HomeEnergyForum Harps On Need For More Proactive Tackling Of Climate Change

Forum Harps On Need For More Proactive Tackling Of Climate Change

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering has emphasized the need to promote clean energy by reviewing its current energy sources as a proactive approach to tackle the challenges posed by climate change in the country.

The call was made during a lecture titled “Climate change initiative in Nigeria” at the Fellows’ Forum organised by the NAEng in Lagos, an energy consultant and fellow of the academy.

Speaking at the lecture, Dr. Olufunmilayo Coker said Nigeria had made major commitments to net-zero emissions by 2060.

He said, ‘Reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 (oil and gas sector reduction of 60 per cent) and flares out by 2030. Reverse deforestation by 2030, providing solar power to 5 million homes and 25 million people by 2030, improved cook stoves, and increase the use of Liquidified Petroleum Gas for cooking, phasing out kerosene lighting and developing renewable energy mini-grids and improved mass transport.

“Improved cooking stoves is one of the climate actions contained in Nigeria’s  Nationally determined contributions. The NDC states that traditional cooking methods with firewood and inefficient stoves are claiming lives and ravaging forests and, without action, 97,000 lives could be lost by 2030 due to air pollution. Improved cook stoves are much more energy efficient and have lower toxic emissions than traditional stoves. It is a low-cost way of improving public health in rural communities, tackling deforestation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to him, the rapid reduction in emissions would adversely affect Nigeria’s oil and gas export potential. However, he added that since Nigeria was highly vulnerable to climate change, it must cooperate with international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to the call, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Professor Peter Onwualu, said with the reality of climate change, there was a need for advocacy on what should be done to limit its impacts and advance the economy.

They also underscored the necessity of implementing substantial strategies to effectively address and minimise the adverse consequences of climate change across the country. The group warned that a recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report stated that greenhouse gas emissions were increasing, urging that emissions needed to be reduced by almost half to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.

 

- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
Must Read
- Advertisement -spot_img
Related News
- Advertisement -spot_img

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here