Governors consider roadmap for implementing climate finance
The acting director-general of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdullateef Shittu, stated that the governors of the 36 states are considering a roadmap for the successful implementation of climate finance.
Shittu said this at the two day ongoing event tagged ‘State Access to Climate Finance,’ organised by UKNiAF in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in Abuja on Thursday.
He stated that the governors are committed to supporting efforts to access climate finance to implement impactful projects.
The impact of climate change in Nigeria is multifaceted, presenting a range of challenges that the nation must address urgently. From severe flooding and coastal erosion to prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the country.
As Nigeria continues to face the adverse effects of climate change, from severe flooding to droughts, there is a need for robust climate finance mechanisms.
“This roundtable is not just a forum for discussion but a platform for actionable strategies and partnerships that can propel our states towards sustainable and resilient futures,” Shittu said.
Shittu also stated that in collaboration with other partners, the NGF will continue to advocate for the resources and policies needed to address climate change and achieve sustainable development.
“Our partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the facilitation by the UKNIAF underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges.
“This is a unique opportunity for state-level governments to come together. The aim of the roundtable is to enable states to share their experience and explore the utilisation of climate change finance to achieve development goals.
“By pinpointing and highlighting development projects and investments that are politically viable and financially feasible, we aim to create a roadmap for successful climate finance implementation.”
“The NGF is committed to supporting our states in accessing climate finance to implement impactful projects.
Also, the Climate Change and Nature Team Lead of the FCDO, Martine Sobey, said the organisation has put some projects in place to address the issue of climate change in some states in Nigeria.
“We are also committed to helping Nigeria better access and utilise public and private climate finance to help achieve Nigeria’s ambitious Net-Zero targets. We are supporting the National Council on Climate Change, for example, to establish a National Climate Change Fund through UKNIAF.
“We are excited to be launching our new Nigeria Governance & Climate Change Programme, which seeks to address Nigeria’s interrelated governance and climate change challenges.
“Multiple actors across Nigeria are now investing in an array of green solutions to the current energy challenge, from off-grid solar infrastructure to ‘green’ buses and electric cars to opening up the market and reach of electricity supply. Urgent action is needed to intensify and scale up efforts nationwide.
The Senior Climate Advisor, UKNiAF, Daniel Kim Chai Yeo, said states are on the front line of responding to climate change so the intent of this roundtable is to help States explore how climate finance can be a tool to accomplish their development goals.
