Climate change and energy transformation challenges require innovative solutions – Minister – EnviroNews

Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq-Adekunle Salako, says the challenges of climate change and energy transition require innovative solutions and a strong commitment to ethical management.

Salako said this in Abuja on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the first international conference on anti-corruption and climate change organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agency (HEDA Resource Centre), a non-governmental organization.

The theme of the conference is “Engaging National Stakeholders for Accountability and Transparency in Addressing Climate Change, Energy Transition and Oil Licensing for Sustainable Development.”

The minister was represented by Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, director of the Climate Change Department at the ministry.

He identified climate change as the defining issue of our time and the greatest threat to a sustainable future, the planet and our security.

He said transparency and accountability are the foundation of sustainable development, and that by working together we can create a more just and sustainable future that will help us overcome these challenges.

He stated that climate change is not only a challenge for the environment, but also a development quagmire, described as the biggest problem of all.

He also described it as the most difficult challenge facing humanity and an urgent threat to life, health, food, biodiversity and livelihoods.

“Although the climate change crisis is difficult and acute, it cannot enjoy exclusive access to funding and attention, but must compete for funding with other key sectors.

“A strong climate transparency and accountability framework is key to sustainable climate action through improved coordination, decision-making and expenditure allocation.

“It also ensures better monitoring and assessment of mitigation and adaptation outcomes against established climate targets, better identification of coherence between responsible stakeholders and harmonisation of country-specific assistance.

“Nigeria is implementing the enhanced transparency framework established under the Paris Agreement, which requires Parties to submit a Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) and a National Inventory Report as a mechanism to promote transparency and openness.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through its appropriate agency, will ensure the submission of the first BTR for the country by December 31,” the minister said.

National Guidance Agency (NOA) Director General Mallam Issa-Onilu said climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges.

Issa-Onilu said urgent and coordinated action is needed from all sectors: government, the private sector and civil society organisations.

The Director General, represented by Mr. Segun Alao, Deputy Director, said the path to a sustainable energy future and responsible oil licensing requires innovation and best practices.

He added that in this way we will ensure that every decision we make is in the best interests of people and the environment.

Issa-Onilu said HEDA’s involvement represents a significant step towards the future, bringing together different perspectives and expertise to chart a course that prioritises sustainable development, economic growth and social equality.

He stated that NOA is engaged in developing and sustaining social engineering, informing the public about government policies, programs and activities, and obtaining feedback from citizens to the government.

The NOA head said the agency is committed to ensuring that citizens understand the negative effects of climate change through awareness-raising activities and information campaigns.

HEDA Resources Centre Chairman, Mr Olarewaju Suraju, said the country’s natural resources continue to be misused by international operators and their collaborators.

Suraju said the conference aimed to change the narrative.

According to him, local communities, as well as traditional rulers and even government officials, have also contributed to supporting these abuses in the form of illegal exploration and mining, which has led to climate change.

“This situation of abuse could continue even if we move from the oil and gas sector, which is the backbone of the country’s economy, to the non-oil sector.

“We cannot afford to transfer the terrible experiences we had with oil and gas to new energy sources.

“Nigeria is one of the countries with significant deposits of new resources and materials to be used for new energy migration.

“We are saying that the aim of the government should not be just to explore natural resources for generating energy or extracting resources, but ultimately to develop the people,” Suraju said.

By Aderogba George