The reaffirmed commitment to climate action by Nigeria’s new leadership

Building on pre-existing structures and adopting new initiatives aimed at addressing the nation’s environmental concerns, President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Nigeria has shown a renewed commitment to combating climate change.

President Tinubu has highlighted the significance of addressing climate change as a pillar of his administration’s policy agenda ever since entering office. Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement are being strengthened, and this is the main focus of this endeavor. By 2030, the government wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% without any assistance from outside parties and by up to 45% with such assistance.

The Climate Change Act, which was passed in 2021, has been reinforced with more financing and resources in order to guarantee the successful fulfillment of these promises. The job of supervising the integration of climate policies into all economic sectors has fallen to the National Council on Climate Change.

The growth of renewable energy is a top priority for the new administration. In an effort to provide electricity to rural areas living off the grid, President Tinubu has initiated a number of sizable solar power projects. The goal of the larger Renewable Energy Master Plan, which includes these projects, is to raise Nigeria’s energy mix’s proportion of renewable energy to 30% by 2030.

By means of partnerships and incentives, the administration is also promoting private sector investment in renewable energy. Grants for creative clean energy solutions and tax benefits for renewable energy enterprises are part of this.

Aware of the vital role that agriculture plays in reducing global warming and boosting the economy, the government has launched programs to support climate-smart agriculture. The dual goals of these programs are to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve food security. The utilization of crop types resistant to drought, enhanced irrigation systems, and agroforestry are some of the techniques being encouraged.

Nigeria’s involvement in the Great Green Wall program of the African Union has been strengthened by recently initiated afforestation and reforestation initiatives. The goals of these initiatives are to stop desertification, improve degraded areas, and expand the amount of forest cover. As part of this endeavor, the government has promised to plant millions of trees over the following five years.

Disaster risk reduction initiatives are being funded by the Tinubu administration in response to an increase in climate-related disasters. This involves building resilient infrastructure and creating early warning systems to lessen the effects of droughts and floods.

International collaboration has also been prioritized by President Tinubu. In an effort to get cooperation and assistance, Nigeria has been actively engaging in international climate forums, such as the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COP). Nigeria’s climate projects are anticipated to receive the technology and funding they need from strengthened partnerships with other nations and international organizations.

At home, the administration is encouraging more community involvement and public knowledge of climate change. Since young people are viewed as important change agents, there is a special emphasis on their involvement. There are now programs in place to assist youth-led climate projects and innovation centers, giving young entrepreneurs a place to create and expand climate solutions.

Nigeria’s efforts to combat climate change are beset with serious obstacles, even in spite of these aggressive steps. Both financing and the requirement for resilient infrastructure continue to be major obstacles. For these programs to succeed, there must be efficient coordination between several government departments, businesses, and foreign partners.

READ ALSO: 25 People Feared Dead in Multiple Vehicle Crash in…

However, there are a lot of chances for sustainable growth because of the new leadership’s strategic focus on climate action. Through the utilization of its abundant renewable energy resources, the Tinubu administration is establishing Nigeria as a frontrunner in climate action across the African continent, in addition to encouraging sustainable agriculture practices and bolstering catastrophe resilience.

The will and actions of Nigeria’s new leadership present a viable way forward for a future that is more resilient and sustainable, even as the country continues to negotiate the challenges posed by climate change.