The Paris Agreement, as it is popularly called, is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that deals with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance which will be starting in 2020. 195 countries representatives negotiated the agreement at the 21st conference of the parties of the UNFCCC in Paris, France.
[caption id="attachment_353" align="aligncenter" width="311"]
Image Source: Internet[/caption]This year during global Earth Day event, April 22nd, the agreement was opened for signature and 191 member countries have signed it and 61 countries have had this agreement ratified as of September 2016.
The Paris Agreement aims to ensure;
- A long term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial level,
- Limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate,
- On the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognizing that this will take longer for developing countries,
- To undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with best available science.
[caption id="attachment_355" align="aligncenter" width="318"]
Image Source: Internet[/caption]Climate change is real and it is happening. While it is one thing to have an agreement in place and sign a treaty, it is another thing entirely to implement the processes in the reduction of GHG emissions which has become a bane to our planet.
Nigeria’s commitment to climate change advocacy was ratified as the President of the country joined other nations in signing the agreement. This was done last week Thursday at the meeting on “Taking Action for Sustainable Development” during the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA71, in New York.
The President stated commitment to the Paris Agreement saying the country will strive to build a climate resilient society across diverse terrains in Nigeria. He further said;
“In addition, we are set to launch our first ever Green Bonds in the first quarter of 2107 to fund a pipeline of projects, all targeted at reducing emissions towards a greener economy.”
While Nigeria’s efforts to tackling GHG emissions will indeed require an indefatigable mode of implementation, the right people will need to be in the right positions to ensure the goal is met.
Aside industrial emissions of GHG, the national electricity generation is still an issue. The majority of the populace generates electricity by themselves through the use of carbon-emitting generators.
While only a few are starting to migrate and tilt towards the use of renewable energy such as solar, the government still has a major role to play to ascertain the goal is reached.
In the aspect of environmental sustainability, the government has kicked off the oil spillage in Ogoni community in the South-South region of the country. This is a highly commendable effort as the cleanup has taken years to see the light of day. We all must ensure the success of this goal in all ramifications. We hope the zeal and passion of the government towards this goal does not wane.
Long may it continue.
0 comments: