The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, has called for climate and biodiversity finance at the COP29.

In a statement on Thursday, the NCF stated that the 29th edition of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change tagged, “the Baku Climate Change Conference,” which occurred in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together world leaders, environmental experts, and stakeholders from nearly 200 countries to discuss and negotiate actions to address the global climate crisis and set new goals for climate finance, adaptation, and mitigation.

It said, “The Nigerian Conservation Foundation participated actively at the COP29. The NCF delegation was led by the Director-General, Dr Joseph Onoja who was part of the Nigerian government delegation and was fully involved in all the high-powered negotiations.

“Conversations at COP29 centered around increasing Global Climate Finance, advancing urban climate resilience, and the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund. Onoja, a seasoned conservationist and environmental advocate, delivered a compelling presentation during the session on ‘Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Africa.’

“Highlighting Nigeria’s biodiversity and the role of conservation in mitigating climate change, he emphasised the critical importance of preserving ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and mangroves to enhance climate resilience and ensure sustainable livelihoods for communities.”

Speaking on his experience at COP29, Onoja said the conference has reaffirmed the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change.

“Nature is at the heart of our solutions, and we must work together to protect our planet for future generations. Nigeria has a pivotal role to play, and the NCF remains committed to leveraging the outcomes of COP29 to drive sustainable conservation and climate action in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

Onoja underscored the need for global support to implement nature-based solutions in Africa, drawing attention to successful initiatives by the NCF, such as the restoration of degraded forests in Nigeria and the promotion of community-led conservation projects.

“The post-Baku COP29 outlook looks bright for the world and Africa. NCF acknowledges the progress made at COP29, particularly the agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal to triple climate finance, reaching $300bn annually by 2035.

“This aligns with Africa’s need for robust financial support to enhance adaptation and mitigation efforts, especially in vulnerable communities. The Loss and Damage Fund also provides much-needed resources for countries suffering from the irreversible impacts of climate change.

“African countries are therefore encouraged to craft climate plans for tapping into the secured $300bn in carbon finance annually by 2035. They should leverage existing local endowments, renewable energy, natural resources, and a young workforce to create pathways to climate-positive growth in Africa,” he stated.