Bob Dewar

Nigeria and the Copenhagen climate change negotiations

Visited Calabar the capital of Cross Rivers State, which has the highest remaining amount of Tropical High Forest in Nigeria (unfortunately only an estimated 4% of what there once was is still remaining and 60% of that is in Cross Rivers). Commendably the State government has launched a policy to prevent illegal logging.

But a round table with stakeholders revealed plenty of challenges - including the need for an inventory to know what forests remain and their boundaries; pressure from farmers; the consequent need for community engagement and alternative livelihoods; and the problem of how to involve legitimate private sector in value-added wood businesses. 

I focused most of my discussions with the Governor, the Commissioner of Environment and the stakeholders on the need for Nigeria to be fully involved in a balanced way in the Copenhagen climate change negotiations. Because if we - collectively - don't get an ambitious deal agreed, thus keeping global temperature rises below 2 degrees C,  then the prospects for tropical forests look ever bleaker.

I explained that deforestation should be on the table and part of the future carbon market - and outlined the other issues that we think need to be part of that Copenhagen deal, aimed at getting global emissions to peak and start falling in the next 10 years or so.

Posted at 15:31 07 May 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]