On the 14th November 2016, Morroco played host to world leaders as they gathered in Marrakesh to attend the Climate Change Conference COP 22. The Nigerian head of state and commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Mohammed Buhari joined other world leaders at the conference in Morroco to chat the way forward in tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts.
President Mohammed Buhari was accompanied on the journey by the Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong, Governor of Jigawa State Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Senate Deputy Minority Whip Senator Philip Aduda and FCT Minister Muhammad Bello.
In Marrakesh Morroco, President Buhari participated in the official opening plenary where he delivered his national statement during the High Level Segment of COP 22. His address highlighted, among other key issues the unwavering commitment of Nigeria to implement the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy actions aimed at tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts.
President Buhari also used the occasion of his speech to rally international support for the clean-up of Ogoni land in the Niger Delta Region and the resuscitation of the Lake Chad Basin. While in Marrakech, the president attended the Africa Day Commemoration at COP 22 with the theme, “Moving from Commitments to Action with Intended Nationally Determined Contributions and African Renewable Energy Initiative.” He also attended the Summit of African Heads of State on the sidelines of the Climate Change conference COP 22, which was attended by representatives from 197 countries including world leaders, environment ministers, government officials as well as a wide range of representatives from civil society and the private sector. This was the first meeting of State Parties since the entry into force of the landmark Paris Agreement on November 4, 2016.
The legally binding international Agreement on climate change, among others, addresses issues of global warming, including its impact on food security and agriculture.
President Muhammadu Buhari who signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on November 4, 2016 said his action is a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to a global effort to reverse the effects of the negative trend. The president attended the Africa Action Summit, hosted by King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Buhari said this while addressing the opening of the meeting on “Taking Climate Action for Sustainable Development” in New York, co-hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the side events of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71). The president’s signing of the agreement committed Nigeria to reducing the ‘Green House Gas Emissions unconditionally by 20 per cent and conditionally by 45 per cent’ in line with Nigeria’s nationally determined contributions. Buhari described the signing as historic and also expressed confidence that with support from development partners, Nigeria will meet the above targets.
Respecting culture and tradition, the Nigerian President visited the King of Morocco His Majesty King Mohammed VI to pay homage and inform him that he is in his domain to attend a conference and he also met with the President of COP 22 Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar before attending the conference proper.
While addressed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-22) in Marrakech Morocco, President Muhammadu Buhari during the opening plenary session, pledged that Nigeria would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2030. Towards this end, the president also revealed plans to issue green bonds in order to raise climate funds.
These initiatives are part of Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC). Each country that signed the Paris Agreement, including Nigeria, put forward INDCs that outline the actions the country plans to take in order to fight climate change.
“We have reflected our determination for green growth in my country’s ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contribution,” Mr. Buhari said. “This is one of Africa’s most ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contributions – covering all emissions from all parts of the economy.”
The president assured conference attendees that Nigeria would implement policies that promote sustainable economic growth.
“We are already making far-reaching changes in all sectors of our economy, including through substantially increasing the use of climate smart agriculture and diversification of our energy mix through renewable and efficient gas power,” Mr. Buhari said.
President Buhari also took the opportunity to call international attention to two Nigerian regions that have been environmentally devastated in recent years: Ogoni land and the Lake Chad Basin.
He said that Nigeria is implementing a cleanup of Ogoni land, warning, “If not addressed by 2050, the human and financial cost would be colossal.” It would be recalled that Ogoni land, an area in the oil-rich Niger Delta, has been afflicted by oil spills. The United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) has pledged to assist Nigeria in the cleanup, but said it would take at least 30 years to complete.
Speaking about the Lake Chad Basin, Mr. Buhari said environmental degradation of the area has bred insecurity in the region.“The Lake Chad Basin, for example, has shrunk to a mere 10 percent of its original size, and this has seriously affected the livelihood of over five million people and contributed to the growth of insecurity in the region, including the emergence of Boko Haram as a terrorist group,” he said.
“Hence the need to resuscitate Lake Chad. In this regard, I seize this opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to those who have responded to our call and to encourage other well-meaning partners to join in our efforts to revive the Lake Chad Basin,” Mr. Buhari concluded.
