Climate action: World Leaders urged to honour 2009 pledge

The Nigerian government has called on  World leaders to honour the pledge made in 2009 of mobilisng one hundred billion dollars per year by 2020 to support climate action in developing   countries.

This is coming as World leaders plan to  convene in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November 12, 2021, to begin deliberations on climate change at the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of Parties, COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, stated this during a press briefing  on the preparations being made to ensure Nigeria’s successful participation in COP 26.

She said recent announcement, including President Joe Biden’s pledged to double US Climate finance have brought developed countries closer to honoring the pledge.

Restore Credibility
She however stressed that Nigeria needed more to be done to restore credibility and strengthen trust between developing and developed Nations.

She noted that Nigeria must negotiate and influence the decision that would positively affect the country and people as the country joins the global efforts to keep the temperature down.

“The UNFCCC negotiations provide a forum through which all parties openly communicate their interest  and challenges on climate changes issues and then reach a consensus on how to move forward. A country party delegation consisting of one or more officials empowered to represent and negotiate on behalf of their government.

“Based on the tradition of the United Nations, Parties are oragnised into five regional groups, mainly for the purposes of electing the Bureau, namely Africa States,  Asian States, Eastern European States, Latin America  and the Caribbean States, and the Western European and other States (Australia, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United States of America). Developing country Parties generally work through the African Group of 77 to establish common negotiating positions through the Africa Group of Negotiators which Nigeria belongs to.” She explained.

Nigeria’s Focus
The Minister said Nigeria focus at the COP 26 would be on how to strengthen its ability to adapt to climate change impacts and also look forward to the finalisation of the Paris Agreement’s implementation guide, which includes agreeing on rules to govern the international carbon markets.

 “Considering that Africa is at the receiving end to climate change another important element for discussion at COP 26, is the question of how to deal with economic and non-economic harms caused by climate changes impacts which cannot be avoided through adaptation or mitigation, known as “Loss and Damage”. As we look towards the firming up of increased finance for adaptation, we also look forward for progress in the operationlisation of the Paris Agreement’s Global Goal on Adaptation.” Ikeazor stated.

Ikeazor also noted that “A 2050 Long-term vision for Nigeria has been developed, we expect this vision to lay a solid foundation for us to pursue a low carbon-economy and climate- resilient society with knowledge driven economy that is globally competitive and compliant with Africa’s Agenda 2063.

”We also expect this Vision to move us towards having net-zero emission in the second half of the century across all sectors of the development in a gender responsive manner.”

Nigeria will also have a pavilion to primarily showcase its climate action and Green efforts, attracts investors, engaged and learn on innovative ways to meet up with the international standards towards the country’s move towards a low emission economic development pathway.

Confidence Okwuchi