The ongoing 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unfolded several pivotal takeaways with profound implications for farming in Nigeria throughout the year. Among the key outcomes are commitments from 118 governments to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity by 2030, signalling a global shift away from fossil fuels, according to Abnett et al (2023).
This optimism is further noted by the Carbon Brief (2023), suggesting that this clean energy initiative holds significant promise for Nigeria’s agriculture sector, offering opportunities for sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources that can revolutionise farming practices. COP28 also underscores the urgent need for adaptation and transformation within agriculture and food systems in response to challenges posed by climate change (Chuck, 2023). This emphasis could translate into increased funding and strategic initiatives to support sustainable agriculture and enhancing food security in Nigeria. The establishment of a ‘loss-and-damage fund’ is particularly noteworthy, potentially providing financial assistance to Nigeria to address climate-related challenges.
In addition, the Africa Climate Summit (ACS), held in Nairobi, Kenya further amplifies the importance of addressing climate change with the Nairobi Declaration calling for economic transformation aligned with Africa’s climate needs. No doubt, Nigeria stands to benefit significantly, especially in meeting the ambitious target of increasing its renewable generation capacity from 56 Gigawatts (GW) in 2022 to at least 300 GW by 2034, which can subsequently contribute to the flourish of the Nigerian agriculture and technological landscape. As COP28 has designated an entire thematic day for food and agriculture by acknowledging their critical role in climate change mitigation, it opens up new avenues for Nigeria. The opportunities presented by the renewable energy boost, the loss-and-damage fund, and the heightened focus on agriculture and food systems, would collectively contribute to Nigeria’s ability to address climate-related challenges and promote sustainable practices within the agriculture sector.
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