- World Decarbonisation Summit 2025 in Abuja called for collective action to cut carbon emissions, stressing women’s and media’s central role in climate advocacy.
- Stakeholders urged investment in renewables, stricter penalties for gas flaring, and inclusive policies to drive Africa’s energy transition.
On Wednesday, September 3, stakeholders urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for reducing carbon emissions to protect public health and the environment. They placed women and the media at the centre of climate advocacy and behavioural change, stressing that both groups can instil sustainable habits in families and communities.
The maiden two-day World Decarbonisation Summit 2025, themed “Accelerating decarbonisation for a climate-secure future,” opened in Abuja with calls for concrete strategies, alliances, and solutions that advance renewable energy access, climate justice, and inclusive leadership. Organisers positioned the summit as a platform to raise awareness about the health and environmental dangers of carbon emissions and as an avenue to shape Africa’s role in the global energy transition.
Meanwhile, speakers noted that Nigeria relies heavily on crude oil revenues and fossil fuel use, yet faces severe climate impacts. They pointed to devastating floods, worsening desertification, and rising air pollution in urban centres linked to gas flaring and generator dependence.
Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, warned that climate change requires continuous awareness and action, not one-off programmes.
“Carbon in the air is very dangerous. We have decided to create a World Decarbonisation Day to remind people of the effects of carbon in the air — extreme temperatures, death, bronchiolitis, asthma, and different lung diseases. Younger people are having more cancer now because they are breathing in all sorts of things. We want to start reducing the amount of carbon we put into the air,” she said.
In addition, she listed car exhaust fumes, generators, fossil fuel use, open burning, and combustion at dump sites as major emission sources. She urged investments in renewable energy such as solar power, inverters, and batteries to serve homes, hospitals, and communities. She also emphasised that women and the media must drive awareness, advocacy, and behaviour change.
National President of Women in Energy, Oil & Gas, Mrs. Tolu Longe, said the summit must chart bold strategies that position Africa and women at the forefront of the global energy transition. “If we want a just transition, we must stop thinking of women and Africa as beneficiaries of climate action. We are authors of the transition. We are investors, innovators, and architects of the new energy economy,” she said.
Furthermore, Summit Chairperson, Mrs. Toyin Yusuf, stressed the need for policy frameworks that balance energy security with sustainability while creating space for women to contribute. She called on policymakers, industry stakeholders, and international partners to provide financing, build capacity, and develop inclusive platforms for women.
Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Terseer Ugbor, revealed that lawmakers had visited gas flaring sites, engaged oil companies, and advanced a bill to penalise and stop gas flaring. He said the bill, now at second reading, would impose stricter penalties on offenders and compensate communities suffering from the practice. Ugbor also assured that the bill would reduce incentives for flaring and drive investments in gas capture and utilisation.