Netzence, Environmental Health Council sign MOU to pioneer carbon registries for climate action, health

In a bid to combat climate change and drive toward sustainable development, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Netzence Sustainability Limited (Netzence).

According to the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Netzence, Dr. Sadiq Sani, “This collaboration sets out to create efficient carbon registries designed to enhance the tracking and monitoring of carbon footprints and environmental health across various sectors in Nigeria. As governments work to align infrastructure planning with the United Nations (UN) Net Zero target, this partnership positions itself as a cornerstone for effective climate action and environmental health in the country.

“Carbon registries serve as essential databases for recording, tracking, and managing greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major threat to environmental health. By creating standardized systems for measuring constantly changing carbon footprints, carbon registries provide transparency and accountability, vital in addressing climate change.

“Key Benefits of Carbon Registries: (1) Enhanced Transparency: By maintaining detailed records of emissions and carbon credits, carbon registries improve transparency and trust in environmental health reporting. (2) Informed Decision-Making: Stakeholders, ranging from the government and private sector to non-governmental organizations, can make informed decisions regarding carbon reduction strategies. (3) Monitoring and Reporting: Registries provide the necessary documentation for compliance with local and international protocols and voluntary carbon markets, essential for nations aiming to meet their emission reduction commitments. (4) Infrastructure Planning: Accurate data on carbon emissions will enable the Nigerian government to develop targeted infrastructure projects that minimize carbon footprints and promote sustainability.

“Netzence is at the forefront of providing innovative solutions for environmental health sustainability, focusing on developing cutting-edge technologies aimed at aiding governments and organizations in tracking their carbon emissions effectively. By joining forces with EHCON, Netzence aims to leverage its technological infrastructure, expertise, and experience to create a robust solution for carbon tracking and environmental health in Nigeria.

“Key Initiatives by Netzence: (1) Technological Integration with CloseCarbon and data analytics for real-time monitoring of carbon emissions in various sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, and energy. (2) Capacity Building: Providing training and resources to local entities and professionals to adopt best practices for monitoring carbon footprints and thus enhance Nigeria’s overall ecological integrity. (3) Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with different tiers of government, industries, and communities to maximize the adoption and integration of carbon registry practices fully.

On his part the Registrar/Chief Executive officer of EHCON, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba said “The Role of EHCON is a regulatory body responsible for ensuring the protection of public health and the environment. By partnering with Netzence, EHCON reinforces its mandate to oversee sustainable environmental practices within the country. The establishment of a carbon registry aligns with EHCON’s goals of fostering an environmentally conscious society while ensuring compliance with local and international environmental regulations.

“Contributions by EHCON: (1) Policy Framework Deployment: Deploying policies that promote better tracking of carbon emissions across industries ensuring they align with Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Net Zero target by 2050. (2) Awareness Campaigns: Launching campaigns to educate businesses, professionals, and the general public on the importance of carbon footprint reduction and the benefits of participating in the carbon markets and supporting environmental health. (3) Collaboration with Stakeholders: Engaging with various government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organizations to form a united front against climate change.

“This partnership directly contributes to Nigeria’s October 2021 commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, as revealed during the COP26 climate summit. With the UN calling for nations to adopt concrete measures to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, such initiatives become crucial.

“Goals of the MOU: (1) Creation of an Accurate Carbon Registry: Developing a standardized carbon registry that monitors emissions and environmental health, thereby assisting in achieving national and international climate targets as well as enhancing the realisation of environmental health best practices. (2) Data-Driven Infrastructure Planning: Utilizing data from the carbon registry to inform national infrastructure projects, ensuring they align with sustainable practices. (3) Promotion of Sustainable Practices: Encouraging industries to adopt low-carbon technologies and processes through accessible data relating to their emissions and potential reductions and environments. (4) Global Compliance: Ensuring that Nigeria remains compliant with global climate goals while adhering to the guidelines established in international agreements and protocols.

“The signing of this MOU marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s climate strategy. The partnership between Netzence and EHCON holds the potential to set a precedent for effective governance in carbon monitoring and management and environmental health. As the nation pushes to meet its ambitious 2060 climate commitment, accurate carbon tracking through established carbon registries will provide the necessary framework for monitoring progress and implementing necessary adjustments.

“In the coming months, initiatives under this MOU will likely include extensive stakeholder workshops, the establishment of technical working groups, and pilot projects to test and refine the systems needed for tracking carbon emissions and environmental health.

“The collaboration between Netzence and EHCON stands as a significant step towards effective climate action and environmental health sustainability in Nigeria. By focusing on creating efficient carbon registries, this partnership not only enhances the efficiency of tracking and monitoring carbon footprints and environmental health but also marks an essential contribution to Nigeria’s infrastructure planning. As the global community strives toward sustainable development and compliance with UN climate targets, such innovative initiatives position Nigeria as a proactive participant in the global fight against climate change, working diligently to secure a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for its citizen”.