Olu Verheijen, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on energy, has said developed nations, not Africa, are largely responsible for global emissions.
Verheije during during a session at CERAWeek by S&P Global on Tuesday, said the developed countries must take the lead in reducing their carbon footprint.
The event themed ‘Policy and People: Pathways to a Just Transition’, was chaired by Vera Blei, head of market report and trading solutions at S&P Global.
It also featured Scott Tinker, chief executive officer of Tinker Energy Association, and Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment.
The presidential aide said Africa needs better data collection and analysis to support informed decision-making and policy development.
Verheijen added that a balanced approach is necessary to allow developing economies to use their natural resources for economic growth while adopting climate solutions that promote sustainability.
She said, “Even if Africa experiences exponential economic growth and reaches middle-income status, the continent will still not be a major contributor to global emissions.”
“The bulk of emission reductions will have to come from developed nations, which must diversify their energy sources and invest heavily in carbon removal and reduction technologies.”
Verheijen reaffirmed federal government’s commitment to fostering an investment-friendly environment for hydrocarbons to address energy poverty.
She noted that under Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative, the government has adopted natural gas as a transition fuel to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions.
Verheijen added that Africa and other low-income countries contribute only about 3–4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while China and United States account for approximately 30 per cent and 13 per cent of global CO₂ emissions, respectively.
The president’s special adviser further said China and the US are responsible for 40 per cent of global emissions.
Verheijen said Nigeria remains committed to maintaining a stable investment climate and addressing climate-related risks through clear and transparent policies.
She said, “In Nigeria, we are ensuring that we create an enabling environment for investments.”
“On climate change, we recognise the importance of risk perception in our markets and are committed to transparent policies that stand the test of time, enabling the deployment of capital.”
Verheijen stressed the need for greater regional integration to attract investment, improve market efficiency, and drive sustainable development.
