Nigeria To Roll Out Comprehensive National Carbon Market Policy Soon, Says NCCCS

By Bukar BOLORI

Nigeria will soon be rolling out a comprehensive National Carbon Market Policy, Manual of Procedure and Regulation for carbon pricing mechanisms in the country.

When released, these documents will provide the overarching structure for carbon pricing mechanisms in Nigeria, including those potentially applicable to the telecommunications sector.

Leading the development of these documents is the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS).

Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change and Director General, NCCCS, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, revealed this plan on Tuesday at the Hybrid Stakeholders Consultation Workshop on Carbon Pricing in Nigeria’s Telecommunication Sector, held in Abuja.

According to Maduekwe, this process is currently underway and benefiting significantly from stakeholder input, ensuring that the final output is robust, practical, and aligned with international best practices.

She said: “Your contributions to this workshop will directly inform the ongoing development of this crucial national framework. promoting carbon pricing mechanisms, we are exploring the feasibility and implementation of carbon pricing instruments, such as emissions trading schemes and carbon tax as stipulated in sections 4 and 15 of the CCA, to incentivize emissions reduction and drive investments in clean technologies.”

Maduekwe, while noting that the workshop will explore the telecommunications sector’s carbon footprint and mitigation opportunities and the various carbon pricing mechanisms and their suitability for the sector, said: “These will also include the potential economic and social impacts of carbon pricing and developing a roadmap for implementation.”

She added that the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat is committed to driving co-creation as this is crucial to fostering implementation, stating that: “We recognize that the telecommunications sector is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial that we adopt a tailored approach that considers the specific circumstances of the sector. Your insights, perspectives, and experiences will provide us the tools useful to develop a carbon pricing mechanism that is both effective and feasible for the telecommunications sector.”

She emphasized that with stakeholders collaborative efforts, Nigeria can develop a robust and effective carbon pricing mechanism for the telecommunications sector.

Maduekwe explained that: “This mechanism will not only contribute significantly to national emissions reductions but also serve as a valuable model, informing the development and implementation of similar mechanisms in other key sectors of the Nigerian economy. The insights and best practices derived from this pilot initiative will be instrumental in scaling up carbon pricing across various industries, catalyzing innovation, stimulating investment, and fostering sustainable economic growth nationwide.”

She noted that the workshop forms part of the process to ensure a whole of government and society ownership of the charted pathway, stating that: “We are exploring the feasibility and implementation of carbon pricing instruments, such as emissions trading schemes and carbon tax as stipulated in sections 4 and 15 of the CCA, to incentivize emissions reduction and drive investments in clean technologies.”

While explaining that the workshop is a prime example of Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive policy development, Maduekwe said: “We believe that collaboration is key to effective climate action. We are actively engaging with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as media, academia, and civil society organizations, to ensure that our policies are inclusive and effective.”

On his part, the Regional Lead United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)-Regional Collaboration Centre for West and Central Africa, Mr Walter Tubua, asked all stakeholders to conduct formulation of a carbon tax “a pilot carbon tax design” in a very transparent and inclusive manner.

He said that the UNFCC is committed to formulating climate change polices that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and poverty eradication.

He said: “We are here to work with you on what you what to achieved, and we will be standing right here with you to help you achieved these.”

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Fall, urged all stakeholders to actively participate, share knowledge, and collaborate to ensure that this pilot carbon tax design is effective, equitable, and aligned with Nigeria’s development aspirations.

He emphasized that the outcomes of the workshop will lay the foundation for future climate policies in Nigeria and demonstrate the country’s leadership in adopting innovative solutions for emission reductions.

Fall said: “This collective effort from the UN family, combined with the active participation of the private sector some her with us today guided by growing ESG principles, and supported by forward-thinking policies like carbon pricing, is what will truly drive Nigeria’s transformation towards a resilient, low-carbon future.”

He also reiterated that the UN System in Nigeria are committed to this journey, and will continued to partner with the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria.

He added that: “The UNFCCC, through the RCC WAC Africa, has also been quite instrumental in supporting our exploration of innovative climate finance mechanisms, including the interesting subject of carbon pricing. The UNFCCC’s guidance has been invaluable in helping all of us to navigate this complex landscape, and their support is exemplified by our gathering here today. UNIDO is driving industrial decarbonization and promoting clean energy projects, helping us to green our industries and build a more sustainable economy.”

Deputy Director, Head, Knowledge Management, Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, Dr Beluchi Nwanisobi said the NCC will continue to collaborate and work with National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, NCCCS to achieve its mandate.

The workshop was organized by NCCCS in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission with the support of UNFCCC Secretariat and its Regional Collaboration Centre for West Africa.