The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has stressed the importance of preserving ecosystems to enhance climate resilience and ensure sustainable livelihoods for communities.
Director-General of the foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, said this during a side event at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held November 2024 at Baku, Azerbaijan.
Dr. Onoja, a conservationist and environmental advocate, made the submission in a presentation during the session on “Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Africa”, where he highlighted Nigeria’s biodiversity and the role of conservation in mitigating climate change.
While underscoring the need for global support to implement nature-based solutions in Africa, Onoja recognised the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations, and advocated for equitable access to climate financing.
He called on developed nations to fulfill their commitments to fund adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable regions.
Onoja drew attention to successful initiatives by the NCF such as the restoration of degraded forests in Nigeria and the promotion of community-led conservation projects.
“The conference has reaffirmed the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change.
“Nature is at the heart of our solutions, and it is imperative that we work together to protect our planet for future generations.
“Nigeria has a pivotal role to play, and the NCF remains committed to leveraging the outcomes of COP29 to drive sustainable conservation and climate action in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He said the post Baku COP29 outlook looked bright for the world and for Africa.
“NCF acknowledges the progress made at COP29, particularly the agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal to triple climate finance, reaching $300 billion annually by 2035.
“This aligns with Africa’s need for robust financial support to enhance adaptation and mitigation efforts, especially in vulnerable communities.
“The Loss and Damage Fund also provides much-needed resources for countries suffering from the irreversible impacts of climate change,” he said.
He added that African countries were, therefore, encouraged to craft climate plans for tapping into the secured $300 billion in carbon finance annually by 2035.
“They should leverage existing local endowments, renewable energy, natural resources and a young workforce to create pathways to climate-positive growth in Africa.
“It is important to note that there’s still a huge golf in funding for activities that harm nature, which is thirty times more, compared to those that preserve it.
“The promised funding of $300 billion is a meager 10 per cent of the yearly allocation for global energy infrastructure.
“We hope that the funding provision keeps increasing in the years to come,” he said.
Onoja said that the NCF’s participation at COP29 aligned with its mission to promote sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.
“Through this global platform, the foundation continues to amplify its voice and strengthen its resolve to combat the climate crisis,” he said.
He said that COP29 brought together world leaders, environmental experts, and stakeholders from nearly 200 countries.
“This was aimed to discuss and negotiate actions to address the global climate crisis and set new goals for climate finance, adaptation, and mitigation,” he said.
Onoja, who led the NCF delegation to COP29, was also part of the Nigerian Government delegation.
