The Lagos State government has created a registry to document carbon emissions across the metropolis as part of efforts to achieve zero emissions.
The General Manager, of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr Babatunde Ajayi, disclosed this an event organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Friday.
The webinar had as its theme: ” Ensuring Just Enforcement of Carbon Footprint Emissions: A Call to Action.”
Ajayi stated that things needed to be taken a bit more seriously to advance Nigeria’s de-carbonisation journey.
He noted that while the global direction was to significantly reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing and other human commercial activities, the state government had taken steps to document its carbon footprint.
“LASEPA has created a registry to document our carbon footprint and have everything put in a valid data base.
“We are very keen to support the net zero agenda in terms of policies, technical support and human resources to drive the de-carbonisation process.
“Lagos is going to start the registry over the next couple of days and it is voluntary for businesses until we are sure of the direction of carbon trading,” he said.
Meanwhile, some climate change stakeholders at the event stated the need to take action via just enforcement of carbon footprint emissions, to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and ensure sustainability.
The Director General, MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, noted that Africa presented very unique challenges that demanded uniquely crafted and tailor-made solutions that cater to its climate change needs.
He, however, stressed the importance of not losing sight of the pressing socioeconomic challenges of unemployment, energy poverty and low technology penetration that impede the continent’s development while pursuing climate change actions.
Ajayi-Kadir said the event was an opportunity to share knowledge and best practices and collaborate on solutions to address carbon emissions in our industry.
“It is a call to action for all of us to take responsibility for our impact on the environment and work towards a cleaner, greener future.
“Just as manufacturers are investing heavily in circular economy, water stewardship and recycling, we urge the government to put in place workable policies that will complement our efforts at ensuring sustainability without killing our businesses.
“Together, we can make a difference and ensure that we are doing our part to protect the planet for future generations without jeopardising our survival today,” he said.
An Economist and Sustainability Expert, Dr Mathew Ojo, noted that the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change recognised that climate change does not affect every region or sector the same way.
He said the agreement made recommendations to address the just enforcement and transition principles which include equity, fairness and sustainability.
Ojo added that in transitioning to green energy, one must take into cognisant the environment, the workers, the community, and other dynamics by aligning corporate entities with global goals in climate change, within the purview of sustainability.
“What is important for manufacturers while transitioning is to look at how to transition under the principles of sustainability and in consideration of the environment because after sometime, the resources may not the there anymore.
“These days, consumers are concerned if your products are green enough, with eco-labelling or if your products care for the environment, so you must not lack global environmental concern in manufacturing,” he said.
The Senior Manager of Sustainability Services, Forvis Mazars Nigeria, Mr Adewole Lawal, stated that just enforcement of carbon emissions must be done in a way that respects people.
Lawal noted that as Nigeria recommits to the net zero plan of 2060, it would soon become mandatory for manufacturing entities to report on their sustainability.
He urged businesses to adopt the right Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies aligned with net zero plans by creating short-, medium and long-term goals to achieve net zero emissions.
“Transitioning to net zero which attracts investors and investments must be innovative and not affect workers while moving from high emitting technologies to lower ones.
“We must continue to promote the health and safety of the environment.
“We call on corporate organisations to make the transition as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals by supporting technological innovation that support net zero emissions,” he said.
Also, Convener, EnvironmentNG, Mr Korede Oluwole, urged the manufacturers’ association to set up a sustainability working group.
This, he said, would help the association relate better with the government at subnational and national levels on the matter and help businesses transition to sustainability.
“It would also help build capacity of their members and create the awareness that is needed, shoring up compliance.
“Many MSMEs do not understand the role they may play in carbon emission and creating this group may help everybody work together as against in silos, which is counterproductive,” he said.
NAN
