By Ndubuisi Mcheal Obineme
The Secretary-General of African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, has said that the organisation would remain steadfast in its support and commitment towards climate change in Africa which is now a top agenda in the global communities.
In his opening speech at the Sixth Edition of East Africa Oil & Gas Summit 2020, Dr Omar explained that the organization is very much concerned about the future of the oil and gas industry in the African continent, noting that the United Nations COP21 ambition is also paramount for the industry as it aims to end the use of fossil fuels as soon as possible.
According to him, APPO is currently brainstorming on the climate change issues in Africa, and urging industry stakeholders and players to join forces on deliberating and collaborating to provide profound solutions regarding UN’s climate change ambition more especially in the oil and gas industry in the African region.
He explained, “Our continent has a larger share on the world’s population living without electricity. Our per capita energy use is the least among all the continent in the world. No progress can be made without energy. This is something we all acknowledge, and we need to do something about it.
“As we discuss issues about energy in Africa. We also urge you to come up with solutions that will help the continent and its people get the energy they need to make a difference in their life.”
The Paris Climate Conference is officially known as the 21st Conference of the Parties (or “COP”) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The COP meets each year to take decisions that further the implementation of the Convention and to combat climate change.
The climate challenge is one of the most complex issues the world has ever faced. But climate change has now risen to the top of the global agenda and countries, cities, the private sector, civil society, leaders, and individual citizens are taking action. More than 150 countries have submitted national climate targets covering nearly 90% of global emissions.