Nigeria Signs Copenhagen Climate Accord

Nigeria a couple of months ago endorsed the Copenhagen Accord when she submitted a letter in May to the United Nations indicating her association with the document. However, Nigeria did not provide any specific emission reduction targets as part of its commitment to the Accord.

By associating with the Accord, the country now positions itself for opportunities arising from the deal. One of such key opportunities is the possibilities of attracting new funding for critical power sector-related emission reduction projects, especially in gas flaring reduction, renewable energy development and energy efficiency. To maximise the benefits of Nigeria’s new relationship with the Accord, the need for stronger institutions like the National Climate Change Commission (NCCC) has become urgent.

Similarly, the first draft of the Second National Communication (SNC) has been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Environment. This followed the stock taking meeting with stakeholders in March, 2010. In the meeting the status of the report was presented and existing gaps identified. A stakeholder review will be held in due course to discuss the current version of the report and subsequent communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The SNC contains information on national circumstances, vulnerability assessment, financial resources, transfer of technology, education, training and public awareness on climate change. The Copenhagen Accord requires developing countries to submit this communication every two years. Nigeria published its last communication to the United Nations in 2003.

The lead partners in the development of the National Adaption Strategy and Plan of Action (NASPA) are currently working on an advocacy strategy to ensure full implementation of this important national document. The NASPA is Nigeria’s national plan for adapting to the impacts of climate change. The advocacy strategy will be followed by a communication strategy currently being developed by a group of communication specialists. 

The NASPA is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Environment, Nigerican, BNRCC/ NEST, Heinrich Boell Foundation and UNDP.

In April 2010, the Federal Ministry of Environment and UNDP issued a call for expression of interest for developing Nigeria’s Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) Preparedness Plan. Consultants were engaged in May and work has begun on the REDD document.

The REDD Readiness Plan is a national document providing an overview of the state of Nigeria’s forest and land resources. It also details national plans for sustainable forestry and land resource management as well as the role of international cooperation.

In a related development, Nigeria’s Finance Needs Assessment (FNA) has reached an advanced stage. Dr. Victor Fodeke, Head of Special Climate Change Unit (SCCU) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, said, “We have delivered the first document on the FNA to the UNFCCC in June 2010. This is an important milestone in Nigeria’s effort to meet agreed reporting obligations to the United Nations.”

The FNA outlines national priorities for meeting the cost of adaptation to climate change and achieving the transition to a low carbon economy. It identifies the role of the government, the domestic financial market and international sources in bridging existing financial gaps. As Nigeria finalizes this important document, it is crucial that this is developed through a consultative process and the final outcome kept in the public domain.

The Federal Ministry of Environment is also working to establish a Special Climate Change Trust Fund. This is a basket of funds contributed by various donors and the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the country meets the challenges of climate change adaptation as well as the opportunities of a low carbon economy.

An efficient wood stove project initiated by ICEED and supported by the Swiss Embassy and GTZ kicked off in Bida, Niger State in June 2010. The project seeks to develop technical standards and advocacy on replacing the inefficient three stone method of cooking with wood in secondary schools with modern and efficient woodstove technology. 

By switching to this new technology, respiratory diseases as result of indoor air pollution will be reduced. It will also result in the reduction of the cost of wood, deforestation and green house gas emissions.  When completed, the project will provide the basis for advocacy to ensure that Nigeria’s over 12,000 secondary schools now use this efficient stove. 

The institutional woodstove project will be an important addition to already existing efforts by Nigerian N.G.O’s such as Development Association for Renewable Energies (DARE) in disseminating efficient woodstove technologies.