Imperatives of Climate Change
Dan D Kunle
In the contemporary landscape, the specter of climate change looms large, compelling me to delve into a multifaceted exploration of perspectives and urgent imperatives.
As the world grapples with the far-reaching consequences of environmental shifts, it is worthy of note that our collective choices carry a profound weight, echoing through the tangible consequences of the shift.
The concept of climate change revolves around long-term alterations in Earth’s climate patterns, primarily attributed to human activities. It encompasses global warming, shifts in weather patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme events. (disasters such as flood, drought, earthquake, and fire outbreaks)
The idea underscores the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to an all-time high warming planet experienced in human history.
Addressing climate change involves mitigating these human-induced factors, adapting to the changes already underway, and fostering sustainable practices to ensure the health and resilience of our planet and accessing emergency funding for loss and damage suffered from climate change effects.
Man as the Driver
Human activities have significantly contributed to climate change and solutions.
From the Stone Age to the Bronze, to the Iron Age to the Classical Era that led to the Industrial Revolution of the last 300 years.
The quest for progress, fueled by mankind’s insatiable appetite for resources—water, woods, sands, gravel, stones, granite, limestones, coals, oil, gas, and iron ores—has led to a profound transformation from our evolutionary ape-man to modern civilization.
One can applaud humanity’s achievements in fossil-fuel-driven automobiles, aviation, and maritime voyages. All these have greatly benefited modernity and productivity.
Nevertheless, the widespread use of airplanes and ships, while boosting prosperity, comes with incalculable climate change costs in the form of emissions and rising temperatures. This is why the recent ESG policy framework for any investment and financing has become mandatory globally.
In the pursuit of resource mobilization across the planet, man-made canals such as Suez and Panama interconnected seas and oceans. The repercussions of these endeavors, coupled with oil and gas drilling, quarrying, and mining, have resulted in significant distortions to our planet Earth.
As a layperson, it appears that the profound impacts on geography are unfolding in an unprecedented manner and this is why climate finance has become imperative.
A typical success story of climate financing is what is going on in modern-day China where renewable energy, solar, and wind are becoming very dominant in their energy mix.
The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, leading to phenomenal global warming.
The argument that Africa’s emission footprint is less than four percentThis warming had no boundary as the argument that Nigeria and Africa do not do up to 4 percent of the global warming, that does not insulate us from the effect and consequences of climate change and that is the more reason why Nigeria must quickly have well-coordinated climate change and energy transition policies.
These effects include general increases in temperature; variations in rainfall, the rise in sea levels, resulting shoreline erosion and flooding (the UN recently estimated that at least 27 states are now increasingly at risk of serious continuous flooding); drought and desertification (which is causing the depletion of Lake Chad and consequent southern migration of Fulani herdsmen and insecurity); land degradation (which is making farming more difficult and affecting our food security); and significant damage to the ecologically-sensitive Niger Delta.
Also, improper waste disposal, industrial emissions, and reliance on non-renewable resources contribute to pollution, impacting air, water, and soil quality. Methane is a serious issue in climate change management.
All these elements gave man its food, clothing, and shelter- that is life sustenance.
From these natural elements that the evolutionary ape man transforms to this era of modernity which we can attribute to the special natural gift of Brain Power which is higher than the other lower animals.
Now the BIG Questions
How rational has man been extracting all these materials?
How rational have all these materials been processed?
How rational has man been appropriating all these materials among his various multidimensional uses and applications across the large spectrum of needs- demands and supply?
From the primal use of wood for survival to the current reliance on hydrocarbons like coal, bitumen, and petroleum, the evolution of resource utilization is a testament to the intricacies of human ingenuity.
According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, December 2023 set a historic milestone as the warmest December globally, capping off a year marked by record-breaking temperatures.
Each month from June to December in 2023 surpassed previous temperature records, solidifying the year as the warmest ever recorded since the beginning of climate records.
In 2023, the global average air surface temperature reached 14.98°C, surpassing the previous 2016 record by a significant margin of 0.17°C.
According to Copernicus, 2023 exhibited an average temperature of 1.48°C higher than pre-industrial levels, marking the period before widespread human use of fossil fuels.
This highlights the concerning trend of escalating global temperatures and underscores the imperative for concerted efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The induced production of carbon and methane impacts air quality, and the rise in surface temperatures crystalizes the narrative of intense resource exploitation from our activities on the planet Earth.
The Elements
Water: Potable water, essential for survival, intertwines with activities like fishing, irrigation, river roads, and seas.
Water is a lifeline for the global populations, regardless of their size.
As the global population hovers between 7 and 8 billion, the demand for potable water intensifies. The River Nile water conflicts are escalating, and boreholes proliferate worldwide for water extraction and agricultural irrigation. The impending consequences prompt us to question the rationale and optimization of water resources across the spectrum- Must every household have a borehole?
Can’t neighborhoods and communities have one giant borehole for their use through reticulations?
Many related issues such as the power generation system must be rationalized and optimization employed to save our environment. The ecosystems of our national lives must be rationalized and holistically reviewed to comply with the new normal of green lifestyles.
These are serious fundamental issues that will require the National Council on Climate Change with the approval of Mr President to revisit the energy transition policy and all the critical stakeholders for effective climate financing governance.
Land: A foundational support carrying all organic and inorganic elements, land plays a pivotal role in agriculture, housing, and mining activities—both on the surface and subsurface.
To what extent does mankind abuse the use of land and Nigeria in particular either in agricultural practice, urbanization, and mining? The NCCC as may be approved by Mr President must revisit our land use and mining activities.
Hydrocarbons: From the early use of coal to the pervasive application of bitumen and petroleum, hydrocarbons have taken center stage in modernity, permeating various aspects of human life.
As we reflect on the journey from evolutionary dependence on nature to the current anthropogenic era, the overarching question persists: To what extent have we exercised rationality in managing, extracting, processing, and appropriating these resources, recognizing our responsibility as stewards of the Earth?
This inquiry is not merely a contemplation of the past but a call to action for a sustainable and conscientious future. Nigeria’s energy transition must be articulated and must accommodate our peculiar developmental needs for the next twenty-five years because fossil fuels are transiting away but Nigeria needs fossil resources to earn revenue for the urgent developmental requirement.
It is a delicate policy that Mr President and the NCCC must deliberately pursue.
Solar
In the 19th century, the pillars of industry relied on coal, limestone, steel, and cement, as well as the advent of oil and gas. However, the 21st century has witnessed a transformative shift towards renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind power.
Solar energy, in particular, has emerged as a sustainable alternative, prompting humanity to reconsider and reduce dependence on traditional, environmentally impactful sources.
This transition reflects a growing awareness of the need to harness cleaner energy options and minimize the exploitation of non-renewable resources.
Even farming and agricultural practices are fast transforming to hardener and smart agriculture with minimal use of fossil-driven apparatus.
The urgent call to action for Nigeria and the government of President Bola Tinubu
Fortunately, Nigeria is well placed to drive forward a dynamic and home-grown climate action agenda. The passage of the Climate Change Act 2021 paved the way for the creation of the National Council on Climate Change, (NCCC), which reports directly to Mr.President, with the mandate to act as a clearing house and convening platform for climate action initiatives within and across government. It is important to distinguish NCCC’s convening role from the still critically important operational role of the Ministry of Environment, which sits as a key member of the Council.
With the current reality, there is an urgent need for the Mr President to revisit and realign the activities of the NCCC, particularly with the requirements for Nigeria to access climate finance.
To access climate finance for adaptation to and mitigation of climate effects, as well as to benefit from the rapidly developing voluntary and to participate in carbon trading markets.
A big lesson from CoP28 was that we need to accelerate action and take more deliberate steps to ensure greater coordination of activities, both in and between the public and private sectors. trading, there are certain steps and coordination that will require your deliberate interventions.
Also, flowing from COP28 sessions, Mr President will need to reconstitute the NCCC and infuse new agility into the Council. It is important that all the critical stakeholders are co-ordinated and appropriate working groups are created around and within the Council.
His Excellency has already taken bold steps to accelerate the potential to access greater flows of climate finance through the recent creation of the Carbon Market Committee, ably led by Zach Adediji, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The NCCC provides a platform to ensure coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
For example, the National Energy Commission is expected to play a significant role in the energy transmission policy. Given the new Ministerial portfolios, the Ministers sitting as members of the Council need to be re-designated. T he Council already has provision for representatives from the The organized private sector representatives, civil societyies, and all the state and local governments, and these representatives need to be appointed immediately. Also provided for is a role for the National Security Adviser, underscoring the potential role of climate change in worsening conditions that could increase such conflict risks, as poverty and food insecurity. are expected to be part of the NCCC.
The past missed opportunities by Nigeria to access the lloss and ddamages funds can still be regained. Our position forability to access climate financing can be strengthened, and technical capacity building for the NCCCc is urgently required if we are to catch up with countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The establishment of the Climate Fund, as the repository of such funding, as well as other flows of climate finance, is a critical function of the NCCC under the Climate Change Act, and we must move quickly, working closely with the Ministry of Finance, to accelerate progress with this.
To expedite decarbonization and achieve swift carbon credit progress, it is crucial for Mr. President to actively request monthly updates. This approach ensures proper coordination and effective monitoring of the activities surrounding climate change issues in Nigeria.
In navigating Nigeria’s eEnergy tTransition, a critical reassessment of existing policies is imperative, including a revision of the Energy Transition Plan promoted by the former Vice president, especially given the given the complex interplay of forces advocating for and against fossil fuel phase-outsthinking of the new administration.
The National Energy Commission is also expected to play a significant role in the energy transition policy.
The nation stands at a pivotal juncture, carefully balancing the complex interplay of forces advocating for and against fossil fuel phase-outs; the need for continued oil and gas exploration against market constraints for petroleum products; and the delicate equilibrium between decarbonization targets and credits, essentially a debit and credit game. A revised plan must consider also The the time-sensitive nature of attracting investments in both conventional and renewable energy sources, particularly solar., necessitates meticulous oversight from the NCCC.
Managing the energy transition involves maintaining a delicate equilibrium between decarbonization targets and credits, essentially a debit and credit game.
While acknowledging the significance of oil and gas as essential resources for ecocomic growth, thus feeding our sizable population, we must also recognize agriculture’s potential, albeit requiring substantial mechanization.
Optimizing power generation entails a strategic shift towards hydro, gas, and solar, with the proposal of a 6000 MW nuclear power base load to be constructed by the Chinese as may be approved by the President.
This minimum nuclear power supply base for Nigeria when added to our current 4,000 MW per day will give Nigeria a minimum of 10,000MW every day and that can propel our GDP growth to two digits.
This choice becomes imperative for Nigeria to overcome energy deficits and alleviate poverty. Careful consideration and progressive adjustments over the next two to three years will be essential in achieving a balanced and sustainable energy landscape.
In maintaining a delicate balance with fossil fuels, it’s crucial to consider transitioning fuels such as LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). While these alternatives offer cleaner options, their production is energy-intensive and carbon-laden. Nigeria currently requires about 5 million tonnes of LPG to replace traditional cooking methods involving firewood, charcoal, and kerosene.
One of the working groups of the NCCC couldan be made to deliberately drive this LPG/CNG deployment, as in Indonesia 11-12 years ago.
Nigeria currently faces mounting pressure from the encroaching Sahara Desert, demanding immediate attention from the Ministry of Environment.
In the short term, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Environment and the Sahelian states can swiftly implement the strategic planting of special desert trees. Such tree-planting campaigns must be supported with irrigation systems.
This proactive measure holds the potential to generate positive carbon credit footprints for Nigeria.
Concurrently, urbanization and housing strategies must undergo rationalization, adhering to set standards by various government agencies to ensure climate change compliances are captured in design and building.
These are just a few examples of the issues that need to be co-ordinated and become part of a holistic climate action plan. There are many other initiatives, including in transport and industry that require accelerated development.
To expedite decarbonization and achieve swift carbon credit progress, it is crucial for Mr. President to actively request monthly updates from the NCCC on progress with these initiatives. This approach ensures proper coordination and effective monitoring of the activities surrounding climate change issues in Nigeria.
My submissions as articulated above are to guide Mr. President Tinubu appropriately and to draw the attention of all the critical stakeholders to the urgent need for reorganization of the NCCC and capacity building as well as proper alignment with the Ministry of Environment, Finance, the National Energy Commission, the Federal inland Revenue Service, etc and others.
In humility, I share this reflection as an ordinary private citizen who had the privilege of attending COP28. I intend to ensure that the essence of the conference isn’t lost amidst the day-to-day dynamics of governance in this administration.
Kunle writes from Abuja
