Nigerian Climate VIPs Preach Sustainability
No commentsTuesday 15 December 15 was a rather busy day for Nigerian delegates at the global climate conference being held in Copenhagen , Denmark.
No fewer that two state governors took the stage to address a range of issues touching on sustainable development, even as the summit headed through its second and final week.
Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is part of a panel of leaders, the Climate Leaders Summit 2009, that tabled the controversial topic of low carbon technology.
The group is a forum for the exchange of practical policy advice between government heads and business leaders of some of the world’s leading low carbon technology companies and financial institutions.
While corporate leaders are expected to announce investments in – and deployment of – new energy technologies, policymakers will likely proclaim policies that will encourage the introduction of key clean energy technology infrastructure.
They are however expected to demonstrate how they are working together to build the low carbon economy of the future.
Similarly, Cross River’s Governor Liyel Imoke unveiled his efforts towards a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) programme for Nigeria.
A way of compensating poor countries to protect their forests, REDD allows countries that can reduce emissions from deforestation to be paid for doing so.
There is concern that over 90 per cent of Nigeria ’s forests have already gone. More than half of what remains is found in Cross River State. The forest is considered to be one of the richest biodiversity reserves in Africa.
State Forestry Commission chair Odigha Odigha said the governor’s main goal in Denmark was to look for donor commitment for a REDD readiness programme for Nigeria.
On Tuesday the Nigerian delegation also hosted a forum on climate change investment opportunities, where Foreign Affairs Minister Ojo Maduakwe, Environment Minister John Odey, and Power Minster of State Nuhu Somo Way were resource persons.
Odey’s aide, Rotimi Ajayi, said the event would highlight how Nigeria could tap the potential for sustainable economic development in the country.
