Tinubu Approves Terms For New Climate Envoy Office To Lead Green Initiatives

To clarify the role of the newly created Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), President Bola Tinubu has approved its terms of reference, which will define the office's functions within the climate and green economy sector.

As per the directives of the president, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action should be the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen alongside other responsibilities.

Furthermore, the envoy will be the main person representing Nigeria in climate negotiations, reporting directly to the President. The person will be a lead negotiator on the carbon market and management initiatives, as per the official State House website.

The envoy will be responsible for incorporating the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan into the climate action plans and overseeing communication between the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change and the NCCC Supervising Council, chaired by the President.

The president also confirmed that the envoy will be in charge of organizing climate action-related activities across Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, legislative, and subnational entities, which will be directly aligned with Tinubu's climate action and green economic agenda.

The role will also involve engaging with other countries, international organizations, and non-governmental entities to form coalitions and promote global climate goals aligned with Nigeria's interests.

Moreover, the envoy will be the center point for Nigeria's involvement in United Nations climate meetings like the Conference of the Parties and other international gatherings focused on climate and green economy issues.

Tinubu noted that the person will also be responsible for coordinating with all relevant Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies towards the successful fulfillment of Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions.

Aside from this, the president also approved the expansion of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.

The additional members include:

1. Representative, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning

2. Representative, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. Representative, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas)

4. Representative, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology

5. Representative, NNPCL

6. Special Assistant to the President on Energy Transition, Ms. Yasmin Mohammed

7. Representative, Energy Transition Office, Mr. Somkele Awa-Kalu.

The committee will be inaugurated next month.