The Minister of State for Environment,Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, has called for synergy between stakeholders and donor partners in mitigating the effects of climate change in the country.
IIkeazor made the call on Monday in Abuja at an inter-ministerial committee meeting on climate change.
The meeting was organised to discuss the implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributors approved energy transition plan and other related climate issues.
- Minister urges youths to use technology positively
- NIES: Petroleum Ministry honours 2019 – 2021 outstanding officials
The minister said that such synergy would enhance the ministry’s delivery of its mandate and the government’s commitments to averting environmental challenges.
“We must accelerate actions on ground with catalytic partnerships, frameworks, policies, and regulations needed to crowd-in investments and acheive rapid reduction of emissions across sectors.
“As an oil dependent nation, our economic and developmental aspirations will be compromised if we do not define our transition pathways to align with our broader developmental goals.
“Let me assure you that the Ministry is positioned to take the lead in aligning Nigeria’s national climate plans and strategies with the country’s energy transition efforts.
“This will not be without the support of my fellow ministers and Development partners.
“With eight years to go until the deadline for achieving the energy access Sustainable Development Goal 7, and with 2060 fast approaching, the time begins now,” she said.
The minister of state said that what should be of primary concern would be how to translate the plans and strategies into implementable projects.
The News Agency of NIgeria (NAN) reports that NIgeria has a revised Nationally Determined Contribution with additional sectors (waste and water, more ambitious targets and an increase from 45 to 47% conditional with international support.
A partner, Mr Adam Kendall, who represented McKinsey, in his presentation on energy transition plan, stressed the need for a smooth transition into a cleaner, green economy.
According to him, an appropriate transition of the work force from the oil and gas sector is important.
Kendall added that there should be specific focus on areas and technical groups, with each industry having a unique road map to follow.
“Energy transition plan is very closely linked to the updated Nationally Determined Contriibution’s (NDC’S)
“We do need to begin to take action early in order to ensure we are driving the right path way .
“There’s a need to develop new local businesses, create jobs that will be lost in the oil and gas transition that will happen in the next 10 to 20 years.
“There’s a lot the oil and gas sector can do for themselves in the evolution of oil and gas. In the short, term we are expecting an increase, driven by increase in consumption of power, LPG, cooking gas; but there will be a decline in the long term,” he said. (NAN)
