Abuja: Former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Oniugbo, has urged African nations to be consistent in the implementation of policies aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change. The climate change advocate, who participated in the just-concluded CoP29, delivered his insights during an interview in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oniugbo emphasized the importance of consistency in policy implementation across African countries to effectively tackle climate change. He noted that while many African nations are working to establish Climate Change Acts to guide their policy directions, there must be a robust framework to prevent policy reversals and ensure smooth execution.
Oniugbo underscored that African nations attended CoP29 not to seek financial aid but to negotiate favorable terms for climate initiatives. He stressed the necessity for these countries to adhere to due process and meet stringent conditions to access international funding. Highlighting Africa’s minimal contribution
of three percent to global climate change, he lamented that the continent disproportionately suffers from its effects, a result of emissions largely generated by developed countries through their extensive use of coal and fossil fuels.
At CoP29, African and other developing nations called on the developed world to commit 1.23 trillion dollars annually to address climate issues. However, Oniugbo reported that the negotiations concluded with an agreement to provide 1 billion dollars annually, with a gradual increase towards the 1.23 trillion dollar target over time.
Regarding Nigeria’s efforts, Oniugbo acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to mitigating climate change impacts within the country. Tinubu has expressed intentions to leverage climate change initiatives to attract investments and has called on developed nations to financially support climate-related activities.
Oniugbo further mentioned his participation in meetings in Dubai focused on increasing renewable energy adoption and expanding
the carbon market. He highlighted Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) policy as a significant measure by the current government to combat climate change effects domestically.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also noted that Oniugbo had sponsored the Climate Act in Nigeria’s 9th National Assembly, establishing the legal and administrative framework necessary for the country’s climate change policies and actions.