Senate approves National Climate Change Commission

The senate on Wednesday approved the establishment of the National Climate Change Commission following the adoption of the conference committee report on the commission.

The commission is also expected to generate reliable empirical data which will further guide Nigeria’s response in international conventions and treaties and fund an online data bank in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the Kyoto protocol which specifies that every country should have reliable data analysis and systematic observations for climate change.

The senate’s approval for the establishment of the commission is coming three years after the bill was introduced in the chamber. The bill was first read in the senate December 2007.

The commission is expected to set off early next year with an initial take off grant to be appropriated by the national assembly and thereafter, it will be funded by both budgetary allocations and 10% of the Ecological Fund whose total content is still obscure to most Nigerians. The commission is also expected to generate revenues through carbon financing.

According to Bent, the commission will undertake the implementation of the rule,institutions, and procedures governing the national and international climate change regime “as outlined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and Marrakesh Accords” all of which Nigeria is signatory.

Promote environment
The commission will also specifically develop a national strategy for the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emission and low carbon economy, coordinate national response to climate change amongst government agencies and promote, regulate, and develop the carbon market in Nigeria.

“We hope that the work done will begin to translate into dividend for the country with respect to mitigation and adaptation strategies that is expected to produce policies and institutional structures to combat climate change related problems,” Mrs Bent said. “We also hope it will raise sustainable finance that will help Nigeria take prompt action to move towards low carbon and climate resilient development.” With the adoption of the conference report, the act will be forwarded to president for his assent and formal establishment of the commission.

The commission will consist of the Vice President, nine ministers, the director general of Nigeria Meteorological Agency, six other members each representing the six geopolitical zones and an executive secretary who will be the administrative and accounting officer of the commission.

Source:234next.com