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The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a civil society organisation (CSO) led by foremost Professor of Environment and Governance, Chukwumerije Okereke, has said that Nigeria can leverage on coordinated climate action at the subnational level to achieve sustainable development.

This assertion was made by Nnaemeka Oruh, Senior Policy Analyst, SPP, during an interview at the Democracy Radio, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

While clarifying that the impacts of climate change are mostly felt at the State and Local Government levels, Mr. Oruh bemoaned the fact that not so much is being done at the subnational level to address the long-standing climate change issues which range from desertification and land degradation to flooding and erosion in the north, and in the south respectively.

He stated that, in order to fully grasp the extent of climate change impacts and the resultant actions being taken at the subnational level to address them, the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) embarked upon a research in close collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in 2023 to produce a first-of-its-kind survey of subnational climate impacts entitled “Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria” which was launched in November by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, in the company of the Director General of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and other stakeholders.

Mr Oruh said: “To further measure the extent of climate action and governance at the subnational, SPP, in collaboration with the DCC, has just concluded a ranking survey scheduled for launch in Abuja on July 25, 2024.”

According to him, the ranking survey graded all the 36 states’ climate action performances using five criteria: administrative institutions; policy and action plan; budget and finance; implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; and online visibility.

He said the ranking survey, set to be launched, is aimed at gauging the extent of states’ performances in order to identify where gaps exist so that stakeholders can then take action in closing them. He attributed a success story from the mapping exercise done last year as instrumental to the current effort to help Enugu and Taraba states develop comprehensive climate change action plans.

While regretting that climate action is not given the level of importance and urgency it deserves by the government and people of Nigeria, Oruh said that ironically, by advancing climate action, Nigeria can actually address most of her developmental and everyday needs.

Oruh highlighted few recommendations for Nigeria to take climate action and consequently tackle some of her developmental and everyday needs: increase existing level of investments in renewable energy to address the perennial energy crisis in the country; provide clean cooking options for rural women to save them from health implications of unclean cooking; leverage on climate-smart agricultural practices to address food insecurity; provide jobs; and address the insecurity that comes from fighting over scarce arable lands, among others.

“Nigeria’s subnational comprising of 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, together with its 774 Local Government Areas suffer from a disconnect between federal policies and subnational implementation,” he emphasised.

In closing, the Climate Change Policy Analyst said: “SPP believes that there is need for proper coordination between the federal and the subnational with subnational climate actions linking with the global and federal, but also reflecting the unique needs of each component of the subnational. This coordinated action is the only way Nigeria can meet her climate change goals and also leverage on the process to engender sustainable development.”

Climate change has created significant environmental problems in Nigeria, affecting all regions and socioeconomic classes. The 2024 heatwaves are a stark reminder of its impact, causing considerable stress on commercial farmers and threatening food security.

The Niger Delta faces persistent oil spills, leading to severe soil and water pollution, while the northern regions struggle with drought and desertification.

Climate change impacts are primarily felt at the subnational level in Nigeria. Therefore, effective climate action must be localized. Despite the presence of comprehensive federal policies, such as the Climate Change Act and the Energy Transition Plan, there is a glaring absence of similar frameworks at the subnational level. For Nigeria to meet its climate and sustainable development goals, state-level action is crucial.

Recognising this, the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the Department of Climate Change (DCC), conducted a survey on subnational climate impacts, actions, and policies. The survey engaged diverse stakeholders, including state climate change desk officers, academics, youths, and climate experts. The resulting report, “Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria,” was launched in Abuja on November 17, 2023.

The report found that eight states, including Nasarawa, Plateau, Yobe, Jigawa, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, and Ogun, allocated budgets for climate projects in 2023. Additionally, 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have developed climate action plans.

Lagos, Enugu, and Rivers State have even established dedicated climate change offices, with Rivers State being the only state to pass a Climate Change Bill into law.

While these developments are promising, it is essential to monitor and evaluate state-level efforts to ensure they achieve their goals. SPP, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Department for Climate Change have worked closely to initiate an annual ranking of climate change governance at the subnational level. This ranking will assess administrative structures, budget allocations, policies, action plans, and other metrics.

The inaugural ranking will be released on July 25, 2024, in Abuja, recognizing the hard work on the three top states and highlighting areas needing improvement and encouraging better climate action across states.

For Nigeria to effectively combat climate change and advance sustainable development, state-level initiatives must complement federal policies. The upcoming ranking and continued scrutiny of state efforts will drive accountability and enhance climate action, ensuring Nigeria meets its climate goals.

Prof Chukwumerije Okereke is President and Chairman, Board of Trustee, Society for Planet and Prosperity, Nigeria

This is contained in a statement signed by Ms Dolapo John of the Department of Climate Change and made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

The statement said that the meeting was officially inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Mahmud Kambari, who also delivered the keynote speech.

Kambari said that “the onset of climate change presents an unprecedented threat to our planet, with far-reaching consequences for our environment, economies, and societies.”

He said that subnational climate change officers play an important role in translating global climate goals into actual actions and policies that are relevant at the local level.

“Your work on the frontlines of climate action, implementing mitigation and adaptation measures, is essential in building a more sustainable future for our citizens and safeguarding our natural resources for generations to come,” Kambari said.

While noting that previous meetings had taken place, Kambari said that the purpose of the launch was “to re-enact and foster existing synergy of the national and subnational towards aligning and meeting the Ministerial High Impact Deliverables in line with the Presidential Transformative Agenda.”

He also said that the gathering was an opportunity to relaunch the Toolkits for the States’ Climate Action Communication, which the Ministry has produced and will soon be sent to the 36 States and the FCT to improve reporting on national climate action.

He said that the coordinating conference “provides a unique opportunity to foster collaboration, exchange best practices, and forge partnerships that will strengthen our collective impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

“By coming together as a community of dedicated professionals, we can leverage our expertise, share lessons learned, and explore innovative solutions to address the complex challenges posed by climate change in our regions and states”, Kambari said.

The statement quoted Dr. Iniobong Abiola Awe, Director of the Department for Climate Change, as saying that the Coordination Meeting is a critical platform for implementing the outcome of the 17th Session of the National Council on Environment (NCE) Resolution 9Ai.

Awe said that the outcome states “the need for effective communication, collaboration, and synergy between the Federal and States in all environmental issues to enhance performance and better implementation of National Environmental Policies.”

According to him, the platform is expected to serve to bridge the existing communication gap, provide a platform for knowledge-sharing and capacity development, and an enabling effective reporting of climate action.

She added added that the platform seeks to jointly synergize efforts at national and subnational levels to achieve climate commitments.

“egular meetings will allow Desk Officers to share information, best practices, and coordinate efforts to improve climate resilience and link subnational climate action with national climate goals and priorities,” Awe said.

The director said that the discussions will allow state climate officers to find synergies, gaps, and areas of collaboration with other stakeholders such as government, civil society, academia, and the commercial sector.

She further stated that the platform will provide a chance to increase the ability of skill development for state climate desk officials through targeted training workshops and knowledge sharing activities.

She said that the department of climate change has formed a secretariat to manage coordination meetings and guarantee that the vision and objectives were implemented.

The statement said that Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President of Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) also made a presentation on the status of the Sub-national Climate Governance Ranking Project, which is being done in collaboration with DCC.

Okereke congratulated the Federal Ministry of Environment and the DCC for the inaugural coordination meeting and expressed belief that the initiative and platform would go a long way in helping to plug the current gap in climate change governance in Nigeria by promoting stronger climate action.

Okereke said that the Climate Governance Performance Ranking of States builds upon the Climate Action Mapping initiative, which was completed last year in conjunction with the DCC and the Nigeria Governors Forum.

According to him, the ranking and rating project is now designed to establish a single comprehensive ranking of climate governance for the 36 states of the Federation.

Okereke said that the ranking considered five factors: climate governance and administrative structure, climate policy and action plan, climate change project implementation, climate finance and budget, and online visibility.

He said he was confident that the climate governance rating initiative will spark health rivalry and a race to the top among state governments.

He said that the mapping initiative completed last year was already having a major positive impact, with a record number of states now working to develop climate policy and action plans.

He noted that the final outcome of the rating and ranking exercise with the accompanying report would be released in a big national event in July, with the first three states getting awards jointly presented by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Society for Planet and Prosperity.

He urged the state Desk Officers to remain focused in promoting climate action in their respective states.

He pledged the commitment of the Society for Planet and Prosperity in building the capacity of the Desk Officers and organising training programmes for them.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has outlined a bold strategy for climate change and sustainable development in the state.

Mbah made the announcement during his speech to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his administration.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development, Chukwumerije Okereke, it was stated that the administration is well aware of climate change’s devastating impact on economic growth and livelihoods and was determined to tackle in line with his vision to reduce poverty and deliver people-focused governance in Enugu State.

He stated that Enugu state, under his leadership, recognises the critical need for a strong climate policy that would pave the way for a clean energy transition, ignite green innovation, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable economic growth for the state, assuring a brighter, greener future for everybody.

To this end he said his government was determined to draw from domestic and international funds to implement ambitious climate policy.

He disclosed that the government was already on the brink of securing grant from the African Climate Foundation and the European Climate Foundation to assist with the design of a science-based climate policy and action plan for the state.

“The climate policy and action plan will serve as a road map for a variety of exciting initiatives, including a major climate education and awareness programme, climate finance mobilisation, and a transformative clean cooking programme to protect our women from the health risks associated with open firewood cooking,” said the Governor.

Continuing he stated that his administration was committed to “a grand tree planting exercise to rejuvenate our degraded ecosystems, sequester carbon, and beautify Enugu State, setting the stage for a vibrant and sustainable future.”

Mbah said that as part of his climate, urban redevelopment and greener city programme that his administration intends to restore the coal city to its former glory by planting countless trees and improving the state’s air quality, thereby limiting the impact of climate change.

The governor noted that the beauty, splendour, and orderliness seen in Western countries were not the result of wishful thinking, but of meticulous and painstaking planning and commitment, and that his government is prepared to change the narrative with its urban renewal and regeneration policies.

“It is amusing that we often nostalgically recall the good old days and fawn over the mind-blowing aesthetics of Western cities, yet do little to promote orderly urban planning and instil the strong sense of civic obligation that prevailed in the good old days – or that exists in Western cities.

“The beauty and orderliness that we see in Western capitals and cities were not wished for. These qualities are based on meticulous planning, adherence to the law, and sacrifice.

“The Central Terminal and Enugu New City may appear to be long, difficult walk for some. But they will eventually result in smooth, graceful steps critical to Enugu’s rise to its rightful place among the world’s top cities,” the governor stated.

Mbah remarked that Enugu New City was envisioned as Nigeria’s main investment destination.

“The Enugu New City, located on a corridor that connects the South-East, South-South, and North-Central areas, and just a 15-minute drive from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, heralds the advent of a new universe of opportunity.

“This lively, interconnected city powered by manufacturing, trade, and tourism would have facilities equivalent to those seen in world-class cities, ranging from amusement parks to industrial parks.

In line with his ambition for urban renewal, Mbah noted that his administration has already brought in sophisticated infrastructure to manage the state’s waste.

“As the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development, I am excited to be working alongside the governor and helping to bring his vision for innovative and transformative governance to live in an area as critical and broad as climate change and sustainable development.

“As a Professor of Climate Policy and Governance, I am aware that effective climate and sustainable development policies require long term thinking, boldness, innovation, and a consultative approach to governance, but these are qualities, which the governor possess in abundance.

“One thing that excites me is that the government understands that climate change action is not just a burden that must be borne with gritted teeth, but also an opportunity to boost economic growth, create green jobs and increase the quality of life and environment in the state.

“It is this proactive and integrated approach of combining environmental sustainability with socioeconomic development that underscores Governor Mbah’s visionary leadership for Enugu State and sets him as an example for others to follow.”