Abuja plans ambitious climate and energy actions with launch of robust plan
Published: 2 Aug 2022
Access to Energy
Adaptation
Mitigation
Success Stories
On 5 July 2022, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) launched its Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan, which features tangible and impactful actions that will build resilience and enhance the lives of citizens. By 2030, AMAC intends to reduce its overall projected emissions by 25%, extend household access to electricity to 99.6% and increase access to clean cooking alternatives to 85%.
Developed in just 18 months, the SEACAP contains the results of 9 technical reports which draw upon the outcomes of a detailed literature review, a survey conducted in 637 households, interactive workshops and participatory mapping exercises. This makes the SEACAP robust and context-specific, while considering both existing data and the lived experience of citizens. In addition, AMAC’s SEACAP focuses strongly on inclusivity and includes insights from indigenous groups such as the Bassa, Gade, Gbagyi and Gwandara.
What made the launch event especially noteworthy was that both the past and recently elected Executive Chairmen attended and endorsed the actions in the SEACAP, putting AMAC’s climate and energy officials in a good position to take the actions forward and create change on the ground.
“When addressing our climate and energy needs, it is essential to carry everyone along, including the poor, indigenous people, women, children and the elderly. I hope that we will encourage other local governments in Nigeria to learn from our example as the first to launch a SEACAP, which shows AMAC’s commitment to its people.” – Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, past Executive Chairman of AMAC.
“People who earn their livelihood from agriculture are not able to cultivate their crops during a flood or need to find alternative means of irrigation during a drought. Access to energy is another major concern. These two concerns around climate change and energy access are a major component of the objectives of CoM SSA initiative.” – Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, Chairman of AMAC.
The AMAC is one of six local governments in the larger Abuja Federal Capital Territory. Here, 55% of people still cook with firewood, causing deforestation, and 32% need access to clean cooking. Carbon emissions are expected to increase by 15% by 2030 if AMAC continues on its current development path. Climate hazards already affecting the region, like floods, rainstorms, windstorms and extreme heat, are likely to become more frequent and intense, causing increased water-borne diseases, water shortages and food insecurity.
“The SEACAP launch is AMAC's way of contributing to solving a global issue, especially through capacity building support. Women were at the forefront of the discussions, which shows that we’re taking one step in addressing climate action.” – Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, Special Adviser to the Honourable Chairman on ICT, Donor Agencies and Civil Societies.
By 2030, AMAC aims to reduce its projected emissions by 25%, provide 99.6% of citizens with access to electricity and 85% with access to clean cooking alternatives. The city plans to install solar mini-grids with a total capacity of 2MW, install solar PV systems in 50 healthcare centres, distribute 5,000 clean cookstoves to rural households, increase awareness on reducing waste to landfill and upgrade public transport infrastructure like parking lots and bus terminals. The city also plans to become more resilient by planting 100,000 trees in urban areas every year, raising awareness about conservation and introducing crop varieties that mature early and tolerate heat better.
“We are very proud of AMAC’s commitment to CoM SSA. After a participatory and inclusive development process, AMAC is the first local government in Nigeria to launch a SEACAP.” – Ms. Vanessa Vovor, GIZ Advisor for CoM SSA.
“The overarching adaptation vision for the city is a resilient and sustainable AMAC that promotes the socioeconomic wellbeing of vulnerable groups and enhances the adaptive capacity of its economic sectors in a gender-responsive manner by 2030.” – Dr. Azizat 'Sola Gbadegesin, Professional Officer at ICLEI Africa.
AMAC was accompanied in these steps by technical assistance and expert advice through its membership to the Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA). CoM SSA provides technical support and advice to cities through three pillars of action: (1) climate planning, including the development of SEACAPs; (2) technical assistance to support local governments in implementing climate and energy infrastructure projects; and (3) knowledge exchange, e.g. through city-to-city partnerships.
In AMAC, the CoM SSA program is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Abuja SEACAP launch in the media
- “AMAC launch Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan”, ABN Television, 19 July 2022.
- “AMAC Chairman Christopher Zakka Maikalangu signs into Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa”, AGBAGYISHA TV, 6 July 2022.
- "Abuja Municipal Area Council SEACAP Launch on 5th July 2022”, ASO RADIO and TV, 19 July 2022.
- “AMAC adopts energy, climate blueprint under urban development agenda”, EnviroNews Nigeria, 9 July 2022.
- “Climate Change: AMAC launches SEACAP project”, News Agency of Nigeria (NNN), 5 July 2022.
- “Climate Change: AMAC launches SEACAP project”, Newsdiary Online, 5 July 2022.
- “EU, German Govt launches project on Climate Change”, Radio Nigeria, 6 July 2022.
- “Abuja Municipal Council partners EU, GIZ on sustainable energy”, TVC News Nigeria, 18 July 2022.
- “AMAC-FTC committed to sustainable energy access & climate action”, blog from Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, 5 July 2022.
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