Nnaemeka Oruh, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), has stated that Nigeria has the opportunity to promote Sustainable Development by implementing coordinated Climate Action at the subnational level. Speaking during an interview at Democracy Radio in Abuja, Oruh highlighted that the effects of Climate Change are predominantly experienced at the State and Local Government levels. SPP, under the leadership of Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, is committed to conducting unbiased research on sustainable policies and promoting advocacy for climate change.
Oruh lamented the lack of decisive action at the local level to combat the lingering climate change challenges. Issues such as desertification, land degradation, flooding, and Erosion plague both the northern and southern regions, yet little progress is being made to address these challenges on a local scale. He said the Society for Planet and Prosperity initiated a research project in 2023 to understand the full scope of climate change effects and the corresponding efforts being made at the subnational level to combat them.
SPP has conducted a new comprehensive ranking survey.
He stated that the research titled “Mapping Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria”, was conducted in partnership with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) under the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and resulted in a unique survey on climate effects at the local level in Nigeria. It was implemented with the goal of raising awareness for climate action within Nigeria’s sub-national regions, aiming to enhance Climate Resilience and actions among state actors.
The timing of the report was perfect, as it highlighted the unique requirements of various regions within the country. This insight could prompt better collaboration and initiatives from the government, civil society, private sector, and international donors. In partnership with DCC, SPP has recently conducted a new comprehensive ranking survey assessing climate action and governance at the subnational level. The survey, which is set to be unveiled in Abuja on the 25th of July, 2024, evaluated the performance of all 36 States based on criteria such as budget and finance, administrative institutions, online presence, policy and action plan, implementation and monitoring, and evaluation.
Suggestions were made to alleviate socio economic struggles.
At the same time, the new survey evaluates the performance of different States and pinpoints areas that need improvement. By analyzing the results, stakeholders can address these gaps effectively. Oruh said the positive outcomes of last year’s mapping exercise were crucial in guiding the development of climate change action plans for Enugu and Taraba States. He noted that there is a lack of priority and sense of urgency towards climate action from the government and citizens of Nigeria. However, prioritizing climate action has the potential to effectively address a wide range of developmental and basic challenges bedeviling the country.
To address the challenges, the Senior Policy Analyst highlighted a number of suggestions for Nigeria, which could in turn help alleviate some of its societal and economic struggles. It was suggested that Nigeria should boost its current investments in Renewable Energy to combat the ongoing energy crisis. Additionally, offering clean cooking alternatives for rural women can help prevent health issues caused by traditional cooking methods. By implementing climate-smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, Nigeria can tackle food insecurity, create employment opportunities, and reduce conflicts over limited agricultural land.
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Currently, Nigeria’s 36 States, Federal Capital Territory, and 774 Local Government Areas are facing challenges due to the lack of alignment between federal policies and subnational execution, he said. SPP advocates for improved coordination between the federal government and subnational entities to ensure that climate initiatives at the subnational level are in sync with global and national efforts while also addressing the specific needs of each region. Such a unified effort would help the country achieve its climate change objectives and use the opportunity to promote sustainable development.