Nigeria Develops Sectorial Action Plan On Climatic Change – Buhari At UNGA
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in New York on Tuesday announced that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan, and expand the scope of its Sovereign Green Bonds in line with intended upward review of Nigeria’s NDC’s towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020.
He said this is part of the robust plans and initiatives by his administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria.
Buhari unveiled the plans in his address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit with the theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.”
He said that he shares the sentiment expressed by the Secretary-General of the UN that the world is on the verge of climate catastrophe, adding that undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.
Buhari said that it is now imperative that we must step-up our collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary General, adding that it is in this regard that he wish to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to its obligation under the Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.
The President said; “In the water sector, Nigeria will issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply. We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors.
“We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision making processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture. We will mobilize Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink.
“In the energy sector, Nigeria is presently diversifying its energy sources from dependence on gas-powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources. Specifically, Nigeria is progressively working to realize 30 percent energy efficiency and renewable energy mix by 2030. This is envisaged to lead to 179 million tons of carbon dioxide reduction per annum by 2030.
“In addition, our Administration intends to develop a shelter belt across 11 States of the Federation spanning a distance of 1,500 km and 15km across through the Great Green Wall initiative. Furthermore, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland, to recover the carbon sink potential of the mangrove ecosystem of the one thousand square kilometers (1,000 KM2) polluted site in the affected area,” Buhari said.
He also the summit that his administration introduced Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to unlock 74 million tons of carbon dioxide per annum, through relevant technologies, advocacy and best practices.
Buhari noted that the Lake Chad Basin, which used to be a region of productivity, food security and wealth for an estimated 40 million citizens living around the Chad Basin, has shrunk significantly from its original size due to Climate Change.
He assured that Nigeria will continue to lead in efforts to have solid partnerships for the ecological restoration and recharge of the Lake, stressing that he is confident that this would improve the living conditions of the diverse nationals living in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, as well as assist in addressing the environmental and security crisis that threaten the region, its resources and inhabitants.
He said that 40 million citizens in the Lake Chad area expect the Summit to take into consideration their concerns, saying that; “hey anticipate that the outcomes of the UNGA meeting would include solutions to address the Climate Change impact in the Lake Chad area.
He expressed gladness that the Secretary General of the UN and some of the member states are partnering with Nigeria in this endeavor and thanked them for their cooperation.
