President Bola Tinubu has approved the terms of reference for the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC) to define its functions within the climate and green economy ecosystem.
This move follows the establishment of the SPEC office to bolster Nigeria’s commitment to climate action.
By the president’s directive, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action will:
1. Lead Climate Negotiations: Act as the lead negotiator in climate-related matters for the Federal Government of Nigeria, reporting directly to the president.
2. Carbon Market Initiatives: Lead negotiations on carbon market and management initiatives, integrating the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP) into the federal climate action plans.
3. Supervisory Interface: Serve as the supervising interface between the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the NCCC Supervising Council, chaired by the president.
4. Coordinator of Climate Activities: Coordinate all climate action-related activities across federal ministries, departments, agencies, legislative and subnational entities. Engage with international organisations and non-governmental entities to build coalitions and advance global climate goals in line with Nigeria’s national interest.
5. UNFCCC Engagement: Act as the focal point for Nigeria’s engagement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, and other international climate-related and green economic meetings.
6. NDC Fulfillment: Coordinate the activities of relevant federal ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure the successful fulfillment of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
7. Secretary of Presidential Committee: Serve as the secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, chaired by the president.
8. Chief Diplomat: Lead Nigeria’s climate-related engagements and negotiations, while supervising the Energy Transition Office.
9. NCCC Operations: Oversee non-executive activities related to the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) operations, with delegated authority to supervise the NCCC secretariat and report to the President between meetings of the NCCC Supervisory Council.
10. Engagement with Key Institutions: Lead engagements with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Environment, and other critical institutions concerning climate-related donor finance, renewable energy finance, and green industrial growth management.
11. Chairman of Project Evergreen: Chair the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
In addition, President Tinubu has expanded the membership of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions (P-CAGE). The new members include representatives from the Federal ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Innovation, Science & Technology, NNPCL, Special Assistant to the President on Energy Transition Yasmin Mohammed and Somkele Awa-Kalu of the Energy Transition Office.
A statement by the director of information and public relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen announced that the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will be inaugurated in July.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of diligence, dedication and patriotism in executing this critical national assignment to realise his administration’s agenda on climate action and green industrial growth for the long-term benefit of the Nigerian people and Africans at large.
