The Federal Government and stakeholders on Thursday commenced plans to develop Nigeria’s Just TransitionGuideline to ensure the country’s transition to an inclusive and equitable low-carbon economy.
Speaking at the inception workshop for the development of Nigeria’s Just Transition Guideline organised by the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe said Nigeria’s climate policies must secure livelihoods, supports vulnerable communities, and fosters shared economic growth.
Maduekwe, also the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, noted that climate-related policy frameworks like Nigeria’s National Development Plan, Energy Transition Plan, National Bioeconomy Strategic Framework and Climate Change Act, amongst others, provide a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.
Maduekwe who was represented by Halima Bawa-Bwari explained that a Just Transition framework will ensure that the shift to renewable energy and a low-carbon future aligns with this vision by integrating policies that safeguard workers and communities, particularly those dependent on fossil fuel-based industries, anchored on sustainability, economic inclusion and resilience.
“Our commitment to Nationally Determined Contributions underscores Nigeria’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting green growth opportunities. The Just Transition Guideline we are developing will be instrumental in achieving these targets through socially responsible and economically viable strategies.
“Additionally, nature-based solutions will play a pivotal role in our transition by enhancing climate resilience, restoring ecosystems, and creating sustainable green jobs. By leveraging our natural assets, such as the mangroves we can ensure that climate action goes hand in hand with economic growth, improved food security, and environmental sustainability,” she said.
She added that the Just Transition is not solely environmental or economic as it requires the active collaboration of government, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and development partners to design policies that mitigate potential disruptions while maximising new opportunities.
A joint speech by the ILO, UNDP and UNIDO delivered by Stephen Agugua emphasised that the development of the guideline is crucial to addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.
According to the UN bodies, Nigeria is committed to its international obligations, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, as it aims to address climate change and promote sustainable development in the country.
“The Nigerian government has already taken significant steps towards sustainable development and climate action, such as the ongoing revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions, the National Development Plan, and the establishment of a National Council on Climate Change, demonstrate the commitment to address climate change and promote sustainable economic growth.
“The Just Transition Roadmap will build upon and align with these existing policy frameworks, providing a coherent and strategic approach to the transition of Nigeria to a low-carbon economy.
“This is also significant to the country’s workforce and labour sector, ensuring decent work, social protection, and workers’ rights are protected throughout the transition process,” he said.
He also stated that the plan will prioritise job creation, skills development, gender-responsive policies, and capacity-building to facilitate the transition of vulnerable sectors from carbon-intensive industries to emerging green sectors.
He added that the roadmap aligns with the UN’s strategic objectives by emphasising the partnership between the government and the UN system to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development, focusing on Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Guidelines from the ILO provide an internationally established policy framework that defines the concept of a just transition and calls upon policymakers and social partners to promote a just transition at global level. Under the Climate Promise initiative, UNDP is now supporting 34 countries and territories around the world to strengthen just transition principles and processes.
“Since 2010, UNIDO has supported the creation of regional sustainable energy centres across the Global South to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
“Furthermore, ILO advocates for a just transition, fostering environmentally sustainable economies inclusively, with a commitment to creating decent work, reducing and reducing poverty. The overall aim of the development of a Just Transition Action Plan as a national guideline is to provide a clear framework and actionable strategies to guide all sectors in the country toward a sustainable and equitable future that emphasises leaving no one behind,” he added.
In her goodwill message, the Coordinator of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association ICT Academy in Abuja, Jennifer Yelwa noted that the association is determined to work with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to a low-carbon economy while integrating a fair, gender-inclusive system for measuring, reporting, and verifying transitions.
