Council : United Nations Environment Programme

Topic : Addressing Countries Readiness Towards

Global Energy Transition
Country : The Federal Republic of Nigeria

Background Overview
After becoming aware of the escalating carbon emissions in early 2015, global energy
transitions have emerged as a first-world endeavour to preserve human welfare. This is because
prolonged use of non-renewable energy and both its supply and demand has placed the
economy, the energy sector, and the environment in a precarious position. The affordability of
non-renewable energy contributes to high economic growth and consequent carbon emissions.
Continuous reliance on non-renewable energy sources raises greenhouse gas emissions,
causing crises in the food supply, the environment, and human health that harm human welfare.
However, each country confronts particular challenges in making the switch to
renewable energy, including their level of development, a lack of resources, and a commitment
to partnerships. All of these characteristics contribute to gaps between countries, complicating
efforts to resolve issues collectively. Therefore, the global community needs to work together
in order to make a just transition as a top priority on the way to a global energy transition.
Efforts have been made globally to promote the energy transition. In 2016, 195
countries pledged to limit global temperature less than 1,5 degrees Celsius by signing the Paris
Agreement (UNFCCC, n.d.). This phenomenon has pushed the world to switch to renewable
energy while 1% increase in non-renewable energy leads to a 0,123% and 0,126% decrease in
global economic progress (Majeed, Anwar, & Luni, 2021). Therefore, collaborative action is
needed to maintain the sustainability of energy, economy and environment.

Country Stance

Nigeria is a country with enormous potential for renewable energy. The National
Energy Policy (NEP) has taken into account its potential for advancing hydropower, biomass,
wind, geothermal, and ocean wave energy. NEP, which was implemented in 2003, represents
Nigeria's first attempt to progressively transition from non-renewable to renewable energy.
Nigeria is gradually realizing its commitment to the energy transition. Nigeria reaffirmed its
commitment at the COP26 summit to reach net zero emissions by 2060, which is compatible
with The Climate Change Act's objectives of low greenhouse gas emissions and long-term
green growth (Climate Action Tracker, 2022). Nigeria has successfully positioned itself as the
leading country in Africa for the energy transition because to its progressive approach to the
issue.

Nigeria faces a number of challenges on its path to a successful energy transition as a

developing nation in the continent of Africa. To overcome this, Nigeria created an Energy
Transition Plan in 2022 to address this issue and meet its commitment to the energy transition.
Through ETP, Nigeria offers 25 million people in The Solar Power Naija Project access to
solar-powered electricity (REA, 2023). The Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) for sustainable
and equitable energy access has been hosted by Nigeria through The Rural Electrification
Agency (REA) to fulfill Net-Zero Emission in 2060 and Sustainable Development Goals 7, 13
and 5. Nigeria's participation as a signatory to the International Energy Charter in 2015 is also
another manifestation of Nigeria's efforts in the global energy transition. Nigeria looks forward
to making a better contribution with all countries for the creation of sustainable and universally
accessible energy.

Possible Solutions
Based on the conditions and activities taken by Nigeria in the global energy transition,
Nigeria is offering numerous solutions with a primary focus on the readiness especially in
developing countries with this following description:
1. The Renewable Energy Company Policy (RECP) will become a benchmark for Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to determine the importance of energy transition
in the industrial sector formed by the UN Environment Assembly associate with
Science Policy subprogramme of UNEP. This policy will operate with a check and
balance policy to ensure NGOs can use renewable energy before entering certain
countries. UNEP will act as a supervisory body to ensure that activities carried out by
NGOs can at least be responsible for environmental protection in accordance with the
readiness of each country.
2. Evaluation of the Plan (EP) will be used to evaluate and monitor the progress of past
international actions that have been carried out such as the Energy Charter Treaty, UN
Energy Action Plan, UNFCCC and other actions. The evaluation program is supported
by efforts to increase research with research partners to maximize existing plans
according to the readiness of each country. With the EP, it is hoped that the existing
plans can evolve to suit the energy transition goals of protecting the most affected
people and areas due to energy consumption.
Bibliography

Climate Action Tracker. (2022, November 9). Nigeria. Retrieved from

https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/nigeria/
Majeed, M. T., Anwar, A., & Luni, T. (2021). The Impact of Renewable and Non-Renewable
Energy Consumption on Economic Growth: A Global Perspective with Developed and
Developing Economies. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, 15(2),
286-307.
REA. (2023). Retrieved from Solar Power Naija: https://nep.rea.gov.ng/federal-governments-
5milion-solar-connections-program/
UNDP. (2022, October 4). Nigeria. Retrieved from REA Launches the Africa Minigrids
Program (AMP) to Expand Energy Access Across Nigeria Through Increased Financial
Viability and Scaled-up Commercial Investment: https://www.undp.org/nigeria/press-
releases/rea-launches-africa-minigrids-program-amp-expand-energy-access-across-
nigeria-through-increased-financial-viability-and-scaled
UNFCCC. (n.d.). The Paris Agreement. Retrieved from NDC Information:
https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement