The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has reiterated its commitment to partner with key stakeholders to promote a safer environment in carbon management.

The director-general, Innocent Barikor, made the statement at the launch of a platform for carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology innovation in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Mr Barikor said that the platform was being co-launched by the Africa Carbon Management Technology and Innovation Centre of Excellence and the Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Initiative.

He stated that Port Harcourt was chosen for the launch due to the high-level oil and gas activities in the area.

He added that the level of oil and gas activities in the Port Harcourt environment made it an appropriate environment for carbon capture, utilisation and storage.

Mr Barikor stated that there were extant government policies that provided a strong background for carbon capture, utilisation and storage in the country.

“The Energy Transition, Climate Change and Restructure, and the 2021 Climate Change Framework are strong policies that support this innovation.

“When fully on stream, it will promote a circular economy where what is not needed in the environment is converted to raw materials for industry growth.

“While carbon is harmful to the human body, companies involved in cement, bottles and other items need it for production. This innovation will not only protect the environment; it will also boost the economy,” he said.

Also speaking, Owunari Georgewill, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, thanked NESREA and its partners for the initiative and described it as timely.

Mr Georgewill decried the increase in carbon emissions, especially through solar-powered electricity generation systems.

He commended the respective stakeholders for their proactive steps towards reducing harmful carbon emissions.

“Currently, solar-powered electricity is an alternative electricity source. This university community alone has about 10.7 megawatts of the Ivory Solar Powerex plant; all these generate carbon.

“So effective storage of carbon must be worked out; otherwise, environmental pollution will become an epidemic in no distant time,” he said.

Juho Liponen, the coordinator of the Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS initiative, said that effective carbon capture, utilisation and storage were critical to promoting a safer environment.

He stated that the organisation would collaborate with other key stakeholders to ensure the effective take-off of the innovation.

(NAN)