Nigeria’s Climate Crisis and the economy: Unmasking the Imperatives of a Switch to Renewable Energy.

Samuel Ogonna Igwe, Esq.

1.?INTRODUCTION:

Climate change is the cumulative consequences of adverse environmental practices by man over time. Activities of man in his daily quest for survival and exploration have led to catastrophic environmental alterations and the impacts are felt overall on a global scale in the form of climate crisis. The fear of climate change and the existential threats it poses has put the world governments on their toes in advancing the course of climate change remediation and adaptation. There is now more than ever urgent need for decisive climate actions geared towards not just providing instant solutions but which would have far-reaching and long-lasting impacts on the environment and the economy.[1] This is where the question of evolving and adopting of sustainable climate actions comes to bear.[2]

Humanity has realized the need for a swift and speedy deviation - from the status quo ante to a more acceptable and sustainable environmental practice that would be a game changer. Ostensibly, Nigeria is not left out in this campaign and in proof of her commitment, she has been signatories to notable international agreements on climate change.[3] Municipally, Nigeria boasts of landmark legislations and policies with specificities on the climate too.[4] However, eye-brows are still being raised on the concomitant actions of the government in response to the identified concerns. It is worrisome that energy transition in Nigeria is arguably moving on a snail pace and this lends credence to the claim by some quarters that the countries climate change actions are not reflective of her obligations or that both are perhaps not pungent enough to change the narrative.

Looking on the other side of the coin, we observe that the Energy sector is pivot to economic growth and development. The implication is that almost all other sectors of the economy depend on energy to function. This means that increased economic activities is a necessary function of high energy output. For instance, the processes involved in power generation, distribution and supply where fossil fuels are the primary sources, requires massive emission of greenhouse gasses (GHG) and the more the demand for energy, the more the increase in GHG emissions. This is why the call for a new energy transition in Nigeria seems to be the right call given the enormous prospects it holds in mitigating climate change.[5] To put it more vividly, new energy transition is a direct beckoning for the opening of renewable energy floodgates as the newest best alternative to the old unsustainable energy practice.

Fossil fuel has been the mainstream of energy supply and a major source of foreign exchange earnings of the Federal Government of Nigeria, despite being an unrenewable and unsustainable source of energy which has led to emission of greenhouse gases which are unsustainable in Nigeria’s power sector.[6] In spite of the above, there is still severe challenge of power irregularity over the years such that most industrial organizations and upper income family circles install exorbitant electricity generators set due to incessant power outage in the country.

The country is yet to tap into the full benefits of renewable energies after privatization of its power sector in spite of the new global evolvement in energy sector and the growing demands for renewable energy sources, which is cheaper, environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel and its allied products. Energy security has been a challenge to social economic development due to over dependency on fossil fuel despite the obvious indicators that fossil fuel will soon become an alternative forgone in the power sector as energy has evolved from meeting household needs and industrial demands to preserving energy sources for longevity and sustainability. This would apparently have some implications for Nigeria’s oil sector due to the current global dwindling in crude oil price.

This development has led to the formulation of new energy policy around the world to serve as a vehicle for translating this to reality.[7] To end the concern for poor energy utilization and promote energy efficiency and sustainability that would be integral for climate change remediation in Nigeria, substantial focus must now be shifted to the imperatives of exploring our vast renewable energy sources. This new energy drive is a global phenomenon and it is the solution to one of the most difficult problems combating Nigeria and the world currently by generating energy or power without accelerating climate change, damaging the environment or harming food production at any rate.

According to Jurgen Tritten,[8] the utilization and growth of renewable energies is a situation where all stakeholders will benefit in one way or the other including the advanced climes and the emerging countries. Renewable energy preserves the environment, it eradicates impecuniousness and it promotes new technologies and creates job opportunities in the energy sector. Also, the utilization of renewable energy is in conformity with the World Summit on Sustainable Development resolutions convened in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002 where, over 30 nations declared their obligations in boosting renewable energy sources usage and in positioning their energy agenda in accomplishing this objective.

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Nigeria continuous to exploit fossil fuels as the country’s major source of energy neglecting her vast renewable energy potentials. The practice tends to degenerate the worsening climatic condition which is endangering lives and capitulating the economy. The question is, are there available alternatives to the over dependency on the now obsolete non-renewable energy sources? Secondly, are there prospects in any such alternative in terms of climate change mitigation and economic development? How can adopting new energy policy help alleviate the scorching impacts of climate change in Nigeria as well set the Country on the path to stable economic expansion?

1.2 Research Objectives

This study seeks to unravel the imperatives of deploying renewable energy sources as the next unavoidable alternative to the use of fossil fuels which pose serious danger to the climate in addition to demystifying the advantages embedded in adopting a more modern and sustainable energy practices that would enhance energy availability and economic development.

1.3 Research Methodology

This article adopts a doctrinal research methodology with major reliance on Books by Legal writers, Journal and Non-Journal Articles from online and offline sources, and other internet sources. Our findings reveal that, Nigeria is blessed with unlimited varieties of renewable energy sources which lie fallow and unharnessed; that the continuous utilization of fossil fuels for energy generation is endangering the climate and that such practice in addition to the hazards it poses, is unsustainable. We recommended in addition to other things, the urgent need to deploy best policy measures that would discourage continuous exploitation of fossil fuels to be replaced with the adoption of sustainable renewable energy exploration.

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2.???Environmental Impacts of using Fossil fuels and other non-renewables as energy sources in Nigeria. ?

The alarms over the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels are dated back in the early twentieth century. As reported in NEP[9] (2007), Guy Challender, a coal engineer, was one of the first to sound alarm over increasing CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere. He warned that using fossil fuels would contribute to global warming. It was his empirical results that prompted the recent efforts to understand and address climate changes.

Exploitation process of fossil fuels takes place in the following order; exploration, transportation and marketing operation and utilization. Each of these processes has negative impact on the environment. The major pollutants from these processes are: Oil spillage, Gas flaring/Emissions from combustions and Coal gases/particulates.

Oil Spills

Oil spills are a common event in Nigerian oil and gas industries and occur due to a number of causes, including: corrosion of pipelines and tankers, oil production operation and inadequate or non-functional production equipment.[10] As reported in The Guardian of 24th June, 2012, Nigeria has recorded about 3,203 cases of oil spillage between 2006 and 2010. Out of the 3,203 cases, 23 per cent has been caused by equipment failure, operational/maintenance error and corrosion while 45 per cent has been attributed to sabotage/vandalism.

Crude oil or refined petroleum product spillage may cause damage to the environment in many ways. In water, oil film floating on the water surface could prevent natural aeration and lead to the death of marine life. Fish that ingest spilled oil or other food materials impregnated with oil have been observed to be unpalatable.[11] Oil spillage on land may lead to retardation of vegetation growth and cause soil infertility for a long period of time until natural processes re-establish stability.

Gas Flaring

Gas flaring refers to the burning of natural gas that is associated with crude oil when it is pumped up from the ground. In petroleum‐producing areas where insufficient investment was made in infrastructure to utilize natural gas, flaring is employed to dispose of this associated gas.[12] In Nigeria, oil companies prefer to flare the associated natural gas due to cost. Nigeria flares more natural gas associated with oil extraction than any other country, with estimates suggesting that of the 100 million cubic metre of associated gas (AG) produced annually, 70 million cubic metre or about 70% is wasted via flaring.[13] ?This equals about 25% of the UK's total natural gas consumption, and is the equivalent to 40% of the entire African continent's gas consumption in 2001.

Gas flaring adds significant carbon emissions to the atmosphere such as soot, carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases which contribute to air pollution problems. Gas flares have potentially harmful effects on the health and livelihood of the communities in their vicinity. Poisonous chemicals including NO2, SO2 and volatile organic compounds like benzene, toluene, xylene and hydrogen sulfide, as well as carcinogens like benzapyrene and dioxin cause variety of respiratory problems. These chemicals can aggravate asthma, chronic bronchitis as well as leukemia and other blood-related diseases. A study done by Climate Justice estimated that exposure to benzene would result in eight new cases of cancer yearly in Bayelsa State alone (Friends of the Earth, 2005). [14]

Coal Mining

Coal is a major global energy source, accounting for 23 percent of total energy consumption. It was the primary energy source from 1900 until 1960, when it was overtaken by oil.[15] Coal was first discovered in 1909 near Udi (central eastern Nigeria). In 1950, the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC) was formed and given the responsibility for exploration, development and mining the coal resources. Coal can be produced through surface (open cast) mining or underground mining which are both dangerous to man and the environment.

Other than the constant danger of coal mine explosion, health hazards specific to underground coal mining include coal dust, which can cause ‘coal worker’s pneumoconiosis’ or anthracosis, often combined with silicosis.[16] Coal material produces toxic gases such as: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Carbon monoxide is extremely toxic because it binds to haemoglobin in the blood, blocking oxygen transport and creating chemical suffocation.[17]

Besides human health hazards, coal exploitation has great impact on the soil too. Soil removals from the area to be surface-mined alters or destroys many natural soil characteristics, and may reduce its productivity for agriculture or biodiversity. Dust degrades air quality in the immediate area. Waste piles and coal storage piles can yield sediment to streams, and leached water from these piles can be acid and contain toxic trace elements. Surface waters may be rendered unfit for agriculture, human consumption, bathing, or other family.[18]

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3.???Renewable energy as investment prospects for Nigerians

There are several new renewable energy prospects accessible in Nigeria. However, we shall discuss the following: Biomass, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Micro-hydro System.

Biomass

Biomass is a green energy source derived from plants. It can be utilized as bio-power or transformed into other energy commodities such as biofuel, and can reduce greenhouse gas emission. It is the cheapest and most accessible source of energy, and can be derived from agitated ethanol and distillation of starchy cereals, grains and sugar crops such as beet, wheat, corn, sorghum and sugarcane.[19] This is a prospect which can produce good profits for Nigerians through investment in biofuel products. Biogas is another source of energy that is obtained from unprocessed and discarded materials such as animal faeces, and decomposable manufacturing and domestic unwanted solid materials. Biodiesel is produced by converting oil-bearing crops such as coconut, soya, palm, rapeseed and sunflower to methyl esters to blend with conventional diesel. Biomass as a renewable energy source can promote constant power supply to rural areas through a rural electrification programme and improve the livelihood of the rural dwellers. However, despite its comparative benefits and abundance in Nigeria, there is no legislation on biomass as a source of renewable energy. Thus, there is an urgent need for legal and policy framework on biomass in Nigeria.[20]

Wind Energy

Wind Energy is another source of renewable energy that can promote a stable electricity supply in Nigeria to meet the needs of its electricity consumers primarily in the northern part of the country where there is abundant wind energy at 4.0 to 5.12 m/s speed.[21] Wind energy is categorized as a highly ecologically responsible resource of renewable energy. It involves the installation of wind turbines in a wind farm located in an area where winds are durable and persistent, for instance, in offshore and high-altitude locations.[22]

Micro-Hydro Systems

Micro-hydro systems Another source of energy that is cheap and efficient to maintain is small hydropower. There are many forms of water energy such as hydroelectric energy, micro-hydro systems, dam less hydro, oceanic energy, etc. The systems harness water to generate energy through technologies such as dams, tidal power, and marine current power, among others.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is obtained from the sun through solar activity or radiation such as photovoltaic and heat. Other sources of solar energy include space heating and cooling through solar design, daylighting, and solar hot water, solar steaming and high-temperature practices for commercial energy usage.[23] Solar energy is widely available in Nigeria because of abundant sunshine, but the technology has not been fully accepted by all households in the country despite efforts to create awareness of its use and efficiency. This is a source of renewable energy that is cost-effective and can stimulate regular power supply and sustainable development in the rural areas.[24]

4.???The Imperatives of Renewable Energy as an Alternative Energy Source

There has been a strong new interest in renewable energy sources because of their advantages over fossil fuel. The elements inspiring the growing interest in renewable energy include the following:

·??????Renewable energy improves energy security because of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, reduction of oil reserves and the increasing cost of crude oil exploration. All these point to the fact that fossil fuel may not guarantee all-time availability of energy for human use. A diversified energy programme would mitigate the potential problem of energy insecurity and sustainability in Nigeria.[25]

·??????The cost of extracting, tapping and harnessing energy from renewable sources is relatively low in the long term compared to that of fossil fuel. Consequently, the supply of alternative energy is cheaper than that of fossil fuel.

·??????Environmental pollution and degradation, as well as global warming, are incidental to the exploitation and usage of fossil fuel. Conversely, renewable energy is environmentally friendly and increasing the use of renewable energy will improve the quality of the environment by contributing to a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

·??????Renewable energy is sustainable as it has the capacity of being replenished by a natural technique at a cost that is equivalent to the energy being utilized.

·??????The collection, transformation and consumption of renewable energy regularly occur in an environmentally friendly manner. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy does not have damaging effects on the environment and can be made available to all society, regardless of status. Excess dependence on crude oil revenues has affected the growth of alternative energies in Nigeria. Energy diversification will promote energy security for the country as the international demands for Nigeria’s crude oil are decreasing. From the prior statement on policy, the aims of the policy are: to promote sustainable energy sources for optimal energy fusion in a sustainable and ecologically friendly manner to diversify and to cushion the consequence of diversification from petroleum products as sources of energy.[26]

·??????There are many other anticipated advantages of renewable energy sources, such as: biofuel programme promoting the growth of the rural economy, education in rural-urban migration and energy supply security and a better ecosystem; maximizing carbon credit opportunities through the provision of direct and indirect employment in the power industry; freeing up more crude oil for export; boosting Federal and State Government tax revenues; providing returns on investment to farmers and other stakeholders in the industry; creating more opportunities for direct foreign investment in the Nigerian economy.

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5.???Conclusions/Recommendations.

Climate change poses global existential threats all of which are mitigable only if the right actions are taken. Granted that the energy needs of Nigerians are unavoidable and keeps increasing with increase in human population and advancement in technology, the repercussions of meeting the energy demands are telling on the climate especially as the country has indulged and still indulging in unsustainable exploitation of non-renewable energy resources. It is established that renewable energy holds better prospects for the country’s energy sector in terms of mitigating the worsening climate and actualizing safe and sustainable energy value chain. In addition to its sustainability, the exploration of the vast renewable energy sources opens the door of investment opportunities and promises to guarantee stable economic expansion as exemplified by the successes of advanced countries. It is on these conclusions that the following recommendations are anchored.

Firstly, there is the need for aggressive enlightenment of Nigerians on the new energy regime and on the need for large scale marketing campaign for full acceptability of the energy policy by Nigerians. Fossil fuel energy is detrimental to the environment being the major cause of greenhouse gases (GHGs) while the renewable sources of energy is environmentally friendly, it reduces pollution. It is harmless, it enhances electricity supply and it is sustainable.

The Federal Government should integrate renewable energy into the energy system by making use of renewable energy a matter of national priority to meet electricity demands with supplies. There is the need for political will and unalloyed commitment of the government for sustainability of renewable energy systems in Nigeria. There is the need to initiate renewable energy markets. Profit oriented renewable energy in Nigeria necessitates formation of energy markets for her countryside populace energy consumption. To develop such commercial market, there is a need to intensify investments in renewable energy growth in the country.

There should be improved services and training for the utilization of renewable energy technologies. Countryside energy consumers should be offered satisfactory repair and precautionary preservation facilities locally. There is also a need for education of consumers on rudimentary operation skills namely appropriate electrical device set-ups and battery procedure, including regular preservation techniques namely: filling batteries with water and dusting wind turbine vanes. Operators’ education should also incorporate capacity regulation trainings that can aid energy consumers regulate their routine energy consumption efficiently to eliminate the necessity for copious energy storage facilities for renewable energy systems in Nigeria.

Lastly, there is the need for clear guidelines or benchmarks for law makers on the best approach to adopt for enactment of legal framework and formulation of stringent policies on renewable energy utilization and developments with clear understanding of the impacts and the benefits of renewable energy use in achieving energy security, efficiency and sustainability in Nigeria.

References:

[1] Conference Of Parties (COP27) to the Paris Agreement in Egypt this 2022 focuses more on Climate Finance and Climate Adaptation with more emphasis on third world Countries.

[2] See the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2013)

[3] Nigeria is a State party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC 1992); a signatory to both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Nigeria is also a party to the Sendal Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR 2015) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) etc.

[4] See Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, 2021. See also the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC?Updated 2022) made sequel to the requirement of Paris Agreement to which Nigeria is signatory to.

[5] 19. Olujobi, O. J., Olujobi, O. M., & Ufua, D. E. (2020). The Legal Regime on Renewable Energy As Alternative Sources of Energy in Nigeria’s Power Sector: The Impacts and the Potentials. Acad Strategic Management J, 19(3), 1–16.

[6] Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) Publication. The Nigerian Energy Sector, An Overview with a Special Emphasis on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Rural Electrification 2nd Edition, June 2021.

[7] Countries like Costa Rica, Iceland, Scotland, Germany, Sweden etc have all made notable progress in their energy sector through the making and implementation of decent renewable energy policies. Go to

https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/11-countries-leading-the-charge-on-renewable-energy/ .

( Last Visited 9/11/2022 12:45 PM)

[8] the former Germany’s Federal Environmental Minister

[9] National Environment Policy, 2007.

[10] Bronwen, M., (1999),”The Price of Oil”, Human Rights Watch. [Online] Available https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=pomona_theses (July 5, 2013)

[11] Nwankwo,N. & Ifeadi, C. N (1988), “Case studies on the environmental impact of oil production and marketing in Nigeria”. [Online] Available https://www.academicjournals.org/jgrp/pdf/pdf2011/Mar/Bayode%20et%20al.pdf (May 15, 2013)

[12] JINN (2010), “Justice In Nigeria Now, Gas Flaring in Nigerian: An Overview”. [Online] Available https://justiceinnigerianow.org/jinn/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/JINN-2010-Gas-Flaring-anoverview.pdf (August 25, 2013)

[13] Wikipedia, (2006), “Petroleum Production in Nigeria”. [Online] Available https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/petroleum. (April 5, 2013)

[14] Friends of the Earth, (2005), “Gas flaring in Nigeria: A human rights, environmental and economic Monstrosity”. [Online] Available https://www.foei.org/en/what-we-do/oil-gas/grassroots highlights/nigeriajustice.html (June 17, 2013)

[15] WHO (1997), “Health and Environment in Sustainable Development”: Five Years after the Earth Summit Geneva. [Online] Available https://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/methods/en/corvalan.pdf (July 13, 2013)

[16] Bascom, R., Bromberg, P., A & Costa, D. A., (1996), “Health Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution”. American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine 153(1), 3-50

[17] Ibid

[18] Ibid

[19] Yusuf, A. O., (2006), The Nigerian Fuel Ethanol Industry, Presentation at the International Conference on Bio-Fuel Markets in Africa held in Cape Town, South Africa on November 30 to December 1, 2006. Available at: www.greenpowerconferences.com/biofuelsmarket/documents , (accessed July 2019)

[20] Piters, B., How Sustainable are Biofuels? Between Common Curiosity and Confronting-Interests ”. Available: at: https://knowledge.cta.int/en/dossiers/s-tissue-in perspective/biofuels/articles/how-sustainable-are-biofuels-betweencommon-curiorsity-and-confronting-interests (accessed 10 Apr 2020).

[21] Oluseyi, O. A., Fagbenle, R. O., et al. (2014). Wind energy study and energy cost of wind electricity generation in Nigeria: Past and recent results and a case study for south-west. Nigeria, Energies , 7, 8512.

[22] Oluseyi, O. A., Fagbenle, R. O., et al. (2014). Wind energy study and energy cost of wind electricity generation in Nigeria: Past and recent results and a case study for south-west. Nigeria, Energies, 7, 8512.

[23] Oke, Y. (2016). Essays on Nigerian electricity law, Princeton and associate publishing co. ltd, Lagos, (pp. 93–113).

[24] Piters, B., How Sustainable are Biofuels? Between Common Curiosity and Confronting-Interests”. Available: at: https://knowledge.cta.int/en/dossiers/s-tissue-in perspective/biofuels/articles/how-sustainable-are-biofuels-betweencommon-curiorsity-and-confronting-interests (accessed 10 Apr 2020)

[25] Sagay, I. E. (2005). The Niger Delta and the Case for Resource Control in Nigeria Being a Public Lecture Delivered in Honour of Honourable Justice Adolphus Karibi –Whyte at the University of Ife on Friday, May 8 .2005 .

[26] Olujobi Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems (2020) 5:32 Page 7 of 12.