House To Ensure Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions

By Oduyemi Odumade

The House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change is to ensure Nigeria meets its target of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 as part of the energy transition plan.

The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Nkwonta, who stated this in Abuja at the inaugural meeting of the Committee.

He explained that the Committee would also make sure Nigeria fulfilled her part in the agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The lawmaker promised that the Committee would proffer a lasting solution to the challenges of the implementation of Nigeria’s obligations on climate change over the years.

“The committee will work closely with the National Council on Climate Change on capacity-building programmes, international conferences, seminars, etc on climate change within and outside the country, he said.

“We will also ensure that adequate provisions are made under the budget to allow the necessary agencies to carry out their statutory obligations and activities in line with the vision.”

He pointed out that climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality that affects every aspect of our lives.

“It is a threat to our health, food security, water resources, biodiversity, security, and economic development. It is a threat that knows no boundaries, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. It is a threat that requires urgent and collective action from all of us, as Nigerians, as Africans, and as global citizens.

“The Committee on Climate Change is established as a strategic legislative vehicle saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the Paris Agreement to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“The Committee is expected to oversee the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and ensure the integration of climate change activities across all MDAs and organisational structures that form part of the nation’s response to climate change adaptation and mitigation as provided for in the Climate Change Act, 2021, the legal framework for the country to achieve its climate goals while attaining long-term socio-economic sustainability and resilience.

“As legislators, there is a need to enable solutions to the challenges of climate change challenges by legislating on matters relati9ng to climate change mitigation and adaptation to ensure that our laws and policies are aligned with global best practices.

“In the course of our assignment, the Committee is expected to engage with the executive, the private sector, the civil society, the media, the academia, and the international community, to foster collaboration and partnership for effective climate change actions in Nigeria.

The Committee will Oversight the NCCC as established by the Climate Change Act 2021, all MDAs under the country’s Jurisdiction and work on the Annual Budget Estimates among other responsibilities, Pursuant to Standing Orders 20 Rule 22 of the House of Representatives, 10th edition,” he said.

Edited By Grace Namiji