Coalition of Climate Focused Nigerian CSO’s Renders Account of Participation at COP28

Coalition of Climate Focused Nigerian CSO’s Renders Account of Participation at COP28

-          Commends Nigeria’s Government Active Participation

-          Condemns Destruction of Urban Forest at Agodi Gardens by Oyo State Government

A coalition of climate focused Nigerian Civil Society Organizations has rendered account of stewardship of its participation in the recently concluded climate summit tagged COP 28 which held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30^th – December 12^th 2023.

Addressing the media on its participation at COP28 in Lagos on Tuesday 19^th of December 2023, the executive director of Centre for 21^st Century Issues (C21st) Ms. Titilope Ngozi Akosa who was flanked by representatives of Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) and EnviroNews Development Network (EndNet), narrated how the Nigerian CSO’s closely followed negotiations and actively engaged in the Global Day of Action on climate change throughout the duration of COP28.

The group stated that it worked closely with relevant stakeholders including international NGO’s, development partners and representatives from developing countries on critical considerations raised by those who are mostly affected by climate change in developing countries.  The Nigerian NGO’s also joined in advocating for the delivery of essential financial support to address the impacts of climate change and demanded ambitious outcomes from COP28 that align with the 1.5-degree temperature goal.

The Nigerian CSO’s welcomed the agreements reached at COP28 which includes the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Funds, Global Stocktake, Adaptation Goal, Climate Finance, the phase out of fossil fuels, the tripling of renewable energy uptake, declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and climate action, just transition, etc. which were seen as positive steps towards addressing climate change.

The CSO’s urge all stakeholders who made commitments at COP28 to translate the agreements to concrete actions, while calling on developed countries parties to increase their financial commitments and promptly fulfill their pledges to accelerate climate action on ground.

The Nigerian team led by Mr. President and State Governors were highly commended for their active participation and for adopting a result oriented approach in mobilizing climate finance and engaging in bilateral negotiations to garner support for climate action in Nigeria. They urged the Nigerian government to maintain its crucial leadership and political will in the sphere of climate governance.

According to Titilope Akosa, the Nigerian CSO’S, being acutely aware of the implications of the fossil fuel phase-out for Nigeria and the urgent need to transit to renewable energy sources, is not oblivious to the reality that the country as one of Africa’s largest producer of crude oil and the mainstay of its economy, faces unique challenges and opportunities in navigating this transition. “Therefore, Nigeria must carefully balance the goal of sustaining its economy while divesting from fossil fuels”, which requires comprehensive planning and a multifaceted approach.

The group noted that through the implementation of the Long-Term Mitigation and Low Carbon Development Strategy, Nigeria can attract investment in solar, wind and hydroelectric power sectors which will help build a more resilient economy, create employment opportunities, protect the environment and enhance the wellbeing of its citizens. That transitioning to renewable energy sources is not only crucial for Nigeria’s long term economic stability, but also essential for addressing climate change on a global scale.

While calling for financial support from development partners, multilateral development banks and climate finance institutions to assist Nigeria transit successfully from fossil fuels to renewable and cleaner energy sources in order to enhance sustainable development and promote climate resilience, the Nigerian CSO’s promised to work with relevant stakeholders to raise awareness about the environmental, social and economic implications of fossil fuels phase out as well as monitor the implementations of the COP28 agreements.

The group condemned the destruction of Agodi Gardens by the Governor Seyi Makinde led government in Oyo State, describing it as regrettable and highly unacceptable. It stated that in view of the fact that the UN Biodiversity had declared this decade as one for Ecosystems Restoration, that the destruction of trees that have been standing for decades, runs contrary to the convention of which Nigeria is a signatory. It then called on Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently halt this act of environmental degradation.