In order to promote actions that will result in the effective enforcement of the Climate Change Act and promote sustainability, several stakeholders have made a case for the participation of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), non-governmental organisations, and others.
They presented their case at the “Pathway to Implementation for a Successful Energy Transition” Sustainability Law Review hosted by the American Business Council (ABC) and Lagos Business School (LBS).
the Friday occasion in Lagos.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly signed the Climate Change Act to give Nigeria a framework for achieving climate goals, net zero emissions, long-term social and economic sustainability, and resilience, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to Prof. Bankole Sodipo, Senior Partner of G.O. Sodipo and Co., accomplishing the goals required efficient legal enforcement.
Sodipo also underlined the necessity of extensive training for PIA regulators in order to better manage the oil and gas sector.
He pleaded with the OPS, governments, and other stakeholders to inform Nigerians of the best ways to protect the environment.
The government’s passage of both laws into law is admirable; now the task is to assure their implementation.
“There is a need for campaigns, documentaries, and motion pictures that analyse how climate change affects the environment, the nation, and the entire planet.
Incentives for people who comply with the Climate Change Act and tax breaks are also required, he added, if businesses are to implement sustainability into their operations.
The Climate Change Act, according to Ms. Damilola Alada, Associate, Bloomfield LP, functioned as a framework to affect change, demonstrate greater commitment, provide guidance, and ensure that everyone was aware of the government’s position on sustainability.
But she said that the government could not be relied upon to enforce both laws.
She believed that everyone with the ability should take the initiative to make the goals of the laws a reality.
Alada argued that in order to attain the intended outcomes, action plans on the climate change agenda should be divided into phases and timetables.
In order to lessen Nigeria’s reliance on petroleum, it is also necessary to diversify its energy mix; increase technological investment; build up local capacity; and transport more people.
The understanding, knowledge, and technology must be shared in order to carry on the goals and objectives of sustainability as these same regulations won’t exist in 2060, according to the speaker.
Punuka Attorneys’ representative, Ms Lovelyn Aniekwe, appealed for financial incentives for businesses that use carbon capture technology.
Aniekwe stated that building stakeholder capacity was crucial for educating them on the regulations and assisting them in understanding their future sustainability goals.
“Mecanismes for putting the frameworks in place and starting to make sure that all laws across sectors of the Nigerian economy are climate-proof are equally crucial.
“Nigeria must also include the judiciary and create a registration, a procedure, and a system to follow reporting and verify emissions.
By enabling the appropriate kind of investment that demonstrates a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and putting in place adaptive measures to push the transition, she added, it is vital to start guaranteeing every citizen a right to a clean environment.
Legal frameworks, according to Mr. Oludare Senbore, a representative of Aluko and Oyebode LP, would make it easier to achieve the objectives.
According to him, a framework for carbon trading and a body to control petrol emissions in the market must be established.
“On the strategy to create a carbon market, we must all work together.
However, he added, “Nigeria needs the right technological foundation to support transition, as well as public enlightenment.”
According to Mrs. Margaret Olele, Chief Executive Officer of ABC, the council will continue to represent American companies operating in Nigeria and would make every effort to promote trade between the two countries.
Olele asked the private sector to adopt sustainable practises, take advantage of opportunities in the field, and work with the government and university to accelerate implementation.
In response, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), claimed that initiatives to decarbonize Nigeria’s environment and achieve an energy transition were in the works.
Mrs. Jummai Vandu, Principal Chemical Engineer, NCCC, acted as Dahiru’s representative.
He said that the NCCC was ready to collaborate with the LBS, ABC, and any other parties eager to advance Nigeria’s climate change agenda through the energy transformation.
“Strategic partnerships, shared solutions, and shared interests are needed to combat climate change and promote sustainability.
“Nigeria is dedicated to the carbon market, and the NCCC’s mandate includes promoting low carbon emissions through a carbon trading mechanism.
We are prepared to collaborate to make sure it is accomplished, he added, adding that we are proposing a carbon chart and emission trading system. (NAN)
