Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, launched the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan and the Lagos Climate Change Mainstreaming Strategy as part of efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change challenges.
The governor launched the documents at the opening of the Lagos International Climate Change Summit in Victoria Island.
The theme of the three-day summit is “Accelerating Climate Finance and Championing Local Adaptation Initiatives.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat said the government recognised the challenge the state faced from climate change and had taken measures to make it resilient and sustainable.
Dr Hamzat said efforts to enforce physical planning laws should not be seen as religious or tribal issues, but actions by the government for the general good of the people and the environment.
Speaking on Climate Change Initiative: the journey so far, the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said climate change was threatening homes in coastal communities, and that the introduction of mass transportation in the state had reduced emission and carbon footprints.
Mr Fashola, who started the climate change summit in 2009, said water scarcity was a global reality and that in the case of Nigeria, it had caused conflicts such as herders and farmers clashes.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab said there was need to accelerate efforts to mobilize climate finance to create livable and resilient infrastructure.
Delivering the lead paper on Exploring Climate Adaptation Finance, the C40 Regional Director for Africa, Ms. Dorah Modise, said government needed to provide incentives for private organizations to invest in efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Local and international participants in the summit called for action by everyone to turn the tide against climate change and build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all.