Ahead of the December 2015 Paris climate conference where 196 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to sign a binding agreement with legal force, West Africa may have taken the lead in preparing its negotiators and critical stakeholders for the all-important conference.
Abidjan, Ivory Coast …venue of the conference. Photo credit: africa-pictures.blogspot.com
The preparatory workshop, which held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from the 7th to the 9th of May 2015, had participants drawn from sub-regional and national authorities, intergovernmental organisations, civil society, indigenous peoples and the private sector.
Organised under the sub-regional auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in collaboration with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the meeting attempted to comprehensively review the draft text of the new agreement with a view to demystifying the economic and technical issues involved in the negotiations as well unpack the geo-political implications for the sub-region.
“In addition to identifying common positions to be defended by Africa and more particularly West Africa at the forthcoming meetings in Bonn and Paris, this workshop evolved a strategy that will deliver a better deal for West Africa come December 2015,” said Bougonou Djeri-Alassani of the Environment Directorate of ECOWAS Commission.
Beyond strengthening the respective capacities of West African Negotiators, the workshop also assessed past negotiation sessions and chart a new course that recognises the sub-region’s peculiarities and vulnerabilities.
“The thrust of our negotiations must reflect West African priorities which include adaptation, mitigation, food security and increased climate resilience,” Medane Lecrome of CILSS added.
Speaking on behalf of the West African civil society at the workshop, Rev Tolbert Jallah of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) commended the organisers of the workshop for recognising the civil society as credible partners in the build-up to the Paris conference. He however warned that the battle for a fair, equitable climate deal for Africa is far from being won as “pitfalls and technical landmines have been effectively planted in the draft text to derail the process.”
“This recognition should be laced with opportunities that will unleash the full strength of the African civil society on the COP process,” Rev Jallah added, pointing out that 2015 is a crucial year for international climate change negotiations.
Since 1992, parties have come together under the UNFCCC to negotiate and formulate international climate policies that are then implemented nationally. The policies are meant to keep greenhouse gas emissions in check so that its impacts on the environment and people’s lives are minimal. However, over the years, the state of the climate has gotten worse and its impacts are felt throughout the world.
The meeting in Paris in December this year is supposed to produce a legally binding agreement to keep greenhouse gasses in check, help developing countries cope better and to ensure adequate financial and technical assistance.
There is every likelihood that the negotiating text for a new climate change agreement, already circulated among Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will be changed in the final moments of the 2015 Paris climate conference.
Seyni Nafo. spokesperson of the Africa Group of Negotiators. Photo credit: journaldumali.com
Leading members of the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) made this known at the weekend in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire at the Preparatory Workshop for the Paris climate summit organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in collaboration with the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA) and the Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (SILS).
Reviewing the legal aspects of the negotiating text, Prof. Seth Osafo urged Africa to be “focused and be ready to push a common position irrespective of what may come up in Paris.”
“With the negotiating text likely to change, Africa must begin to identify allies and other groupings like the G77 to advance their common interests as the developed countries would take advantage of differences and divisions among developing countries,” Prof Osafo added.
In the same wavelength of caution, Seyni Nafo, spokesperson of the African Group of Negotiators, enjoined all stakeholders in Africa to begin “early preparations and deepen their capacity to absorb shocks and overcome technical pitfalls as the road to Paris gathers momentum.”
Rev Tolbert Jallah of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) towed similar line and called for “a workable Plan B for Africa that will harness African civil society’s capacity to drum up popular support for common African position while performing its naming and shaming function.”
It will be recalled that the secretariat of the UNFCCC communicated the negotiating text for a new climate change agreement to governments in all six official UN languages on the 19th of March 2015.
This was done in fulfilment of formal legal and procedural requirements to allow countries to adopt a legal instrument under the UNFCCC.
Governments are set to agree a global climate change agreement in Paris, in December, which will come into effect in 2020. As part of the agreement, every country is expected to contribute now and into the future, based on their national circumstances, to prevent global warming rising above 2 degrees Celsius and to adapt societies to existing and future climate change.
The negotiating text covers the substantive content of the new agreement including mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology, capacity building, and transparency of action and support.
Next steps in climate negotiations
2015 will see continued, intense negotiations towards the Paris climate change agreement. Formal negotiations will continue on the basis of the negotiating text at the next UN climate change meeting in Bonn from 1 to 11 June.
“The Bonn meeting will be a key opportunity for countries to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to come to an early resolution of the outstanding issues and to seek common ground on unresolved issues,” said Ms. Christiana Figueres, who heads the Bonn, Germany-based UNFCCC.
Further sessions during which countries will have the opportunity to converge on and resolve issues in advance of the Paris conference have been scheduled in Bonn, from 31 August to 4 September and from 19 to 23 October 2015.
Additionally, ministerial-level meetings throughout the year will include climate change on their agenda and contribute to convergence on the key political choices.
These include the Major Economies Forum, with up to four sessions tentatively scheduled this year: the Petersburg Climate Dialogue (17 to 19 May), and upcoming G7 and G20 meetings.
The European Union (EU) has been accused of pushing dangerous cleanup standards for three toxic flame retardant chemicals widely used in building insulation, upholstery and electronics (HBCD, PentaBDE, and OctaBDE). The allegation emerged Friday May 8, 2015 at the onging UN meeting of chemicals treaties in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to the claim, endorsed by Bjorn Beeler of IPEN, Leslie Adogame of SRADev Nigeria and Jindrich Petrlik of Arnika Association, all three toxic chemicals are listed in the Stockholm Convention for global elimination. They are ubiquitous in the environment globally and can disrupt human hormone systems, creating potential adverse effects on the development of the nervous system and children’s IQ.
Additionally, African countries expressed deep concern regarding the EU proposal to recycle products containing toxic flame retardants into new products such as children’s toys, food containers and soft furnishings.
“We do not want toxic chemicals recycled into toys for African children, particularly considering the present vulnerability of children in Nigeria to ongoing toxic dump, and we do not think EU children should be playing with them either,” said Leslie Adogame, SRADev Nigeria. “The EU already sends us ewaste and now it seems they want to increase our toxic burden.”
According to him, the EU proposal will allow toxic recycled products to be used by EU consumers, and then exported to developing countries as waste, transferring the toxic burden from richer countries to poor countries where the capacity to deal with contaminated waste is limited andwhere they will potentially addto health problems and hamper poverty reduction.
Ironically, the waste cleanup limit for PCBs and other substances already listed in the treaty is 20 times safer than the current EU proposal for flame retardants, despite the fact that they are all similarly toxic. Expert advisors to the EU noted that, under the EU proposal, none of the current PentaBDE wastes would qualify for cleanup. The EU appears to be designing a standard to avoid cleanup actions on the world’s most toxic chemicals.
Jindrich Petrlik from Arnika Association said, “As an EU-based public interest NGO we find it shameful to see the EU violating the integrity of the Stockholm Convention, and putting economic interests before human health and the environment. This is poisoning the circular economy.”
There has been no new case of polio virus in Nigeria since the last one was reported in July 2014.
But even as the country is making progress towards eradicating the disease, those crippled by the virus will have to deal with the challenges for life.
Afghanistan on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland became the latest Party to the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are toxic to humans and wildlife. The Asian nation is the 179th.
COP 7 President Johanna Lissinger Peitz. Photo credit: iisd.ca
In implementing the Convention, which entered into force May 17th 2004, governments will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.
At the Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP 7) to the Stockholm Convention holding in the Swiss capital, COP President Johanna Lissinger Peitz formally welcomed Afghanistan, even as the gathering deliberated on numerous issues. In plenary, the COP sought to address matters related to implementation of the convention, including the listing of chemicals in Annex A, B or C, and measures to reduce or eliminate releases from intentional production and use.
Contact groups also met throughout the day to address issues including technical assistance and financial resources; technical matters; listing of chemicals; budget; RC non-compliance; and cooperation and coordination.
On implementing the convention for instance, the Secretariat introduced the documents, noting that the POPRC recommended that the COP consider listing chlorinated naphthalenes (CNs), hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts and esters.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports on its cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development on endocrine disrupting chemicals and suggested that endocrine disruption be added to the POPs screening criteria.
The African Group, GRULAC (Latin American and Caribbean Group), Belarus, New Zealand, Pakistan, Mexico, Thailand, Norway, Australia, Canada, the Cook Islands, Serbia, Georgia and Panama supported the POPRC’s recommendations. India opposed listing any of the chemicals. The Russian Federation opposed listing CNs.
The Republic of Korea, the EU and Switzerland preferred no exemptions for PCP. Oman requested a five-year exemption for some uses of HCBD. China said it is open to the recommendations but expressed concerns about the benefits of listing CNs and HCBD in Annex C and, with Thailand and GRULAC, noted the need for financial and technical assistance to meet obligations arising from new listings.
IPEN supported listing all three chemicals, underscoring the adverse health effects of PCP, including contamination of soils and groundwater, and called for listing it in Annex A without exemptions. The Inuit Circumpolar Council underscored specific challenges faced by Arctic indigenous peoples. The US described actions it has taken to reduce PCP.
Delegates agreed to establish a contact group to discuss listing all three chemicals, with David Kapindula (Zambia) and Björn Hansen (EU) as Co-Chairs.
Essentially, the Stockholm Convention focuses on eliminating or reducing releases of 12 POPs, the so-called “Dirty Dozen“, setting up a system for tackling additional chemicals identified as unacceptably hazardous.
Palm oil conglomerate ordered to halt expansion of operations following multiple violations of RSPO standards
Palm oil plantation in Kalimantan. Photo credit: greenpeace.org
The Complaints Panel of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has upheld the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) in its complaint against Golden Agri Resources, which was seeking to expand 18 of its operations in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world.
After concluding that it has ‘reasonable grounds’ to conclude that the company is in violation of several RSPO norms, the latest ‘determination’ by the Panel notes: “The Panel hereby prohibits GAR from acquiring or developing any new areas until this complaint has been dealt with to the satisfaction of the Complaints Panel.”
Repeated field surveys by FPP with local partner, LinkAR-Borneo, show that the company has sluggishly responded, after the NGOs had repeatedly raised concerns first with the company and then the RSPO. The NGOs found that the company had filed to expand its operations after it had taken land without proper consent, had not completed required High Conservation Value assessments and was of questionable legality.
The Complaints Panel rules that: “GAR must also take remedial steps to correct any shortcomings in its land acquisition process with the affected communities… and insists that GAR must honor its commitment to allocate 20 % of the land for the smallholders as it has promised to do…”
Agus Sutomo Executive Director of Pontianak-based LinkAR Borneo says: “We need the Government to take note of this decision. Chaotic law enforcement and handing out permits for oil palm plantations on indigenous peoples’ lands without even informing them in advance is bad for people, bad for forests and bad for Indonesia.”
In past years NGOs have expressed growing dismay that the RSPO was failing to enforce its standards and turning a blind eye to multiple violations.
“We hope this decision will now persuade GAR/SMART that it has to renegotiate with communities where it has taken over their lands without their informed consent,” says Marcus Colchester, Senior Policy Advisor of the Forest Peoples Programme. “We are greatly encouraged that the RSPO is upholding its standard. We need to eliminate all land-grabbing from the RSPO-endorsed supply chain.”
Entries are now open under the 2015 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) in Nigeria for students aged between 15 and 20 years of age in public and private secondary schools throughout the country. They will close on 31st May, 2015.
Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Svante Kilander (left); Executive Director, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, Dr Olusanya Bamgboye (middle); and PAVE programme manager, Temiloluwa Ogunniyi …at the launch
This disclosure was made recently in Abuja by officials of the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) during the official launch of the SJWP-Nigeria, which will hold yearly courtesy of PAVE and the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria.
The PAVE programme manager, Temiloluwa Ogunniyi, while thanking the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Svante Kilander, and the Swedish Embassy for hosting the event, underscored the SJWP’s importance.
His words: “The SJWP is more than just a competition; it is also a major event that has a long-term human and environmental impact while demonstrating a strong commitment to using the innovative and creative power of the youths to address one of the world’s most urgent issues – the growing water crisis. The idea is a joint global effort to save the world from the looming water crisis.”
Recently, PAVE signed an Agreement of Cooperation with the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) in Sweden as the National Organiser in Nigeria for the SJWP for the period 2015-2017.
“We are collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through the technical partnership of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna for project evaluation. Among the judging criteria includes Relevance, Creative ability, Methodology, Subject Knowledge, Practical skills and Report and Presentation,” disclosed Ogunniyi, who represented the PAVE president, Anthony Akpan.
PAVE’s responsibility under the agreement includes: to organise each year starting 2015 a national Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Nigeria (SJWP-Nigeria); to finance the national competition through the engagement of sponsors; and to select students to represent the winning project in the International Final in Stockholm.
Other responsibilities of the organisation include: to pay for the finalist travelling and accompany them to the International Final in Stockholm; to appoint a National Jury; and to inform SIWI about members of the National Jury.
“In the context of financing the national competition through the engagements of sponsors, we call on public and private corporate organisations and philanthropic individuals to partner with us as sponsors,” declared Ogunniyi.
According to him, for 18 years, SJWP has congregated the world’s most imaginative young minds for an outstanding competition in the capital of Sweden, with the aim of encouraging their continued interest in water and sustainability issues.
He added: “Each year, thousands of participants in over 30 countries all around the globe join national competitions in hopes of earning the chance to represent their nation at the international final held during the World Water Week in Stockholm.
“The national and international competitions are open to young people between the ages of 15 and 20 who have conducted water-related projects of proven environmental, scientific, social or technological significance. The projects range from local or regional to national or global topics.
“The winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize receives a USD 15,000 award, a blue crystal prize sculpture, a diploma as well as the stay in Stockholm. H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
“Finalists from the participating countries are invited to Stockholm for five consecutive days where they actively take part in the global conference through a variety of activities. Inside the World Water Week conference venue, a poster exhibition of all student projects will give the finalists an opportunity to discuss their projects with the wide range of conference attendees, including researchers, politicians and media. Each of the finalists is further interviewed by a jury of international experts, who decide on the winner announced at the prize ceremony.
“During their time in Stockholm, the winners of the national competitions get the opportunity to meet and learn from the present leaders of the global water community, and get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to receive the international prize during an exciting award ceremony. The students also make life-long friendships with international compatriots who share a passion for water and science.”
PAVE is a Lagos-based non-profit, non-political and non-governmental organisation established with the aim of promoting sustainable development through research, documentation, policy dialogues, workshops, advocacy and consultancy services.
It deals with development issues in their environmental and socio-economic aspects with emphasis on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets regarding water and sanitation and other related human settlement issues including Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate change and Clean Energy promotion.
Nigeria formally commenced the preparation of its climate action plan, tagged Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 in Abuja when a host of stakeholders brainstormed all day long.
Left to Right: Aniefon Akpabio of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Bennett Agube of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Prof Emmanuel Olukayode Oladipo (Member, National Committee for COP 21), Ambassador Martins Uhomorbhi (Co-chair, National Committee for COP 21), Mrs L. Braide (Director, Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Environment), Dr Samuel Adejuwon (Director, Department of Climate Change, FME), Muyiwa Odele (representing Dr Pa Lamin Beyai, the UNDP Country Director) and Ifeanyi Nnodim of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET)… at the Stakeholders Technical Workshop on the Development of Nigeria’s INDCs, in Abuja on Wednesday, April 29, 2015
The INDCs is a requirement to be submitted by all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a major component of the climate change treaty to be adopted in Paris, France later in the year.
Nigeria’s INDCs, just like those of other nations, are to be communicated well in advance of the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC to be held in December in Paris. A number of nations have already submitted theirs, including Gabon, making it the first African country to do so.
But Nigeria set the ball rolling last week at a day-long project initiation workshop, where Mrs Nana Fatima Mede, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, reaffirmed the need to set up processes and procedural approaches of estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for developing the INDCs documents as an uncompromising priority for Nigeria. To this end, she pointed out, the Ministry through the Department of Climate Change (DCC) is committed to ensuring its commitment to the UNFCCC.
Addressing the participants, she stressed: “As technicians participating in this endeavour, your undivided cooperation is required in developing this national document. Provision of data and information and your participation in the whole process of development of the document will make the product a national document containing national contribution and related concerns and interest.”
While commending the “unflinching support of the UNDP in the ministry’s activities and specifically for financial support towards development of the INDCs,” the perm sec noted that participants’ contributions would go a long way in moving the nation’s effort towards achieving the objectives of the UNFCCC.
Dr Pa Lamin Beyai, the UNDP Country Director, told participants (comprising civil society organisations, NGOs, academia, media, grassroots organisations, private sector players and MDAs) that their presence “is not only crucial but is the major building block in a series of steps towards developing an all-inclusive and realistic INDCs for Nigeria.”
According to him, the UNDP is counting on the stakeholders’ collective experiences and knowledge in identifying:
Unique national circumstances, capacities and capabilities which affect the INDCs process;
Existing initiatives and mechanisms under the UNFCCC that can contribute to the formulations of INDCs;
Opportunities for linkages/alignment with existing national development priorities; and,
Key sectors to be prioritised.
He said: “The UNDP, within its framework of partnership with the DCC, has been providing support aimed at promoting informed national actions on climate change towards sustainable development. Our support is to assist Nigeria in meeting its obligations towards UNFCCC thorough the preparation and submission of its INDCs and to strengthen national capacities for integrating environmental and energy concerns into development plans at all levels.
“Knowing fully well that national GHG inventories are a critical starting place for preparing the INDCs, it is noteworthy that the entire process would benefit immensely from national capacities developed with UNDP’s support during the preparation of the First and Second National Communications to UNFCCC. Coincidentally this would set the tone for the preparation of the Third National Communications.”
In a presentation titled: “Relevance of Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) in the Global Climate Change Framework: Nigeria Readiness,” Dr Samuel Jare Adejuwon, Director in the DCC, declared that the INDCs would largely determine whether the world achieves an ambitious 2015 agreement and is put on a path towards a low carbon, climate-resilient future.
He pointed out however that the climate action plan should reflect diversity of national circumstances while recognising varying capacities and capabilities.
“While national priorities will determine contribution types and scope, it is Important to secure a political mandate with clear goals, timeline and defined roles and responsibilities. It should be linked to development plans, be fair, equitable and transparent. INDCs link climate change to other national priorities such as sustainable development and poverty reduction,” said Nigeria’s climate chief.
Adejuwon added that, apart from the initiation workshop, other steps to be taken for the INDCs preparation include:
Training of selected experts on INDC (GHG inventory and mitigation experts);
Collection, analysis of information (data collection and analysis) and preparation of draft INDC through consultancy;
Peer review of draft INDC;
Stakeholders validation meeting;
Presentation at the Federal Executive Council and FEC approval;
Communication to COP through the UNFCCC Secretariat; and,
Publication and dissemination of the document.
In conclusion, Adejuwon submitted: “A well-designed INDCs will signal to the world that the country is doing its part to combat climate change and limit future climate risks. Countries should follow a transparent process when preparing their INDCs in order to build trust and accountability with domestic and international stakeholders.
“A good INDC should be ambitious, leading to transformation in carbon-intensive sectors and industry. A good INDC must be transparent so that stakeholders can track progress and ensue countries meet their stated goals. A good INDC must be equitable so that each country does its fair share to address climate change. All these must be taken into consideration while developing Nigeria’s INDCs.”
Similarly, Peter Tarfa, Adejuwon’s deputy, while exploring options for designing an INDC, stated that INDCs can be framed either in terms of means or desired outcomes.
He said: “A Party could commit to implementing specific emissions-reduction actions, such as policies or mitigation actions like advancing a feed-in tariff for renewable energy technologies, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, or converting to no-tillage agricultural practices.
“Alternatively, a Party could commit to a certain outcome or result – for example, reducing emissions to a specific level (a greenhouse gas outcome) or generating a certain percentage of renewable energy or increasing energy efficiency to a certain level (both non-greenhouse gas outcomes). The variety of domestic situations each country faces in reducing emissions will drive a wide diversity of INDCs, ranging from emissions targets to energy targets to actions in particular sectors.”
Vulnerability is “the extent to which a natural or social system is susceptible to sustaining damage from climate change, and is a function of the magnitude of climate change, the sensitivity of the systems to changes in climate and the ability of the systems to adapt to changes in climate” (IPCC, 2001).
Prof. Emmanuel Olukayode Oladipo
Others have extended this idea by relating the concept to three overlapping properties: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Exposure refers to the extent of climate stress to which a particular unit or system is exposed. Sensitivity to climate change relates to how readily a particular system such as agriculture would react (usually negatively) to changes associated with climate. Adaptive capacity is a function of several parameters, which may be summarized under wealth, access to technology and infrastructures.
Nigeria’s economy and other sectors of development are very vulnerable to climate change. The 2014 World Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) published by the UK-based risk company, Maplecroft, classifies Nigeria as being of high risk. In terms of the relative vulnerability of Nigeria among the countries of the world, the analysis shows that the country is one of the ten most vulnerable countries in the world.
A recently nationally commissioned study used the Indicator Method, to determine the spatial changes in the vulnerability of Nigeria on geopolitical basis. The study focused on three principal determinants of vulnerability – adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. The indicators used in the study were a combinations of many variables ranging from physical (e.g. rainfall, temperature, changes in sea level, relief, soil conditions etc.) to socio-economic (e.g. education, assets, income, access to information, services and technology, poverty, etc.), and they were sufficiently broad in relevance to allow a meaningful assessment of vulnerability of different parts of the country to climate change. Vulnerability was defined as a function of potential impact less the adaptive capacity.
On geo-political zonal basis, the study shows that the north-eastern zone has the least adaptive capacity, followed by the north-western zone. The south-western sub-region has highest adaptive capacity, followed by the southeast. The pattern is a general reflection of both the geographical extent and level of socio-economic development of the country, and implies that special attention must be given to improving the factors of adaptive capacity in the north-eastern and north-western zones of the country.
On the spatial variation of the country’s sensitivity to climate change, the study shows that the north central has the lowest sensitivity, while the south-south has the highest. The relatively higher value of sensitivity in the north-western zone compared with the other two zones in the north is associated with presence of large human-made water bodies that are used for irrigation in the zone.
The relative exposure of the various parts of Nigeria to climate change shows that the southwest is the least exposed while the most exposed are the northeast and southeast zones. Clearly, exposure to the challenges of climate change is not a purely regional phenomenon in terms of north/south divide. Rather, it is a wholly national phenomenon, which implies that exposure factors should be addressed in the various parts of the country. For example, while rainfall decline and, therefore water supply, is an exposure issue in the northern part while land management to prevent water loss through infiltration is crucial in the south east.
The spatial content for the relative vulnerability of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria shows that there is a general south-north divide, but the south west is relatively the least vulnerable of the zones. The three zones in the north show higher vulnerability when compared with those in the south, a reflection of the higher rainfall and certain better socio-economic development in the south. The south-south shows highest relative variability of the three zones in the south, reflecting the challenges of coastal flooding and erosion as well as petroleum exploration and exploitation in that part of the country.
On the spatial pattern of vulnerabilities along the Nigerian coast, the report shows that the Niger delta region has the largest spread and depth of vulnerability of the country’s marine and coastal environment.
In summary, the southwest is relatively less vulnerable than most other parts of the country. On the other hand, the northeast is most vulnerable. Understanding these spatial vulnerabilities is crucial to analyzing climate change impact and putting in place adaptation actions imperative to shaping climate-resilient development in Nigeria, as well as determining the cost implication of tackling the crisis.
In general, the impacts of climate change in Nigeria will vary in extent, severity and intensity, but the exact degree still remains uncertain. Of course these impacts are not going to be felt overnight, and one could therefore argue that the structure of the economy will gradually change during the actual time period before the impacts are likely to be fully realized. Consequently, it is important to note that these potential impacts only serve as rough indications of what may likely happen if the current trends in temperature and rainfall changes persist, and if no adaptation and other adjustments take place. They serve as general guidelines for future policy directions and the imperative to take immediate action without waiting for the potential calamitous effects of climate change on the economy and livelihoods of the people to take place.
At the national level, a detailed and in-depth research into the vulnerability of Nigeria’s economy is yet to be undertaken. However, desk-reviewed evidences show that all sectors of Nigeria’s socio-economic development and the natural ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change. The impacts will vary in extent, severity and intensity, but the exact degree still remains uncertain. Some known impacts of climate change on various sectors of Nigeria’s economy and development will constitute part of future write ups on how to make Nigeria climate resilient for sustainable human development.
(People who are interested in additional technical details can read the report of the Federal Ministry of Environment), 2010: National Environmental, Economic and Development Study (NEEDS) for Climate Change in Nigeria. National Report Submitted to the UNFCCC in which the author is the major contributor, as well as IPCC 2001. Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, Cambridge University Press)
By Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo (Climate Change Specialist and Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Email: olukayode_oladipo@yahoo.co.uk)
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) on Friday, May 1st, 2015 officially released a publication aimed at enhancing country activities ahead of the much-vaunted COP 21 in Paris later in the year.
Titled: “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs): A Handbook for Practitioners,” the publication, says PACJA officials in a press statement, is vital as many countries are in the process of submitting or formulating their INDCs pledges. According to them, INDCs put forward by countries will form a key input to the negotiations leading towards the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Programmes Manager at PACJA, Samson Ogallah, stated: “The INDCs handbook also comes at a time when most countries missed the 31 March 2015 as encouraged by The Lima Call for Action. Only 35 countries, including the only African country Gabon, have formally submitted their INDCs to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Mexico, Norway, the Russian Federation, Switzerland and the United States are amongst countries that have already communicated their INDCs.
“A second implicit submission deadline has now been set for 01 October 2015, after which submissions are still allowed, but will not be included in the UNFCCC’s synthesis report, which will be made available to Parties in time for the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris, December 2015.”
He pointed out that the Alliance’s strategic role in influencing policy from the national to the regional and international level remains the driving force for its focus on INDCs.
“With over 50 African countries expected to submit their INDCs to the Secretariat of UNFCCC and the 15th Ordinary Session of AMCEN’s Decision in Cairo on INDCs, the role of African civil society in actively participating and contributing to the process from the national to the regional level cannot be over-emphasised.
“For African civil society, INDCs must be a total package that takes into account all the elements of adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity building and means of implementation. In a nutshell, for the continent and other developing countries, INDCs should include the international support needed as well as their proposed domestic actions for both mitigation and adaptation and also for loss and damage, in a way that reinforces an equitable global deal, and reflects the demands and needs of people,” Ogallah emphasised.
Founded in 2008 and with a membership of more than 1,000 organisations and networks across Africa, PACJA is a continental coalition of civil society organisations from diverse backgrounds in Africa. It aims at unifying and coordinating isolated civil society efforts on climate change advocacy in Africa, so as to ensure that pro-poor and people-centred response measures are given attention as governments in Africa seek to mainstream climate change into national poverty reduction and sustainable development strategies and actions.
