How prepared is Nigeria for UNFCC COP29?

ABUBAKAR A. NUHU-KOKO 

Abubakar A. Nuhu-Koko of the Sokoto Energy Research Center (Energy Commission of Nigeria), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, is a researcher in petroleum policy and economics, and founder and pioneer executive director, The Shehu Shagari World Institute for Leadership and Good Governance, Sokoto, Nigeria. He can be reached on +234 706 330 6887 or aanuhukoko4000@gmail.com

 

Last year in the countdown to COP28,  held at Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE),  I raised this same question above. However, Nigeria’s participation at COP28 raised a lot of dust and heat; mostly on the size of the entourage that represented Nigeria and not the substance it presented at the Epic Summit; attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the first time as President of Nigeria. 

 

I hope lessons have been learned following the aftermath of COP28 in the preparations for this year’s COP29 to be hosted by Azerbaijan.

 

What I expect of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, or his representative, is to acknowledge that it is crucial for Nigeria to prioritise its focus areas, since the main objectives of COP29 include, but not limited to:

 

Climate Finance: Securing a new climate finance goal that addresses the needs of developing countries, with a focus on grants and highly concessional finance for low-income and climate-vulnerable nations, including sub-Saharan Sahelian countries.

 

Article 6: Carbon Markets: Finalising the rules for carbon markets to drive real emissions reductions and prevent greenwashing.

 

Loss and Damage Fund: Growing the fund to support countries already impacted by climate change.

 

Adaptation: Prioritising adaptation and securing resources for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

 

For Nigeria, key areas of interest and focus should, among others, be:

 

Climate Finance: Advocating for increased climate finance to support Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy and adaptation efforts.

 

Adaptation and Resilience: Enhancing support for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and promoting climate-resilient agriculture practices.

 

Loss and Damage: Pushing for meaningful implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund to support countries already affected by climate change.

 

Energy Transition: Promoting a just transition to renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.

 

Nigeria can leverage and catalyse these key issue areas to ensure its interests are well and adequately represented and contribute to global efforts to address climate change.

 

Secondly, Nigeria needs to update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in view of the new realities on the ground at the moment since the last time they were reviewed and updated:

 

Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) were submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in two phases. Initially, the country presented its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in 2015, which outlined its plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Key Components of Nigeria’s NDCs:

– Emissions Reduction Goal: Nigeria aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 47 percent by 2030, compared to business-as-usual levels.

 

– Sectoral Action Plans: The country has developed sectoral plans for energy, agriculture, transportation, and waste management to achieve its emissions reduction goal and target.

 

– Financial Needs: Nigeria has identified financial needs for mitigation and adaptation efforts, including support for climate-resilient infrastructure and agriculture.

 

Updated NDC Submission (2021)

In 2021, Nigeria submitted an updated NDC, which builds upon its initial submission and provides more detailed plans for achieving its emissions reduction goal. The updated NDC outlines specific actions, including:

 

• Transitioning to Renewable Energy: Increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix.
• Energy Efficiency: Improving energy efficiency in industries and buildings.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices.

 

These efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint. For more detailed information on Nigeria’s NDCs, one can visit the UNFCCC website.

 

Furthermore, there is a need to put strong emphasis  on “loss and damage and resilient agricultural practices.”

 

The Loss and Damage Fund is a critical mechanism to support countries vulnerable to climate change impacts. For instance, some explanations of the fund’s principles, access, and benefits for Nigeria include:

 

Loss and Damage Fund Principles

 

1. Addressing economic and non-economic losses: The fund aims to compensate for losses beyond adaptation and mitigation efforts.
2. Climate justice: Recognising the historical responsibility of developed countries for climate change.
3. Vulnerability-focused: Prioritising countries with limited financial resources and high climate vulnerability.

 

Accessing the Loss and Damage Fund

 

1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) membership: Nigeria is already a member.
2. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs): Nigeria needs to develop and submit NAPs to access funding.
3. Country-specific proposals: Nigeria must submit project proposals aligned with NAPs and UNFCCC guidelines.
4. Funding windows: Apply through various funding windows, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) or Adaptation Fund.

 

Eligibility Criteria

 

1. Vulnerability index: Nigeria’s high climate vulnerability ranking.
2. Economic need: Nigeria’s limited financial resources.
3. Climate change impacts: Documented evidence of climate-related losses and damages.

 

Benefits for Nigeria

 

1. Financial support: Access to funding for climate-related losses and damages.
2. Enhanced resilience: Support for climate-resilient infrastructure and agriculture.
3. Capacity building: Technical assistance for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
4. Global advocacy: Nigeria’s voice amplified in international climate negotiations.

 

Steps for Nigeria to Access the Fund

 

1. Strengthen national institutions: Establish a dedicated climate change department (already done by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu)
2. Develop bankable projects: Prepare feasible project proposals.
3. Enhance climate data collection (much still needs to be done): Improve climate data management; much still needs to be done in terms of robust digital Databases and human technical capacities building and development.
4. Engage international partners: Collaborate with UN and other multilateral agencies, bilateral partners, and development partners/NGOs.

 

Potential Projects

 

1. Climate-resilient agriculture practices 
2. Flood control and management
3. Climate-proof infrastructure
4. Early warning systems
5. Ecosystem restoration

 

Key Partners

 

1. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
2. Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Great Green Wall initiative (GGWI)
3. Adaptation Fund
4. African Development Bank (AfDB)
5. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
6. Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), etc.

 

By understanding the Loss and Damage Fund principles and eligibility criteria, Nigeria can effectively access and benefit from this critical  funding mechanism. 

 

Climate-resilient agricultural practices

 

Crop Management

1. Agroforestry: Integrating trees into farming systems.
2. Conservation Agriculture (CA): Minimising soil disturbance, maintaining soil cover.
3. Crop diversification: Planting multiple crops to reduce vulnerability.
4. Climate-tolerant crop varieties: Using drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, or flood-tolerant crops.
5. Cover cropping: Planting crops between cash crops to reduce erosion.

 

Soil Management

1. No-till or reduced-till farming: Minimising soil disturbance.
2. Organic amendments: Using compost, manure, or green manure.
3. Mulching: Applying organic materials to retain moisture.
4. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM): Combining organic and inorganic fertilisers.

 

Water Management

1. Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater.
2. Drip irrigation: Efficient water use.
3. Flood-based irrigation: Using flood water for irrigation.
4. Conservation tillage: Reducing soil disturbance to minimise runoff.

 

Livestock Management

1. Climate-resilient breeds: Raising breeds adapted to local climate conditions (National Livestock Development Initiative recently unveiled by President Bola Ahmed) 
2. Rotational grazing: Managing grazing to maintain soil health.
3. Silvopastoral systems: Integrating trees into pasture systems.
4. Manure management: Using manure as fertiliser.

 

Integrated Farming Systems

1. Aquaponics: Combining aquaculture and hydroponics.
2. Agro-pastoralism: Integrating crops and livestock.
3. Permaculture: Designing diverse, resilient farming systems.
4. Biodynamic farming: Using natural materials to enhance soil fertility.

 

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Technologies

1. Precision agriculture: Using technology for efficient resource use.
2. Solar-powered irrigation: Renewable energy for irrigation.
3. Weather-based crop insurance: Insuring against climate-related losses.
4. Mobile apps for climate information: Providing climate data to farmers.

 

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

1. Ecological restoration: Restoring degraded ecosystems.
2. Agroecology: Fostering biodiversity in farming systems.
3. Sustainable land management: Preventing land degradation.
4. Climate-resilient forest management: Managing forests for climate resilience.

 

Examples of climate-resilient agricultural practices in Nigeria include:

1. The Nigerian government’s “Green Alternative” initiative promotes agroforestry and conservation agriculture.
2. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)’s climate-resilient maize and cassava varieties.
3. The African Agricultural Finance Facility (AAFF)’s support for climate-resilient agricultural projects.
4. The recently unveiled National Livestock Development Initiative and the creation of the first ever Federal Ministry of Livestock Development; and also, the first ever Federal Ministry of Regional Development to coordinate the activities of the various Regional Development Commissions established 

 

These practices enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change, improve productivity, and promote sustainable agriculture.

 

Lastly, (but not the least); the novel and innovative Nigeria’s Livestock Development Initiative is indeed a crucial step towards enhancing climate resilience in the sector. This initiative focuses on building resilience in Nigeria’s livestock systems to combat climate change and variability. By strengthening livestock systems, Nigeria aims to reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture, a critical sector for the country’s economy. 

 

Policy Framework

Nigeria’s Climate Change Policy Response and Strategy (NCCPRS) provides a comprehensive framework for addressing climate change. The policy outlines critical elements for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

 

International Cooperation

Nigeria’s participation in global initiatives, such as the United Nations’ Climate and Clean Air Coalition, demonstrates its commitment to addressing climate change.

 

Conclusion

While specific details on the initiative’s progress and impact are limited, Nigeria’s efforts to enhance climate resilience in the livestock sector are promising. More information can be found from The World Bank’s reports on climate-resilient development in Nigeria and the recent interim report submitted to the president by the Committee on Livestock Development Reforms Initiative that is co-chaired by Professor Attahiru Muhammad Jega (the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

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