States urged to participate in reducing carbon emissions

http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12758:states-urged-to-participate-in-reducing-carbon-emissions&catid=10:environment&Itemid=11 

Minister of Environment, John Odey has called on states across the federation to key into the United Nations programme of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) in order to enable Nigeria reduce the impact of carbon emissions on the environment. Speaking at the signing and endorsement of the validation mission statement of the REDD+ team which visited Nigeria to ascertain the level of its readiness to become a full member of REDD, Odey said the acceptance of Nigeria as a member of REDD provides a rich opportunity for the country to protect its forest and restore the environment.

He said Cross Rivers State has been selected as a model for the first REDD initiative for Nigeria and this would ensure the preservation of many forest species from extinction due to the activities of man  especially tree felling and bush burning. “Therefore I call on other states to key into the programme because it is beneficial to forest states across Nigeria, and the UN should ensure that all relevant stakeholders are invited and encouraged to actively participate in discussions at the Validation Workshop, this must be conducted in a transparent manner. The REDD+ Programme is important to the Government of Nigeria, because we want to tap from the UN financial instrument being negotiated internationally in the framework of the Climate Change Convention because it would allow us attracts international funding, on the basis of good performance, to better protect our forests and reduce poverty at the local levels.”

Resident Coordinator of the United Nations (UN) systems in Nigeria, Dauda Toure said Nigeria has been active in its participation in discussions on the REDD process at Copenhagen and Cancun, that is why it is now a member.

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