Lagos policy framework to curb a changing climate

Femi Amele in Next (Nigeria): As Lagos State continues to be on the receiving end of adverse climate change effects through heavy downpours and an often unpredictable weather, experts on climate change met on Thursday, to review a policy draft that would address climate change issues. The 75-page document would, hopefully, address concerns ranging from mitigation, adaptation, and environmental issues in the state.

The discussion which was organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment; Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA); and Policy Advocacy Project Partnership on Climate Change in Lagos State focused on exploring adaptation and disaster risk management, climate change mitigation and low carbon economy, and climate change governance. The policy framework extended into agriculture and food security; human settlement, security and health; and coastal and natural resources management.

…Sulaiman Arigbabu, head, Environment and Sustainable Development at HEDA, described the exercise as one in which stakeholders are attempting to demystify climate change to the populace and propose the avenues to engage the issues developing with an efficient framework. Mr Arigbabu stated that there is a need to develop proper policy documents and subject it to a validation exercise whereby Lagos State and relevant ministries, departments and agencies within the state can make proper input, so that it can be properly enriched.

….Among the issues highlighted in the document include: Adaptation and disaster risk management: That Lagos State could, by the year 2100, have experienced a ocean surge level rise of 2 metres, lost part of its inlands and incurred a financial loss estimated at about $500 billion according to details that emerged from its 2nd annual climate change summit. A condition that can be averted if, according to the policy draft, challenges such as lack of resources to improve climate and weather observations, data collection, vulnerability and adaption assessments; analysis of potential climate change impacts; and gaps in awareness and understanding of risks are effectively curbed….

The Atlantic coastline of Lagos, by Contimm