The Nigerian government has assured Nigerians of achieving Zero-Net emission in the near future, the Minister of Environment Mohammed Abdullahi has said.
He spoke just as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Mohammed Bello gave the assurance at the National Council on Environment in Abuja with the theme “Pursuit of Zero Emissions — A New Trajectory Towards Global Environmental Renaissance”
Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi in his speech said, “Our ambitious efforts towards zero emission are on course. We are promoting and embarking on climate-positive and nature-positive investments to enhance adaptive capacity and build resilience of the ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of the local communities and indigenous people.”
Speaking further he said, “We are persuaded by the reality of the imperatives to pursue a low carbon emission trajectory as an indispensable option to preserve the health of the planet as we journey to net zero emission.
“As part of efforts to ensure that the country meets its target of attaining net zero by 2060, the Act provides for the phenomenon of carbon budgeting which will be set in a five-yearly cycle with annual targets assigned to private and public entities, with the Council imbued with the powers to monitor and ensure that set budgets and targets are met as at when due.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello who was represented, Olusade Adrsola, while speaking said, “while we continue to plant trees and encourage residents to do same across the Territory:Our long-term Strategy is the use of electric vehicles for public transportation while we continue to sensitize residents on the need to protect the environment.”
Dr. Jean Bakale, Country Representative and Regional Director, UNIDO Regional office Hub. Represented by Osuji Otu, said that net-zero is the ambition of any country that wants to develop or develop more.
“Net zero emissions status has become the new ambition of every developed, developing and forward-thinking country in the world.”
Speaking further he said, Nigeria must not lag behind, and that the country must, “Developing and enforcing policies, regulatory and _ institutional frameworks, Promote clean technologies right from start-ups, circular economy, renewable energies, etc. Share Experience and knowledge of best practices with other countries, and Robust and effective environmental management advocacy and others,”
According to him, “UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization in developing countries and economies in transition.
“UNIDO’s activities are tailored towards developing industrial policies that are resource-efficient as well as protective of the natural environment and human health.”
“UNIDO is well positioned to support member states in identifying and addressing emerging environmental issues. Therefore, UNIDO will continue to provide technical support to Nigeria on achieving a net zero status through the promotion of: clean technology, renewable energies like small hydro power, circular economy and waste management, policy and regulatory framework development, energy efficiency, resource efficiency and cleaner production.”
“If any country including Nigeria must achieve sustainable industrial development, it must prioritise effective management of the environment.” He added
Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, during his presentation said, “our ambition of planting 5m trees a year to take the remaining carbon emitted is too small, we need to make it 25m trees annually, let’s keep the youths employed and busy
“We need to use academics to to add value to what the government is doing.”