Despite UN’s Stance of Achieving Net-zero Emissions by 2050, Buhari Says Nigeria Targets 2060

* Says Nigeria has developed a detailed energy transition plan, roadmap based on data

Chiemelie Ezeobi in Glasgow, Scotland

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared that Nigeria plans to zero out carbon emissions by 2060 through its Energy Transition Plan for achieving net-zero emissions.

The president made this statement at the High-Level segment for Heads of State and Government at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, Scotland.

His statement was however at variance with the United Nation’s position on zero carbon emission, which categorically states that the year set for attaining net-zero emissions is 2050.

In his speech, Buhari, whose address was expected to highlight Nigeria’s key priorities and action to tackle climate change as well as progress on the country’s transition to low carbon economy, consistent with achieving the Paris Climate Agreement, said: “Nigeria is committed to net-zero emissions by 2060.”

Attempts to confirm from the president’s Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, if the figure was a blunder or reveals the true state of facts about Nigeria’s plan to zero out carbon emissions, proved abortive as he could not be reached.

Meanwhile, Buhari had during his speech to other world leaders stressed that no one in Nigeria needs persuading of the need for urgent action, adding that Nigeria is more of a gas than an oil producing country, therefore would need support for financing to help the country transition to clean energy.

He said: “For Nigeria, climate change is not about the perils of tomorrow but about what is happening today. In our lifetime, nature has gone from a vast expanse of biodiversity to a shadow of itself.

“We are investing in renewables, hydro-dams and solar projects. Nigeria is not looking to make the same mistakes that are being repeated for decades by others. We are looking for partners in innovation, technology and finance to make cleaner and more efficient use of all available resources to help make for a more stable transition in energy markets.

“The revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) has additional priority sectors. Water and waste, nature-based solutions, adaptions and resilience, vulnerability assessment and a clean cooking gender and green jobs assessment.

“Nigeria has developed a detailed energy transition plan and roadmap based on data and evidence. This plan has highlighted some key facts that face the difficult conversations. Our transition plan also highlights the key role that gas must play in transitioning our economy across sectors.

“The data and evidence show that Nigeria can continue to use gas until 2040 without distracting from the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“Nigeria has an approved national action plan on gender and climate change. This document incorporates priority areas of our economic recovery and growth plan and nationally determined contributions.

“The implementation strategy for this national action plan has been developed. In a bid to commit to transitional change through climate policy, the revised national policy on climate change was approved in June 2021.

“This will enable us to implement mitigation measures and also strengthen adaption towards a sustainable climate resilient development pathway in Nigeria.

“Mr. President, I will like to state that attaining national and global climate change goal would require adequate and sustained technical and financial support to developing countries.

“In Nigeria, in the area of energy access, Nigeria’s commitment to adjust transition is reflected in our ambitious Energy compact, which includes the government’s flagship project to electrify five million households and twenty million people using decentralised solar energy solutions.

“This is a major first step towards closing our energy access deficit by 2030. I will like to state again that attaining national and global climate change goals will require adequate and sustained technical and financial support to developing countries.

“The outcome of this conference must result in a quick resolution of all outstanding issues pertaining to the finalisation of the Paris Agreement rule book, adaption, mitigation, finance and loss and damage.”