Press release: 26 August 2021
Africa: On Thursday August 26th, climate defenders in Nigeria called for a stop to the issuance of coal mining licenses in Nigeria, in light of the recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that underscored the need for urgent climate action. The UN report warned that earth is warming more rapidly than expected, a situation attributed to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The report further revealed that climate impacts being experienced across the globe are expected to worsen. This points to a need for urgent, sustained action to lower greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change.
Nigeria is already experiencing climate impacts, in the form of flooding, desert encroachment and rapidly increasing drought in different parts of the country. Climate defenders highlighted the threat posed by coal mining to the environment and the local communities in Nigeria and called on the Federal government to accelerate plans to transition away from coal use. As part of a campaign dubbed Coal Free Nigeria, the defenders are appealing for support in their call for a coal-free Nigeria through this petition.
Rukiya Khamis of 350Africa.org said,
“Fossil fuels are not the answer to the energy needs of not only Nigeria but our African continent as a whole. The government of Nigeria needs to invest in clean energy for the sake of its people and the environment. A just transition to sustainable renewable energy options is required now more than ever, to offer alternative livelihoods that would address the needs of workers who are dependent on coal mining activities.”
David Michael of Coal Free Nigeria said,
“The IPCC report indicates that the increase in the rate of surface temperature in Africa, which is driven by human-induced climate change, has been more rapid than the global average. We are losing time against the climate crisis. The effects of climate change are already being felt in Nigeria. The report is clear that climate impacts, such as flooding, are likely to get worse if urgent action is not taken the world over to lower carbon emissions. The Federal Government of Nigeria should abide by its commitment to the Paris agreement which requires phased reduction of greenhouse gases and halt the issuance of coal mining licenses.”
Joseph Ibrahim of Coal Free Nigeria said,
“As a continent, we are already reaping the harvest of anthropogenic induced climate change, therefore we cannot be irresponsible in continuously sowing the seed of climate change which in this case is fossil fuel. The IPCC report is sounding the alarm and I only hope that the government at all levels can hear the sound clearly and wake up to its responsibility of protecting the environment and the livelihoods of its citizenry. This responsibility has to begin by ceasing to issue coal mining licenses in Nigeria.”
A study commissioned by 350.org on the status of coal mining in Nigeria in 2019, revealed that coal mining in Kogi, Benue and Gombe states has led to extensive environmental degradation including the contamination of air, water and soil which continue to negatively affect the health of local communities.
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Notes to Editors:
Coal Free Nigeria Campaign
Coal Free Nigeria is a campaign aimed at stopping the issuance of licences to new coal mines in Nigeria and phasing out existing ones by 2025. The campaign lobbies for an accelerated just transition away from coal mining and use in Nigeria as well as investment in the more viable, sustainable option of renewable energy.
Climate impacts in Nigeria
Parts of Nigeria have experienced flash floods in the recent past. Reports indicate that over 380 households in the states of Jigawa, Bauchi and Adamawa have been affected or displaced by the floods since August 11th. Experts have in the past warned that Lagos may be unlivable at the end of the century, as sea levels continue to rise due to climate change.
IPCC Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the UN body that assesses the science related to climate change. The Working Group 1 contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report titled Climate Change 2021:The Physical Science Basis, was released on August 9th, 2021.
The Working Group I report is the first instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed in 2022. The report was approved by 195 member governments of the IPCC.
For interviews and additional information contact:
350Africa.org
Christine Mbithi
Email: christine.mbithi@350.org
Phone: +254 725906695