ABUJA/Nigeria: In an unprecedented collaboration, The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) joins forces with the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to unveil a groundbreaking report surveying the impact, policies, and actions on climate change across Nigeria’s 36 states and Abuja.
Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, President of SPP and lead convener of the upcoming meeting, emphasized the significance of gathering key stakeholders and selected survey participants to deliberate on recommendations aimed at supporting subnational climate action. The primary focus lies in facilitating climate-related transitions crucial for sustainable development.
The report, titled “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy, and Action in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” intends to chart the effects of climate change within the country’s individual states while assessing existing climate policies and actions. Its objectives also extend to analyzing online visibility and identifying specific support needs for effective localization of climate change policies, essential for attracting investments and funds.
Prof. Okereke highlighted the critical role of this initiative in heightening awareness and showcasing the current status of climate change policies at sub-national levels. He stressed the need to bridge existing gaps in climate action programs and emphasized the importance of enhanced resilience among state actors to combat the adverse impacts of climate change.
He underlined Nigeria’s pressing need to address climate change, citing its detrimental effects on ecosystems and livelihoods, ultimately exacerbating poverty through phenomena such as flooding, desertification, and erosion. Despite the federal government’s commitments and initiatives, he pointed out a significant void in addressing climate change at the subnational level, where the brunt of its impact is most acutely felt.
The forthcoming high-level event aims to dissect the report’s findings, fostering discussions among experts and facilitators to explore opportunities for promoting climate policy, action, and investments at the state level. Prof. Okereke expressed confidence in the event’s potential to encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of new partnerships among stakeholders.
The report, a result of questionnaire administration and extensive literature review, serves as an unparalleled examination of climate action at the subnational level in Nigeria. Prof. Okereke emphasized its timeliness, emphasizing that understanding the unique needs of different subnational units is critical for driving improved action by various entities, including governmental bodies, civil society, private sectors, and international donor agencies.
The launch event, slated for Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Abuja, is designed to be a hybrid format, allowing for both physical attendance and virtual participation. Interested parties can register at https://bit.ly/SubnationalClimateMapping to join and contribute to this significant step toward fostering sustainable climate action across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
