By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the National Council on Climate Change to formulate appropriate policies for Nigeria to achieve green growth and sustainable economic development.
Inaugurating the council before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, the President said it marked the commencement of the Climate Change Act 2021 and a new chapter in the renewed response to climate change in the country.
The President also directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, in conjunction with the Minister of Environment, to initiate appropriate amendments to” noticeable implementation challenges” inherent in the Act.
The President highlighted the losses and damages caused by the recent increasing floods in several parts of the country, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other parts of East and Southern Africa. The President described climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing humanity.
”It [climate change] is complex and dynamic; and requires multidimensional and multi-sectoral initiatives to address its impacts and avert its rapid advance.
”Updated data show increases in sea level rise, heat waves, wildfires, floods, desertification, drying wetlands and many more disruptive climate occurrences.
”The latest Intergovernmental Panel on climate change report warns that rising Green House Gas emissions could soon outstrip the ability of communities to adapt, and the window for taking decisive steps needed to spare our planet from the gravest impacts of climate change is rapidly narrowing.
”We cannot ignore what is happening in our local environment. The increasing re-occurrence of floods in several parts of the country is a wakeup call,” he said, lamenting the loss of lives, damage and destruction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and agricultural production.
President Buhari, therefore, reiterated the determination of his Administration to strengthen the national response to climate change and accelerate the implementation of decisive actions to reduce its impacts on the people and economy.
Ahead of COP27 in Sharm El Shiekh, Egypt, the President expressed optimism that the National Council on Climate Change would harmonise all issues relating to Climate Change, Energy Transition Plan, Emissions Trading Scheme and the Carbon Trading Framework, in line with its mandate under the Act, so that Nigeria can have a robust and impactful outing that captures Nigeria’s Climate Change priorities.
President Buhari also used the occasion to thank Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for heading Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, presiding over the global launch of the plan and initiating its marketing by engaging key stakeholders in the United States.
He urged the Council to consolidate these first steps and ensure sustained marketing of the plan.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Business Post Contributor