‘Nigeria will be part of climate change solution’

AS global leaders meet to broker a deal that would stave off the most devastating effects of climate change, the Federal Government has called for transformative agreement that will equitably promote climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience based on effective means of implementation.

Minister of Environment and Head of Nigerian delegation, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, who spoke at the High Level Segment of the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21) yesterday, said that Nigeria is willing to be part of the solution to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

Mohammed pointed out that the political momentum generated by the recent universal adoption of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development by the United Nations General Assembly in New York should spur a legally binding agreement that ensures sustainable future for the people and planet.

She said: “The onus is now on us, as political leaders, to seize this historic opportunity to deliver an ambitious agreement. It is an opportunity that will define the physical and economic security of our children and their children.”

According to her, the developed countries have a further responsibility of taking the lead in emission reductions, and also to fulfill obligations to provide finance, technology and capacity to developing countries in support of their own mitigation and adaptation obligations. 
 
She stated that the agreement should align itself with the principles of climate justice to achieve a human-centred approach towards safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable and lifting the burdens and sharing the benefits of climate action.

“Women, children and youth must be integrated throughout this agreement. Recognising women empowerment and rights will be key to success here in Paris. We must also recognise that sustainable transformations will be needed to protect human health and welfare for our populations,” the minister said.

She said Nigeria is committed to an economic transformation, which places inclusive green growth at its heart. “We have announced our plans to reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2030, rising to 45 percent with the support of the international community. These are actions we can and are determined to take to support our common interest in addressing the global climate challenge.     
    
“Our renewed urgency comes from recognition of the grave social, economic and environmental threats that climate change poses to our country. Climate change impacts are already threatening the livelihoods of our people. The devastating floods the country suffered in 2012 displaced more than 2.1 million Nigerians are a stark reminder of our vulnerability.”