President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria is undertaking climate-friendly programmes and is ‘treading the path of sustainability.’
In his statement at the just concluded Leaders Summit on Climate convened by the President of the United States, Joe Biden, which was held virtually from April 22 to 23, Buhari said that since ratifying the Paris Agreement in 2016, Nigeria has rolled out several policy enablers such as institutional frameworks to cut emissions by 20% unconditionally and 45% conditionally with international support by 2030. He said: “Nigeria is convinced that through net-zero transitions, tremendous prospects are available for job creations and other economic benefits. We are expeditiously implementing programmes that stimulate the gradual transition away from the use of wood stoves to kerosene, liquefied natural gas, biogas and electricity with immediate effects, including healthy competition among private sector players leading to higher productivity, employment and faster service delivery.”
In the agricultural production and supply chain sector, he said his administration is seeking to improve productivity through effective weather forecasts for farmers, among others. “We are targeting improved efficiency and productivity through the provision of accurate and timely weather forecasting to farmers, supply of drought-tolerant and highly matured crop variety and promoting employment through the diversification of sources of livelihood,” he said.
President Buhari added that “beyond ending gas flaring by 2030, the oil and gas sector has undertaken steps for diversification, risk management systems, insurance, research and development and energy crisis management.” According to him, the Nigerian government had in 2017 launched the Green Bond programme as part of commitment contained in the Paris agreement signed on September 21, 2016. “The overall outcome of the highlighted actions have translated into food supply sufficiency, improved nutrition, less hunger, increased employment, more jobs and opportunities, better livelihoods, reduced poverty, decreased vulnerability to health challenges and high quality of life,” he said.