Climate summit participants recommend establishment of foundation, finance scheme

By Dada Jackson

Participants at the just concluded Lagos 8th International Climate Change summit have recommended the establishment of a Climate Change Foundation that will include public and private sector stakeholders to address climate change issues in the state.
In a communique released at the weekend, the participants also urged the Lagos State Government to put in place appropriate framework for accessing climate finance utilizing the direct and indirect strategies for raising climate capital.
It was also suggested that the state should establish a standing inter-ministerial technical committee on climate change with relevant NGOs and private sector to develop strategies for implementing the Climate Action Plan (CAP) of the state, sector by sector and give regular advice to the government on it.
The communique also stated that Lagos State should incorporate resilience to long-term impact of climate change in the design and construction of buildings and critical public infrastructure with an addition that the state should make infrastructure more climate-resilient through retrofitting and implementation of regular maintenance regimes.
It suggested the development of a framework for the introduction of green sources of energy into its infrastructure development as well as a pursuit of an aggressive implementation of a climate-resilient Smart City initiative.
They also urged the state to vigorously pursue the implementation of the State’s Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) to address transportation challenges and reduce green house gas emissions emanating from the sector.
It stated, “The Lagos State Government should put in place plans of action to support farmers in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices and also put in place mechanisms for improved collaboration with other states to attain and sustain food security for the citizens of the State.”
It emphasised that the government should promote climate smart and eco-friendly agricultural practice and promote zero waste as well as explore the potential for bioenergy generation.
It advised that Lagos State Government should as part of its affirmative action implement gender-based initiatives targeted at empowering women to adapt to the impact of climate change.
It noted that the government through the Ministry of Information and Strategy and its agencies should commence advocacy on safety issues around the LPG across its value chain.
The participants urged the Lags State Government to improve surveillance through human, animal and environmental monitoring with a view to promoting good health and preventing disease.
“Lagos State Government should take advantage of the human capacity available within the tertiary institutions in the state to support research and innovation to generate new evidence and/or tools for health and to validate existing knowledge,” it also stated.
It also formed part of the resolutions that the state’s investment in continuous strengthening of human infrastructure and organisational capacity to address the challenges of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) should be increased and sustained.
It added that the Lagos State Government should raise a forum to discuss the effects of rural-urban drift on the state environment and infrastructure.
The communique also urged the Lagos State Government to review and expand the scope of her Women Empowerment Initiatives to reach more women particularly those in rural communities.
The international climate change summit is an annual event by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to address climate change issues that had just been resuscitated after a five-year lull.