The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) was present as the Federal Government of Nigeria through National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) with support from 2050 Pathways Platform hosted the National Workshop to Validate the Nigeria’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy on 14th November 2023 at Rockview Royale Hotel Abuja, Nigeria.
The workshop aimed to elevate and promote national leadership on tackling climate crisis through a synergistic effort anchored on a long-term future with low carbon growth and resilience building on the 2050 Agenda.
Participants included change-makers, policymakers, CSOs, NGOs and private organizations across Nigeria.
Giving his opening remarks, Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director-general at NCCC, expressed gratitude to everyone for honoring their invitation especially to Honourable Chris Nkwonta, Chairman house committee on climate change, Governor Peter Mbah and Governor Agbu Kefas, governors of Enugu and taraba states who were duly represented.
“Today marks a significant step forward as we validate and examine our low emission development pathways for a cleaner and more resilience future in the face of the challenges we have been facing under climate change,” he said.
“This means that Nigeria will develop its low term low emission development strategy document which will mean a supporting tool for our submitted revised 2021 Nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris agreement on climate change,” continued Dr Salisu.
“This is a collective effort that involves contributions of various ministries, departments agencies as well as several of our intellectuals. This new submission reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to unconditionally reduce emission by 30% by 2030.” he added.
Prof Sam Ugwu, who represented the Enugu State Governor in his goodwill message said his presence is an expression and deep interest Enugu State has in climate change. He assured that government and ready to partner with NCCC and other international organisations.
Mr Richard Baron, Director 2050 pathways platform who joined virtually noted that LT- LEDS creates a deeper dialogue on climate change; present trade-offs and opportunities, address climate change and achieve other development objectives, improve ability to anticipate and manage risks, identify short-term actions, coordinate public policy change and leverage on opportunities provided by climate action.
He added that L-T LEDS for Nigeria was motivated by the Paris agreement and is urgently required to steer development in a climate-resilient and low-greenhouse gas emission path for shared socio-economic prosperity. It is also a development plan that promotes sustainable social and economic development for reducing greenhouse gas emissions building a climate-resilient society over the medium to long term.
Dr Eugene Itua, LT- LEDS Elaboration Coordinator, Natural Eco Capital, in his presentation stated that Nigeria’s LT-LEDS process was led by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) with the support of the 2050 Pathways Platform.
Natural Eco Capital acted as the National Project Coordinator, whilst the technical support for developing the scenarios, GHG emissions and macro-economic modelling was provided by Nigeria’s Deep Decarbonization Project (DDP-Nigeria).
The latter was led by the Center for Climate Change and Development Alex Ekwueme Federal University (CCCD-AE-FUNAI) in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).
Natural Eco Capital carried out the vulnerability and adaptation modelling with the support of Nelen & Schuurmans of the Netherlands.
“The essential tasks in developing the LT-LEDS included governance/project coordination and management, modelling and scenario generation, stakeholder engagement, implementation planning, and report preparation.” he added.
Prof Chuks Okereke, Lead, LT- LEDS mitigation modeling/DDP Project stated that Climate change adaptation is a development challenge that impacts the livelihoods of Nigerians.
A valuable approach put forward (as an explorative study) is the implementation of the dynamic adaptive policy pathways (DAPP). This approach ensures a continuously recurring process where the effectiveness of taken measures is monitored and proportioned to set goals for the short term.
By applying the DAPP, Nigeria can take effective climate action to meet short-term goals while also focusing on the long-term objectives. The results indicate several adaptation options that can be aligned with national development needs and adaptation projects and initiatives in various sectors that provide multiple benefits to the country’s pathway to net-zero, low-carbon climate-resilient development.
He made known that for a successful Implementation of this LT-LEDS, requires a significant reduction in fossil fuel for development and could face some challenges for Nigeria. He wondered how Nigeria will balance the need for rapid economic growth with the global transition that emphasizes less dependence on oil and gas.
The participants at the workshop called for Inclusion of water sector to the mitigation pathways, more emphasis on solar energy and introducing mechanisms to reduce the high cost of production, Inclusion of the Education sector for more capacity building and Need for efficient urban planning and development to enable low emission waste caused by the transport sector.
The DG NCCC, in his closing remark, acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Climate Change Department (DCC) that initiated the LTV 2050 and the LT-LEDS; the 2050 Pathways Platforms that supported the development of the LTV 2050 and LT-LEDS; NDC-P; alongside other international partners that helped with substantial inputs in ensuring an enriched document.
He also extended his appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and other MDAs that provided relevant support, data and for availing its personnel as members of the steering and technical committees. He praised the organised private sector and CSOs for their support in ensuring that this LT-LEDS for Nigeria is a reality.