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The Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) has announced the commencement of the second subnational climate governance performance ranking.

The processes started on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with a virtual workshop organised by the DCC and the SPP to inform state climate change desk officers, directors, permanent secretaries, and climate focal persons of the improved ranking methodology and project timeline.

The virtual meeting was attending by over 40 officials from across the 36 states of the federation.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the DCC, emphasised the importance of the ranking as a tool for assessing and promoting best practices in climate governance at the subnational level. She stated that the data collected on the process is also vital for shaping national climate policy and guiding implementation.

The Director said that the Minister of Environment considers the first subnational climate governance ranking one of the key achievements of the ministry and is fully supportive of the effort to run the process again this year.

Dr. Abiola-Awe commended the dedication and commitment of the climate change desk officers and stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and capacity building for enhancing climate resilience.

“The journey toward climate resilience is complex and demands collective resolve, innovative solutions, and strong partnerships. The performance ranking offers a unique lens for evaluating our progress, identifying gaps, and sharing successful strategies. This second edition will deepen our understanding, inspire stronger commitments, and strengthen governance mechanisms that are inclusive, transparent, and effective,” she said.

In his address, the President of the SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, acknowledged the desk officers’ role in facilitating the first subnational climate governance ranking and rating through the commitment and effort they put into completing the survey questionnaires. He described them as the real heroes of the initiative, adding that the inaugural rating and ranking is generating attention and attracting global interests.

“The subnational climate governance rating and ranking is a highly innovative project – perhaps the first of its kind in Africa. I am therefore not surprised that the Honourable Minister recognizes the importance of this highly innovative project, and has embraced it as one of his major flagship achievements,” he said.

Prof. Okereke stated that because the ranking was gaining a lot of interest, it is important to make methodological improvements to ensure its legitimacy.

He stated that the revisions to the method for this year include the establishment of a review and quality assurance panel comprising of high calibre national and international climate governance experts and emphasis on one submission from each state which must have final endorsement of the honourable commissioner or permanent secretary.

He said that the ranking methodology would be revised to give more weight to climate project implementation and that the organisers are speaking with international development partners about how to increase the reward given to the wining states.

Professor Okereke announced that, in parallel to the rating and ranking exercise, SPP would be working with the DCC to mount a range of capacity building trainings and workshops for the state desk officers and commissioners of environment in the country.

“We should remember that the main goal here is not to single out and shame underperformers, but to foster a spirit of collaboration, encourage all states to do better, recognize the ones that are doing well, and give opportunities to the ones that are lagging behind to see what the people ahead are doing and to copy from them,” he added.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Environmental and Natural Resources in Ekiti State and Chairperson, Committee of Commissioners for Environment, praised the initiative and pledged Ekiti State’s full cooperation in providing accurate and timely data for the ranking.

Desk officers took turn to give their commendations to DCC and SPP on the ranking project, and vouched to work with their principals to submit accurate data and also to make themselves available for the training and capacity building programmes.

Launched in July 2024, with states like Lagos, Gombe, Ebonyi, Borno and Ekiti as high performers, the subnational governance rating and ranking initiative aims to streamline and catalyse climate action at the subnational level through a systematic, rigorous and robust ranking and rating process.

The second edition will build on this momentum to achieve its goal of empowering subnational governments and improving climate change governance across Nigeria.

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a Nigerian registered environmental NGO, has set a new benchmark for corporate climate accountability with the publication of its 2024 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report.

Under Sections 19 and 24 of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act (2021), organisations with 50 or more employees, as well as all public entities, are legally required to implement measures that reduce carbon emissions annually and to report on their progress, which implies the need for emissions reduction assessment.

Although these provisions of the Act are yet to be widely enforced, SPP’s proactive assessment and disclosure set an important precedent for compliance and accountability across private and public sectors. By voluntarily disclosing its own footprint, the organisation has demonstrated not only compliance but true leadership.

In a statement to the press, the President of SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, stressed the importance of these sections of the Climate Change Act, which seek to hold organisations to account and enforce environmental responsibility.

“Policy without enforcement is a promise unkept. By publishing our own emissions report and laying out clear time-bound reduction targets, we are proving that environmental responsibility begins with accountability. I am proud that SPP is leading this vital transformation,” he said.

According to SPP’s audit, the organisation emitted 2.011 tonnes CO₂ equivalent from February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025.

The report details SPP’s emission profile, identifying four high emission hotspots: diesel generator use, petrol‐fuelled vehicles as staff travel between field sites and policy forums, single-use bottles purchased to guarantee safe drinking water, and the large energy draw of video-conferencing infrastructure, accounting for 86.1 % of the total emission.

The report goes further to outline next steps to be taken in order to achieve the organisation’s commitment to attain 30% emissions reduction by 2030. To achieve this, the organisation aims to instal solar equipment to reduce diesel reliance, eliminate bottled-water purchases by installing on-site water purification systems and halving webinar-related emissions by optimizing meeting relevance.

SPP’s Executive Director, Mr. Edwin Orugbo, emphasised the report’s broader significance and expressed hope that it will inspire other organisations to follow suit.

“We are under no illusion that change is easy. However, we hope that this report will inspire a nationwide shift toward real sustainability as organisations across sectors prioritise emissions tracking and sustainability reporting,” he said.

As part of its commitment to climate action, Nigeria aspires to attain net zero by 2060. The country’s NDCs 2.0 target also aimed at 20% unconditional GHG reduction, and 47% conditional reduction. These targets which may change in its NDCs 3.0 can only be attained through whole-of-society actions.

“SPP’s exemplary action is therefore expected to motivate Nigeria’s public and private sectors to engage in audits of their emissions and subsequently take action to reduce their carbon footprints in line with the country’s targets, and in compliance with Mission 1.5 degrees of the Paris Agreement,” disclosed the group.

This report can be downloaded via the SPP website: https://sppnigeria.org

By Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Communication Specialist, Society for Planet and Prosperity

This World Environment Day 2025, themed “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” let us re-imagine living in harmony with nature and take concrete actions (both big and small) to eliminate plastic waste and preserve our ecosystems.

Together, we can #EndPlasticPollution and build a cleaner and greener future.

Happy World Environment Day!

The only way to a climate consensus is to ensure we are building bridges and promoting solidarity by fostering equity and justice across the divide. Without this sort of solidarity collaboration, climate consensus would be difficult as climate change is not something that any one country or individual or city can tackle.

Professor Chukwumerije Okeke of the School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol, made this submission in an interactive session with Educational Consultant and Author, Steven Roy Goodman, of Higher Education Today TV on the topic “Is Climate Consensus possible?” He noted that, without education and awareness, achieving the desired result in this regard might be a herculean task.

Prof. Okereke, while highlighting the importance of international conferences in the past years and its impact in addressing climate related issues around the globe noted that “If you imagine where we would have been without these international conferences, maybe things would have been much, much worse.”

In his words: “I am a believer in multilateralism. I think there are things that they could do differently, but I’d like to think that, without all of these COPs and conferences, things would have been worse. Just a few years ago in one of the conferences, the world agreed to triple the amount of renewable energy installations globally by 2030. And sometimes we tell a lot of bad news about climate change, but it’s also a lot of good news that can be told. Just this year, or last year, we now have installed nearly 510 gigawatts of renewable energy. And this is an open increase of 50 percent compared to 2022.

“And it is demanded that have been achieved from this conference that we want to triple the amount of energy installations by 2030. The thing is that that number has now been attained, reached that number. And I can tell you stories of how international solidarity and cooperation has really enabled the world to come together. But let’s not be mistaken. The average emissions rose by 1.9 percent in 2023 compared to the 2022 level.

“And so now we have surpassed the 50 billion metric ton mark. We now have a global total emission of about 53 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. So there is still much more to be done. The curve needs to be bent faster. We need to be going to net zero by 2050. And there is still so much gap in this area,” he stressed.

On the role played by Bristol University in educating people about climate change, Prof. Okereke said: “Many of my colleagues here in Bristol and other higher institutions around the world have played a major role in increasing the awareness of climate change. Many of us, including myself, participate in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, which comprises global intergovernmental scientists that are really generating knowledge that is powering policy and practices on climate change. So, there is also growing awareness of the need for interdisciplinarity to educate more people, but to educate them in a more qualitative way.

“We also need to carry out more research to understand how not just the science of climate change can be improved, but also the public policies that are required to drive the climate action and build a consensus, as we’ve talked about. Because, again, we need to emphasize that the problem here is not just about technical numbers and technologies. It’s about culture, it’s about economy, it’s about politics, it’s about policy. And research can add a lot in understanding how we can build consensus, overcome the political and economic barriers that can increase action. But there’s also a third area, which is about service delivery.

“Research has recently shown that there are so many people in the private sector, in the secondary schools, in primary schools, who feel inner whipped to be able to teach climate change at a primary and secondary level practices at the sectoral level in organizations. So here again, universities can play a vital role in educating, equipping and providing service delivery to these kinds of people. And then the next area is actually what we do on campus.

“So the University of Bristol is the number one university in the UK to declare climate emergency in 2019, and one of the first to set a carbon neutral goal by 2030. And there are a range of other initiatives that the University of Bristol has set forth to increase our desire and our pace in reaching that zero. Thus, this year, February, there was an overwhelming vote.

“I asked students to go 100 percent plant-based food on campus. And so at the realm of what we do on campus, service delivery, research, education, but also community engagement, which is the fifth leg, communicating. That’s why the beauty of what we’re doing here, working with grassroots organisations, NGOs, transnational organisations, advocacy groups to promote awareness on what can be done.

“The university can play a major role and I’m glad to say that Bristol University is taking the lead in many of those areas. And what about in terms of advising other universities that perhaps may not be as far along the road as Bristol, whether they’re in the US, the UK or anywhere else in the world? You must find other universities that are doing some things but not as many as any of those universities,” he stressed.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Globally, subnational governments are emerging as powerful agents of climate action. When national leadership falters or political shifts threaten climate policy continuity, state and local governments often step in to fill the void. As global climate governance evolves, the importance of subnational commitments is becoming increasingly evident. From integrating climate finance at the state level to fostering grassroots participation in international agreements, subnational entities play a crucial role in addressing climate challenges.

While Nigeria has made significant strides in developing national climate policies and aligning with international climate frameworks, the success of these efforts hinges on subnational engagement. Translating national policies into tangible results requires integrating climate considerations into state-level governance structures.

Subnational governments, particularly state administrations, are pivotal in implementing climate strategies, given their proximity to communities and unique understanding of regional challenges. This underscores the urgent need to mainstream subnational climate governance as a core component of Nigeria’s climate action roadmap.

State governments, with their deep understanding of regional geography, economies, and social landscapes, are uniquely positioned to design and implement policies tailored to local environmental challenges. Their proximity to communities allows for targeted solutions, rapid policy execution, and meaningful grassroots engagement – essential components for effective climate governance.

The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku reinforced this notion, highlighting the need for climate action beyond the national stage. As climate challenges intensify, the ability to drive impactful solutions increasingly rests in the hands of subnational governments. States and regions are better placed to implement policies that reflect local realities while aligning with national and global climate goals.

One of COP29’s pivotal outcomes was the introduction of the New Quantified Climate Finance Goal (NCQG), which seeks to increase access to climate finance for subnational entities. This presents Nigerian states with an opportunity to engage directly with international funding mechanisms, circumventing traditional federal bottlenecks.

Additionally, the strengthening of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – focused on carbon markets – ensures the protection of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This development creates new pathways for subnational governments to participate in carbon trading, further supporting climate initiatives at the local level.

These mechanisms offer Nigerian states critical opportunities to secure funding, foster inclusive projects, and leverage indigenous knowledge and local innovation to build climate resilience. To capitalise on this momentum, states must develop robust frameworks for accessing and managing climate finance.

For Nigeria to meet its climate goals, state governments must not only align with national policies but also address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of their local populations. The success of national climate strategies depends on effective implementation at the subnational level. Strengthening subnational climate governance requires several key actions:

1. Integrating Climate Education into School Curricula

Building awareness and capacity from an early age is vital. Climate education can equip future generations with the knowledge and skills to engage in sustainable practices, fostering a long-term commitment to climate action.

2. Coordinating State Climate Action Plans with National Policies

Aligning state-level initiatives with federal frameworks ensures coherence, prevents duplication, and maximises the impact of climate efforts. A well-coordinated approach will bridge the gap between national ambitions and local realities.

3. Enhancing Climate Finance and Budgeting

Transparent budgeting and resource allocation at the state level are critical to advancing climate initiatives. Clearly defined climate budgets ensure that funds are directed to the most vulnerable sectors and communities, improving efficiency and accountability.

4. Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Partnerships among governments, communities, NGOs, and businesses enhance innovation, resource-sharing, and the effective implementation of climate projects. Facilitating knowledge exchange between states can also accelerate progress by scaling successful initiatives nationwide.

5. Engaging Local Communities in Climate Resilience Approaches

Involving communities in climate planning and implementation fosters ownership, ensuring that climate actions reflect local priorities and drive meaningful, lasting change.

Nigeria’s climate governance structure requires subnational participation to complement federal efforts. While federal policies such as the Climate Change Act, the NDC and the Energy Transition Plan outline ambitious goals, the absence of complementary subnational frameworks weakens their implementation.

This misalignment hinders Nigeria’s capacity to meet its climate targets and underscores the need for coordinated action between federal and state governments. In essence, the absence of subnational strategies reflects broader systemic issues. National climate action plans cannot succeed in isolation. A bottom-up approach, where local and state-level actors contribute to shaping national policies, is essential for comprehensive and sustainable progress.

A major challenge facing subnational climate governance is the lack of political will, awareness, and funding. Addressing these gaps requires proactive investment in state-level governance structures and policies. Nigeria must recognise that its climate future starts at the state level. By developing and implementing region-specific climate action plans aligned with national objectives, subnational governments can serve as catalysts for meaningful progress.

Without structured subnational frameworks, Nigeria risks falling behind in meeting its climate targets. Effective climate governance at the national level relies heavily on integrating subnational perspectives into policy-making and development planning. However, the limited presence of administrative structures and dedicated climate institutions at the state level remains a significant barrier. Without subnational frameworks, national climate strategies risk becoming abstract concepts with minimal real-world impact.

Nigeria’s federated governance system demands that subnational initiatives complement and reinforce federal efforts. Climate change is primarily felt at the grassroots level, making subnational action a necessity for meaningful progress. By bridging the disconnect between national and state-level policies, fostering local innovation, and ensuring access to climate finance, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its states to drive impactful climate action.

Through a state-driven process, we can begin to strengthen state governments’ commitments and effectiveness to align with national and international climate goals. Rarely is there a successful national climate action without a subnational clear vision statement reflecting the commitment to climate action, green growth and sustainable development through a bottom-up approach from the local and state-level collaboration.

Nigeria can build a resilient climate governance ecosystem that aligns with federal and international objectives by empowering state governments to craft climate policies and develop green growth subnational strategies.

By Timothy Ogenyi, a climate governance expert and senior policy analyst at the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP)