To reduce emissions to half by 2030 and mitigate the impact of climate change across the country, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAENG) has called for major changes in transport, electricity consumption, industry, land use and buildings.

The group warned that a recent IPCC report stating that greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to increase and emissions need to be reduced by almost half to limit global warming to 1.5°C, gives a new urgency to the climate change issue.

Speaking on ‘climate change initiative in Nigeria’ at the Fellows’ forum organised by the NAENG in Lagos, an energy consultant and fellow of the academy, Dr. Olufunmilayo Coker, said Nigeria has made major commitments to net zero emissions by 2060, reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 (oil and gas sector reduction of 60 per cent) and flares out by 2030.

He observed that rapid reduction in emissions would adversely affect Nigeria’s oil and gas export potential. Coker also said that Nigeria needs to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions, reverse deforestation, adapt and build resilience to changing climatic conditions and also adapt to the energy transition.