Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, yesterday, delivered the country statement at the ongoing global climate change conference with a call on parties to embrace equity as they work together to defeat the climate crisis.
Lawal, who delivered the speech on behalf of president Bola Tinubu said that any durable solution must be based on cooperative fairness. Developing economies cannot be pressed and pressured into bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.
This comes after the largest economy in Africa failed to deliver a statement at the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) alongside other heads of state.
Lawal said that it would be unfair to ask Nigeria and other developing countries to travel the road alone adding that “the framework of a sustainable climate change solution cannot mirror the extant imbalances of the current global economic order.”
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He noted that those who benefit most from the current system have the onus to invest the most in repairing the environmental breaches which countries now suffer.
While seeking collaboration, Mr Lawal announced that Nigeria is willing to join the call to decarbonise the global economy, adding that the country’s vast renewable energy resources present an opportunity for sustainable growth.
“As Nigeria commits to reducing emissions by moving to cleaner energy sources, we urge developed nations to finally honour their commitment to providing the needed technology to help promote development while simultaneously mitigating climate change,” he said.
Story was adapted from Premium Times.
