By Dare Akogun
The Federal Government has said it is providing policies and initiatives aimed at implementing the Paris Agreement to address climate change and other environmental issues in the country.
The Minister of Environment, Mohammad Abubakar, made this known while speaking at the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement organized by the ministry and Petroleum Technology Development Fund, (PTDF) in collaboration with the French government in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Mr. Abubakar revealed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has put in place several policies and initiatives such as financing green projects across the nation in various sectors of the economy.
He added that the government was also engaging in afforestation programmes aimed at establishment of forests or planting of trees in order to avoid degradation of land.
Mr. Abubakar said that Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) were at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of many long-term goals.
According to him, “NDCs embodied efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, “he said.
Mr. Abubakar said the anniversary would be focusing on the NDCs and policies being implemented, what had been achieved so far and what should be on the agenda for the next five years.
“In achieving Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals, the government was collaborating with relevant stakeholders and the French government for more effective implementation of the programmes, “he said.
The Minister thanked the French government for its support, adding that such would help in tackling climate change and other environmental issues in the country.
Earlier in his remark the Executive Secretary, PTDF Bello Gusau, said that associating with the French government in the implementation of the Paris Agreement programme was commendable.
Mr. Gusau who was represented by Rabitah Waziri-Adamu, said the efforts would bring about huge progress in addressing climate change and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement in the country.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria Jerome Pasquier, thanked the Federal Government on its effort in ensuring that NDCs were implemented through the policies and initiatives provided.
He said for Nigeria to engage in the elaborate anniversary, it meant that the government was committed in the implementation of NDCs and would achieve its goals.
