By Maduka Nweke, [email protected]
The Federal Government’s response to climate change, particularly in relation to the Paris Climate Change Convention, has been widely criticised by builders and other stakeholders for its inadequacy and lack of decisive action.
Stakeholders in the construction sector have warned of severe consequences if the government continues with the lackluster attitude.
Scathing climate impacts are already manifesting in rising sea levels, erratic rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, flooding, droughts, desertification, land degradation and a higher frequency of extreme weather events.
According to them, the aforelisted issues are not merely transient but have become chronic, leading to significant economic and social challenges.
Climate change in Nigeria is evident through observable phenomena such as rising temperatures, variability in rainfall; elevated in coastal areas but declining in continental regions; drought, desertification, and frequent flooding. The country also experiences severe erosion, bush fires, landslides, land degradation and loss of biodiversity, all of which adversely impact human and animal life as well as ecosystems. While temperature fluctuations are a reality, with hotter dry seasons and milder temperatures during rains, the effects of climate change are widespread and varied.
In response to these challenges, the World Meteorological Organization established the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 to provide scientific assessments of climate threats. The 2007 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report highlighted the urgent need for global action, attributing current global warming to human activities. The Earth is nearing a critical juncture, facing threats like atmospheric and marine pollution, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and the extinction of wildlife.
Commenting on the worrisome development, Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary of the Resource Centre and member of the Nigerian Climate Networks, emphasised Nigeria’s status as a frontline nation in climate change impacts.
At a recent seminar, he detailed how northern regions are suffering from desertification and intense flooding, while the central regions are grappling with soil erosion and loss of forest cover. Southern regions face coastal flooding due to rising sea levels. The variability in climate effects across different regions; intense heat in the northeast, high rainfall in the southeast, and other regional anomalies; reflects the uneven and often severe impact of climate change.
Arigbabu criticised the government’s response to climate change, noting that while there is some federal awareness and commitment; evidenced by Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policies such as the Climate Change Act of 2021, implementation remains fragmented.
He pointed out that state and local governments often lag behind federal initiatives, and contradictory actions by different agencies undermine overall efforts. This lack of coordination and the absence of effective community mobilisation and information dissemination exacerbate the situation.
In his intervention, Mr. Mike Simire, the Chief Executive Office of MS & Associates Limited, provided a more optimistic view, highlighting Nigeria’s active efforts to mitigate climate risks.
These include updating NDCs under the Paris Agreement to target a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions unconditionally, and up to 47 percent with international support by 2030. Key areas of focus are renewable energy investments, particularly solar power, and participation in the African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative to combat desertification and restore ecosystems.
Simire also pointed to Nigeria’s promotion of climate-smart agriculture, including drought-resistant crops and improved irrigation techniques, as well as large-scale tree planting campaigns led by various states and NGOs. The issuance of green bonds for climate-related projects and the enactment of the Climate Change Act, which established the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), underscore Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate issues.
“Regarding the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Nigeria has updated its targets under the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent unconditionally and up to 47 percent with international support by 2030. This includes actions in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation. The NDCs emphasize renewable energy, reforestation, and sustainable land use as critical areas for emission reduction.
“In terms of energy transition, Nigeria is working to decrease its reliance on fossil fuels by investing in renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. The country aims to generate 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Nigeria is also participating in the African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative, which seeks to combat desertification and restore degraded land across the Sahel region. This project involves planting trees and restoring ecosystems to sequester carbon and improve livelihoods. Additionally, various state governments and NGOs are engaging in large-scale tree planting campaigns to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable land use.
“Nigeria is promoting climate-smart agriculture to enhance food security while minimizing the environmental impact of farming. This includes adopting drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation techniques, and sustainable livestock practices. Programs like the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) offer technical support to farmers adapting to changing climate conditions. Nigeria was the first African country to issue green bonds, raising funds for climate-related projects. These bonds finance renewable energy, afforestation, and other sustainable initiatives.
“The Nigerian government enacted the Climate Change Act in 2021, establishing a legal framework for climate action. This law mandates the creation of a national climate change council to coordinate efforts across sectors. Nigeria is collaborating with international organizations and other countries to strengthen its climate resilience”, he said.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain
Rising sea levels and increased temperatures are directly impacting agriculture, health, and food security. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, affecting communities, particularly those near gas flare plants where temperature increases cause health problems and disrupt crop growth.
Mr. Peter Nnaka, a climate change consultant, described Nigeria’s diverse climate zones, including the Sahelian hot and semi-arid north, the tropical monsoon south, and the tropical savanna central region. He highlighted the disparity in climate conditions across the country, with significant impacts on agriculture, hydropower systems, and food security.
“While the core regions only get one rainy and one dry season, the southern parts see heavy rainfall from March to October. There is a lot of annual variance in the north, which causes droughts and flooding. The mean annual temperature of the country varies greatly between coastal and interior regions; the plateau has a mean temperature between 21°C and 27°C, while the interior lowlands typically see temperatures above 27°C. There is variation in rainfall from April to October, and the average annual temperature is 26.9°C.
“Rising sea levels increase vulnerability to flooding and waterborne disease. Additionally, drought and rising temperature hinder agricultural production and fishing, reducing food security and negatively impacting health and nutrition. Drought and reduced rainfall, combined with rising air temperatures, inhibit the country’s hydropower systems, and hinder agricultural production and fishing, reducing food security and negatively impacting health and nutrition”.
In summary, stakeholders infer that while the federal government may be taking little steps to address climate change, the overall response is marred by inefficiencies, policy inconsistencies, and inadequate community engagement. They noted that effective climate action requires enhanced coordination, robust local government involvement, and comprehensive strategies to mitigate and adapt to the evolving climate challenges.