Sanwo-Olu to unveil Lagos climate action plan Tueesday

By Dada Jackson

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is expected to launch the Climate Action Plan (CAP) on Tuesday as he flags off the 8th International Climate Change Summit in Lagos.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, said this at a press briefing on Sunday, adding that the summit was being resuscitated by the governor after a five-year lull.

Bello gave the theme of the 2021 conference as ‘Adapting Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transport and Waste Infrastructure to Long-term Impact of Climate Change in Lagos State’.

He said the Climate Action Plan was developed to guide the State and stakeholders on the implementation of collective measures to address climate change impact and causes through adaptation, mitigation and other measures.

According to the commissioner, the summit is a melting pot for researchers, investors, academicians and stakeholders in the environment  and economic sector where notable actions for future economic and sustainable development of the state are taken.

He said the summit, which would be hybrid because of COVID-19 safety precaution, would take place at the Continental Hotel Lagos, featuring experts in various fields both at home and abroad.

He said that the summit would consist of plenary and parallel breakout sessions focusing on developing road maps for implementing action in agriculture, energy, transport, health adaptation and water, access to finance, urban planning, waste management and circular economy.

Some of the topics expected to be covered include the imperative of action to protect human health from climate change threats and risks as well as delivery of clean and safe energy for domestic cooking as adaptation strategy for Lagos.

Others are understanding the links between Pillar 2 of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda and Lagos biosecurity strategy for a climate friendly post COVID-19 Lagos and building a 21st Century green sustainable ecosystem through scientific, technology and innovative approach.

The summit will also examine Infrastructure and Climate Change: A global perspective and a Sustainable and Resilient Transportation for adaptation to Climate Change in Lagos State.

Also to be touched, according to  Bello, is Climate Change and Municipal Solid Waste Management: Perspective of Solid Waste handling in Coastal Communities/Slums as well as Sustainable Financing for Climate Change Action and Adaptation: Lagos State in Focus.

He said some of the expected outcomes would include creating a road map for implementing the Lagos State Climate Action Plan.