Participants at the 8th Lagos International Climate Change summit have recommended the establishment of a multi-sector driven foundation to address climate change issues in the state.
In a communique released over the weekend, the participants also urged the state government to put in place appropriate framework for accessing climate finance, utilising the direct and indirect strategies for raising climate capital.
The state was also urged to form a standing inter-ministerial technical committee on climate change with relevant Non- Governmental Organisations (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 participants stated that Lagos government should incorporate resilience to long-term impacts of climate change in the design, construction of buildings and critical public infrastructure. In addition, 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.
The communique further urged the state to pursue implementation of the state’s Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) to address transportation challenges and reduce green house gas emissions emanating from the sector.
They resolved that the 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.
It emphasised that the government should promote climate smart and eco-friendly agricultural practice as well as promote zero waste and explore the potential for bioenergy generation.
The participants also noted that the government through its Ministry of Information and Strategy and agencies should commence advocacy on safety issues around LPG across its value chain.
The participants urged the state government to improve surveillance through human, animal and environmental monitoring with a view to promoting good health and preventing disease.
“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.
They also advised the government to discuss the effects of rural-urban drift on the State environment and infrastructure. The communique also urged the state authorities to review and expand the scope of its Women Empowerment Initiatives, to reach more women, particularly those in rural communities.
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