By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Climate justice campaigners under the aegis of the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNET) have called on President Bola Tinubu’s government to harmonize Nigeria’s climate plans, actions and programmes in sync with reality at the grassroots level ahead of the forthcoming COP28 Climate Change Conference holding in the United Arab Emirates.
The agenda setting, according to National Network Coordinator, CSDevNET, Mr Stephen Abu, would enable the country to present a strong position that will benefit Nigeria and its citizens at this year’s COP which starts in about two weeks.
Speaking at a recent workshop in Lagos, Abu said following the adverse weather events Africa is currently witnessing, addressing the concerns of loss and damage due to climate crisis, as well as adaptation plans should be of primary interest to Nigeria and other governments on the continent, pointing to the devastating flooding and other climate perils affecting different parts of the country.
Media Thematic Lead, CSDevNET and the Editor-in-Chief of EnviroNews, Mr. Michael Simire stated that effective collaboration by government, the media, CSOs and critical stakeholders in the private sectors is key towards the adequate mobilisation of climate finance in Africa’s largest economy.
Simire hinted that “Agriculture and Food Systems is one of the major negotiation streams at COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, that commences in Dubai, the UAE, in a few weeks. Some other streams include the Loss and Damage Fund, Global Stocktake, Global goal on Adaptation and Finance, Energy Transition and Renewables, and Phase Out or Phase Down of Fossil Fuel.”
The Executive Director, Redevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Comrade Philip Jakpor opined that beyond climate mitigation efforts, more attention should be focused on climate adaptation techniques, especially in the area of sustainable agriculture. He listed the impacts of climate change in the agricultural sector to include water scarcity, increase in demand for food and forceful migration, among others.
According to a communique adopted by participants at the interactive session and read by Jakpor, “there is a huge disconnect between climate policies and initiatives at the federal level in Nigeria and what is obtained in local communities where the impacts of climate change are felt the most.
“Despite the availability of huge financial resources for climate adaptation, these resources are not channeled to agricultural adaptation in Nigeria and Africa.
“Climate Change is happening faster than previously anticipated and agriculture is vulnerable on a global scale but most especially in Nigeria and across Africa
Climate risk reduction strategies and early warning systems at the national level have improved significantly but do not have a trickle-down effect to the farmers and vulnerable communities that need such information to determine their actions. There is divergence of views on climate change adaptation among civil society and the journalists who report the situation on ground. These impact the quality of stories published on the subject matter.
“The mammoth investment opportunities needed to make Nigeria’s agricultural sector resilient are largely untapped because of lacking synergy and financial support across sectors.”
While making suggestions to the Nigerian government, participants recommended “the need for government agencies and ministries involved in climate change policies to synergize efforts with states and local governments. Autonomy of local governments is key to ensuring trickle down effect at the grassroots.
“Removal of impediments that local farmers face in their quest to access investment opportunities needed to make Nigeria’s agricultural sector resilient. Need for prioritization of agriculture and the role of farmers in climate adaptation plans and policies of the government.
“Need for sustained engagement between civil society and the media through workshops and training for harmony of views on climate change adaptation which will impact the quality of stories published on the subject matter.
“Need for amplification of climate change impacts in a balanced manner that addresses and gives prominence to the varying impacts of climate change on both men and women.
“Women must also be part of decision-making processes and impediments to their inclusion removed. Need for recognition and amplification of success stories of climate change adaptation initiatives at the grassroots levels and training of journalists on climate change reporting.”
