The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized the pressing need for collective action to combat climate change, stressing that governments, corporations, civil society organizations, and individuals all play a pivotal role in addressing this global challenge.
Speaker Abbas delivered his remarks during the ongoing 9th P20 Summit and G20 Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, India, which focuses on lifestyle and environmental issues. He highlighted the unique challenges that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous and diverse country, faces due to climate change.
Accompanied by the Nigerian delegation, including Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, and other parliamentarians, Speaker Abbas emphasized the importance of translating international agreements into local reality and giving global governance a legislative character.
He highlighted the impact of climate change on Nigeria, explaining that the country’s vulnerabilities and limited capacity to adapt pose a significant challenge. In the northern part of Nigeria, desertification has adversely affected farming, while unpredictable rainfall patterns in the southern regions have harmed crop yields. These issues have led to economic strains, particularly in the agriculture sector, which plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy.
Furthermore, coastal areas, including the Niger Delta, face increased flooding risks due to rising sea levels and shifting rainfall patterns. Nigeria’s reliance on hydroelectric power has also made it susceptible to energy availability fluctuations, linked to varying river flows.
Speaker Abbas emphasized the role of parliamentarians in addressing climate change, including allocating funds for mitigation and adaptation efforts within the budgetary process. He urged fellow parliamentarians to hold governments accountable for their climate commitments and actions, utilizing their oversight tools and powers effectively.
Notably, he pointed out that the 10th House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy oversees strategies to counter climate change’s effects and ensure the effective implementation of climate-related legislation. Nigeria is committed to transitioning from fossil-based energy to renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, for sustainability.
Speaker Abbas also stressed the importance of educational programs and training on climate change at all levels. Nigeria is reorganizing its Ministry of Education to address climate-related issues adequately within educational institutions.
He cited the United Nations Environment Programme’s estimate that if one billion individuals worldwide adopted environmentally friendly lifestyles, global carbon emissions could decrease by approximately 20 percent. This highlights the transformative potential of individual actions in mitigating climate change, with parliamentarians playing a crucial role in this endeavor.
“As elected representatives and policymakers, parliamentarians can play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. We have the power to influence, design, and implement measures that can mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable future,” Speaker Abbas noted.
He commended the LiFE initiative for its focus on promoting sustainable lifestyles to combat environmental degradation and climate change. Speaker Abbas highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to the environment, citing the Climate Change Act passed in 2021, which charts a path toward low greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable growth. Nigeria also submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution Interim Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, demonstrating its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Furthermore, Speaker Abbas listed various interventions by the Nigerian National Assembly, including the HYPPADEC Establishment Act and new Methane Guidelines for oil and gas companies. The establishment of the Sovereign Green Bond Programme in 2017 and ongoing efforts, such as rural electrification programs, tree planting initiatives, and budgetary allocations to support environmental projects, were also highlighted.
Legislative interventions have extended to the sub-national level, with state legislatures enacting legislation to address waste management, recycling, responsible consumption, and waste reduction.
In conclusion, Speaker Abbas emphasized that individual actions, alongside governmental and corporate efforts, are essential in the global fight against climate change. The international community must come together to address this pressing issue, and parliamentarians have a critical role to play in this endeavor.