CSOs Raise Awareness on Net-Zero Carbon Emission Project in Nigeria

By Seyi Babalola

A coalition of three civil society organizations, Centre for 21st Century Issues, International Climate Change Development Initiative, and Connected Advocacy, raised public awareness on a campaign for Net-Zero carbon emission in Nigeria with the code #RANTZNigeria.

This was made known on Tuesday in Lagos during a one-day media training workshop that involved a presentation on Net-Zero carbon emissions by environmental experts.

The media workshop, with the theme “Raising Awareness on Net Zero in Nigeria,” provided a good opportunity for writers on climate change, both journalists and non-journalists, to assess the Paris Climate Agreement, which was adopted by world leaders in 2015.

The phrase “Net-Zero” is gaining popularity in the climate arena as a way to emphasize the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to stop the devastating effects of climate change on the environment, including humans and animals.

Speaking during the press conference, the Conveners of the forum, Olumide Idowu of the International Climate Change Development Initiative, Titilope Akosa of Centre for 21st Century, and Prince Israel Orekha of Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development Initiative, jointly urged journalists to intensify more efforts to reduce carbon emissions in any part of the country through informed and accurate reportage.

“The main goal of the project is to provide information and tools to communities, media, and CSOs to take action for deep emission reductions in Nigeria.

“The media, Civil Society Organisations, friends of the environment, and everyone irrespective of our spheres of endeavors and influence must join forces to safeguard the environment by deploying every legally allowed instrument against individuals or groups of persons who are bent on making the encouragement unsafe for mankind. We must not keep quiet and watch our environment degenerate to what we may not be able to explain in the future”.

They further explained more on the forthcoming Net-Zero Activities in Nigeria.

“The activities to deliver on the stated goal and objectives are community Consultations on Net Zero in 6 Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria, Develop Information, Education, and Communication Material (IEC), Media Engagement, Engagement with CSOs on Net Zero, engagement with Policy Makers with the support of development partners.

“We would be rolling out these activities in collaboration with relevant policymakers and climate institutions in Nigeria within the next 6 months. We would be working with the Nigerian Climate Change Council And some selected states’ Climate Change Departments across the states and local governments in Nigeria,” they stated.