As a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Nigeria has shown commitment to meeting its obligations by submitting its first and second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The NDC is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it is the benchmark by which the world collates and tracks its commitment to tackling the climate crisis and in delivering sustainable development. Once again Nigeria is showing leadership by working hard to submit its third Nationally Determined Contribution (a.k.a. NDC 3.0).
While our commitment to developing our Nationally Determined Contribution is commendable, it is important that we also work hard to avoid the some of the mistakes of the past. In 2021, Nigeria submitted its NDCs 2.0 where she committed to an unconditional reduction of emissions by 20% and a conditional target (contingent on international support) of 47% below BAU by 2030. This target was hailed by both international and experts as ambitious.
However, there was no clear implementation and funding plan which compromise action on the ground. Furthermore, the voices of subnational governments, which comprise the states and local governments that bear the brunt of climate impacts, were largely excluded. This is a profound misstep, as climate action is lived and felt at the community level, not just in Abuja boardrooms.
In Niger State, we are not waiting for direction from the centre before acting. We have launched community-based afforestation programmes, expanded climate-smart agriculture initiatives to build resilience among farmers, and developed early warning systems for floods and landslides that are saving lives in vulnerable communities.
These efforts, including the development of our green economy plan, while they are modest, equally demonstrate that subnational governments are ready to lead if given the recognition and support within national frameworks.
The process of developing NDC 3.0 has shown committed efforts to course-correct and be inclusive and people-centered. State governments were given the opportunity to provide input which we gladly participated in. We therefore hold the process in high esteem to reflect clarity and transparency in its targets, policies and measures and on cross-cutting issues and actions and it must therefore go beyond the rituals of getting input without an ounce of them reflected in the final document.
This next NDC must set clear ambition that reflects leadership, embed stronger adaptation strategies, and ensure financing is both practical and accessible to states. As the September submission deadline approaches, it must also align ambition with implementation, setting clear targets that are not just impressive on paper but actionable on the ground.
Above all, it must be ambitious, inclusive, and credible, it must reflect the important contributions of the subnational as the burden bearer of climate change vulnerabilities. Anything less would betray our people’s yearnings and squander our chance to lead Africa toward a climate-resilient future.
By Yakubu kolo, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Niger State, Nigeria