Climate Change Challenges in Nigeria and the implications for Energy
by Babatunde Idrisu

The increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere have been identified as the main reason for the observed increase in the globally averaged temperatures since the mid 20th century [1]. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation in the atmosphere and keep the earth warm. The most important of these gases is carbon dioxide (Co2) which is released into the atmosphere mainly by the burning of fossil fuels for human use. Other climate pollutant include Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N 2O), Ozone (O3) , Black carbon (BC) and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Climate change is a global challenge and as such requires a global approach, this has informed the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The developed countries are required to take the lead in the fight against climate change and offer support to developing countries. The Kyoto Protocol requires industrialized countries to make reduction emissions obligations. It introduced the innovation of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) where Certified Emission Reductions (CER) from developing countries can be bought to fulfill those obligations. A new treaty is expected to be signed in 2015. There has not been much impact of these efforts in the reduction of emissions as Co2 levels continue to rise. Co2 levels have risen from 314 parts per million (ppm) in 1958 to 402.92 parts per million (ppm) as at the 27th of April, 2015. See below the Keeling curve from the Mauna Loa Observatory at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography showing Co2concentration in the atmosphere.

[img]http://westafricanenergy.files./2015/04/keeling-curve2.png?w=696[/img]
Figure 1: Keeling curve showing growing Co2 concentrations

The unprecedented increase in greenhouse gases emissions have led to the increase of global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and Ice and the global average rise in sea level. This has implications for the mankind and ecosystems, unfortunately Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the effects due to the low levels of Infrastructural development which makes adaptation more difficult, high levels of poverty and limited access to energy.

Climate change Challenges in Nigeria

Nigeria, with its population of over 150 Million faces enormous challenges in coping with climate change. Some of the challenges are listed below:

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework: The lack of a legal and regulatory framework for dealing with climate change is a big problem. In 2010, the national assembly passed a bill for the creation of a national climate change commission to coordinate the response to climate change but up till date, this commission is non-existent. This limits the amount of aid and support that can be obtained for climate change. The climate change department of the Federal Ministry of Environment developed a document in December, 2011 titled “National Adaption Strategy and Plan of Action on climate change for Nigeria to outline action plans for climate change. In 2012, the Federal Executive council approved a National Policy on Climate Change and Response Strategy (NPCC-RS) but there is a still a lot of work to be done. Renewable Energy focused Incentives for the development of renewable energy sources are limited and the National renewable energy policy is yet to be approved. The actions for mitigation and adaptation are still very limited and the lack of proper legal and regulatory is a major reason for this.

2. Infrastructure: Nigeria’s population growth is expected to put pressure on existing infrastructure and climate change would exacerbate the situation and leave communities vulnerable to very unpleasant conditions. Annual rainfall in Nigeria reduced in Nigeria by an average of 2-8mm between 1941-2000 and annual temperatures is projected to increase by an average of 0.04oC annually till the 2045-2065 period [2]. This poses a significant challenge as there is an increasing demand for water with the growing population but inadequate public water storage and distribution to cater for this. This makes Nigeria particularly vulnerable to droughts and water shortages. Inadequate drainage networks in coastal regions and rising sea levels make those areas vulnerable to floods and the attendant damage to the ecosystem, infrastructure and human lives.

3. There is a dearth of technical expertise in the local population to execute mitigation or adaptation strategies.

4. Awareness: Climate Change is a strange concept to many communities. There is still a great deal of ignorance on climate change and its impacts.

5. Poverty and Finance: Adaptation strategies are usually very capital intensive and most people in rural communities are poor and cannot afford it.

Implications for Energy

The impact of climate change on the Nigeria’s Energy sector is significant. Falling annual rainfall and droughts affect the water levels of important electricity infrastructure like the Kainji Dam and lead to electricity shortages. Also, inadequate transmission and distribution facilities are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and floods. Electricity Access in Nigeria is only about 51% and as such Nigeria cannot afford power cuts from some of its most important facilities.

In the oil and gas sector, offshore oil facilities are at risk of damage from rising sea levels, floods and extreme weather conditions. This portends danger for a country whose economy is largely based on oil and gas and is largely dependent on it for its energy needs. In the rural areas, incomplete combustion of wood for cooking releases a Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) known as black carbon into the atmosphere. This can be mitigated by the introduction of more efficient biomass cooking stoves and it also offers an opportunity for Nigeria to tap into innovations like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the REDD (Reduce Emissions from deforestation and forest degradation). Deforestation can be reduced by introducing more efficient cooking methods and the biodiversity of the ecosystem can be preserved.

Nigeria has huge potential in renewable energy sources and it is important that it takes necessary steps to improve investment in the renewable energy. There is a need to provide incentives to encourage small scale renewable energy generation amongst private individuals so as to reduce the over dependence on diesel engines. Subsidies for petroleum products should be removed and low carbon options like natural gas must be developed. The Natural gas sub-sector should be reviewed to make it attractive for investment.

The approaches to mitigation when it comes to energy are two:

Move from high carbon fuels like oil or coal to low carbon fuels like Natural gas or renewable
Move to a more efficient energy conversion processes like in the case of providing better cooking options.

The establishment of a National Climate Change commission to coordinate climate change activities is long overdue because the effects of climate change are already been felt in all sectors of the Nigerian economy. A proactive approach is needed to help Nigeria adapt to the potentially disastrous effects.

Babatunde Idrisu has a masters in energy management and policy from the Pennsylvania State University and has conducted multiple research work on renewable energy, energy policy and electricity markets.

Email: Westafricanenergy@gmail.com

Twitter: @EnergyWA

https://westafricanenergy./2015/04/30/climate-change-challenges-in-nigeria-and-the-implications-for-energy/

cc: Lalasticlala, Seun, Ishilove

With a the abundance of other natural resources we have in Nigeria, it's a shame she still depends on kanji dam for it's electricity, we have coal in Enugu state we have natural gas we don't even kw Wat to do with it. Not to talk abt the crouching sunlight in the North.

Why in Jesus are we still reliant on an archaic tech like kanji only Jesus can explain
Seriously Nigeria which way??

This is what u have when 95% of our leaders are Politicians and not experts and professionals. The concept of "Climate Change" is still like abstract to our government. How will they even comprehend or pinpoint the implications. Until we begin to have experts in our legislative arm of govt especially on issues like this, wait n see these challenges graduates from knocking on our doors to entering and sweeping out our fortunes.
Let me also say that if the issue of Climate Change is not addressed(tho its global), the world, Nigeria and industrialised Lagos, we might be in for it.

Dannyset:
This is what u have when 95% of our leaders are Politicians and not experts and professionals. The concept of "Climate Change" is still like abstract to our government. How will they even comprehend or pinpoint the implications. Until we begin to have experts in our legislative arm of govt especially on issues like this, wait n see these challenges graduates from knocking on our doors to entering and sweeping out our fortunes.
Let me also say that if the issue of Climate Change is not addressed(tho its global), the world, Nigeria and industrialised Lagos, we might be in for it.

Lagos will be one of the worst hit, already we have seen how the atlantic ocean has eaten deep in the land and merged with Kuramo Lagoon. This is evident at bar beach. Fortunately, the current Lagos state government is the only government in Nigeria that is serious about climate change. The Eko Atlantic will be powered exclusively by renewable energy and there is a lot of work done to prevent Ocean surges. Building mass transit transport system would reduce emissions. The BRT and the light rail are good ideas but there is so much work that is left to be done particularly with flood control.

EnergyWA:


Lagos will be one of the worst hit, already we have seen how the atlantic ocean has eaten deep in the land and merged with Kuramo Lagoon. This is evident at bar beach. Fortunately, the current Lagos state government is the only government in Nigeria that is serious about climate change. The Eko Atlantic will be powered exclusively by renewable energy and there is a lot of work done to prevent Ocean surges. Building mass transit transport system would reduce emissions. The BRT and the light rail are good ideas but there is so much work that is left to be done particularly with flood control.

Why u have all these at play in Lagos is because u have someone like Fashola at the helm of affairs who know "what" and "why". But that can't be said of the totality of leaders in Nigeria. The Tree planting initiative was also part of the solution. And there was also a time President Jonathan came up with the "Energy saving bulb" thing. Its a very commendable one, but how far it went is what I don't know.
Talking about the flood control issue, I think this is where Lagos State is going to find it very challenging because of the nature of its terrain.

Dannyset:

Why u have all these at play in Lagos is because u have someone like Fashola at the helm of affairs who know "what" and "why". But that can't be said of the totality of leaders in Nigeria. The Tree planting initiative was also part of the solution. And there was also a time President Jonathan came up with the "Energy saving bulb" thing. Its a very commendable one, but how far it went is what I don't know.
Talking about the flood control issue, I think this is where Lagos State is going to find it very challenging because of the nature of its terrain.

Lagos needs a good drainage system. They need to work on water purification, storage and distribution because surging oceans will contaminate underground water.

The thing with climate change is that it will affect everything, Forests, Agriculture, coastal areas, Ecosystem, water, health.

I am happy that fashola might be part of the incoming government, perhaps he can influence things.

am very. passionate abt the environment.


climate change is serious prblm of our generation
I hv ask questions on how the new govt intend to tackle it impact from zamfara -Lagos. am satisfied but we need long term solution like Incentive fr reduction in co2 by industries. green. en

IbnSultaan:
am very. passionate abt the environment.


climate change is serious prblm of our generation
I hv ask questions on how the new govt intend to tackle it impact from zamfara -Lagos. am satisfied but we need long term solution like Incentive fr reduction in co2 by industries. green. en

There is need for long term planning, something we are not used to.

tbaba1234:

There is need for long term planning, something we are not used to.

yes

EnergyWA:


Lagos needs a good drainage system. They need to work on water purification, storage and distribution because surging oceans will contaminate underground water.

The thing with climate change is that it will affect everything, Forests, Agriculture, coastal areas, Ecosystem, water, health.

I am happy that fashola might be part of the incoming government, perhaps he can influence things.

I think Lagos State is already working on the water purification system and its storage. U know in Nigeria as a whole, we hardly forecast. Until it happens, we don't see it. That's why we are likely not to persist on this until we are in critical need of it.
On drainage system, Lagosians need to be lectured on the workings of it. Most of the flooding(by rainfall) we experience in Lagos is caused by illegal building on areas liable to flooding, build on canal channel, dumbing of refuse into drainage channels etc.
Fashola being in this incoming govt is likely not to dwell on issues like this. If he's in Min of works for example, his likely not to look that way because he won't want to usurp peoples office. The solution is having professionals and expert in this field in the legislative arm of govt.

ejiro2130:
With a the abundance of other natural resources we have in Nigeria, it's a shame she still depends on kanji dam for it's electricity, we have coal in Enugu state we have natural gas we don't even kw Wat to do with it. Not to talk abt the crouching sunlight in the North.

Why in Jesus are we still reliant on an archaic tech like kanji only Jesus can explain
Seriously Nigeria which way??

wao . . . . You didn't even read the post?