SPP, Others, to launch report on mapping of climate impact, policy at sub-national level

By Yemi Olakitan

In order to launch and discuss the results and findings of a survey on the impact, policies, and actions related to climate change in the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), is hosting a high-level meeting.

Key stakeholders and a select group of survey respondents will come together for the meeting to deliberate on the suggestions that will encourage subnational climate action and ease climate-related transitions for sustainable development.

On Friday, November 17, 2023, in Abuja, the report will be launched by SPP.
“Mapping Climate Change Impact, Policy and Action in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT)” is a report whose goals are to map the effects of climate change in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), analyze the state-level climate policies and actions currently in place, evaluate the states’ online visibility, and pinpoint the particular support needs of each of these states in order to successfully domesticate climate change policies in order to attract funds and investments.

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

Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, the President of SPP and the principal convener, said of the impending event: “One of the biggest development challenges facing Nigeria today is climate change.”

Its effects, which include erosion, flooding, droughts, desertification, and sea level rise, are devastating livelihoods and ecosystems and driving a large number of people into poverty.

In addition to signing a National Climate Change Law that creates a National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), the Nigerian government has pledged to reach Net Zero by 2060.

To address the effects of climate change, the Federal Government has implemented a National Climate Change Policy, a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and a number of flagship projects, including the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), the Great Green Wall, and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL).

Nevertheless, the majority of federally-focused climate change projects and measures have paid little to no attention to state-level investments, action plans, and subnational climate change legislation.

This is a significant disparity considering that the states where the local communities reside bear the brunt of the effects of climate change.

Therefore, tackling climate change and fulfilling Nigeria’s net-zero aim as well as other national climate commitments need the implementation of policies and measures at the subnational level.

The current state of affairs necessitates a better understanding of the subnational climate change governance environment, including the degree of climate change awareness, the policies that are accessible, their scope and reach, and their degree of implementation.

Experts and facilitators will talk about the report’s conclusions as well as ways to encourage state-level climate investment, action, and policy during the planned high-level gathering.

A renewed frontier for climate action in the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is anticipated to be addressed by key stakeholders and policymakers through new partnerships formed at this event, which is anticipated to help facilitate coordination, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and learning among various stakeholders at the subnational level.

Through the distribution of a questionnaire to participants and a thorough review of published materials, reports, newspapers, and websites, the report investigated the degree of climate change awareness and action, the type of policies in place, the degree 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 Federal Capital Territory.

According to Okereke, this is the first and most thorough mapping of climate action at the subnational level in Nigeria. It is also timely, as it aids in Nigeria’s understanding of the unique requirements of the various subnational units in order to promote better action from the government, civil society, the private sector, or foreign donor agencies.

Since the event will take place remotely, participants and interested parties are encouraged to register at bit.ly/SubnationalClimateMapping.