UN Advocates Environmental Sustainability Legislation In Lagos

According to a Co-ordinating Lead Author, United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, Professor Alex Ekwueme, Lagos needs to integrate comprehensive policy plan to drive the environmental sustainability in the state.
The Don described the current efforts of the government in achieving a lower-carbon environment as “too little”, urging the government intensify efforts.
“I am afraid to say that the actual efforts on ground to drive green, climate-resilient sustainable growth in Nigeria are still too little. We are not on track to end glass flaring, which contributes over 58 million tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and a significant proportion of Nigeria’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“Some households still use dirty traditional biomass for cooking. The government urgently needs big bold steps to signal a determination to drive a green economy transition in the country.
“The three most important steps the government should take towards fostering a low-carbon economy are to urgently draft a green growth plan, establish an inter-ministerial institution to drive the green growth agenda, and sign a climate change bill into law.”
He opined that the current national climate adaptation plan is too outdated to make any positive impact.
He further explained that the new policy document must contain “a robust Geographic Information System (GIS)-based vulnerability mapping to identify communities most at risk of climate related impacts, as well as the identification of appropriate measures to enhance adaptation and resilience at local community levels.”
He averred that he is confident in the city’s ability to achieve a low-carbon environment, in the nearest future.
“I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the uptake of modern renewable energy can be boosted in this city and in Nigeria. However, we need a smart, ambitious and well-coordinated plan. We need the right mix of policy signal and incentives coupled with investment in technologies, innovation and the human resource development,” he said.