The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on concerned parties to embrace equity as they work together to defeat the climate crisis in the country and across the world.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal made the call while delivering the country’s speech on behalf of the president, on Saturday at the global climate change conference in Dubai.
This is coming after the largest economy in Africa failed to deliver a statement at the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) alongside other heads of state.
Mr Lawal said it would be unfair to ask Nigeria and other developing countries to travel the road alone noting that the framework of a sustainable climate change solution cannot mirror the extant imbalances of the current global economic order.
He said those who benefit most from the current system have the onus to invest the most in repairing the environmental breaches which countries now suffer.
While seeking collaboration, Mr Lawal announced that Nigeria is willing to join the call to decarbonise the global economy, adding that the country’s vast renewable energy resources present an opportunity for sustainable growth.
In his words: “As Nigeria commits to reducing emissions by moving to cleaner energy sources, we urge developed nations to finally honour their commitment to providing the needed technology to help promote development while simultaneously mitigating climate change,” he said.
According to him, the earth is begging us to heal the wounds inflicted by human activity. No longer can we afford to ignore her cries. The clock ticks.
He said: “ I come here, today, to speak about the positive hopes and reasonable expectations of the Nigerian people regarding the global effort to stop climate change.
“Nigeria and its future are being squeezed by climate change. To the north, the desert consumes arable land, displacing communities and causing food insecurity and social dislocation that often erupts into violence.
“In the south, ocean levels threaten coastal areas. Throughout the nation, flooding kills hundreds, decimates farmland, towns, and villages, and leaves tens of thousands homeless.
“As the leader of over two hundred million diverse people spread across an equally diverse geography, I know my country must contend with both development and climate change. To treat one but not the other, will cause us to fail at both.”