On the 8th of August 2023 in Abuja, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) held a conference with theme: 'Unpacking the outcomes of the 58 sessions of the subsidiary bodies (SB58) of the UN framework convention on climate change'. The parley assessed Nigeria's preparedness for CoP 28 and how much progress has been made since CoP 27. Please see my relevant Blog post: dayokusa.blogspot.com/2023/01/cop-27-priorities-for-nigeria-towards.html... I was a valued participant at the meeting.
Some of the participants are:
*Dr. Salisu Dahiru - DG NCCC
*Xolisa Joseph Ngwdla - South African academic/Lead paper presenter
*David Greene - Charge d'Affairs ad interim/US Ambassador to Nigeria
*Richard Montgomery - British High Commissioner to Nigeria
*Mohammed Yahya - Resident Representative UNDP
*Markus Wagner - GIZ Country Director for Nigeria & ECOWAS
*Lazarus Angbazo - CEO InfraCorp
*Aminu Sadiq - MD Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)
*Ahmad Salihijo - MD, Rural Electricity Agency (REA)
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist
*Ms. Priscilla Achakpa - Global Lead Women Environmental Programme (WEP)
The lead paper by Xolisa Joseph Ngwdla focused on the 'Overview of the negotiations in the African context & outcomes of COP 27/SB58.' He discussed mitigation, adaptation, finance and cross-cutting issues in relation to climate change (CC). He was particularly interested in sustainable pathways to net zero emissions. Xolisa admonished Nigeria to be mindful of the lens through which she achieves development in CC. Loss and damage was another contentious issue. The cross-cutting issues addressed were global stock-taking, international cooperation initiatives, just transition work, indebtedness, criteria for aiding African countries towards adaptation, etc
In my submission I was worried about the concept of loss & damage as it affects Africa, especially Nigeria. Besides, I challenged NCCC to include more women, youth, PWDs and other vulnerable groups in the adaptation process/agenda. For me harnessing indigenous knowledge (IK) is germane for effective adaptation in any clime.
Dr. Salisu Dahiru emphatically said that the 'financial page' was of utmost importance and that Nigeria needs to figure out exactly what it would cost to sustainably adapt to CC in the country. This may help the country attract the necessary help from the relevant sources globally. We should always remember that adaptive capacity is a function of development. For example, Nigeria lost about $7b in one rainy season. What does that tell us? CC is perpetrating significant damage in our clime...He also presented salient points in the National CC Act. The Act was signed into law in 2021.
The panel discussion was concerned about in-country platforms that could be catalytic for CC mitigation and adaptation. If these platforms are effectively harnessed, we may be able to shift forward the 2030 deadline we have set for ourselves to adapt to CC. The Energy Transition Plan (ETP) needs to be continually interrogated. The role of the media in the dissemination of vital information about CC cannot be overemphasised.
The youth are desirous of 'green skills' for the post-adaptation era. The Action Plan on Gender & CC was alluded to. In agriculture, for example, there are initiatives to reduce emissions from paddy rice production. Environmental/human health was another burning issue. NCCC was advised to carry sub-nationals along in all they do.
On the whole, there was fruitful discussion. I look forward to the next pre-CoP 28 parley sometime in October 2023...
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