Mr. Pius Oko of Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF) anchored the event, welcoming participants. According to Mr. Pius OKO, In November 2021, Nigeria passed the Climate Change Bill that further affirms the government’s aim to cut current emissions by 50% by 2050 and achieve net zero emissions as early as possible in the second half of the century (net zero target for 2050 to 2070). The bill includes provisions to set five-year carbon budgets under a National Climate Change Action Plan to be ratified by the Federal Executive Council. The Federal Ministry of Environment is tasked with setting the carbon budgets, while the National Council on Climate Change, established by the bill, will oversee implementation. After careful review, it is clear that Nigeria needs additional support to implement policies and programs captured in the Climate Change Act.
Sequel to the above, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), in collaboration with Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF) and other CSOs, convened a one-day consultative workshop to analyze and interpret the clauses of the Climate Change Act in order to galvanize support, foster synergy and inspire interest of relevant stakeholders for effective monitoring and implementation of the Act.
The objectives of the consultative workshop were;
- Galvanize support for CSOs to push for the implementation and enforcement of the Climate Change Bill.
- Promote understanding for successful implementation of the Climate Change Bill.
- Enhance state and non-state actors’ knowledge of the provisions of the law that will inform plans, programs and advocacy initiatives as well as strategies to strengthen accountability of government on the implementation.
The opening remark led by the Executive Director of GIFSEP. He intimated the audience on the climate change act implementation so far and the absence of climate change talks in the discussions of aspiring political officers. He also mentioned that the representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment was absent at the workshop due to the fact that no implementation process had begun so far. He reiterated the need to be deliberate before the end of this political tenure as the incoming government may not be proactive in implementing the Act.
Mrs. Adesuwa Obasuyi, the Climate Policy Manager at the British High Commission (BHC), made known to the participants that there are provisions for climate change funds and obligations to public and private climate advocacy organizations at the British High Commission. She explained that the British High Commission provided support and advocacy for the Act even though there were other challenges in ensuring that the Act is fully implemented. She concluded her remarks by expressing her concerns about the absence of workshops and public engagements about the Climate Change Act at state levels.
Professor Hassan Shuaibu made a presentation of the simplified version of the Climate Change Act at the workshop. He harped on the need for the President Buhari to urgently establish the National Council on Climate Change which is saddled with the responsibility of implementing the Act, adding that nothing can be done in the absence of the council.
Mr. Yahaya Dangana discussed the implementation schedule of the Climate Change Act and its key indices. He applauded the government for passing the Climate Change Bill. He explained the concept of climate justice and affirmed that the passing of the Climate Change Bill is a step forward in the right direction. He emphasized the importance of handing over a safe environment to other generations and pointed out the importance of the Bill achieving this. Mr. Yahaya stated that the consultative workshop was a clarion call to CSOs and members of the public to be a part of the Climate Change Act implementation process. However, he mentioned that there is no commencement date for the act and also expressed concerns as regards no functional Director General for the implementation and no secretariat set up for the Act’s implementation. Furthermore, he discussed the means of stressing the demands of CSOs which was in summary; to mobilize, lobby and talk to the government towards the implementation of the Act.
Mr. Kenneth Akpan commended GIFSEP, LHF and partners for organizing the workshop which was very key in following up the Climate Change Act implementation.
Mr. David Michael requested for suggestions from the participants on how best to engage aspiring political leaders in the fight for the Climate Change Act implementation. The following are the summary of participants’ contributions towards engaging aspiring political leaders in climate change discussions and building resilience against climate change effects during the CSOs roundtable discussions coordinated by Mr. Pius Oko;
- There should be climate change influencers from the entertainment industry and political sphere (Climate Change Act Champions).
- State and local government communities should be sensitized from time to time on climate change and them Climate Change Act.
- Media partnership should be engaged.
- Formation of CSO-private sector partnerships.
- Even and meaningful participation of women and youth in all dialogues leading to implementation of the Climate Change Act should be encouraged.
- Advocate for 1% of total earnings from government sector to be driven to the climate change fund.
- Get traditional rulers to be climate change champions.
- Concentrate on the sub-national/state level, establish and strengthen community forest management and conservation.
- Provide alternative sources of livelihood and energy.
- Simplify the climate change act into local dialects for better understanding.
- Practice domestication approach of some wild animals.
- Provide contextual solutions to climate change problems that are peculiar to us.
- Advocacy to political parties with components of climate change to their manifestos.
- Train the trainers to the candidates.
- Courtesy visits to politicians and parties.
- Charter of demand to on climate change to aspiring candidates and political position holders.
- Use of video clips and info graphics as media engagement tools.
- Climate changed questions should be embedded in debates of political aspirants.
- Engage editors in media houses via training to foster matters regarding climate change.
Various hash tag suggestions were also made, and some of them are:
#ClimateChangeActNow #NoPoliticsWithoutClimateChange #Politics360 #GreenPolitics #SustainablePolitics #GlobalGoalsMeetPolitics #TheActOurFuture #ImplementClimateChangeActForAction #BusinessAsUnusual #PlantATreeNowSaveTheFuture #OneTreeOneVote #PoliticsForClimateRescue #NaturesAct #ClimateDemandNG #ImplementNow
The workshop also had a Question-and-Answer session in which participants asked questions and panelists were able to respond appropriately.
OUTCOMES OF EVENT
- CSOs commitment to advocate for Climate Change Act implementation and enforcement.
- Understanding of the climate change Act implementation schedule and key indices.
- Coordinated ideas to engage aspiring public officers and members of the public at federal, state and local government levels in playing their part in the Climate Change Act implementation and enforcement.