The Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi.has said N igeria is going to COP31 with a determination to move from commitment to implementation.
Majekodunmi stated this at a Press briefing held on Thursday in Abuja ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP31 – in Antalya, Türkiye.
She said COP31 is particularly significant because it is being framed around implementation,so for Nigeria, it is an important distinction.
She states:”We are not going to COP simply to make commitments. We are going to demonstrate how commitments can translate into implementation, investment and tangible development outcomes.
“Our message at COP31 will therefore be clear: Nigeria is ready to move from commitment to implementation. We are taking the need to build the institutional capacity, policy certainty, project pipelines and partnerships required to turn climate ambition into action.
“Nigeria’s opportunity at COP31 is therefore not only to speak about what we need, but also to showcase what Nigeria is building and where investors and development partners can participate. We want COP31 to be a platform for partnerships, investment and follow-through.” She noted.
We have built capacity of Negotiators
Majekodunmi however said for effective participation at COP Nigeria has prepared her negotiators adding the it just held the Pre-COP31 briefing and Negotiators’ Capacity-Building Workshop, which covered critical areas including the multilateral negotiating tracks, the Türkiye-Australia Presidency priorities, implementation of Nigeria’s climate action plans.
She noted that the preparation of the negotiators have been very necessary because climate negotiations are not a ceremonial exercise.Hence, a country that negotiates well captures resources, protects its interests and shapes outcomes.
“Our negotiators have also been working to identify Nigeria’s starting points, landing zones and red lines – because we must enter negotiations knowing clearly what we want to achieve and where our national interests lie.”She said.
What Nigeria will achieve at COP31
“First, we want stronger access to climate finance and a more effective pathway for converting global climate finance commitments into deployable capital for developing countries.”
“Second, we want to attract investment into Nigeria’s climate and energy-transition opportunities.”
“Third, we want to advance a just and economically beneficial transition that recognises our development and energy-access realities.”
“Fourth, we want to strengthen opportunities around carbon markets, Article 6 and other mechanisms that can mobilise capital for climate action while maintaining environmental integrity.”
“Fifth, we want to promote green industrialisation, value addition and economic diversification, including opportunities around critical minerals and emerging green value chains.”
Nigerias Climate transition will be measured by jobs created
The Director General said Nigeria’s climate transition will not be measured only in tonnes of carbon avoided but measured in jobs created, businesses built and incomes improved.
She said: “Our Energy Transition Plan estimates around 340,000 net new jobs by 2030, rising to 840,000 by 2060, concentrated in power, cooking and transport. An important agenda under his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda. These numbers are important because they remind us that climate action is not simply an environmental agenda. It is an economic opportunity.
“We want to see Nigerian businesses participate. We want investors to see Nigeria as a destination for climate-aligned capital. We want young Nigerians to see opportunities in the emerging green economy. And we want communities to experience the benefits of the transition.”
Training of Reporters key to breakdown complex climate change information
Majekundumi said because the media plays an indispensable role in translating what can sometimes be complex climate negotiations and policies into information that Nigerians can understand and engage with, there was need for the training and retraining or reporters covering environment.Hence,the launching of the NCCC Annual Media Training Programme.
“This programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report climate change with greater depth, accuracy and context – covering not only emissions and environmental impacts, but also climate finance, energy transition, carbon markets, adaptation, green industrialisation, jobs and investment.” She said.
The Special Assistant to the President on climate change matters,Mr Yussuf Kelani said the need for building media capacity in reporting climate change matters is very key to drive the conversation to the rural communities.
He said: ” Every year we go to COP and hear some very funny narratives.We actually need a trained media to put it right.To do that, you have to be on the same page with us on what we are doing and your reporting will be apt and precise.
“Another thing is breaking down the language of climate change to the people and the local community so they understand what we are speaking because most of the time,the English we speak around climate change might be difficult.
“I know this training is very important and I know that at some time,it may lead to breaking it to local languages.
” Climate change do not know political party, race,colour, ethnic group or language.Its one particular thing that affects people everywhere.So,we need everyone to understand this And to achieve this,the media is very key in doing that.So.assist us in doing this.” Kelani said.
