By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The United Nations Development Programme( UNDP) and environmental stakeholders launched Net zero Nature positive (NZNP) Project in Nigeria, to target nature positive commitment by 2030.
The stakeholders stated this yesterday in Abuja, during the launch of the project and NZNP inception workshop for stakeholders, a “Project in the Niger-Delta areas of Bayelsa and Rivers State”.
Speaking at the workshop, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria,MS. Elsie G. Attafuah, said
that the project will support Nigeria’s vision in achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Nature Positive Commitment by 2030 and Net Zero emission target by 2026.
Attafuah stressed that the Net-Zero Nature-Positive (NZNP) Accelerator is one of the 11 Integrated Program under GEF-8 cycle which is aimed to accelerate the implementation of nature-positive and net-zero pathways by investing in nature and new technologies.
She emphasized that
“Today marks a significant step in our collective journey towards Nigeria’s transition to a Net Zero and Nature Positive future by promoting ecosystem restoration, expanding access to clean energy and de-risking sustainable investments”.
She said this launch marks the beginning of a new story for Nigeria: one of inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and a greener, safer, and more prosperous future for all.
She also reaffirm UNDP commitment to walking this journey with Nigeria.
“From the creeks of Bayelsa to the bustling cities of Rivers, and indeed across the entire nation, so that this Net Zero Nature Positive Project becomes a model for Africa and the world”, she said.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria also reiterated its commitment towards working side by side with partners, the Federal Ministry of Environment, UNEP, the GEF, State governments, and local stakeholders.
“This is to ensure this project delivers not just on global indicators, but also on the daily realities of farmers, fisherfolk, market women, youth entrepreneurs, and community custodians of nature”.
Similarly, Director Planning Research and Statistics and GEF Operational Point, Federal Ministry of Environmental, Mrs. Aneke Agnes Nkechi, disclosed that the threat of climate change and loss of biodiversity are internally connected.
She explained that the need to immediately tackle these interconnected crises with disproportionate impact on women, children, rural dwellers .
Others are
disadvantaged communities in the Niger-Delta region through the GEF funded Net Zero Nature Positive Accelerator.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Director of Forestry, Halima Bawa-Bwari , stated that the NZNP project offers us a unique opportunity to address climate change and biodiversity loss threats challenges in an integrated and transformative way.
“Nigeria’s commitment to a net-zero, nature-positive future is not just aspirational but a reality”.
Bwari said that this programme represents a powerful platform to accelerate those efforts.
“Through the NZNP project, Nigeria will strengthen institutional coordination, boost biodiversity, restore degraded ecosystems, and unlock investment pipelines that prioritize nature-positive, low-carbon development”, she added.
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