We hope Buhari signs climate change bill before COP26, says minister

Sharon Ikeazor, minister of state for environment, says she hopes that President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the climate change bill into law before COP26.

COP26 is the United Nations climate change conference, scheduled to begin on October 31 in Glasgow.

Speaking on Thursday at an event tagged ‘Climate Action in Nigeria: Youth Paving the Way’, she said the ministry will engage youths to support the government’s efforts to address the effects of climate change in the country.

“The climate change bill has been passed by the senate and it has been transmitted to the office of the presidency as we speak, and we are hoping that the president gives his assent before we leave for COP26,” Ikeazor said. 

“For the NDCs, we had a youth consultation which was very robust and most of what they put in, their ideas, we are trying to incorporate that and we shall work with them closely for the implementation of our NDCs.

“The youths remain at the heart of this administration, so we would try very hard to make sure that the youths are part of all actions we are taking in climate action.”

She added that mobilising resources to address climate change cannot be handled by government alone, and as such, the ministry is working with the private sector. 

Ikeazor, who encouraged youths to come up with ideas to help the government address climate change, said the ministry of environment is working with the ministry of youths to devise a holistic approach for engaging youths in climate action. 

“In terms of resource mobilisation, we realise that it’s obvious that the government cannot do this alone. So, it is vital for us to work closely with the private sector in terms of this,” she said.

“And we, the ministry of environment, are going to engage a lot with the ministry of youths to get our youths involved in climate action in a more cohesive manner.

“So, I would like for you to please study our NDCs, study the climate change bill, and come up with ideas on how we can all work together to address climate change.” 

Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, commended the display of leadership skills by youths in relation to issues of climate change.

“We would continue to support you, to give you the platform and to encourage you. And please do not stop to hold us and particularly your ministers to account, to keep the pledge on meeting the 1.5C targets,” Laing added.