FG moves to combat climate change
By Innocent Raphael
In a significant stride towards sustainable development and environmental conservation, the Federal Government through the National Council on Climate Change, has endorsed a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing global climate issues, environmental challenges, and enhancing livelihoods nationwide.
The initiative, launched by Greenplinth Africa in collaboration with strategic partners, will distribute 80 million clean cookstoves free of charge to households across Nigeria.
According to a statement recently made public by Greenplinth, the project, the largest of its kind in the world, aims to mitigate the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with traditional cooking methods, such as indoor air pollution and deforestation.
It stated that the distribution of clean cookstoves is expected to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, particularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of traditional cooking practices.
While stating that the adoption of these stoves will improve indoor air quality, the company enlightened the move will reduce respiratory illnesses, and contribute to lower carbon emissions, aiding in the fight against climate change.
Dr. Olawale Akinwumi, President and CEO of Greenplinth Africa Limited, announced that Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, recently issued a formal Letter of Endorsement for the “Improved and Efficient Cooking Energy Solution for Nigeria” – a Programmatic Article 6.4 Project under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Dr. Dahiru, also the Designated National Authority (DNA) and the UNFCCC Focal Point in Nigeria, emphasized that the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable forest development, and create jobs.
He noted that it would also reduce domestic emissions, decrease upper respiratory infections, and support Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) towards sustainable development.
Highlighting the project’s importance, Dr. Victor Fodeke, Vice President and GMD of Greenplinth Africa Limited, stated that the initiative would particularly benefit vulnerable communities, women, and children. “Nigerians will experience tangible benefits while collectively contributing to global efforts in combating climate change,” he said.
Dr. Fodeke, a former Technical Adviser on Climate Change to the African Union (AU), also revealed that the project includes an ambitious afforestation campaign, with plans to plant four billion economic trees across the nation.
She emphasized that the move aims to combat deforestation, promote sustainable land management, enhance biodiversity, and create economic opportunities for communities, stimulating economic growth through new avenues for employment and income generation.
The Article 6.4 Clean Cookstoves Project is set to be a significant foreign exchange earner for Nigeria, fully funded by Carbon Credits.
The PANDA Cookstove, the first clean cookstove to include the co-benefit of innovative tree planting and nurturing, aims to reduce poverty, hunger, and disease.
