By Duncan Mboyah
African parliamentarians should enact supportive legislation to help reduce methane production in the continent.
Speakers attending a three-day African regional parliamentarians’ seminar that has been organized by the Inter – Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said that legislators are uniquely placed to shape climate policy.
Hon. Amason Kingi, Speaker of Kenya’s Senate told parliamentarians to allocate resources towards the management of methane and climate change action and ensure accountability in implementation.
“Time has come for us as a continent to be boldly proactive in the duty of methane emission reduction,” he told 100 parliamentarians from 21 countries and international climate change experts.
Hon. Kingi observed that to make the achievements, the countries require robust jurisprudence, sound legal frameworks and effective policy oversight. Parliament is the bridge between policy and the people and the institution through which citizens’ voices are articulated and public participation is realized.
Hon. Kingi noted that parliaments must unequivocally support investments in innovative approaches relating to animal feeds, livestock health, breeding, genetics and improved animal management systems.
He added that such interventions can significantly reduce methane emissions while simultaneously improving productivity and farmer incomes.
“As direct representatives of the people, you are called upon to rise above ordinary expectations in articulating citizens’ interests, defending their rights and championing initiatives that improve their lives and secure their future,” Hon. Kingi observed.
For African countries, methane emissions should be a matter of particular concern because many of the economies are heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock production.
Martin Chungong, secretary general IPU told parliamentarians to build momentum in the management of methane because it stands to diminish efforts that have been made in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally.
Chungong urged parliamentarians to integrate methane management in various parliamentary committees.
“Embrace regional experiences and help inspire the south – south collaboration as a way of managing climate change,” he added.
Dr. Takehiro Nakamura, Head of the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre, noted that the problem caused by methane in Africa is real and therefore requires concerted efforts in its management.
Dr. Nakamura said that parliamentarians occupy a strategic position in climate governance and therefore are in a position to help direct changes on climate action.
Experts observed that as the people’s representatives, parliamentarians have a sacred responsibility to improving lives.
They urged parliamentarians to legislate boldly, exercise diligent oversight and effectively represent populations in addressing climate change and mitigating the harmful effects of emissions.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and a major cause of global temperature rise and is over 80 times more harmful than carbon dioxide in the short term.
