Climate Watch: Talking points, key developments at COP28

Despite directly impacting our communities, health, and livelihoods, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business.

Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken toward limiting its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• At the 28th conference of parties (COP28) which opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on November 30, Kayode Egbetokun, inspector general of police (IGP), said the Nigeria Police Force is committed to environmental sustainability. Egbetokun said the police would address environmental challenges through the Nigeria police green initiatives (NPGI). Egbetokun said NPGI aims to align with global efforts to combat climate change impacts and contribute to the energy transition. Read more here.
• At the conference, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said any attempt to neglect Nigeria in meeting the national net zero emission target would be a disservice to Africa. Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria should partake in every key decision around climate change. He added that Lagos should not be sidelined in any effort made to meet the net zero emission target. Read more here.
• Also, a group of civil society organisations and activists from Africa and Asia at the conference against kicked plans by leaders of developing countries to use gas as a transition fuel. The activists said they do not want governments to set up liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and gas plants in developing countries already bearing the brunt of fossil fuels. They advocated that abundant sunlight and wind in their countries should be used to generate the needed energy instead. Find out more here.
• At COP28, over 60 countries, including Nigeria, endorsed the gender-responsive just transitions and climate action partnership (GRJTCAP). The partnership includes commitments like actions on finance and equal opportunities for women and gender-diverse groups. Sima Bahous, UN Women executive director, said the rights of women and girls must be at the centre of climate action and that the global community “must ensure that women have a seat at the decision-making table”. Find out more here.
• At the conference, Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said social safety nets and insurance policies would be provided for workers who may lose their jobs in the face of the energy transition. Ajaero said although the NLC envisions job losses as the world transits, the renewable energy era would open up more opportunities for workers. He said the congress would push for upskilling of workers to ensure that they are well equipped to gain jobs in the new areas that renewable energy will provide. Read more here.
• At COP28, Mustapha Abdullahi, director-general of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), said the country is committed to clean cooling to mitigate global warming. The ECN, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), also launched the global cooling pledge at the conference. Abdullahi said the initiative shows Nigeria’s commitment to drive a new energy economy and transition to the use of climate-friendly air conditioners (ACs). Read more here.
• At the climate conference, Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, delivered a national statement on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. Lawal said Nigeria contends with both development and climate change, adding that treating one challenge and not the other would cause both to fail. He said Nigeria needs large-scale investments in using gas as a transition fuel and in renewable energy. The minister added that investments in Nigeria would enable the country to expand on the green wall, enhance water and flood management efforts and improve agricultural productivity and food security. Read more here.
• The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) said it was disappointed by the lack of progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) at the climate conference. Collins Nzovu, the AGN chairperson, said the group expected COP28 to deliver tangible outcomes which would reflect Africa’s aspirations, especially on the need for enhanced climate adaptation. Collins Nzovu, AGN Chair, said the group expects COP28 to deliver tangible outcomes which reflect Africa’s aspirations, especially on the need for enhanced climate adaptation. Nzovu said COP28 would be a failure for Africa if there is no established robust framework for the global adaptation goal. Find out more here.
• At COP28, Salisu Dahiru, director-general (DG) of the national climate change council, said the call for a phase-out of fossil fuels is not in line with Nigeria’s position. Dahiru said Nigeria and other African countries are finding ways to ensure that their position on not phasing out fossil fuels is reflected in the outcome of the conference. He said Nigerian delegates at the COP28 were closely following negotiations to ensure that “we are not shortchanged in any way”. Speaking to TheCable, Dahiru said Nigeria would not stop the use of fossil fuels because “it is critical to our economy and other developed countries are expanding on their fossil fuel use”. He added that the phase-out of fossil fuels has implications for Africa’s economy, including fertiliser production. Read more here.