Following the call for concrete action at COP28, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) has organized a groundbreaking two-day training workshop titled “Nigeria’s Carbon Market Activation Plan: Nigeria’s Article 6 Framework & Implementation Design under the Paris Agreement.” This initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Neyen Consulting SL, the workshop aims to position Nigeria as a leader in carbon market development, advancing the practical implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The opening ceremony, held at the NAF Conference Centre, saw the representation of the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, by the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Alh. Mahmud Adam Kambari. This event marks a decisive step toward realizing Nigeria’s climate commitments.
Abbas underscored the significance of carbon markets in advancing global climate objectives and Nigeria’s ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets. He stressed that carbon markets play a pivotal role in mobilizing resources, cutting costs, and facilitating the nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Abbas emphasized Nigeria’s substantial potential to generate millions of tons of carbon credits annually by 2030 through initiatives such as reforestation, renewable energy, and waste-to-energy projects.
The minister highlighted that unlocking this potential necessitates international collaborations, capacity building, and targeted investments. Collaboration with international partners and the development of necessary skills and resources are crucial to fully harnessing the opportunities offered by carbon markets,” he stated.
In emphasizing Nigeria’s dedication to reducing emissions, the minister referenced the country’s updated NDC and active involvement in pertinent climate endeavors. Our unwavering endeavors to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions are evident through our NDC objectives and involvement in partnerships under Article 6,” he affirmed.
In his opening remarks, the director-general of the NCCC, Dr. Salisu Dahiru accentuated the strategic importance of Article 6 in realising Nigeria’s ambitious Net Zero target by 2060. He emphasised that a well-designed and implemented trading scheme, including market-based mechanisms, can be a potent tool for emission reduction. The workshop, according to Salisu, equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to unleash the potential of carbon markets while effectively managing associated risks.
Salisu stressed the imperative of establishing a robust institutional architecture for effective Article 6 activities. The NCCC, functioning as the National Designated Article 6 Authority (NDAA), oversees all transactions and authorises projects aligned with national interests.
Additionally, the creation of an Article 6 Technical Committee (A6.TC) ensures cross-ministerial coordination and evaluates the impact of cooperation agreements on emission reduction, sustainable development and financial resource mobilisation.
Acknowledging the essential role of stakeholder collaboration, Salisu addressed the diverse participants representing various sectors and government agencies. “Your guidance and comprehensive input are essential,” he expressed. “Together, we can harness the power of collaboration to drive positive change, foster green growth, and build a resilient environment for all”.
The director-general assured of President Bola Tinubu’s support, emphasising that any obstacle hindering the nation’s aims in this regard would be dismantled.
Participants from various government agencies and the private sector engaged in intensive discussions over the two-day workshop, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the development and implementation of a functional carbon market framework in Nigeria.
