GreenWaka, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has launched its Carbon Literacy Project to accelerate just transitioning in Nigeria.
Michael Mbaike and Etta Michael Bisong were awarded Carbon Literacy certification in Abuja.
Phil Korbel, Co-founder and Director of Advocacy, The Carbon Literacy Project, stated that the renewable power that will drive Nigeria towards a net-zero future is that of its people.
“Urgent action on climate change is driven by facts agreed upon by the world’s scoreboard, but this language sometimes needs ‘translating’ so that everyone becomes aware of its relevance to them, whoever and wherever they are.”
He further stated that “This is what Carbon Literacy training does. It also enables anyone to devise their best action in such a way as to make it do-able. Imagining this happening across the largest nation in Africa, which is full of great potential, it’s great to be a part of it.”
Michael Mbaike, Co-founder and Lead, GreenWaka, stated that “Therefore, unless we ensure mass literacy targeting the people, especially where they are, just transition is almost impossible. Being relevant in the carbon market entails quite a lot of things.”
In the same vein, he said for those who are carbon literate, the initiative is a great source of huge revenue.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Patrick Osadebamwen, said the Carbon Literacy certification is a great development in the right direction.
“The implication of this development is very enormous to us as a nation. We have individuals who are knowledgeable and relevant in the carbon market,” he said.
The Carbon Literacy training is said to have already been widely adopted across the UK and is rapidly expanding internationally following its pledge at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021. Nigeria is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2026.
The Carbon Literacy Project has certified nearly 100,000 global citizens as Carbon Literate, who together have pledged at least 200,000 actions, saving over 360,000 tons of CO2—the equivalent emissions of approximately 921 million miles driven by a car.
