Nigeria has unveiled its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) at the ongoing Conference of Parties 28 (COP28) in Dubai.

Chukwumerije Okereke, the director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development, Federal University, Ebonyi, said this in a statement in Lagos.

Mr Okereke said with the unveiling, Nigeria had achieved another major milestone in its effort to achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2060.

He said the event, graced by dignitaries and delegates from different countries, was held at the prestigious African Pavilion in the Blue Zone.

Mr Okereke said the event was moderated by Eugene Itua, the executive director of the Natural Eco-Capital, the organisation that coordinated the development of the LT-LEDS.

According to him, the LT-LEDS started under the supervision of the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment and concluded under the auspices of the National Council on Climate Change.

He quoted the director-general of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Salisu Dahiru, as saying Nigeria was proud to inaugurate the LT-LEDS, guaranteed to support sustainable development and a climate-resilient economy for Nigeria.

Halima Bwa-Bari represented Mr Dahiru.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the LTS was an important milestone in Nigeria’s effort to implement the net-zero pledge made at COP26 in Glasgow.

Represented by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo (SAN), Mr Lawal said Nigeria was committed to transitioning from a fossil fuel-dependent economy to a low-carbon future in keeping with the global trend and the Paris Agreement.

He urged international development partners to support the implementation of the LT-LEDS.

The global director of the Nationally Determined Contribution ( NDC) Partnership, Pablo Vieria, said Nigeria should be very proud of the accomplishment.

Mr Vieria said that by developing the LTS, Nigeria was joining a distinguished group of countries exhibiting leadership in developing a clear strategy to decarbonise their economies in response to global climate change.

He urged the country to take the next step in adopting the LT-LEDS and pledged the NDC partnership’s cooperation in this regard.

The Head of Climate and Nature at the French Development Agency (AFD), Mathilde Bord-Laurans, congratulated Nigeria on inaugurating the LT-LEDS.

(NAN)