, which included responsible research, holistic climate justice, inclusive public participation, transparency and informed governance.

 

The framework applied to all types of climate intervention and covers lab research and computer modeling as well as activities undertaken in the field.

 

It was designed to be flexible enough to be adapted to the needs of diverse contexts, actors and capable of evolving as society’s understanding of climate risks and climate intervention technologies.

 

“AGU intends for the framework to drive discussion within the broader community involved in and affected by climate intervention research, policy, investment, prompt the development of norms for ethical and responsible research practices.

 

“AGU and the contributors of this work strongly encourage all relevant actors, including researchers, funders and policymakers, to embrace these ethical principles when considering or undertaking activities relating to climate intervention research,” says the report.

 

Prof. Lisa Graumlich, AGU’s President, said that climate change required immediate action; and most urgent, non-negotiable priority must be to tackle carbon emissions as its root cause.

 

“As pressure grows to supplement emissions reductions with active, large-scale intervention in Earth’s climate system, let us ensure research is done in inclusive ways, representative and just, carefully considering risks and benefits,” he said.

 

According to Prof. Carlos Nobre, Ethical Framework Advisory Board member, all live on one planet, but solutions cannot be one size for all.

 

Nobre said that global communities had unique challenges and vulnerabilities.

 

He said in addressing the existential threat of climate change, it was imperative that it was done by centering ethics.

 

“This framework helps lay the foundation for effective collaboration and partnership,’’ Nobre said.

 

Prof. Billy Williams, AGU’s Executive Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, stated that communities needed to be heard on decisions that affected them.

 

Williams said though climate change was a risk shared by all Earth’s people, the weight of climate consequences was not carried equally.

 

“As we consider technology to counteract warming, it is essential that we do not add to that unequal burden,” he said.

 

Janice Lachance, Interim Executive Director of AGU, said that climate intervention must not replace greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

 

He said there were robust discussions and debates on whether climate intervention should become part of a comprehensive strategy to slow warming.

 

“The discussions should address legacy carbon emitted over the last century and get the globe back on track with global temperature targets.

 

“It is AGU’s privilege and responsibility as a leader in climate science to advocate for responsible pursuit of knowledge,” he said.

 

AGU is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in earth and space sciences.

 

Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

NEWSAN, climate council partner on water, sanitation integration

578 total views today

By Tosin Kolade

The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), on Tuesday called for the integration of climate change adaptation strategies into Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

Mr Benson Attah, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, made this call at a meeting with Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director -General of the National Council on Climate Change, in Abuja.

He said there was a need for collaboration to address the impacts of climate change on the country’s development, particularly within the WASH sector, which directly affects health, safety, and livelihoods.

“Climate change poses a serious setback to development, and we are especially concerned with how it impacts water, sanitation, and hygiene,” Attah said.

He added that while climate change has revealed neglected issues, the setbacks outweigh the benefits.

Attah commended the Federal Government’s recent efforts, supported by UNICEF, to develop a climate change adaptation plan for the WASH sector.

He stressed the importance of collaborating with the National Climate Change Council to fully integrate climate considerations into WASH policies.

“It is not enough to have policies; we must ensure effective implementation across all sectors,“he said.

Mr Williams Ngwakwe, a NEWSAN representative, pointed to the need to address climate-related issues such as flooding and its impact on agriculture and food security.

He stated how early rains followed by drought have damaged crops, and noted that poor sanitation worsened by climate change has contributed to cholera outbreaks in 34 of 36 states.

Ngwakwe urged the council to prioritise these issues in its agenda, emphasising that NEWSAN’s extensive grassroots network could help implement climate-resilient WASH projects.

He cited ongoing efforts to build disability- and girl-friendly sanitation facilities as part of their work.

Responding, Maduekwe acknowledged the importance of building resilience against climate impacts like flooding and high temperatures.

She stressed the need for action, particularly in securing funding through mechanisms like the Green Bond and the loss and damage funds.

Maduekwe called for health and infrastructure projects to be prioritised in climate financing plans.

“We need to strengthen infrastructure that ensures access to clean water and sanitation. Why can’t that be part of Green Bond funding”

“One of the things in the green bond is afforestation, what about health, what about infrastructure, access to WASH.

“How can we get the funding for water, sanitation, so when the government bring out the budget where do we stand.

“Your expertise is very important.  How do we move from paper to reality, do we qualify for loss and damage”.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from both parties to continue collaborating on addressing climate change in the WASH sector, with NEWSAN pledging its support to the council’s initiatives.

NEWSAN is a civil society network coordinating NGOs and community-based organisations in the WASH sector, with operations across all 31 states and geopolitical zones in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

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