As nations worldwide prepare for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), slated to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates this December, the need to actively engage policymakers has become ever more imperative. The objective of this is mainly to articulate a climate agenda that resonates with the concerns of vulnerable communities most affected by the impacts of climate change and disruptive activities of big corporates as well as position countries such as Nigeria to leverage maximum benefits from global negotiations on climate adaptation, financing, and just reparations.
Being a vital part of the African bloc and a member of the African Group of Negotiators, Nigeria is no stranger to the impacts of climate change hence its numerous policies and legislation interventions to address climate change. The effectiveness and impact of these interventions are, however, subjects of ongoing debate where communities continue to decry the disruptive impacts of climate change in their lives and environments.
Against this backdrop, and with the aim of establishing a constructive working relationship with Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), CAPPA’s Climate Change Team, under the leadership of Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, paid an advocacy visit to the Council’s Secretariat in Abuja on July 12th, 2023. This meeting facilitated an exchange of plans and strategies to promote environmental justice and combat the impacts of climate change between CAPPA and the NCCC.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the NCCC, appreciated CAPPA’s efforts in bridging the gap between policymaking and implementation as well as demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with the Council to achieve common goals. He affirmed the Council’s readiness to collaborate with CAPPA to fulfil its responsibilities as outlined in Nigeria’s National Climate Change Act, 2021, Nationally Determined Contributions, and other commitments under global climate protocols. Dr. Dahiru expressed optimism about the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between CAPPA and the Council. He also highlighted the importance of feedback from civil society organizations in evaluating the effectiveness of government policies and strategies.
Additionally, he emphasized the necessity for stakeholders to identify and prioritize specific climate action targets, complete with key deliverables and timelines, which will guide recommendations for an upcoming National Stock-Take that the Council is preparing to undertake. Lastly, he reassured CAPPA of the Council’s awareness of its obligations and its multi-sectoral staff, drawn from diverse backgrounds, who are dedicated to developing comprehensive and inclusive strategies to address the country’s climate change issues.
