The Federal Ministry of Environment has expressed its commitment to collaborating with Denmark to advance green economy initiatives and mitigate climate change for sustainable economic growth and environmental preservation.
This pledge came during a high-level meeting between representatives of Nigeria and Denmark, focusing on the green partnership, the transition to a green economy, climate change adaptation, and preparations for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties (COP).
Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, emphasized the extensive history of cooperation between Nigeria and Denmark and the valuable lessons they can exchange. Nigeria, heavily reliant on oil, is exploring ways to reduce this dependency, drawing inspiration from Denmark’s successful shift away from oil-based dependence.
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Salako highlighted the administration’s eight key priority areas, which encompass anti-corruption and inclusivity. Among these areas, the Ministry of Environment has identified at least five that require climate action to achieve. For instance, climate action is essential for food security, as land degradation can jeopardize this crucial aspect of sustainability. Preventing disasters like floods is also vital to eradicating poverty, one of Nigeria’s priorities.
The transition to a green economy is seen as an opportunity to create employment and foster economic growth. Salako mentioned the ministry’s work on piloting sovereign green bonds to finance climate action initiatives.
Dan Jorgenson, the Danish Minister of Development Cooperation and Global Climate Change Policy, commended Nigeria’s progressive environmental sustainability goals and expressed alignment with African leaders’ declarations. He emphasized the need for increased collaboration in the fight against climate change, particularly in terms of mitigation and climate adaptation financing.
Jorgenson acknowledged that Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change and stressed the importance of not attributing blame to African nations, highlighting that climate change is primarily caused by global pollution. He expressed Denmark’s commitment to working together with Nigeria to achieve ambitious outcomes at the upcoming COP28.
The collaboration between Nigeria and Denmark represents a significant step toward addressing climate change, fostering sustainable economic growth, and aligning with international efforts to combat this global challenge. Both countries are poised to play vital roles in the final negotiations of COP28, further underscoring their commitment to environmental preservation and climate action.
