ABUJA/Nigeria: As the global challenge of climate change continues to wreak havoc on people and land, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), a leading environmental NGO with over 40 years of dedication to nature conservation and biodiversity resources management, is stepping up its efforts. In a move to strengthen the fight for climate justice, the NCF is set to launch the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance in Abuja on Tuesday, July 25th, and Wednesday, July 26th, 2023.
The Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance will bring together a coalition of dynamic civil society organizations, each with a proven track record of climate actions across the country. With their collective potential, the Alliance aims to accelerate the advocacy of climate justice issues in Nigeria.
By focusing on tracking, monitoring, and supporting sub-national and national governments in implementing climate actions and plans such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETP), and Long-term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LED), the Alliance aims to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
This groundbreaking indigenous coalition will empower civil society members to spearhead community-driven climate and nature-based projects nationwide. With over 50 civil society organizations coming together, the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance is set to chart a pathway for climate justice in the next 5 years.
During the two-day launch event, a Zero Draft of the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance Strategy and Plan (2023-2027) will be presented and reviewed by founding members. This inclusive approach will allow for consultation and input, ensuring a robust strategy.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General of NCF, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to nature conservation and the need to address climate change innovatively. He stated, “We are not called the foremost nature conservation NGO just for the title, we mean business. Conservation in Nigeria is what we breathe, hence the need to be innovative, adventurous, smart, and pacesetting. This is one of our ways to deal with the issue of climate change, creating a vibrant platform and bringing everyone on board for the betterment of people and nature.”
The workshop will also shed light on the pressing climate change challenges that demand urgent and practical solutions to drive a new agenda for mitigation in Nigeria.
Over the decades, NCF’s efforts have directly and indirectly contributed to better practices in carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity conservation. They have explored sustainable resource use, improved agricultural practices, and enhanced energy efficiency for households and the economy in their fight against climate change.
As part of their new strategy, the NCF aims to take a leading role in developing best practices that convert climate change challenges into opportunities for nature conservation, efficient household energy use, waste management, and collaboration for positive policy actions. With the launch of the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance, the NCF and its coalition partners are poised to make a lasting impact in the battle for climate justice in Nigeria.
