President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the National Council on Climate Change.
The inauguration was done before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
Buhari described climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing humanity, following the losses and damages caused by the recent increasing floods in several parts of the country as well in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other parts of East and Southern Africa.
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“It (climate change) is complex and dynamic, and requires multidimensional and multi-sectoral initiatives to address its impacts and avert its rapid advance.
“Updated data show increases in sea level rise, heat waves, wildfires, floods, desertification, drying wetlands and many more disruptive climate occurrences.
“The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warns that rising Green House Gas emissions could soon outstrip the ability of communities to adapt, and the window for taking decisive steps needed to spare our planet from the gravest impacts of climate change is rapidly narrowing.
“We cannot ignore what is happening in our local environment. The increasing re-occurrence of floods in several parts of the country is a wakeup call,’’ he said.
He also lamented the loss of lives, damage and destruction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and agricultural production.
Buhari charged the council to formulate appropriate policies towards achieving green growth and sustainable economic development for Nigeria.
He said the inauguration marked the commencement of the implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021 and a new chapter in the renewed response to climate change in the country.
He directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, in conjunction with the Minister of Environment, to initiate appropriate amendments of ‘’noticeable implementation challenges’’ inherent in the Act.
The council, chaired by the president with the vice president as vice chairman, has as members, chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum as well as Ministers of Environment, Petroleum Resources, Budget and National Planning, Justice, Mines and Steel Development, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, among others.
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