Nigeria is seeking to host the COP32 climate summit in Lagos in 2027. Government officials, including climate change council head Nkiruka Maduekwe, highlighted the country’s readiness and commitment to climate action. A decision on the host will be made by African nations at COP30 in Brazil this November. Nigeria has a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 and calls for increased support from developed countries.
Nigeria is making a bid to host the COP32 United Nations climate summit in Lagos in 2027, as announced by government officials during UN climate chief Simon Stiell’s visit to the city. Nkiruka Maduekwe, head of the country’s climate change council, expressed confidence that Africa’s most populous city is well-equipped to host this significant global event.
During a symposium attended by Stiell, Maduekwe emphasized Nigeria’s pioneering role in climate action, suggesting it is timely for the nation to hold a COP summit. Lagos state environment commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, voiced strong support for the initiative, questioning why Nigeria could not leverage its capabilities similarly to Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP in Baku.
The Nigerian environment ministry, via a post on social media platform X, indicated that hosting COP32 would enhance the country’s climate leadership, visibility, and economic prospects. A collective decision will be made by African nations on which country to endorse for hosting responsibilities at COP30 in Brazil this November, followed by consensus approval from all participating countries at the conference.
Simon Stiell welcomed Nigeria’s official declaration of interest in hosting COP32 and acknowledged that while there will be other candidates, he intends to support Nigeria as part of its constituency group within Africa. The COP summits facilitate negotiations on climate change concepts and actions among the 198 governments that have ratified the UN’s climate change convention (UNFCCC).
COP32’s hosting responsibilities will rotate among the UN’s geographic blocks, marking Africa’s turn following Egypt’s COP27 in 2022. The Net Zero Tracker indicates Nigeria is the only African nation with a legally binding target for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, first established in 2021.
Being the largest oil producer on the continent, Nigeria’s economy heavily relies on oil and gas revenues, accounting for nearly half of its government budget. At COP28 in 2023, countries collectively agreed to shift away from fossil fuels in their energy systems without specifying the timeline or detailed approach.
Internationally, Nigeria, along with the African Group, has insisted that developed countries contribute more towards assisting developing nations in managing climate change impacts. In 2022, President Bola Tinubu stressed that Nigeria would not comply with climate commitments unless climate finance is delivered by developed nations. Furthermore, at last year’s COP29, Maduekwe gained significant media attention for her criticism of an agreement wherein wealthy nations aimed to provide $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance, deeming it insufficient and unacceptable.
In summary, Nigeria’s bid to host the COP32 climate summit in Lagos reflects its ambition to enhance its role in climate leadership and advocacy. The country is positioning itself as a potential leader for the African continent in addressing climate change while advocating for more substantial support from developed nations. As the decision process proceeds, Nigeria’s stance and preparations will be closely scrutinized, emphasizing its commitment to reaching its net-zero targets by 2060 amid ongoing economic reliance on fossil fuels.
Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com
