Ahead of the United Nations climate change negotiations (COP24) that holds from December 2 to 14, 2018 in Katowice, Poland, the Least Developed Countries Group came together in the Polish city for preparatory meetings from November 26 to 27 to consolidate positions and to strategise ahead of the upcoming talks.
Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, Gebru Jember Endalew
Mr. Gebru Jember Endalew, Chair of the LDC Group, said: “It has been a long road to Katowice since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, and there are still many hurdles to overcome to achieve a robust and fair set of guidelines to bring the Agreement to life. These guidelines need to push countries to immediately cut emissions to achieve the 1.5°C temperature goal and to deal with growing climate impacts. International cooperation is the only way to address the global threat of climate change.”
Referring to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) special report on the impacts of the global warming of 1.5°C, which was released in October 2018, Endalew noted, “The IPCC report made crystal clear that every bit of warming matters, especially for the LDCs. It also gave some hope by confirming that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is still possible. Here in Katowice, we must work constructively together to ensure that goal can become a reality.”
On the Talanoa Dialogue, he disclosed: “The LDC Group is calling for a political declaration and a COP decision on the Talanoa Dialogue at COP24 that pushes for real action at the scale needed. It is now more critical than ever that all countries commit to doing their fair share of cutting emissions and providing the tools and resources required to address climate change.”
On climate finance, a key issue for the LDC Group, Endalew emphasised: “The Paris Agreement cannot be implemented without finance for developing countries to take action. Trillions of dollars in climate finance is needed to cover the costs of adapting to climate change impacts, coping with loss and damage and pursuing clean development pathways to avoid emissions. In Katowice, countries need to agree clear rules to ensure adequate and predictable climate finance is provided. The longer poor countries have to wait, the larger the cost will become.”
He went further: “Together the LDC Group represents almost one billion people. These are the people who are the least responsible for climate change but among those most vulnerable to its effects. Almost one billion people will be counting on the LDC Group to deliver in Katowice, to ensure the protection of their lives and their livelihoods now and in the future.”
With the G20 Summit taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina right before COP24 (November 30 to December 1), Endalew said: “Responsible for most global greenhouse gas emissions, the G20 countries must take the lead in the global response to climate change. At the upcoming summit, we expect G20 countries to demonstrate their commitment to the Paris Agreement and to taking the necessary action to limit warming to 1.5°C, including by moving forward with the Hamburg Climate and Energy Action Plan from last year.”
Sustainable development stakeholders have called on all tiers of government to accelerate progress towards reducing the impact of climate change on the environment.
A view of participants at the event
They made the call at a National Civil Society Consultative Workshop on the Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr Michael David, the Head, National Civil Society Platform Subcommittee on Mitigation and Energy, said that the issue of climate change was already affecting Nigeria through extreme floods, food insecurities, farmers and herders’ crises, among others.
According to him, Nigeria Government is signatory to the Paris Agreement in 2016, which saw the need to speedily reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to build resilient communities.
He said that this would help to reduce the impact of climate change, protect lives and livelihoods and health improvement.
David said that Nigeria might be at risk if it failed to reduce gas emissions below 1.5 degree Celsius, especially as it relates to food security, adding “although the government is trying, it should do more’’.
“Government is trying now to encourage people to go into farming, but with erratic rainfall being witnessed now, there would be food insecurity issues.
“As a country, our agriculture is rainfall dependent, we don’t practice irrigation much, it is still the traditional way of farming, so with the change in rainfall pattern that will come in as a result of temperature increase to 1.5 degree, there may be food security.
“These will also lead to security issues, health issues, we are hopeful that with the next heat season, Nigeria does not witness meningitis as witnessed in previous years.
“All these are as a result of climate change, if temperature continues to increase, there are chances of this becoming frequent and higher, that is why we need to take urgent and serious action now.”
According to him, countries are making efforts to reduce total dependence on fossil fuels through the use low gas emissions and electric vehicles, saying total dependence on oil will not take us far.
David urged the country to begin to invest in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, adding that this would boost job creation and improved agriculture exports.
On climate financing, he said that although Nigeria had put some money down for green bonds, there was the need for the private sector and other multinationals to support it to full realisation.
“We urge the private sector to put their endowment funds into climate and environment-related causes, they should invest in renewable energy, it will not be a wasted effort,” David.
Dr Peter Tarfa, the Director, Climate Change Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, said the Federal Government was institutionalising and strengthening the capacity of sub-national governments across the country in the delivery of climate actions.
Tarfa, represented by Mrs Asmau Jibril, said Nigeria had established Climate Change Departments in all the 36 States and the FCT.
He said that this had helped to create institutional framework for mainstreaming climate change into government financial and economic planning and budgeting at all levels.
“The department has also maintained impactful working relationships with stakeholders to inform the development of the Sectoral Action Plan.
“This plan will demonstrate the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at sector level across the five targeted sectors thereby creating engagement opportunities for all.
“In line with the need to catalyse the delivery of the NDC goals, the Federal Ministry of Environment has commenced the implementation of a two-year UNDP-Support Programme.
He said that the aim was to further develop a financial strategy for funding the NDC Sectoral Action Plan and drive private sector participation.
“Accordingly, the ministry will continue to provide the enabling framework through its capacity as the focal government institution to drive more ambitious carbon reduction targets, galvanise and accelerate climate actions among stakeholders toward the 2030 goal of NDC,” Tarfa said.
The Climate Change Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for mainstreaming climate change responses and actions into government policy formulation and implementation.
The bill also proposed the establishment of a council to coordinate climate change governance as well as support the adaptation and mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change in the country.
The Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTS) has appealed to the National Assembly to enact law that would curb unwholesome activities of oil companies about environmental degradation.
Prof. Peters Etete
Prof. Peters Etete, the National President of the society, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, November 29, 2018 in Abuja.
He spoke on sidelines of the organisation’s Annual General Conference with the theme: “The burden of respiratory disease with a changing eco-system”.
“We want the National Assembly to enact law that will regulate the activities of oil companies so that the by-product or environmental degradation which is not healthy for the citizens and environment in general would be reduced.
“If this is not addressed in the next 10 years or so there will be so many kinds of Cancers in the country.’’
Degradation, according to him, is a product of peoples’ unhealthy and unfriendly interaction with the environment.
The president of NTS advised government to regulate gas flaring in the country as promised years back to curb the burden of air pollution.
Etete said the theme of the conference was considered based on the changing eco-system in the country, noting that it was impacting negatively on the populace respiratory system in different ways.
According to him, it is quite apparent and relevant considering the enormous challenges posed by indoor and outdoor pollution in the country recently.
He said: “Recently, we have experienced severe pollution in major cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt with residents of these cities crying out loud to government for urgent interventions.
“Particularly in Lagos the recent indiscriminate burning of dump sites that lasted for a period of two months, gas flaring in Niger Delta particularly in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“In the process it emits some toxic gases into the air among other substances from environmental pollution either from oil companies or various degradation activities in the Niger Delta region.’’
According to the annual State of the Global Air Report by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) in 2016, Nigeria is placed fourth as the most unfriendly nation environmentally.
But Etete frowned at the ranking of Nigeria as fourth deadliest country globally in air pollution and pollution as accounting for about 150 per 100,000 deaths annually.
He noted that air quality in Nigeria among other 10 other countries is the deadliest anywhere on earth with higher than ambient air pollution death rates due to the environmental hazards combined with extreme pollution sources like generator fumes and vehicle emissions, among others.
The report, according to him, revealed that 95 per cent of the world’s population breathes unhealthy air.
This mortality rate is the worst in Africa and is bound to rise if no tangible action is taken by respective government and organisations to stem the tide by taking prompt action and timely intervention, according to him.
“The air pollution not only affects the lungs but other vital organs such as heart, brain, pancreas and even unborn babies.
“According to a 2016 WHO report, other cities in Nigeria with air pollution include Onitsha, Kaduna, Aba and Umuahia,” he noted.
The NTS president emphasised that the conference theme was specifically aimed at highlighting the activities that could amount to environmental pollution and various ways to mitigate these problems.
According to him, it is also aimed at enlightening the government as specialists on some steps that can be taken to reduce the effect on the health status of individuals especially in the environment.
He identified the effects of degradation as acute and chronic illnesses like chest infection, pneumonia and asthma, among others.
Similarly, Dr Kingsley Osagie, the Local Organising Committee chairman of the conference, advised the populace to take care of their environment in order to be able to survive and for the environment to be able to take care of us.
Osagie, who is a Consultant Pulmunologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, emphasised that every individual needs the environment seriously for everyone to be able to live in good health and be able to be productive.
“If we keep doing activities that are inimical to the environment at the long run, we will suffer for it because if we keep pouring our waste within the environment without proper method of waste disposal same waste will find it way back to us,’’ he warned.
At the first Galien Forum Africa held from November 27 to 28, 2018, the policy and advocacy action tank, “Speak Up Africa”, launched a multisectoral platform designed to accelerate the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Africa.
Minister of Health of Rwanda, Dr. Diane Gashumba, and Minister of Health of Burkina Faso, Prof. Nicolas Meda, support the launch of the Pan-African “No to NTDs” movement at the first Galien Forum Africa
NTDs are a group of communicable diseases that affect 1.58 billion people globally, 39% of whom live in Africa. Even though these diseases can be prevented and treated, experts say they continue to cause severe disfigurement and other long-term disabilities that create obstacles to education, employment, economic growth and overall development.
With over 100 dignitaries from the health and development sector attending the high-level event, Prof. Awa-Marie Coll-Seck, former Executive Director of The Roll Back Malaria Partnership and former Senegalese Health Minister, underlined the need to find innovative ways to finally put an end to these debilitating diseases that jeopardise the future of our children.
Combating NTDs and reaching all communities in need can put countries on the pathway to achieving universal health coverage. Where there is poverty, NTDs are commonly an accepted part of life. But this is not inevitable, nor should we accept it.
Togo, ranked 165 of 189 countries on the human development index, recently became the first sub-Saharan African country to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Similarly, Burkina Faso, which is ranked 183 of 189 countries, with nearly 12.5 million individuals at risk of five NTDs that can be treated by preventive chemotherapy (PC-NTDs), achieved nearly 90% overall coverage in 2016.
“We have all the technical means to achieve the elimination of NTDs, from the diagnostics to prevention and treatment tools. What we need now is to rally behind partnerships like ESPEN at the World Health Organisation, which contributes to financing the mass drug administration at the community level and mobilise all sectors of society to demand an unconditional commitment to the elimination of these debilitating diseases. I believe campaigns such as No to NTDs bringing together governments, technical partners and civil society is key to moving us closer to our NTD elimination goal.” said Prof. Nicolas Meda, Minister of Health of Burkina Faso.
As we move closer to global Sustainable Development Goals targets, strong national health systems will be critical to ensure that progress towards NTD control and elimination not only accelerates but is sustainable – recognising that these targets can be met only with health systems that can successfully prevent, detect and treat NTDs. Through the “No to NTDs” movement, individuals, political leaders, private sector companies and civil society organisations (CSOs) come together to increase awareness, prioritisation and national commitment to accelerate the control and elimination of NTDs in Africa.
“Empowered communities and civil society organizations are game-changers in health responses. The ‘No to NTDs’ movement will strengthen the capacity and skills of CSOs for advocacy towards the acceleration of the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases,” stated Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa.
Collaboration has always been key to solving any large-scale public health problem, and throughout the high-level event, experts and representatives echoed that this type of alliances is essential to reaching NTD elimination.
“I strongly encourage all fellow African countries to join this movement and adopt a people-centered approach to eliminate NTDs,” said Dr. Diane Gashumba, Minister of Health of Rwanda.
Rwanda has come a long way in its efforts to control NTDs, he disclosed. “Thanks to a strong NTD programme based on community interventions, the country does not require treatment for diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and trachoma, and achieved a 100% treatment coverage for soil-transmitted helminths in 2016.”
Brazil has withdrawn its offer to host a UN climate change summit in 2019, amid international concern that president-elect Jair Bolsonoro’s policies could speed up the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
Jair Bolsonaro
The decision was based on budget restrictions and the transition in government, according to a government statement quoted by O Globo newspaper on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
The decision is seen as a blow to the fight against global warming in the Amazon rain-forest – dubbed “the lungs of the planet’’ – most of which is in Brazil.
Right-winger Bolsonaro, who will be sworn in on Jan. 1, has pledged to allow mining and agribusiness companies to expand their activities in the world’s largest rain-forest.
The withdrawal of Brazil as a host venue is symbolically important, since it was the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 that kicked off multilateral negotiations on climate change in the first place.
Amy Harder, energy and climate change reporter at Axios, believes that Brazil’s retreat is the latest sign of the rise of leaders around the world, who are resistant to globalism and multilateral diplomacy, which is what these climate talks and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement are all about.
Earlier this year, the African Union during its 30th Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, declared 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption Year. This recognised the need to stifle corruption in its forms of manifestation if the continent must move forward in economic fronts, social development and deliver shared prosperity. To achieve this, African Union is mobilising resources, commitments and partnerships across stakeholders and actors, government and non-governmental organisations, to eliminate corruption as the regions pre-eminent obstacle to economic development and prosperity.
Hamzat Lawal
Pursuant to the above, the Founder & Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, is scheduled to speak at the African Union – African Governance Architecture (AU-AGA) 2018 High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance in Africa, holding from November 28 to 30, 2018 in Gaborone, Botswana. In line with the theme: Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation, Hamzat will share his experiences and results leading what looks like the largest social accountability movement in Africa, using innovative Follow The Money methodology and work process.
“In many respects, the work we do is challenging and unique in the civic space. But because I am convinced that Africa may not escape poor governance and poverty without a citizens-response to the scourge of corruption, my team at CODE are emboldened and energised. I am proud that our efforts, contributions and commitments to a corrupt-free continent is gaining momentum and recognition and we have since put our theory of change and work process in public domain for adoption by young campaigners/activists across the continent, this meeting is one of such,” he said.
Lawal added: “In the HLD at Gaborone, Botswana, I am expected to provoke debate on the role of citizens, media, open-government and community-based organisations in sustaining anti-corruption efforts in the continent, drawing from Follow The Money initiative. Specifically, I will provide insights into our methodology; its impacts, challenges and prospects for mainstreaming transparency and accountability in government systems as it affects public spending on service delivery in rural grassroots communities. I uphold that actualising the AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a farce without arresting or tackling corruption, frontally.
“Young people must not lose hope in African institutions and public processes. For us, recognising the power of citizens in Africa’s democratic future, citizens must be empowered to stay engaged and active. Founded in 2012, Follow The Money had mobilised and empowered millions of Africans, especially in the grassroots, on holding public/elected officials accountable and answerable. Holding a base in Nigeria, the movement runs dynamic chapters in The Gambia and Kenya (East Africa); implementing life-transforming campaigns across rural communities in the continent. Notable amongst our successful campaigns include #SaveBagega: remediation (environmental clean-up) of the lead poisoned Bagega – a population of about 7,535 where 1,500 children where victims of lead poisoning and who needed urgent medical intervention in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria. In total, we have tracked public expenditures to the tune of over N50 billion ($164 million) in the last six years.”
Leading a strong anti-corruption civic organisation in the continent and deepening debates for institutional reforms, CODE made presentations at the regional anti-corruption conferences in East Africa represented by Ms Eve Nicole, Follow The Money Kenya Lead; and West Africa by Marr Nyang, who leads Follow The Money in The Gambia.
The Dialogue brings Heads of State and government representatives, civil society groups, the media together. It will be officiated by Dr. Mogkweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana; Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia; Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia; and Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, former Finance Minister of Nigeria and Chair, African Risk Capacity.
Other dignitaries confirmed to speak include Prime Minister of Lesotho, Motsoahae Thomas Thabane; President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Mokgweetsi Masisi, President Hage Geingob of Namibia and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, among other incumbent and former Heads of Government.
It has been a rather long and rough road for the Climate Change Bill in Nigeria as it seems yet to reach Mr President’s desk for assent even after scaling the first, second and third readings at the Senate, following passage by the House of Representative in November 2017.
Samuel Onuigbo, Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change
The Climate Change Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for mainstreaming of climate change responses and actions into government policy formulation and implementation. The bill also proposed the establishment of a council to coordinate climate change governance as well as support the adaptation and mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change in the country.
Responding to comments during a panel session at the 11th Annual National Environment Congress by Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) in Port Harcourt, the Clerk/Deputy Director of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Mr. Anthony Azubuike, explained the reason for the prolonged delay in getting the bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
“As you may know, the bill has passed the first, second and third readings, and was set to be forwarded to the President for assent. However, the legal department discovered some clauses, about five of them, that posed a challenge. Hence, the bill was returned to the two chambers for review. Then, the annual recess by the legislative arm of government further prolonged the processes. Right now, the corrections have been made and the bill is on its way to the President’s desk for assent.”
Commending the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change, Mr. Azubuike called on interested parties to display a stronger participation in such process in the future. He further stressed that it is never enough to have a bill in the House but concerned parties must continually lobby and advocate until it is assented to.
The theme of the National Environment Congress by the Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN), held from November 27 to 28, 2018, was tagged “Post-Extractivism: Energy Transition for National Development.” It brought key players together to discuss the way forward for energy transition.
The Netherland Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Robert Petri, has urged the Federal Government to immediately commence the cleanup exercise of Ogoniland before the 2019 general elections.
Netherland Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Robert Petri (right), with Dr Marvin Dekil, Project Coordinator of HYPREP
Petri made the call on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 during a fact-finding mission to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said immediate action on the cleanup would send a strong signal to the world that the Nigerian government was serious with remediation of oil impacted Ogoni communities.
He said: “Things are really happening in Ogoni cleanup, but they are brightly not visible. Government should ensure the independence of HYPREP.
“It is extremely an important project that we hope will commence proper before the elections starts. The whole world is watching.”
The ambassador said the cleanup exercise was the largest oil remediation project carried out in a single country.
“This is a large project; that is even the largest clean-up in the whole world. Nigeria is making history with this project which will set example worldwide.
“Though HYPREP’s emphasis on community engagement is commendable, but the problem here is that things take a long time to start. HYPREP should keep engaging the people,” he urged.
Responding, Dr Marvin Dekil, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, said the agency was ready to commence the cleanup of oil impacted Ogoni communities.
He said the agency had recently concluded its screening exercise that ended in selection of 21 companies to handle the project.
He said: “The 21 companies have been cleared and are ready to be mobilised to site to commence the clean up. The companies scaled through the entire procurement process.
“Also, HYPREP has completed community; technical preparations and compliance to all procurement acts. HYPREP has not imposed anything on the area of livelihood in the communities.”
The Federal Government had, on April 28 reiterated its commitment to the cleanup project.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had said at a brief ceremony during which the Ogoni Trust Fund escrow agreement was signed at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the present administration would ensure the project was transparent.
“The signing of the escrow agreement is one that shows clearly that not only are we committed to ensuring that the cleanup is done, but also that we are committed to ensuring that it is done transparently,” Osinbajo said.
Groups participating in the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) 11th National Environmental Congress (NEC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have advocated a shift from fossil fuels to life after oil built on renewable energy.
Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN)
The NEC, which had “Post Extractivism: Energy Democracy for National Development” as its theme, brought together representatives of civil society, community groups, labour unions, government officials, the academia, and the media among others, crirticised the Nigerian government’s seeming slow march towards a post-oil economy and warned that the nation might be left behind if concrete commitments to transit are not made. It held from November 27 to 28, 2018
The keynote address by foremost activist and lecturer at the Lagos State University, Sylvester Odion Akhaine, on the theme of the congress examined Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels and the nature of alternatives in the post-extractivism era and provided an actionable roadmap to alternatives in renewable energy sources.
ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, in his welcome words titled “Energy Democracy for Nigeria is Possible”, explained that fossil fuels are dirty, expensive and kills Nigerians almost on a daily basis.
Ojo explained that the dead are victims of the country’s lack of foresight and fossil fuels dependency.
Excerpts for his speech:
About two months ago, over 50 persons – men, women, children, people like you and me – were incinerated in a pipeline inferno in Aba, Abia State, caused by a leaking pipeline belonging to the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC). Since the Jesse disaster where over 1,000 persons were roasted due to pipeline rupture in 1999 to the recent Azuzuama tragedy in 2015 where 11 persons were burnt to ashes beyond recognition from a malfunctioning oil facility, several other gory tales of such incidents have become part of our daily lives. We have been witnesses of the gory pictures that emanated from explosions from the ill-maintained and leaking pipes in many parts of the Niger Delta even leading up to Abule Egba and Ijegun in Lagos and Arepo in Ogun State.
Aside the violence and death, the monumental environmental degradation arising from poor environmental governance by the Nigeria government and the international oil companies are catastrophic with irreversible consequences. For example, the government continues to pay lip service to the clean-up of the Niger Delta and the Ogoni clean-up that have become electioneering campaign gimmicks and deception.
It is exactly because of the need to save our people from these kinds of mishaps and the opportunities that a post-oil economy promises that the ERA/FoEN has been in the vanguard of campaigns for a just energy transition.
Therefore, this NEC has brought people from far and near – local communities, the civil society community, government officials, academicians, lawyers, environmentalists, experts and every single person here to discuss this issue and jointly present a common front and raise a common voice demanding for a just energy revolution.
To address the carbon emissions released into the atmosphere that is leading to global earth temperature rise, global warming, extreme weather conditions and catastrophic events there is the need for transition from dirty energy to renewable energies such as solar, wind, and fuel efficient cookstoves to promote energy access for all in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 7.
Despite the quantum leap in the developed economies, globally, more than 1.6 billion people have no access to electricity and about 2.4 billion depend solely on fuel wood. This is particularly true in Africa and in Nigeria, where rising energy demand is the cause of increasing violent resource conflicts at the sites of extraction. Nigeria is nowhere near meeting its nationally determined commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. About 70 percent of our population depends solely on fuel wood for energy, representing one of the world’s highest deforestation rate at 3.5 percent annually.
While we have been consistent in advocating that Africa and Nigeria join the renewable energy revolution sweeping across the globe, we cannot overlook the fact that a new form of energy colonialism seems to have emerged. Nigeria and less industralised countries stand the risk of energy colonialism if renewable technologies remain the exclusive reserve for industrialised nations. Indeed, Nigeria and the entire African continent have become dumping ground for fake and substandard alternative energy products from the developed world.
At the policy level, our energy policies are still deficient, lack focus and devoid of community perspectives. They have instead, opened opportunities for private investors in energy systems who are more interested in profits than bridging energy deficits. Persistence in fossil fuel dependency is the result of billions of Naira expended for generator and diesel for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the federal level which is replicated at the state and local levels of governance.
Energy colonialism is killing the Nigeria economy. Access to green technologies is constrained by the problem of affordability and adequacy. Although removing the high tariffs for zero tariffs will help improve renewable energy availability and accessibility, we advocate for energy democracy that is decentralized, people driven and socially controlled such that citizens become energy producers as well as end users from mini-grids, and non-grid systems that are less capital intensive. To promote this, a percentage of the national budget should be dedicated to renewable energy research and development. All public finance, loans and subsidies being channeled to fossil fuel explorations should be halted immediately and the funds invested in renewable energy to promote greater energy access for the over 170 million people in Nigeria.
To reinterate, energy colonialism should not lead to the dumping of petrol and diesel engines and cars from industralised nations to Africa in the name of providing development aid and energy for the poor. This Coalition warn against attempts to make Nigeria a dumping ground for such obsolete cars and machines. We call for a ban on generator sets in all MDAs at the federal, state and local government levels.
Lastly, energy colonialism can be avoided if the Nigeria government adopts a deliberate policy of energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. We call on Nigeria and Africa governments to adopt a deliberate policy for energy democracy and transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy.
Colleagues, friends, there is life after oil. It is to this challenge of energy emancipation and transition that you have been called upon to provide practicable ways to nudge us on the path of safe, clean and sustainable energy that will guarantee a bright future.
Community, power, and leave the oil in the soil is now. Leave the oil in the soil. There is life after oil.
The 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the moment for governments to reckon with the reality of climate change, coming as it does two months after the IPCC report on 1.5C, the Climate Action Network (CAN) has said.
Jens Mattias Clausen of Greenpeace Nordic
The disclosure was made as CAN briefed media executives on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 ahead of COP24, which commences in Katowice, Poland, on December 2.
Last week, nearly 40 world leaders and international representatives called for stronger climate ambition and faster action at the Climate Vulnerable Forum Virtual Summit.
Jens Mattias Clausen of Greenpeace Nordic, a member of CAN, highlighted the urgency for action citing the findings from the latest UNEP Emissions Gap Report and the US National Climate Assessment report which add to the alarm bells from the IPCC report calling for rapid and far-reaching actions.
Clausen said halving emissions by 2030 is achievable but politicians need to listen to their own citizens as the cries for action are getting louder and louder. According to him, non-state actors may not make decisions on a national level but must strive to be as influential as possible in guiding the discussions to a successful conclusion.
“We need to understand that what we can expect on ambition here is not the actual new targets, but the commitment to make some,” he said.
Priorities identified for this COP24 include:
Adoption of a fair and robust Paris rule book that ope rationalises the Paris Agreement,
Commitment to enhance NDCs by 2020 that move the needle to bridging the emissions gap, and
Climate finance that is predictable, sufficient and transparent to deliver $100 billion by 2020
Camilla Born of E3G said the Paris Rulebook would absorb most of the negotiator capacity in Katowice. She said the COP would focus on the international components such as the rulebook, global climate finance, a definitive timeline and support for countries with reduced capacity to adapt to climate change. This may turn out to be a “low profile COP with potentially high impact outcomes,” she noted.
“It is a complicated COP with a huge amount of expectation on governments to do more on climate action. This multilateral space is an important place where the governments are coming good on climate action,” she added.
Fernanda Carvalho of WWF International called for an outcome with raised ambition, which pushes for national leaders to engage in NDC discussions ahead of 2020. She also described the 2019 UNSG Summit as another opportunity for countries to develop their commitments.
“We are on a pathway for global warming of 3 degrees or more, and we need to stay below warming of 1.5C degrees to avoid dangerous global warming for the world, for people, and for nature,” adding:
“We are waiting on a political response to all the evidence that has been presented and all the momentum that has been created.
“There is momentum, there is interest of many actors, there is evidence of the lacking political will and commitment. Besides the package of rules… we want to see recognition of these political commitments. We believe this is a moment where these commitments should be renewed. The form to renew that is a decision on ambition.”
