Green Waka, in collaboration with the UN-recognised Carbon Literacy Project, has launched Nigeria’s first Carbon Literacy programme.
Green Waka is a communication-focused advocacy organisation that was founded to bring people together and work with them to advance sustainable development in Nigeria and other regions.
Already widely adopted across the UK and rapidly expanding internationally, Carbon Literacy training will help lay the foundation for Nigeria’s just transition to net-zero carbon emission by motivating people from all walks of life to devise and deliver their best climate action and ensure the nation’s future prosperity.
Following its pledge at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021, Nigeria is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. This ambitious target underscores the nation’s dedication to global climate change mitigation efforts.
This year, as Nigeria grapples with drought and flood, the task of becoming more resilient and minimising the future rise in temperatures looks ever more challenging.
To guarantee Nigeria’s swift and just transition to net zero, the skills and energy of its people must be harnessed to address the risks and rise to the opportunities that climate change presents. Public awareness is critical to engaging citizens about the concept of a just transition – one that leaves no one behind as the country moves away from its reliance on fossil fuels.
The Carbon Literacy training framework presents a foundation for spreading mass civic engagement among Nigerians to enable them to contribute to achieving a low-carbon economy fairly and inclusively, and ensure that the benefits and burdens of the transition are shared equitably.
Carbon Literacy training will foster a widespread low-carbon culture in Nigeria, as it is doing in the 26 nations across which more than 700 unique accredited Carbon Literacy courses are already being delivered. The Carbon Literacy Project has certified nearly 100,000 global citizens as Carbon Literate, who together have pledged at least 200,000 actions, saving over 360,000 tonnes of CO2e – the equivalent emissions of approximately 921 million miles driven by a car.
Its unique adaptable framework and cascade delivery model enables Carbon Literacy to reach all audiences. As part of the day’s-worth of training, every learner develops the skills and motivation to devise and deliver climate actions appropriate to who they are, wherever they are. This will unlock a diverse range of solutions to the net-zero challenge – made by Nigerians for Nigeria. In doing so, it will accelerate a net-zero transition that is equitable, inclusive, and beneficial to all segments of society.
The Nigeria Climate Change Act (CCA 2021) promotes public education and citizen engagement as a solid foundation for achieving the country’s low-carbon economic goals.
Speaking about the programme, Michael Mbaike, Co-founder and Lead, Green Waka, said: “Therefore, unless we ensure mass literacy targeting the people, especially where they are, just transition is almost impossible.”
Phil Korbel, Co-founder and Director of Advocacy, The Carbon Literacy Project, added that “The renewable power that will drive Nigeria towards a net zero future is that of its people.”
He said urgent action on climate change is driven by facts agreed by the world’s scientists, but noted that this language sometimes needs ‘translating’ so that everyone becomes aware of its relevance to them, whoever and wherever they are.
“This is what Carbon Literacy training does. It also enables anyone to devise their best action in such a way as to make it do-able. Imagining this happening across the largest nation in Africa is full of great potential and it’s great to be a part of it.”
Green Waka is a communication-focused advocacy organisation that was founded to bring people together and work with them to advance sustainable development in Nigeria and other regions. The primary objective of Green Waka is to contribute to the development of a pollution-free society where people and the environment live in harmony and leave a better, more peaceful legacy for coming generations.
Carbon Literacy (CL) is “An awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.”
It is delivered by testing and certifying successful individuals as Carbon Literate after they have participated in a day’s worth of learning and action.
