Sub-National Climate Governance Performance Ranking, very important- Balarabe

By Kunle Sanni

Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal has highlighted the Sub-National Climate Governance Performance Ranking as a crucial tool for motivation, collaboration, and accountability in driving climate action across all levels of government.

Speaking at an event organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), Lawal emphasized the ranking’s role in encouraging regions to enhance their environmental policies and practices.

In a statement released by Ibrahim Haruna, Head of the Press and Public Relations Unit, Lawal elaborated on the initiative’s potential to inspire transparency and foster a competitive spirit among sub-national entities, leading to improved climate governance nationwide.

“Climate governance at the sub-national level is essential for several reasons. It is at this level that the impacts of climate change are acutely felt. Coastal communities are devastated by erosion, while desertification is rampant in the northern region of the country. Sub-national governments are often at the forefront of implementing policies and actions that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of people at the grassroots level. Therefore, their role in driving climate action is indispensable,” Lawal stated.

He emphasized that the program highlights best practices, identifies areas for improvement, and fosters a spirit of healthy competition among states and local governments. By celebrating the achievements of top performers and supporting those lagging behind, the initiative aims to collectively elevate the national climate response.

“The criteria for the ranking are rigorous and comprehensive, reflecting the multifaceted nature of climate governance. The process encompasses policy formulation, implementation effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, resource allocation, and measurable outcomes. This holistic approach ensures that our assessment is both quantitative and qualitative, capturing the essence of effective climate governance,” Lawal added.

Lagos State emerged first among the 36 states of the federation in the 2024 Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking. Gombe State clinched the second position, with Ebonyi State taking third. Both Borno and Ekiti States jointly ranked fourth.

In his opening remarks, Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, acknowledged the significant impact of climate change on Nigeria, citing intensified droughts and severe flooding affecting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems across the states.

“Today’s event highlights the commitment of our 36 states and the FCT to climate governance and their strides in implementing policies, strategies, and actions to combat climate change. The Sub-National Climate Governance Performance Ranking celebrates these successes, identifies areas for improvement, and fosters healthy competition that drives progress,” Salako said.

He emphasized that the ranking is not merely an evaluation exercise but a call to action, urging collaboration and inclusivity in addressing climate change challenges unique to each state.

Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), lamented that Nigeria is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries globally despite its minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. He attributed this vulnerability to complex agroecological zones, burgeoning urban and rural populations, extensive coastlines susceptible to sea level rise, and weak climate governance systems.

“Effective climate change governance at the sub-national level demands the mainstreaming of climate action into all aspects of government policy-making and development planning. This must be strategically done with clearly set goals and methods to achieve these goals,” Okereke stated.

He outlined the template for effective climate governance at the sub-national level, including vision and objectives, political will, institutional arrangements, policy framework, legal and regulatory framework, climate action plan and policy implementation, financial mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, training and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, communication and awareness, and integration with national and global efforts.