The Nigerian government says it is working with GIZ in providing technical support for incorporation of the Nigeria Cooling Action Plan “N-CAP” into the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions, NDC’s.
Minister of State for Environment Dr Iziaq Salako, stated this at the commemoration of the 2023 International day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (World Ozone Day) held in Abuja the nation’s capital, with the theme, “Montreal Protocol: fixing the Ozone Layer and reducing Climate Change.”
The government noted that it is also preparing to commence the implementation of the French project to support the country towards the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions from obsolete cooling equipment which majorly involves the rebate scheme for the replacement of inefficient equipment with the efficient ones at a discounted price.
The Minister who was represented by the Director Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mr Charles Ikeah noted that the implementation of the 2018 Kigali Amendment will provide Nigeria the opportunity to adopt ozone and climate-friendly and improve energy efficiency in the cooling sector.
The theme reminds us of our responsibility to continue building on the considerable ozone and climate benefits already achieved under the Montreal Protocol through the phase-out of ozone depleting substances, by enthusiastically pursuing the objectives of the Kigali Amendment to phase out the production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons, which are gases with high global warming potentials used mainly as cooling agents in the Refrigeration & AC Production.” He explained.
“As one of the gains of the Kigali Amendment, we were assisted by the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program through UNDP to develop a National Cooling Plan for the country called “Nigeria Cooling Action Plan” (N-CAP), which includes the pathway for the country’s transition to low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Energy Efficient (EE) technologies, with coherent policies & regulations while implementing the Kigali Amendment.”
“With the transition to energy-efficient and low GWP technologies, implementation of the N-CAP can lower Greenhouse Gas emissions by 44% of the business-as-usual scenario and a 30% reduction in electricity demand by 2050, this can be achieved when we implement the action plans under the N-CAP.” Ikeha said.
He added that improvements in energy efficiency of cooling equipment while phasing out HFCs will potentially accelerate and increase the climate benefits from the Kigali Amendment.
“For over three decades, my Ministry in collaboration with UNDP, UNIDO, GIZ, World Bank & UNEP as the Implementing Agencies, has been implementing the Montreal Protocol’s: : fixing the Ozone Layer and reducing Climate Change.”
The Minister also reaffirmed the government commitment to the Montreal Protocol and its ODS Phase-out Programme.
“I use this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of our Implementing Agencies namely UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP, GIZ, World Bank and government of Italy as well as relevant Government Agencies, particularly National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, for their support and cooperation over the years in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.” He said.
National Ozone Officer, Ministry of Environment, Mr Idris Abdullahi, said that the ozone layer is an important layer that must not be depleted because of the dangers associated with it.
“The ozone layer is depleting due to certain chemicals we use on earth. This is a problem that can also lead to skin cancer, eye cataracts, and so on.” He said.
President National Association of Refrigerator and Air Conditioner Practitioner in Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, said the association has been working tirelessly to ensure that it reduces the depletion of the ozone on the flaring of refrigerants.
“We are trying to sensitise our members and even the dealers of the refrigerant to be watchful and implement Montreal Protocol’s, Ozone Depleting Substances, ODS.”
The Country Representative and Regional UNIDO Regional Office Mr. Jean Bakole said that UNIDO will continue to work with the government to mitigate the environmental impacts of industry to protect the terrestrial and marine ecosystems that are critical for human development.
“The work of our Montreal Protocol Division has become more ambitious, engaging a broad coalition of institutions, associations, and development partners in support of wider sustainable development goals.”
“New initiatives to find resource-efficient solutions to Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and other refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP), in cooperation with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP), build on global efforts to increase energy efficiency and protect the climate.
By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these initiatives also contribute towards the targets of the Paris Agreement on climate change.” He explained.
He further stressed that UNIDO has been working with Nigeria in successfully achieving the ban on importation, production, and phasing out of chloroflorocarbons, methylbromide, and halons.
“In partnership with the country, we piloted the identification, aggregation, and disposal of unwanted CFCs with a Nigerian owned company.
We reviewed and updated the National Regulation on Ozone Layer Protection with Nigerian Environmental Standards, Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Training of air-conditioners and refrigeration practitioners and distribution of 75 clean and up-to-date low pressure foam machines worth about $2 million to 75 Nigerian enterprises was carried under the HPMP stage 1, Distribution of four high-tech high pressure foaming machines to four companies under HPMP stage 2, HPMP stage 3 is presently on-going and we will support over 180 manufacturing companies.”
UN Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, Inger Anderson, said the world needs more sustainable growth in the use of climate friendly refrigerants and energy efficient features.
According to her, Sustainable and energy efficient cooling is on the agenda of the next climate summit COP 28 later this year, the “Montreal Protocol secretariat will draw attention to issues with other partners to influence decision makers, however as the new climate change records are high we cannot afford to wait for another day before we act.” She said.
Anderson also called on government and agencies at all levels to work harder under the 2018 Kigali Amendment to make cooling equipment more energy efficient.
“As we mark World ozone day, I call on governments and industry to work harder, under the Kigali amendment to phase down HFCs and make cooling equipment more energy efficient.
Climate change is warming our world. The Montreal Protocol can help keep it cool, but only if we comply 100%.” She said.
The 2023 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, now referred to as the World Ozone Day, with the theme, “Montreal Protocol: fixing the Ozone Layer and reducing Climate Change.”
Shakirat Sadiq
