Stakeholders Design Framework To Maximize Nigeria’s Carbon Market

By Bukar BOLORI

The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have gathered stakeholders in the environmental sector to prepare framework for Nigeria’s carbon market, which has potential of unlocking major industrial revolution in the country.

Speaking at the workshop on Nigeria’s Carbon Market Framework: Article 6 Training & Implementation Design organised by NCCC and UNDP in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said It is essential to note that carbon markets present very important tool to reach global climate goals in short and medium term.

The Minister who was represented at the workshop by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari noted that carbon markets could help to mobilize resources and reduce costs to give countries and companies the space to smooth the low-carbon transition and be able to achieve the goal of net zero emissions in the most effective way possible.

While admitting that Nigeria’s carbon market is an emerging market that is yet to actualize its full potential, Lawal said: “The need to unlock its opportunities is pivotal to promoting sustainable growth, stimulate economic development and mitigate climate change. The country’s carbon market would serve as an attraction for climate finance and as a means to curb greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Minister said: “Nigeria has the potential to produce million tons worth of carbon credits annually by 2030 through projects like Reforestation, Renewable energy, Waste to energy, Improved cook stove,” insisting that: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Carbon market opportunities holds potential for sustainable growth, economic development and climate change mitigation. Collaborating with international partners, capacity building and targeted investments can help actualize these potentials.”

He added that: “Nigeria has over the years shown increasing interest in reducing its emissions through engagement in relevant partnerships and initiatives. This has been demonstrated in our NDC (Nationally determined contribution), the long-term low emission development strategies and the country’s interest to consider cooperative climate action under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

In the updated NDC submitted in 2021, based on the new mitigation analysis, “Nigeria restates its commitment to its unconditional target to reduce GHG emissions by 20% below business-as-usual by 2030, and increases its conditional target to 47% below business-as-usual by 2030 on the condition of receiving appropriate support. All these initiatives are pointers to Nigeria’s efforts in reducing its GHG emissions.

“However, in view of achieving and implementing Nigeria’s NDC, it is timely to consider the different approaches for carbon market necessary to steer the country on the trajectory of low-carbon policies while considering national priorities such as socio-economic development and sustainable development. Considering this, the goal of this workshop is to delve deeper into the intricacies of Article 6, with a focus on operationalization and advancing the development of Nigeria’s Article 6 Framework.”

On his part, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru said: “Despite its low level of emissions, Nigeria has the potential for a range of carbon mitigation activities above and beyond the planned activities of the NDC that may allow it to access carbon finance through trading to assist its ambitious goal to become a developed, carbon-neutral, and climate-resilient economy by 2060.”

He added that: “Thus, as the marketplace for carbon trading is emerging, it will be of great importance to explore opportunities and identify implications and risks associated with carbon market under the PA’s Article 6 in Nigeria.”

Dahiru explained that: “Participating in Article 6 necessitates a country-led, efficient, and robust institutional architecture with high-level engagement and monitoring. The arrangement must have legal and administrative authority to effectively implement Article 6 on behalf of the national government. The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) is Nigeria’s National Designated Article 6 Authority (NDAA), responsible for overseeing all Article 6-related activities and transactions. NCCC authorizes and approves Article 6.2 and Article 6.4 projects that accord with national interest.10.

“Nigeria is also establishing an Article 6 Technical Committee (A6.TC) to coordinate engagement across all government ministries and departments. A6.TC members will review progress, challenges, and investment prospects in their respective industries. The team will assess the impact of current and upcoming cooperation agreements on the country’s NDC attainment, sustainable development benefits (including green job creation), and financial resource mobilization.”

He told the stakeholders that: “This workshop is therefore timely, as there are a lot of interest on Article 6. Operationalization of Article 6 of the PA is one of the core role of NEYEN, so we can explore their expertise to understand carbon market and how it works. I therefore call on commitments and cooperation from relevant sectors to ensure successful deliberation and accomplishment of the goals of the workshop.”