NAS, Commonwealth academies of science launch consensus statement on climate change

The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) and Commonwealth Academies of Science have called on the Commonwealth Heads of Government to use the best available science to guide action on climate change.

The call is part of a Consensus Statement on Climate Change, launched recently by national academies and societies of science from around the Commonwealth, ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Summit in the United Kingdom.

The statement made available to Ecoscope represents the consensus views of tens of thousands of scientists. It marks the first time Commonwealth bodies of this nature have come together to urge their governments to take further action to achieve net-zero greenhouse gases emissions during the second half of the 21st Century.

The President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Mosto Onuoha FAS said that the greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments agreed to by 160 parties in the 2015 Paris Agreement are only the first step in a long journey.

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The Nigerian Academy of Science said it is ready to assist the Federal Government, and indeed broader Commonwealth efforts, by providing sound scientific advice on issues relating to climate change.

Part of the consensus statement reads: “Scientific research should continue to inform policy, actions and outcomes. Opportunities for synergies should be taken to address multiple challenges.

“Through concerted action, the Commonwealth has the potential, and the responsibility, to help drive meaningful global efforts and outcomes that protect ourselves, our children and our planet.

“The Commonwealth academies of science call upon Commonwealth Heads of Government to use the best possible scientific evidence to guide action on their 2030 commitments under the Paris accord, and to take further action to achieve net-zero greenhouse gases emissions during the second half of the 21st Century.

“To meet their Paris targets, developed member countries of the Commonwealth will need to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions at or shortly after the middle of this Century. “Developing country members may require a longer time frame, and additional support and capacity building.

“A range of approaches including pre-emptive and responsive mitigation and adaptation will be required by Commonwealth Nations to achieve this objective.

“The academies of the Commonwealth stand ready to assist by providing sound scientific advice on issues relating to climate change.”
The agreeing academies came from the following countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, India, Mauritius, Mozambique, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.