By Seyi Babalola
With few days to the 2023 convention on climate change (COP28), the Centre for 21st Century Issues, in partnership with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) and the EnviroNews Development Network (Endenet), with support from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), on Friday organised a pre-event meeting in Lagos.
In attendance were civil society organisations and multi-stakeholders to enlighten them ahead of the submit which is to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE, from November 30 – December 12, 2023.
Speaking at the event themed “Nigeria CSOs COP 28 and Multi-Stakeholder Meeting,” the Executive Director of the Centre for 21st Century Issues, Ms. Titilope Akosa, said the interaction was held to raise awareness among stakeholders who would be attending the summit in Dubai, where heads of government, development agencies, and civil society organisations would be taking climate action decisions.
“In Africa, we are experiencing a lot of impact from climate change. From flooding to different devastations, drought, and so many other things. So it’s very important that they know that there is a fund that can help us recover from all these disasters and the whole world is going to decide on that fund.
“We are also going there to discuss climate justice issues, as they concern finance. We want the developed countries that have caused climate change to continue to live up to their commitment to giving funds for adaptation and mitigation, especially those who are on the frontlines of climate change. These are very important issues that we want the whole world to know.”
According to Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe of the Federal Ministry of the Environment’s Department of Climate Change, the conference was a crucial opportunity for cooperation in order to take part in the next meeting in Dubai.
Speaking during Nigeria’s Climate Change-focused CSOs for active engagement in COP 28, Abiola-Awe said that by presenting their issues together at the UN conference, Nigerian CSOs and climate change specialists will be able to build solutions that will save the climate.
She noted that grassroots participation was instrumental to addressing climate change, adding that stakeholders’ “engagement in the discussion is paramount to embarking on the fight against climate change. It is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of collaboration with the government and the community.”
The climate change boss said that the CSOs should communicate the stance of Nigeria collectively to make sure that no one is left behind in the collective effort.
The Deputy Executive Director of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), Mr. John Baaki, while addressing the stakeholders virtually, said the participation of civil society at UNFCCC Cops is important in shaping the outcome of the negotiation and bringing the voices of the local communities and the vulnerable into the negotiations.
He said, “The structure and processes of the UNFCC are complicated and it takes diligent study to understand them to better contribute to decisions at that level. Constituencies help to bridge the gap between the UNFCCC and the individual accredited organisations and so it is encouraged to join a constituency for more information and access to some decision-making structures at the UNFCCC.
“It is also important to learn about the issues that are on the agenda for this year’s COP and what the position of your country is on these issues. This will shape the strategies and alliances for better advocacy at COP28.”
The Climate Change Lead of the National Conservation Foundation, Mr. Solomon Adefolu, highlighted the role of CSOs in climate negotiations.
According to him, “CSOs must recognize themselves as the eyes, ears, and conscience of the world (watchdogs) in the negotiation process, align with a coalition or partnership on the particular cause of interest, e.g., nature, justice, and make noise about interest through campaigns, social media, progress reporting, and grant media interviews.”
Speaking on how CSOs may use the media as one of the most essential components of the conference of parties (COPs), Michael O. Simire, Director of Environews Development Network (EndNet), suggested that some CSOs establish their own media organisations.
While acknowledging that observers are encouraged to organise press conferences, he asked Nigerian CSOs to work more closely with the media in order to effectively interact with parties.
According to him, “There is a need for better engagement of the media and CSOs at the conference.”
