SPP, DCC, NGF To Unveil Report On Mapping Of Climate Impact Across Nigeria

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is to launch and discuss the report of a survey on climate change impact, policy, and actions in the 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja.

The Lead Convener of the meeting and President of SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, said in a statement that the meeting would converge key stakeholders and selected survey participants to discuss the recommendations that will support subnational climate action and facilitate climate-related transitions for sustainable development.

Okereke said that the objective of the report entitled “Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy and Action in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) “ is to map the impact of climate change in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT.

He added that other objectives of the report is to analyze the existing climate policies and actions in the States, conduct an assessment of online visibilities and identify the specific support needs of each of these States to effectively domesticate climate change policies to attract climate funds and investments.

According to Okereke, the project is  conceived as a first step to galvanize awareness for climate action at sub-national levels in Nigeria, showcase the status of climate change policies, highlight the efforts and gaps in climate action and programmes at sub-national levels, and ensure improved climate change action and resilience among the state actors.

Okereke,  noted that: climate change is one of the biggest developmental challenges facing Nigeria today.

“Its impacts such as flooding, desertification, drought, erosion, and sea level rise are destroying ecosystems and livelihoods thereby pushing many into poverty.

“The Nigerian government has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2060 and has also signed a National Climate Change Law which establishes a National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

“The Federal Government has a National Climate Change Policy, a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and some flagship projects such as the Great Green Wall, the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) to address the impacts of climate change,” Okereke said.

He, however,  said most climate change actions and initiatives were focused at the federal level, with little or no attention to subnational climate change policies, action plans, and investment at the state level.

“This is a big gap given that the impacts of climate change are mostly borne by states that house the local communities.

“Therefore, the implementation of policies and actions at the subnational level is crucial to addressing climate change and meeting Nigeria’s net-zero target and other national climate commitments.

“This current situation calls for an improved understanding of the climate change governance landscape at the subnational including the level of awareness of climate change, available policies and the extent and range of policies and the degree of implementation,” Okereke said.

He explained that during the scheduled high-level event, experts and facilitators would discuss the findings of the report and opportunities to promote climate policy, action, and investment at the state level.

He  ecpressed the believe that the event would help to facilitate coordination, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and learning among various stakeholders at the subnational level, with an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to develop new partnerships to address the gaps for a renewed frontier for climate action in the 36 States of Nigeria and FCT.

Okereke said that the report explored the extent of climate change awareness and action, the nature of climate change policies in place, the level of integration of climate change in project and economic planning, the perception of climate risks and vulnerability, and online visibility in the 36 States and FCT through administration of questionnaire to participants and extensive literature review, including published materials, reports, newspapers, and websites.

“This is the first ever and most comprehensive mapping of climate action at the subnational level in Nigeria.

“This is also timely because it helps Nigeria understand the peculiar needs of the different subnational units of the country in other to encourage improved action either by government, civil society, the private sector, or international donor agencies,” Okereke said.

He added that the report launch is scheduled to be held in Abuja on Friday,  Nov. 17, 2023.

He said that  the event format is hybrid, hence participants and interested audiences are encouraged to join virtually by registering at https://bit.ly/SubnationalClimateMapping.