- FG has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling ozone depletion by promoting green, energy-efficient, and low-Global Warming Potential cooling systems.
- The initiative is anchored on green public procurement and Nigeria’s obligations under global climate agreements.
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat ozone layer depletion by prioritising green, energy-efficient, and low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) cooling systems.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, announced this at a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Green Procurement for Sustainable Cooling Systems in Abuja. Mr Idris Abdullahi, Director of the National Ozone Office, represented him.
Meanwhile, Lawal described cooling systems as essential infrastructure. They drive productivity, protect public health, strengthen food security, and support economic growth. Hospitals, laboratories, offices, and food storage facilities depend on refrigeration and air-conditioning to deliver critical services.
Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems consume between 40 and 60 per cent of electricity in many buildings. Many operators still rely on inefficient equipment. Outdated refrigerants also continue to damage the ozone layer and accelerate climate change.
Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) Nigeria organised the workshop in partnership with the National Ozone Office. The organisers aim to reduce emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
In addition, Lawal cited the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which sets a global framework to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment under the Montreal Protocol and described it as one of the world’s most successful environmental agreements.
Meeting these obligations requires more than regulation. Public institutions must integrate green procurement principles into their purchasing decisions.
Green procurement promotes products and services with lower environmental impact across their lifecycle. This approach strengthens energy conservation efforts and supports environmental protection. It also helps Nigeria meet its climate targets under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Furthermore, Mr Tom Nickson of the Environmental Investigative Agency (EIA) UK called for strong policy leadership. He stated that public procurement decisions will shape environmental outcomes for decades.
Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADev Nigeria, urged stakeholders to expand national awareness and build institutional capacity for sustainable cooling systems. He also called for policy reforms and stronger integration into climate action strategies.
Mr Gerald Njume of the African Development Bank pledged support for Nigeria’s green transition. Mr Yusuf Kilani, Special Adviser to the President on Climate Matters, also said the workshop aligns with the Federal Government’s broader environmental sustainability agenda.
The initiative signals Nigeria’s firm commitment to modernise the cooling sector. It promotes climate-friendly technologies, reduces electricity demand from inefficient systems, and aligns public procurement with long-term environmental and energy efficiency goals.