17/09/2024
The Nigerian parliament has called for tax payments by multinational companies and global billionaires globally to support African countries battling climate change impacts, particularly victims of the recent flooding in Borno and Zamfara States.
Renowned economist, Esther Duflo had earlier proposed a global tax to assist vulnerable regions adapt to changing climatic conditions.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the ongoing special sitting of the Committees of the Pan African Parliament in South Africa, made the call on Tuesday on behalf of Nigeria.
Reacting to a paper titled “The impact of climate change and Africa’s strategic pursuits going into COP,” delivered by the Director of Programmes and Research, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, Mr Charles Nyambura, Kalu advocated a global climate tax to support climate adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable regions, especially Africa.
The Deputy Speaker who bemoaned the recent flooding in Borno, Zamfara States amongst others said that the climate tax is to help mitigate the impacts of climate change on the continent.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu was quoted as saying that “Africa is disproportionately impacted by climate change despite contributing just 3.8 per cent to the global share of greenhouse gas emissions in contrast to 23 per cent by China, 19 per cent by the US, and 13 per cent by the European Union.
“Climate change undermines Africa’s progress towards sustainable development goals, hindering economic growth and human well-being.
“Presently, nearly 600 million Africans lack access to electricity according to the World Bank, which hinders economic growth, industrial development, and access to essential services.
“Furthermore, Africa faces a widening energy gap compared to South Asia and Latin America, which have made more significant progress in bridging their energy deficits.”
The lawmaker added that Nobel Prize-winning economist, Esther Duflo has “Proposed a global climate tax to support climate adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable regions, such as Africa.
“Duflo’s proposal includes a tax on multinational corporations and billionaires to fund climate adaptation in low-income countries, helping them prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate disasters.
“The need for climate resilience was brought into stark focus between August and September 2024, when heavy rains affected many local government areas in Borno State, Nigeria, resulting in significant flooding. These floods devastated various communities, displacing many households and damaging infrastructure, crops, and shelters.
“In Borno State alone, the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix identified 320,791 individuals in 65,731 households affected by the floods across 19 local government areas. These include 157,274 internally displaced persons and 108 returnees, all severely impacted by the floods.”
He also highlighted the devastating effects of food insecurity, worsened by climate change, conflicts, and economic disruptions.
While noting that Africa’s agricultural potential remains largely untapped, Kalu called for comprehensive agricultural reforms and investment in agribusiness as solutions to the growing food crisis.
Kalu further underscored the critical role education plays in shaping the continent’s future, aligning it with the African Union’s goals under Agenda 2063.
“We cannot speak of a prosperous Africa when our education systems are failing to prepare our youth for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow,” Kalu added, calling for unified education policies across the continent.
On security, the Deputy Speaker stressed the importance of collective intelligence mechanisms, such as the African Union’s African Standby Force, and regional cooperation to combat terrorism, organised crime, and violent extremism.
Kalu also decried the unconstitutional changes in government, describing coups and unconstitutional transitions as threats to the continent’s democratic progress.
“We cannot allow a return to the dark days when the will of the people is undermined by the actions of a few,” he added.
