A Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system is being implemented by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) to address Emissions in Nigeria, with a special emphasis on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as black carbon and methane. The NCCC’s Director-General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, underlined the value of MRV systems in measuring and controlling methane emissions, which are a major cause of global warming and hazards to public health. Waste management, agriculture, and oil and gas are among the main industries targeted.
Because of their shorter atmospheric lifetime, SLCPs are responsible for 45% of the present global warming, and their reduction can have a positive climate impact in as little as 20 years. As part of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s (CCAC) objectives, Nigeria, a worldwide methane champion, wants to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Lagos State has set even more aggressive goals for reducing methane emissions, with a 15-20% decrease by 2030 and a 45% reduction by 2035. The use of MRV for transparency and monitoring Nigeria’s progress towards its climate goals under the Paris Agreement was emphasised by Catalina Etcheverry of CCAC.
Nigeria emits a lot of methane, especially from its oil and gas industries.
To better measure emissions, the CCAC-funded workshop aims to incorporate MRV into Nigeria’s national framework. A strong MRV framework is essential to improving Nigeria’s ability to successfully cut SLCPs and meet international climate goals, according to Dr. Jude Samuelson of SDN. Nigeria emits a lot of methane, especially from its oil and gas industries. This sector, which includes operations like oil extraction, refining, and gas processing, was responsible for about 439.8 kilotonnes of methane emissions in the nation in 2010.
According to projections, methane emissions under a “business as usual” scenario might rise by almost 77% from 2010 levels if nothing is done. Nigeria has pledged to set aggressive reduction goals in order to address this. A 60% decrease in fugitive methane emissions by 2031 is the goal of the nation’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Nigeria’s policies also aim to reduce fugitive methane emissions from leaks by 95% by 2050 and methane emissions from flaring by 100% by 2030.
There are obstacles to overcome before implementing efficient MRV systems.
In contrast, 159 member nations and the European Commission are working together to achieve the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), which aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. In order to limit methane emissions from coal mining, China, for example, has established new regulations that require coal mines with high methane levels to absorb or eliminate the gas by certain dates. There are significant economic, social, and health advantages to lowering short-lived climatic pollutants (SLCPs), such as methane. By improving air quality, mitigation initiatives can lower the incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses and, consequently, healthcare expenses.
Increased energy efficiency brought about by methane capture may also result in financial benefits. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that current Technology may cut methane emissions from the Fossil Fuel sector by roughly 40% at no net cost. Nigeria has several obstacles to overcome before implementing efficient Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, such as a lack of funds and technical expertise. The expected cost of lowering methane emissions in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry between 2023 and 2030 is US$1.5 billion.
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Programs for capacity-building and international collaboration are crucial to closing these gaps. Working together with groups such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) can help with financial and technical support. By integrating MRV systems, Nigeria is strengthening its commitments under the Paris Agreement and advancing its larger climate plan. These climate targets can be accomplished through the legislative framework provided by the Climate Change Act, which was signed into law in November 2021. Nigeria may contribute to global efforts to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by improving accountability and transparency in emissions tracking and ensuring progress towards national goals.