Tinubu Assures United Nations Environment Assembly That Nigeria Will Achieve Universal Access to Energy by 2030,Net-zero Emissions by 2060
Nairobi- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday said that Nigeria has put together an ambitious Energy Transition Plan to achieve universal access to energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060 while prioritizing industrialization, job creation and economic growth. Tinubu, who was represented by Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Hon. Minister of State for Environment, at the sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly at Nairobi in Kenya said Nigeria was committed to a low carbon, climate resilient, high growth, circular economy that is gender sensitive and equitable. He said the vision was well situated in the presidential priority and focus areas and being pursued through routine budgetary allocation, private sector funding, special presidential interventions and with the support of Nigeria’s development partners.
Tinubu said, “Our target to end routine gas flaring by 2030 is well on the way to being met before the target date. Only last week, one of Nigeria’s major oil companies, in partnership with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation {NNPC} flamed out routine gas flaring in its upstream operations thus saving our planet an estimated 340 Kt of CO2 emission per annum.
“A robust and all-inclusive national policy on Carbon trading and climate financing framework is being developed. Our Green Bond which is billed to make its 3rd issuance this year is a good example of how to mobilize private sector funding for climate. Nigeria has also been chosen by the Heads of State and Government of the Sahel Region Climate Commission (SRCC) to host the Secretariat of the Sahel Climate Fund.
“In addressing waste management challenges, we have adopted the circular economy model and developed a comprehensive economy roadmap to guide our transition to a fully circular economy by 2050. We are partnering with the World Economy Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership in developing an enduring and inclusive solution to addressing plastic pollution. A national dialogue is currently ongoing to redefine the utilization and management of single use plastic in the country.”
Tinubu said Nigeria was playing a pivotal role in mobilizing the ECOWAS sub-region for the effective implementation of the Kunming/Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the 30 by 30 and the BBNJ.
“We are taking in-country proactive measures to protect wildlife and halt species extinction. Within the last 4 months, we have destroyed 1.6 tons of Pangolin scales and 2.5 tons of seized elephant trunks valued at about 18.6 billion Naira to send a clear unambiguous message that Nigeria will not condone illegal wildlife trade in any form.
“The Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance launched by Nigeria at COP28 alongside Liberia, Samoa, and Sierra Leone to champion the importance of meeting a central financial pillar of the GBF is being expanded and strengthened. Nigeria is also working with Ghana, Germany, USA, and other Partners to advocate for the establishment of a Glasgow Declaration Accountability Framework to build common understandings and align us around shared ambition and action.
“Nigeria is an important member of the global environmental movement, the most populous black nation in the world and the largest economy in Africa. Our actions reflects our believes and speaks louder than our words. Nigeria remains committed to the mission of UNEP as we continue to play our parts as a partner in implementing multilateral environmental agreements to address the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution facing our planet.”
Tinubu added that he would like to see more funding for climate change adaptation, increased attention given to nature based solutions, scaling up equity, transparency, accountability and lessening red tapism in climate financing. He called a for better commitment to improve local competencies and technology transfer for climate actions.
He called on the global north countries to fulfill the climate and biodiversity pledges made to the global south especially the commitment at COP15 in Montreal to deliver at least 20 billion USD per year in international biodiversity finance to developing countries by 2025.
