John Kerry, the US special envoy on climate, has committed the support of the US, which would help Nigeria in its struggle against the effects of climate change. He stated that the country with the highest population in Africa would benefit from a $12 billion fund for climate action.
Kerry is on a two-nation West Africa visit, which he started on Monday in the Nigerian capital. He met with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. In Abuja on Tuesday, Kerry then met with top government officials, including ministers of environment, petroleum resources and agriculture, and signed the Clean Energy Demand Initiative.
He stated that the agreement permits the US government to help Nigeria develop technologies for cleaner fuel sources, including gas, wind and solar energy.
“Nigeria is a very important, if not one of the most important, countries in terms of the direction of dealing with climate for all of Africa.” He said, adding that it was because Nigeria is a major producer of gas and oil.
Nigeria’s approach to the climate crisis will send a message to the rest of the continent and help set the direction of our dealing with the climate crisis,” Kerry said.
But the co-founder of the Green Panthers Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for those affected by climate change, Abba Ali Yarima, said the gesture was long overdue.
“Africa is a continent of 55 countries, but its carbon emissions account for no more than 3.8 per cent compared to the global north, Yarima said.
He believes that there should be reparations by all these developed countries that have emitted more carbon gases than we did here in Africa. He stated that even the $12 billion is relatively small.
The authorities in Nigeria have been making efforts to address climate change issues.
In November last year, the authorities in Nigeria passed a climate change bill with a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2060. In August, the authorities launched an energy transition plan focused on greater use of solar power and doubling natural gas generation.
Former US secretary of state, Karry said that the world needs to cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030.
He will complete his visit to Senegal and attend the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).
