The federal government has launched a national industrial decarbonisation programme to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
The programme promotes the adoption of environmentally sound technologies and energy-efficient practices that reduce operational costs while minimising environmental impact.
The director general/CEO of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Innocent Bariko, said the decarbonisation programme represents the government’s firm commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning the industrial sector towards a low-carbon economy in line with Nigeria’s international obligations under the Paris Agreement.
The programme was designed to bring together government, industry, and technical experts to create a robust regulatory and compliance framework that supports our nation’s net-zero target by 2060. “We are at a critical juncture where proactive measures must be taken to ensure that our industrial sector—which contributes significantly to our GDP and global carbon emissions—is transformed into a driver of sustainable development,” NESREA DG stated at a stakeholders’ workshop that was jointly organised by NESREA and Oxytane Africa Limited in Abuja yesterday.
Nigeria’s industry, which encompasses sectors such as cement, fertiliser, chemicals, and metals, is a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Projections indicate a potential threefold increase in industrial emissions between 2010 and 2030, a reason Bariko said the urgency to act is now.
The regulators and industry experts believe that by adopting decarbonisation strategies and establishing a clear regulatory framework, Nigeria can significantly mitigate emissions while simultaneously enhancing its competitiveness in international markets.
The minister of environment Balarabe Lawal said the federal government, through the Ministry of Environment and its agencies, remains committed to creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive sustainably. “Our commitment includes strengthening regulatory frameworks to support industrial emissions reductions; partnering with the private sector to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions, and enhancing research and innovation to develop homegrown solutions for industrial sustainability,” the minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mahmud Kambari said.
He said the government will support industries in transitioning to sustainable practices.
The MD of Oxytane Africa Investment Limited, Tamarankro Obriki, said the organisation is committed to supporting the government’s drive to reduce carbon emissions in Nigeria for sustainable development.
The chairman of the governing board of NESREA, Garba Mohammed, believes the government must take charge of transforming industrial practices, adopting cleaner technologies, enhancing energy efficiency, and establishing robust mechanisms for compliance and carbon credit trading.
“Today’s workshop is a unique opportunity to engage In meaningful dialogue, share Insights, and collectively shape a regulatory and compliance framework that will serve as the foundation for our decarbonisation efforts,” he said.
The programme also focuses on four main pillars: facilitates the development of innovative mechanisms for generating and trading carbon credits, thereby opening new revenue streams for our industries and the government; establish a comprehensive compliance monitoring and enforcement framework that will ensure adherence to decarbonisation targets; and foster strategic partnerships across both public and private sectors, enhancing collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
