- The National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, in collaboration with the UNDP, ILO held an Inception Workshop to launch the development of Nigeria’s Just Transition Guidelines.
- Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, a key speaker at the workshop, emphasised the urgency of a just transition, calling it a “social imperative” that requires collaboration across all sectors.
The National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held an Inception Workshop to launch the development of Nigeria’s Just Transition Guidelines.
This landmark initiative focuses on creating a framework for an inclusive and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that no one is left behind. The guidelines aim to address the needs of all stakeholders, including workers, trade unions, youth, and marginalised communities, fostering an environment where social equity and fairness are at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy transformation.
Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, a key speaker at the workshop, emphasised the urgency of a just transition, calling it a “social imperative” that requires collaboration across all sectors—government, private enterprises, civil society organisations, and development partners. She stressed that this collaborative effort is vital to ensuring the sustainability of the nation’s climate goals.
The guidelines are designed to help Nigeria shift towards a low-carbon economy, emphasising renewable energy solutions and aligning with the country’s long-term vision for inclusive and sustainable growth. Among the key pillars outlined in the guidelines are:
- Energy Transition and Decarbonisation: Strategies to reduce emissions and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
- Diversification and Job Creation: Identifying new employment opportunities and driving economic diversification within a low-carbon context.
- Social Inclusion and Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing among all societal sectors.
- Climate Finance and Policy Implementation: Mobilizing financial resources and developing policies that support the transition.
- Technical Innovation and Sustainable Development: Promoting innovation to foster sustainable progress within Nigeria’s low-carbon economy.
Nigeria is also reaffirming its commitment to international climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with an ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
This initiative marks a critical step in Nigeria’s pursuit of a sustainable and equitable future, where climate change solutions not only protect the environment but also improve the lives of its citizens.