Enugu joins global coalition on methane reduction, climate action
The Enugu State Government has joined the Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC), a global network of more than 180 states, provinces and regions committed to reducing methane emissions and advancing net-zero climate goals.
The partnership agreement was signed during the ongoing London Climate Action Week in the United Kingdom, with the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, signing on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah.
Speaking at the event, Onyia said Enugu’s decision to join the coalition was driven by the need to address growing environmental and waste management challenges, noting that unmanaged municipal waste remains a significant source of methane emissions.
He explained that reducing methane emissions goes beyond climate concerns, describing it as a critical issue affecting public health, environmental protection, waste management and urban development, while also creating opportunities for innovation, job creation and improved quality of life.
According to him, the Mbah administration has prioritised climate action and sustainable development through initiatives such as the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the development of climate-related policies and legal frameworks, urban greening programmes, investments in compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation and the construction of solar-powered Smart Green Schools across the state.
“Today, we are committed to writing a new chapter — a chapter in which environmental stewardship, economic development, public health and climate action advance together. Enugu joins SMAC not merely as a new member, but as a committed partner. We come ready to learn, collaborate and act,” Onyia said.
He noted that the state’s membership of the coalition had already attracted technical assistance through a project titled From Framework to Action: Piloting Subnational Methane Mitigation in Enugu State’s Waste Sector, which is expected to help establish methane emission baselines, improve monitoring systems and develop investment-ready climate projects.
Onyia added that the initiative would strengthen institutional coordination, support methane reduction efforts at waste disposal sites and position Enugu as a leading subnational government in climate action and sustainable development.
