Climate Change: It is Time for Action

Paper delivered at the World Environment Day, 2014 organized by the NNPC Group

HSE Department, 5 June, 2014

BY

Dr Engobo Emeseh,

Director of Postgraduate Studies, Department of Law and Criminology,

Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom

Email: ege@aber.ac.uk

The GMD, NNPC,

Members of the Board & Senior Management of NNPC

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Introduction

First let me express my gratitude at the privilege and honour to address this august gathering.

It is with a deep sense of humility that I stand before you today, following in the footsteps of

the eminent speakers, whose statures I cannot lay claim to, who have through the years

graced this podium to deliver the lead technical paper for the annual World Environment Day

celebrations organised by the NNPC. These annual gatherings have, in the spirit in which the

World Environment Day was established in 1972, become an excellent forum for raising

awareness, stimulating dialogue, and encouraging action on the major environmental

concerns of our day. And for this the NNPC deserves great credit and thanks. As a key

stakeholder in the oil industry, which is deeply implicated in global and national

environmental challenges, their commitment to this event is a testament not just of the vision

of the Management, but also their courage. Vision, because only in facing up to and

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addressing the environmental and social concerns from industrial activity can we truly

achieve development. Courage, because I have no doubt whatsoever, that through the years,

the words from this podium would have sometimes made uncomfortable listening for the

organisation and its Management. Tonight, if there is any promise I can make, it is that I shall

not disappoint you in that respect!

In keeping that promise, I am much aided by the theme of this year’s World Environment

Day - Small Island States and Climate Change. The United Nation’s Environment

Programme’s winning slogan for the year in light of this theme is “Raise your voice, not the

sea levels”. To my mind, this encapsulates a call to action, action on climate change, hence

my topic today- Climate Change: A time for Action. But perhaps, I get ahead of myself.

Understandably, the World Environment Day theme may generate a number of questions in

our minds.

What are Small Island States and their relationship or particular connection with climate

change? Why is this worth talking about now? And perhaps, most importantly, Nigeria not

being a Small Island State, how is the theme of the 2014 World Environment Day relevant to

us here in Nigeria? What is our call to action? Is it a call to action in, and on behalf of

peoples, in distant lands- itself a laudable project? Or does the theme have much closer

resonance with us - as a People (Nigerians); as an organisation - the NNPC; and as

individuals?

These are the questions and issues on which I intend to share my thoughts with you today.

My paper today paper comprises five main sections. Following this introduction, section 2

gives a brief background on climate change- its meanings, causes and impacts. This is

followed by a discussion on the particular relevance of Small Island States within the context

of climate change discourse, and how Africa and indeed Nigeria, fits in within this narrative.

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Against this background, section 3 explores the policy responses to climate change at a global

level, paying particular attention to frameworks, strategies, and mechanisms available for

addressing the causes and impacts of climate change. Section 4 will focus on Nigeria and its

responses so far to climate change. How robust is our law and policy framework? How

central is the NNPC to Nigeria’s climate change response? What role can we as individuals

play? How effectively have we utilised the support mechanisms and opportunities available at

a global level for addressing climate change? The final section will conclude this paper,

paying attention to priority areas for action where we can and should do better.

2. Climate Change, Small Island Developing States and its relevance in the

Nigerian Context

Climate Change

Climate Change is the single most important environmental challenge facing the world today.

Indeed climate change transcends just the environment, having far reaching implications for

practically all facets of human society. This is captured eloquently by the then UN Deputy

High Commission for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang, thus: “Global warming and extreme

weather conditions may have calamitous consequences for the human rights of millions of

people...ultimately climate change may affect the very right to life of various individuals ...

[countries] have an obligation to prevent and address some of the direst consequences that

climate change may reap on human rights” (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity

Commission, 2008: 1). It could be tempting to dimiss this kind of bold assertion as alarmist.

Indeed the reality of climate change, its causes and impacts was for decades the subject of

great controversy and debate. This was premised in part on the fact that changes in climatic

patterns can occur purely as a natural phenomenon, resulting in the past in such periods as the

ice age where extreme climatic conditions were experienced. However, while there may still

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be a few outliers, the consensus of the international scientific community is clear and

unequivocal: climate change is occuring, it is anthropogenic- i.e. human induced, and if not

addressed, could wreak severe havoc on the earth (IPPC 2007, 2013).

Strictly, climate change simply means “a change in the state of the climate that can be

identified (e.g. using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its

properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.” (IPCC,

2007: 9.1.1). And it is rapid changes in these observable variables that first led to global

concerns on climate change. These observable variables include about a 0.75 degrees Celsius

rise in average temperature in the atmosphere near the earth’s s surface over a period of about

a 100 years. This resulted in changes in a range of other variables such as global mean

surface temperatures; concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses; changes

in sea level; precipitation patterns; and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Importantly, the nature and speed of these changes are not due to naturally occurring factors,

but to human activity and impacts- in particular emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs).

Although GHGs occur naturally, and are essential for the conditions that keep the earth at

temperatures warm enough for survival, unregulated human activities since the industrial

revolution have significantly increased concentrations of GHGs in the earth’s atmosphere.

These increased levels of GHGs in the atmosphere traps a lot more heat from the infrared

radiation of the earth, resulting in what is called the greenhouse effect and consequent rises in

global temperature. The main GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2); methane (CH4); nitrous

oxide (N2O); hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and sulphur

hexafluoride (SF). The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (2007) gives some indication of the

rapid rate of increase of these gasses. For instance,

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“Global GHG emissions due to human activities … since pre-industrial times,

[increased] by 70% between 1970 and 2004.”

“Carbon dioxide (CO2) … annual emissions grew by about 80% between 1970 and

2004.”

“Global atmospheric concentrations of CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)

have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far

exceed pre-industrial values determined from ice cores spanning many thousands of

years.”

Thus from a policy perspective, climate change has been defined as a “change of climate

which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the

global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over

comparable time periods” (UNFCCC, 1992: Art. 2).

GHGs are emitted from various sectors of the economy including agriculture, manufacturing,

deforestation, transport, tourism, buildings and waste. However, the main source of carbon

dioxide emission, the main GHG, is the energy sector, through the burning of fossil fuels.

The current situation is essentially a result of over a century and a half of industrialisation. As

populations, economies and standards of living grow, so have the cumulative levels of GHG

emissions. The challenge of course becomes how we respond to climate change without

compromising our innate desire for continued economic growth and improved standards of

living. The ability of the human race to deal effectively with climate change potentially

determines our future on planet Earth. This is because as noted earlier, the average

temperature of the earth’s surface has risen by about 0.75°C since the late 1800s and if

nothing is done about GHGs, it is expected to go up another 1.8°C to 4°C by the year 2100.

The consequences if this happens are predicted to be cataclysmic. Even if temperatures rise

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by “only” another 1.8°C, it would be a larger increase in temperature than any century-long

trend in the last 10,000 years. According to the United States’ National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2010 nine of the previous 10 years were the hottest

years on record. Nearly all climate scientists agree that global temperatures will rise even

further. By how much depends on future emissions of greenhouse gases, and other human

activities. Put simply, the earth is becoming too hot. If nothing is done about the causes, it

will become even much hotter. And if there is a high future rise in temperature the impact is

likely to be extreme with potentially catastrophic consequences.

These consequences include extreme weather events (such as heat waves, floods and tropical

storms), rising sea levels, changes to the start and length of the seasons, droughts, etc. These

will result in wider challenges such as food scarcity, migrations, diseases, conflicts, etc. In

fact, the impacts of climate change are already being felt across the globe. For instance, over

the course of the 20thC, sea levels rose by an average of 10 to 20 cm. and are expected to

increase to 18-59cm by 2100.

Small Island Developing States and Climate Change

And therein lies the special connection between Small Island Developing States and Climate

(SIDS). These groups of nations scattered across various continents, but mostly in the wider

Caribbean and South Pacific regions, are low lying coastal states, mainly in tropical regions,

and often coping with extreme weather events such as cyclones and hurricanes. They are

therefore extremely vulnerable to variable weather patterns and other impacts of climate

change, in particular sea level rise and flooding. Already, in a number of these countries, sea

level rises have made their countries inhabitable. For instance, in the island nation of Tuvalu,

about half of the population have migrated from rural populations in outer islands affected by

climate change and sea level rises to the capital, Funafuti, with the attendant economic,

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environment and social challenges this raises. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, there has also

been migration from the outer Cartaret Island to the main island of Bougainville. The paradox

is that these States have contributed the least to GHGs, and human induced climate change.

Most SIDS are also poor developing economies, least able to muster the technological and

financial capability required for adapting to and mitigating climate change.

The special position of these countries has therefore always been recognised within the

international climate change framework and all subsequent climate change negotiations. The

preamble to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change recognises “the

possible adverse effects of sea-level rise on islands and coastal areas, particularly low-lying

coastal areas”; while Article 8 (a) specifically mentions SIDs as a separate group within the

context of “funding, insurance and the transfer of technology, to meet the specific needs and

concerns of developing country Parties”.

So on some level, the theme of this year’s WED is indeed an acknowledgment of the peculiar

situation of SIDs, and our collective responsibility as an international community to

contribute towards addressing climate change. Nevertheless, while the position of SIDS may

be unique, climate change is a common concern of all nations of the world and its effects are

collectively felt across the globe. To that extent, as a country, as an organisation, and as

individuals, we share a similar, or indeed common destiny with the SIDS. Indeed in so many

ways, our fate, and our vulnerability to climate change is not very dissimilar to that of the

SIDs. The theme of the WED is therefore also a call on us to action on climate change in our

respective countries, organisations, and other sphere of influence.

Climate Change in the African and Nigerian Context

Indeed, Africa as a continent is also set to suffer considerably from climate change.

According to the UNFCCC, “Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate

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change and climate variability, a situation aggravated by the interaction of ‘multiple

stresses’, occurring at various levels, and low adaptive capacity… (IPCC 2007: Chapter 9).

All its regions - from the flood prone coastal regions, to the more drought susceptible semi-

arid and arid Sahel and Saharan regions- are fragile and sensitive to the impacts of climate

change. This is exacerbated by underlying socio-economic factors such as poverty,

overdependence on climate sensitive agricultural practices, and limited adaptive capacity to

climate shocks and longer term trends (Emeseh 2013).

Here are just some of the facts about Africa and Climate Change

By 2020, between 75 and 250 million people projected to be exposed to increased

water stress.

Yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% with implications for

food security and malnutrition

Towards the end of the 21st century, projected sea level rise will affect low-lying

coastal areas with large populations.

By 2080, an increase of 5 to 8% of arid and semi-arid land in Africa is projected

under a range of climate scenarios.

The cost of adaptation could amount to at least 5 to 10% of Gross Domestic Product

(GDP). (Factsheet, 1997: 11)

All across Africa, the impacts of climate change is already evident: - unprecedented floods in

Mozambique and across West Africa; desertification across the Sahel and Sahara region;

drought and famine in countries on the horn of Africa; expansion of endemic vector borne-

diseases such as malaria to previously risk free countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia, climate

change induced conflicts, migration and internally displaced peoples, to mention but a few.

All of these are a serious threat to the development agenda of the continent, including

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attainment of key Millennium Development Goals such as poverty eradication and

sustainable development (AMCEN 2010; Besada and Sewankambo, 2009).

The Nigerian situation is typical of that of the continent. Geographical factors in all of its

regions makes the country susceptible to adverse climate effects, and this is aggravated by the

“multiple stresses” earlier outlined; including “existing environmental problems like

desertification, erosion, flooding, and ecological devastation” (FME/FGN: 17). Large parts

of the country, along its major rivers (Niger and Benue), and in the southern part of the

country, especially the Niger Delta, are low lying coastal regions vulnerable to sea level rise,

flooding and erosion. The Northern part of the country is exposed to desertification and

drought while an estimated 89,297 and 133,944 square kilometres of arable land would be at

risk in the Sudan-Sahel area of Nigeria, with two-thirds of Nigeria vulnerable to drought and

desertification (Okon, 2008, Abdulhamid, 2011).

These all have wider human, health, social, political, security and economic ramifications.

For instance, on the economic front, the African Development Bank identifies “vulnerability

to external shocks, including climate change” as being one of the four potential risks to the

current positive growth being experienced in the country. This includes both the direct

impacts of climate change on various economic sectors, as well as the wider global

ramifications of climate change mitigation which may affect global oil demand, the

cornerstone of the Nigerian economy. According to a Report by the Federal Government, the

capital value at risk stands at about US$6.4 billion for the current level of development

(FME/FGN: 17). Climate change threatens various economic sectors, including agriculture

and fisheries, both of which still accounts for about 70% of employment, especially in rural

areas. It is projected that a mere 0.2m rise in sea-level would result in flooding of about 3,400

km2 of Nigeria’s coast-land, while the figure for a 1.0m rise will be an estimated18,400km2.

If this appears far-fetched to some of us, perhaps all we need to do is to recall the recent

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devastating floods of 2012, which lasted from July - November, affecting 7.7 Million,

displacing over 2.1 million, injuring 5,800 and killing 363 people. (UN OCHA, 2012). To put

the risk of climate change induced sea level rise to Nigeria in even more stark terms, a 2007

OECD study finds that if nothing is done, about a third of Nigeria’s land mass could be lost

to sea level rise. Specifically, the whole of Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States could be

completely submerged (OECD, 2007). The consequences of all of these climate change

effects- displacement of people, food insecurity, collapse of infrastructure and poverty can

only lead to more social ills, including an increase the potential for insecurity and conflicts.

One can therefore understand Al Gore, the then Vice President of the Unites States sentiment,

when he said in December 1997 at Kyoto, Japan, that “[T]he human consequences – and the

economic costs – of failing to act [on climate change] are unthinkable”. So what steps have

been taken at the international level to address climate change and what are the mechanisms

and strategies adopted? This will be our focus in the next section.

3. The International Policy Response to Climate Change

In light of the serious potential consequences of climate change, the international community

started putting in place a law and policy framework for addressing climate change, even

before the scientific evidence on climate change was conclusive. The thinking was that, were

the international community to wait, the effects from climate change may be irreversible by

the time such evidence was to become available (Bodansky, 1993). Progress was therefore

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made on the basis of the precautionary principle enshrined in Principle 15 of the Rio

Declaration (1992). The principle essentially provides that “[W]here there are threats of

serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason

for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.”

The international legal framework for climate change comprises essentially of the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992 and its Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol 1997. The 1992 Convention was signed at the World Conference on

Environment and Development in Rio, 1992, and it entered into force on 21 March 1994. The

1992 Convention laid down the broad policy framework for climate action, setting out the

underlying principles, objectives and goals, but stopped short of creating binding obligations

or establishing specific mechanisms for realizing the set goals. This was however achieved

under the subsequent 1997 Kyoto Protocol (Breidenich, 1998).

The two main policy responses to climate change are mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation

involves addressing the root causes of climate change - achieving “stabilization of

greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous

anthropogenic interference with the climate system” (UNFCCC, Article 2), with a target of

keeping global temperature rise at 2°C above the pre-industrial global average temperature.

Adaptation on the other hand is a pragmatic recognition of the fact that regardless of what is

done, mankind cannot totally avoid some of the adverse effects or consequences of climate

change. Adaptation therefore involves putting in place measures to prevent or minimise those

consequences. This may involve building sea defences in the hope of preventing or

minimising the effects of flooding and sea level rise. Both climate change mitigation and

adaptation can however also provide new opportunities. For instance, mitigation measures

can provide unique opportunities for technology development and cleaner production.

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Similarly, adaptation measures can lead to growth of whole new economic sectors in

countries, such as increased tourism in temperate regions made warmer by global warming.

At the time, both of these policy responses posed (and continues to pose) huge challenges for

the international community. As earlier noted, the energy sector which drives

industrialisation and economic growth is one of the main culprits of GHG emissions.

Mitigation measures would require countries to reduce their energy consumption with the

potential attendant consequences for national economies. Adaptation measures also require

huge financial investments, and technological know-how. For instance, the costs of

supporting African countries to adapt to climate change have been estimated at around

US$100 billion to $200 billion (UNECA 2009). Moreover, developing countries felt that

having contributed the least to GHG emissions, (Africa’s emissions is only about 3-4% of

global total), they should not have to commit to mitigation measures, and should be supported

in adaptation measures by the developed countries who had contributed the most to GHG

emissions, had benefitted therefrom and were also therefore more able to undertake these

responsibilities. In resolution of these issues, the UNFCCC adopted the principle of common

but differentiated responsibilities in recognition of the inequalities of historical contribution

to climate change, capability of countries to contribute towards mitigation, and economic

development and adaptation needs (Article 3 UNFCCC). Consequently, only developing

country parties (Annex 1 countries) have obligations for climate change mitigation under the

Kyoto Protocol, with a target at the time of reducing their GHG emissions by 5.2% relative to

1990 levels within the commitment period 2008 – 2012 (now extended until 2020). Although

developing country parties have no obligations, they are encouraged to contribute towards

mitigation and adaptation, albeit with the financial and technological support of the

developed country parties (Article 4 UNFCCC). On this basis, various multilateral and

bilateral funding initiatives have been established. These include the various funding streams

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of the Global Environment Facility such as the Special Climate Change Fund, the Least

Developed Countries Fund and the Strategic Priority for Adaptation. Others include the

World Bank Climate Investment Funds, and the Global Climate Change Alliance of the

European Commission. Developing countries including African countries have however often

criticised developed country parties for not honouring their financing commitments. Also, the

way in which some of these funds are structured and the processes involved have not always

favoured the least developing countries with weak institutional capacity.

To aid developed country parties to meet their binding obligations, the Kyoto Protocol

provided for three flexible market mechanisms to achieve compliance and lower costs. These

are Joint Implementation (Article 6), the Clean Development Mechanism (Article 12) and

Emissions Trading (Article 17). Of these, only the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is

relevant within developing country contexts. Both the Joint Implementation and Emissions

Trading relate to arrangements within and between Annex 1 countries. Briefly, Joint

Implementation allows Annex 1 countries to meet their emissions reduction targets jointly

with other Annex 1 parties, while Emissions Trading allows Annex 1 countries to buy and

sell emissions permits amongst themselves, where those who have exceeded their targets can

sell the excess in the market to countries that did not meet theirs. On the other hand, the

CDM allows Annex 1 countries to collaborate with developing country parties towards

meeting their emissions targets by investing in projects which will reduce GHG emissions in

those countries.

There are currently ongoing negotiations towards a post Kyoto climate change framework,

with increased calls from developed country parties for developing countries, especially the

newly emergent BRICS states, to also have obligations within a new regime. The existing

measures have however been extended until 2020. While not perfect, the international

framework provides clear policy guidance for responding to climate change, as well as

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mechanisms to assist developing countries such as Nigeria adapt to the serious consequences.

To what extent has Nigeria made use of these opportunities? The next section will address

this issue. Particular attention will be paid to the CDM.

4. Climate Change: Policy and Action Imperatives for Nigeria

Nigeria is a signatory to both the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. This means the country

is required to meet its obligations under the international framework and can access the

mechanisms and financial opportunities within that framework for the purpose of addressing

its national priorities with regards to climate change. As we can surmise from the discussion

in the previous section, Nigeria as a developing country does not have any binding

obligations under the current framework to reduce its GHG emissions, although it has

voluntary target of 25% reduction. This is hardly surprising. On a global level, Nigeria’s

GHG emissions is negligible, considering that the entire African continent contributes less

than 4% of global emissions.

However, this does not mean that the country can be complacent. Within Africa, Nigeria is

the second highest emitter, after South Africa. As the most populous country in Africa, with

an emerging economy that is currently classed as the largest on the continent, the country’s

emissions can only get higher unless strategies are put in place to grow in a more sustainable

manner. Moreover, as earlier highlighted, Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to the effects of

climate change, while the oil industry, the single most important economic sector is

particularly vulnerable to global responses to climate change. All of these have serious

implications for human development and economic growth. Taking steps towards climate

change mitigation is therefore in the interests of the country. However, none of Nigeria’s

action can unilaterally mitigate climate change which requires global cooperation. Therefore,

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I will focus on what Nigeria’s immediate needs are, and should therefore be its priority areas

for effective responses. These are:

Adaptation to the consequences or effects of climate change

Effective utilization of the opportunities within the climate regime for cleaner and

more sustainable economic development.

Preparedness for the potential impacts of climate change mitigation strategies for the

oil industry

In each to these areas, NNPC as the powerhouse of the economic sector of the country has a

key role to play.

Adaptation to the effects/consequences of climate change

I earlier outlined the serious physical vulnerabilities of various regions of the country to

climate change and the wider implications, including for the economy. The oil industry is not

exempt from these potential impacts, as heavy storms, sea level rise and flooding will

potentially place at risk oil industry infrastructure and investment (Cookson, 2013). A key

priority therefore is effective adaptation strategies to prevent or minimise the adverse impacts

from climate change. This means putting in place preventive or protective measures against

the effects of climate change such as flooding and sea level rises; preparedness to respond to

disasters occasioned by extreme climatic events; and improving the long term resilience of

agriculture and other sectors of the economy as well as infrastructure to climate shocks and

variable weather patterns. Examples of such actions include building of sea defences and

development of drought resilient crops. However, these are not actions to be taken on an ad

hoc basis. Ultimately adapting to climate change will require both a short and a long term

view of our policy options and development priorities founded on a sound scientific evidence.

It may mean making difficult choices early on. For instance one of the choices most coastal

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low lying states including Nigeria will have to make is deciding where it is effective to build

sea defences as prevention or protection against flooding and sea level rises, and which areas

it would have to let go. From Bangladesh, to Tuvalu, to the United Kingdom, these are the

very difficult choices that countries are having to make.

To help Nigeria make these choices and ensure effective adaptation response, we need to do

the following:

1. Have a clear plan of action premised on scientific study and evidential basis. I am

aware that we have a draft national adaptation plan which was developed for the

Special Climate Change Unit of the Federal Ministry. However, the FME itself

acknowledges in its own Needs Assessment that we need fuller scientific

understanding and concrete strategies based on scientific evidence (FME 2010).

2. We need to be prepared to invest in climate change adaptation and mitigation. We can

do this in part by accessing the various funds that are available to support developing

countries in this regards. Part of the problem though is that the process in a number of

instances is quite complex. This is not however an insurmountable problem. We

would however need to build the capacities required and have appropriate frameworks

to maximise our success in this regard.

3. As climate related disasters are likely to be on the increase, we need to ensure that we

have an effective disaster response and management framework that is well resourced

and coherent. Currently we have several institutions and agencies, including the

Federal Ministry of Environment, the NEMA, various state agencies, the police and

armed forces all having various roles with regards to disaster management. While it

is understandable to such multiple agency involvement, it is essential that there are

clear delineation of roles and functions, with clear lines of authority. This will guard

against overlaps and conflicts.

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4. All the major reports on climate change indicate that there is very low level of

awareness about climate change and its impact in the country. This is far from ideal.

Individuals play a key role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, in terms of

their consumption choices, and developmental priorities. There is also a lot of local

knowledge which can be drawn upon for understanding climatic patterns, climate

change impacts, and developing adaptation measures.

5. Finally, research, research, and more research. Only through effective research can we

develop the drought and flood resilient crops, the engineering technologies, energy

options and other strategies that are needed to adapt to climate change. We cannot

rely solely on the West. Climate change presents us with a unique opportunity to chart

development patterns suited to our own environments and priorities. In the West, this

research is largely driven by their Universities and research centres. Unfortunately,

over the years, our educational sector, including higher education has faced

significant challenges. A viable institution requires adequate funding, effective

private sector partnerships and an ability to retain the best minds. “Brain drain” in the

Nigerian education sector and lack of funding are therefore key issues that need to be

addressed not just in the wider context of development, but as crucial aspect of

climate change response.

Effective utilization of the opportunities within the climate regime for cleaner and more

sustainable economic development

Developing countries can potentially use the Kyoto Protocol CDM mechanism and financial

support available under the international climate regime to help drive more sustainable means

of development and cleaner methods of production and energy use. In Nigeria, the

opportunities for this abound. According to Soneye and Daramola (2012) about 70% of

Nigerian households use firewood as the main source of energy for cooking. This is an

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unsustainable means of energy generation, leading to deforestation and significant source of

GHG emissions. Another main challenge in the country is effective waste management.

With a large population and growing middle class, a lot of wastes streams, including non-

biodegradable waste are generated in the country. These wastes could be managed effectively

including as a source for energy recovery. Rather they are in the main simply dumped in a

landfill site, potentially causing land and water pollution as well as emission of GHG

(methane). Finally, there is gas flaring from the oil industry, a huge source of GHG

emissions, but an economic resource that can be harnessed for energy use.

Associated Gas in Nigeria is flared both vertically (huge flame at the top of a high stake) and

horizontally (at ground level) facing communities, with over 100 gas flaring sites in the Niger

Delta and this is likely to increase. (ERA 2008). In 2008, of the average 168 billion cubic

meters (BCM) of natural gas that was flared, Nigeria alone accounted for about 15.1 BCM,

making the country the second largest gas emitter in the world, with Russia topping the list

with about 40.6 BCM of flared gas (Elvidge 2009). This is a huge source of environmental

pollution, adversely affects the lives of local people and a major source of GHG emissions.

Sadly, it is also the equivalent of literally setting money on fire. No doubt, this massive

volume of gas that is flared can be used for the socio-economic development of Nigeria in a

lot of ways. However, one must give credit where due. Although far from adequate, in recent

times, there has been a slight reduction in volume of flared gas with satellite data, in 2011

estimating volume flared at only 14.6 BCM. Nevertheless, more can and more indeed needs

to be done.

The CDM therefore held a huge promise for Nigeria. Indeed, the current GMD of the NNPC,

Alhaji M.S. Barkindo stated this much in 2008 when he said “Nigeria is the future market of

CDM globally. I don’t think that there are countries in the developing world that have the

potentials that we have because of our vast fossil fuel reserves, oil, gas, coal, solid minerals.

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These are all sources of huge carbon emissions that can be transformed into credits or

certified emission reduction (CER) certificate that will go towards meeting the reduction

targets of the developed countries” ( Newswatch, 2008). Report of action on this front was

echoed by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison -Madueke, at an

international conference in Houston Texas, where she stated that “Nigeria is leveraging the

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to access funds for major projects” (NNPC).

However, to date, the number of CDM projects in Nigeria is very modest. Nigeria currently

has only 5 registered CDM projects. Overall, registered CDM projects in Africa are

particularly low, accounting for only 2.4% of total registered projects (see Chart 1 below).

These have been attributed in part to the general problems associated with doing business

such as “lack of infrastructure and skilled labour, high poverty rates, limited financial

resources, a shortage of the management and technical skills needed to meet CDM standards,

weak institutions, corruption and political instability (Fleshman 2008). While this is true to

some extent, there are structural issues within the CDM itself which has made it challenging

for African countries to effectively utilize the mechanism. However, Nigeria’s figures are

particularly poor even when compared with other African countries such as Uganda (10),

South Africa (20) and Senegal (4). As the leading economy on the continent, with vast

opportunities for emissions reduction projects, and long developmental partners such as the

UK investing greatly in CDM projects across the developing world, we ought to have more

success.

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Chart 1: Source UNFCCC/CDM

We must therefore try to understand why we have so far not been able to make the inroads

and be as successful as envisaged. This includes assessing whether our current framework

with the Special Climate Change Unit within the Federal Ministry of Environment as the

DNA is sufficiently robust to cope with the complexities of the CDM process. The NNPC

needs to be actively involved in this process. There are various initiatives aimed at supporting

countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa (such as the Nairobi Framework, CDM

Bazaar, and the DNA Forum). We need to explore how we may utilise them more effectively.

Wider issues about creating a positive investment climate with less bureaucracy, adequate

infrastructure and better governance also need to be addressed.

Preparedness for the potential impacts of climate change mitigation strategies on the oil

industry

The oil industry is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Even with the current efforts at

diversification of the economy, oil still accounts for about 70 per cent of total exports

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revenue. However, while oil sales has in recent years been boosted by increased demands

from the BRICS states and conflicts in other major oil producing countries, the long term

fortunes of the industry are not quite so rosy. There is a huge international effort to move

away from dependency on fossil fuels, the main source of GHGs. All across the developed

world, there are huge investments in renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, hydro

and even nuclear energy. Technology is also being developed to improve the energy

efficiency of electrical appliances; and utilise alternative fuel or energy sources for cars and

other forms of transportation. While there is as yet no viable alternative to fossil fuels, the

huge leaps being made in research and development in this area indicates that it is perhaps

only a matter of time before a significant breakthrough is made. Perhaps indicative of the

seriousness of countries in this regard, the EU long term climate strategy (vision 20:20:20) is

heavily linked to increased reliance on renewable sources of energy and improved energy

efficiency.

However, it is not only the big economies that are moving to renewable energy. Indeed a

number of SIDS countries are adopting renewable energy sources as part of their contribution

to climate change mitigation. Perhaps, even more telling is the amount of investment being

made by global oil companies, incentivised by their governments, in renewable energy-

companies who not in the distant past were quite vocal against and resistant to the science on

human induced climate change. Moreover, sustainability has become big business indeed.

Quite apart from the environmental interest, these companies stand to benefit greatly if they

were to “discover” the fuel for the next generation. And once that breakthrough is made,

there will be no more demand for oil, dealing a potential death blow to our economy as

currently configured. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that improved technology

means that through a process known as Induced Hydraulic Fracking (fracking) a number of

21

industrialised countries, including the US and UK now have access to gas, thus further

reducing their dependency on outside countries.

Opportunities are currently being wasted. African countries, including Nigeria, are once more

positioning themselves simply as producers of primary commodities by planting bio-crops

which are then sold to foreign countries for bio –fuel production. Our lands are being sold on

a massive scale to foreign companies for planting these crops without appropriate safeguards,

compensation, or consideration of the long term implications. Consequently, NNPC needs to

lead the way in preparing Nigeria for this potential post oil world. As the national oil

company, NNPC should begin to invest in renewable energy, especially those most suited to

the context of Africa and Nigeria. This includes solar energy which may not be economically

viable in most countries in the West, but can be developed cheaper here; bio-fuels, hydro, and

energy recovery from wastes. NNPC appears to have already taken the initiative by

establishing the Renewable Energy Division (RED) in 2005. However, it is unclear what this

Division has so far achieved. What is the strategy of the RED in both the short and longer

term? Where are the projects the Division is currently involved in? These are honest

questions asked from a position of ignorance. Perhaps a lot is happening and I am just not

aware. But if that is the case, then these success stories must be emblazoned on NNPC’s

website and take centre stage in our news media.

However, NNPC cannot succeed in this task on its own. It needs to partner with our

Universities and Research Centres. In making this recommendation, I am not unaware of the

inherent challenges in our higher education system, including the lack of adequate facilities.

However, establishing such partnership can ultimately prove to be a symbiotic relationship,

with funds for these sorts of projects revitalising ailing laboratories, and the research outputs

helping the NNPC achieve its own goals. There also needs to be financial support from the

Government which is sustained and targeted. However, we cannot look to government alone.

22

The private sector can help fill the gap here as ultimately these are potentially profit oriented

projects.

5. Conclusions

From our discussions so far, it is evident that the theme of year’s WED is of particular

relevance to us as Nigerians, to NNPC as an organisation, and indeed to all us of in our

individual capacities. Climate change is happening. The effects are already here with us. The

time for action is now. While we have taken some steps to acknowledge climate change at a

policy level, we must as a country, as an organisation, and as individuals move with a

renewed sense of urgency to ensure that our actions dovetail with our policy priorities on

climate change. Investing in climate is an investment not just for our today but for our future.

And as the old Indian saying goes, “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow

it from our children". So let us ensure that we pay back the debt we own our children, by

leaving behind an earth, a country, and way of life that they will be happy to take back.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Thank you.

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