FG committed to reducing carbon footprints, says climate council DG

Salisu Dahiru, director-general (DG) of the National Climate Change Council, says the federal government is committed to reducing carbon footprints in the country.

Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that an activity, product, company, or country adds to the atmosphere.

Dahiru spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the presentation of Nigeria’s long-term low-emission development strategy (LT-LEDS).

He said LT LEDS is working towards long-term quantifiable greenhouse emissions reduction across the country’s priority sectors.

Dahiru said that the government’s determination to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint can be seen in initiatives such as the rollout of electric buses and carbon market activation programmes.

He said there is a need for adequate implementation of regulatory frameworks to mobilise climate finance in the country.

The director-general said Nigeria has started the journey to net-zero emissions, adding that “the road would be rough”.

“The present administration is providing all the necessary support to implement robust, enabling policies and frameworks,” he said.

“The LT LEDS is comprehensive and serves as a vehicle for transitioning Nigeria to its net-zero pathway by 2060.

“In particular, it identifies actionable programmes and policies that aim to accelerate the uptake of measures and technologies in and around a climate-resilient development pathway.

“In November 2021, Nigeria passed the Climate Change Act that seeks to achieve low greenhouse gas emissions and green and sustainable growth by providing the framework to set a target to reach net zero between 2050 and 2070.

“With this regulatory framework, the Act established the NCCC with the sole responsibility for the coordination and harmonisation of national climate actions among several roles.”