The NGF through the Head of Stakeholder Relationship and SDGs, Mr. Eghosa M. Omoigui reached out to the Director, Climate Change Department at the Federal Ministry of Environment (MoE) for a meeting aimed at establishing a relationship with the department, bridging the information gap between the federal and the sub-nationals, garnering updates on current engagements and opportunities for collaboration in coordinating the implementation of Climate Change initiatives in Nigeria.
The aim of the meeting was to address Nigeria’s subnational commitments at the 2019 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), discuss potential collaboration with NGF, and feedback on activities from the climate change department.
Some updates of the climate change department were that the NDC support program is targeted at emission reduction and includes the following sectors-Power, Transportation, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Industry, Waste, and water usage with an unconditional target emission reduction of 20% and conditional target of 47% by 2030.
The program will serve as a one-stop-shop to identify projects and programs and match the identified projects/programs with funding sources (donor partners).
Other updates are that the implementation of the Energy Transition Plan approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is in progress, this also includes an energy investment plan to ensure a seamless energy transition. The ETP was approved as a pathway toward achieving net-zero target commitments.
In addition, a toolkit that provides relevant information on how states should relate with the federal government on climate change initiatives is in development and will be implemented.
Furthermore, the climate change department has mounted billboards in strategic locations in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, developed jingles in various Nigerian languages to sensitize the public on climate change risks and immediate next steps towards making necessary changes to adapt and mitigate climate change at the NGF Secretariat, we have provided technical assistance support to 36 states at the subnational level to drive reforms through the World Bank project SFTAS and other in-house projects.
At the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) desk, which includes climate change, the NGF and the World Bank are helping states to mainstream climate change in the budget process, this includes Accessing and Reviewing States Climate Change Budget Tagging (CCBT) results to track climate finance.
The NGF intends to bridge the gap in communication between the Federal and the State governments, this will ensure that information is being cascaded through the federal to the subnational to drive and sustain reforms. The Secretariat would ensure high-level commitments through the Governors and follow through with the focal State ministries, departments, and agencies.
Sequel to the meeting with the Director of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, the NGF was invited to participate in the launch of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Climate change, which was set up for sharing of updates on existing projects and programmes as it relates to the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) towards achieving Nigeria’s 2030 targets. The NGF will also work with the Department in the review and development of the toolkit, to reflect the sub-national context for ease of implementation.
The next step for subnational coordination would be to facilitate an introductory meeting between the Climate Change department at the Federal level and the relevant MDAs at the subnational level. This will also seek to harmonize State efforts on Climate change and kick-start a framework for peer review.
Mr. Eghosa of the NGF states that as far as Nigeria being on track to achieve the SDG goals, it seems the strategy has been to focus on a few and not the entire 17 goals.
This is evident from recent efforts in renewable energy through the Rural Electrification Agency which is deliberate in achieving Goal 7 and its indicators.
Other initiatives from the health sector are perceived to achieve goals 3 and 6 which focus on Universal healthcare and clean water and sanitation.
‘‘However, I believe more can be done especially through collaborating with the NGF to coordinate subnational activities which will subsequently contribute to the overall national performance,’’ he said.
He added that the biggest challenge is the judicious use of the time left, as performance is periodically reviewed towards the 2030 target, which is in eight years’ time.
Though the NGF is partnering with the Ministry of Environment to tackle climate change challenges, the Head of Stakeholder Relationships states that the race is not for governments alone but for all humanity.
‘‘Everyone should be involved. Everyone can do their part to save the planet. Proper hygiene habits towards waste disposal and the culture of using re-usable materials for production will go a long way.’’
For humanity to be actively involved in solutions to solving climate change, we must do away with myths such as the earth’s climate has always changed, plants need carbon dioxide, global warming isn’t really as it’s still cold, Climate Change is a future problem and understanding that renewable energy is not just a ‘money-making scheme.’’
By Isioma Ononye,
Social Media Officer