By Abdullahi Lukman
Ondo State government has set up a committee to develop its circular economy strategy, climate change policy, and roadmap to enhance environmental sustainability and climate resilience in the state.
Announcing the initiative at the Governor’s Office, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko, said the move reflects the administration’s commitment to building a green, sustainable, and economically vibrant future.
The committee’s mandate includes crafting a policy framework to guide Ondo’s transition to a circular economy—aimed at reducing waste and improving resource efficiency—alongside a climate roadmap aligned with Nigeria’s national targets, the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to Loko, the policies are expected to stimulate green innovation, attract climate-related investments, and create jobs in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and manufacturing.
He stated that the committee will include experts from government ministries, academia, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to ensure a broad and inclusive approach.
Loko noted that climate change and environmental degradation pose serious threats to the state’s economy, livelihoods, and public health but also offer opportunities for sustainable development and industrial transformation.
The proposed policies are expected to support waste-to-wealth initiatives, improve access to climate finance, expand green employment opportunities—especially for youth—and boost Ondo’s resilience to climate shocks, particularly in rural and coastal communities.
The government called on stakeholders, including local communities and the private sector, to actively participate in the policy development process and support the state’s shift toward a climate-smart, circular economy.