CALL TO ACTION 24 Hours of Reality: The Road Forward

Join us in raising our voices to demand a clean energy future for Nigeria

BACKGROUND Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa yet the nation still faces serious energy poverty issues, with energy supply falling short of energy demand. Furthermore, Nigeria has the second highest levels of carbon emissions in Africa together with a large population and a growing middle class that is likely to need more access to energy. Through the Paris Agreement, Nigeria has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% unconditionally and 45% conditionally, compared to business-as-usual levels, by 2030.

WHY DOES NIGERIA HAVE SUCH HIGH CARBON EMISSIONS? Despite the huge investments made in the energy sector since the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, about 75 percent of the Nigerian population still live without access to regular electricity supply. Without constant regular power supply, Nigeria will not be able to improve its development prospects and Nigerians will remain trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty.

Three key factors contribute to Nigeria’s high levels of emissions:  Many Nigerians, because of limited electricity supply from the national grid, provide their own electricity for business and personal use by means of privately owned fossil fuel powered generators.  Nigeria is the second largest gas flaring country in the world and emits around $1.8 billion worth of gas annually – even though so many Nigerian’s don’t have access to energy. Oil companies have the responsibility to end gas flaring in Nigeria Considering that gas flaring is illegal in Nigeria, it amounts to bad faith to consider flare reduction projects in Nigeria as Clean Development Mechanism projects. Gas flaring reduction projects in Nigeria should not qualify for any global carbon credit scheme. The only reason why gas is flared in Nigeria is that the Nigerian government fails to abide by its own laws and national commitments to its own people.  As of 2005, Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Between 2000 and 2005 the country lost 55.7% of its primary forests, and the rate of forest change increased by 31.2% to 3.12% per annum. Forest has been cleared for logging, timber export, subsistence agriculture and notably the collection of wood for fuel which remains problematic in western Africa. Even now, the Cross River State Government is clearing part of the only tropical rain forest left (The Cross River National Park) in the name of the controversial Super High Way. The Nigerian government is currently exploring the possibility of establishing ‘dirty’ coal plants when all countries of the world are shouting down their coal plants to the high emissions. Worst still the Government is exploring the possibility of establishing nuclear energy facilities. However, African Climate Reality Project is opposed to nuclear for electricity generation in Africa because:  Nuclear is not a clean source of energy  Nuclear is not safe  Nuclear creates health hazards for African citizens  Nuclear is very expensive  Nuclear is the inappropriate technology to meet energy needs in Africa  Nuclear uses lots of water  Nuclear does not create more jobs than other forms of electricity generation Finally, the African Climate Reality Project is hugely concerned about the lack of transparency in the extractive and the nuclear industries. We believe that African citizens are being taken for a ride by their governments.

WE WANT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT RENEWABLE ENERGY As Climate Reality Project’s global day of action 24 Hours of Reality: the Road Forward gets under way, we invite all people in Nigeria to join hands and demand that climate justice extends to every corner of society in the form of clean and affordable Renewable Energy!

The African Climate Reality Project is calling for the Nigerian Government to implement renewable energy programmes. This will allow Nigeria to have access to electricity quickly, without compromising our economic development, because renewable energy power generation is much faster to build; renewable energy is much cheaper; uses less water than other forms of electricity generation, it creates jobs and is better for the environment.

ACTIONS We are calling on viewers of the 24 Hours of Reality: the Road Forward to 1. Call for viewers to ask Oil companies to stop all gas flaring immediately or the Nigerian government must shut them down. 2. Call for viewers to ask the Nigerian government to abandon any coal and nuclear initiatives they are planning 3. Call for viewers to ask the Nigerian government to fund massive, decentralized renewable energy facilities 4. Call for viewers to ask the Nigerian government to focus on reforestation of Nigeria

ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS

Call your local radio Here is a script for a radio call: Hi, I am (name)… and I am phoning from (place or organisation you belong to or I am a Climate Leader). I was watching the 24Hours campaign run by Climate Reality.

I am phoning in today to ask the Nigerian government to implement renewable energy projects and to focus on the reforestation of Nigeria. We also want the government to shut down all gas flaring activities immediately.

Spread the word to your personal and organisation’s networks on social media 1. #RenewableEnergy is the answer for Nigeria! @AfricaCRP 2. Nigeria says #NoToNuclear @AfricaCRP 3. Africa says #NoToNuclear @AfricaCRP 4. Nigerians call for reforestation @AfricaCRP 5. No more #gasflaring in Nigeria @AfricaCRP

And don’t forget to tune in to watch 24 Hours of Reality: The Road Forward live on 5- 6 December 2016 from 6pm EST.

Check out this video to learn more about what’s coming up on 24 Hours of Reality: The Road Forward.