Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has launched the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP) and Lagos Climate Change mainstreaming Strategy as part of strategies to reduce emissions and mitigate to Climate Change challenges.
The Governor who spoke at the flag off of the 3-Day 10th Lagos International Climate Change Summit stated that the government understands that the issue of climate change is not a distant threat but present reality that requires immediate solutions.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said the state government aligns with the urgency for actions in mitigating the effects of climate change and championing adaptation initiatives at the local and international levels.
He said Lagos currently stands on the threshold of history as a state driven not by what some people see as challenges but by what it considers its greatest prospects and attributes.
According to him; as a city of aquatic splendor, Lagos is vulnerable to climate vagaries and stands tall among the committee of nations defying the odds to make appreciable gains.
He recalled that several years ago, the atmospheric elements threatened to take over the Victoria Island part of the state, saying the State tamed the raging Sea by constructing the great Walls of Lagos out of which came the Lagos Atlantic City thereby restoring and revitalizing surrounding businesses.
According to him, Lagos has gone through implementation of a multi-modal Transit BRT System, adding that these initiatives and more have improved the health and safety of Lagosians and have reduced carbon emission from transportation by about 15%.
He stressed that in 2015, the comity of Nations reached a landmark agreement to keep global temperature below 1.5 degrees centigrade adding that Lagos responded by developing a second 5year Climatic Action Plan outlining goals and strategies for emission reduction.
The Governor said with the unveiling of the first Nigerian electric Car in Lagos in November 2020, the state intends to replace 50% of the public transportation fleet with electric Vehicles by 2030.
“The red and blue line projects recently launched are crucial for reducing the carbon footprint, decreasing vehicular emission, cutting down travel times and promoting a sustainable low carbon future for Lagos” he said.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the state has successfully signed partnership deals with a private Waste Consortium to build a waste to energy Plant that will provide electricity for about 40,000 homes and convert 2,250 tonnes of waste daily.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab noted that the solution to climate change lies in climate resilient development which involves integrating adaptive measures with actions to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions in ways that provide wider benefits.
He highlighted that the summit theme “Accelerating Climate Finance and Championing Local Adaptation Initiatives” aims to explore ways of attracting climate finance into the adaptation space as well as to create livable and resilient infrastructure.
He said from the inaugural summit to the tenth edition, the state had witnessed a transformative shift in global consciousness towards climate action, adding that each summit had been a stepping stone, building upon the achievements of the last, propelled forward by the tireless efforts of countless climate heroes.
He stated that over the past decade, the Lagos International Climate Change Summit has served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in addressing climate related issues in the state.
“From promoting renewable energy to implementing sustainable waste management practices, we have made significant strides in integrating Climate Actions in Lagos State Development Investment Opportunities and building resilience in the face of climate variability” he added
He said amidst the celebration of past achievements, the state is also confronted with the stark realities of the present situation saying the global 6th Assessment Report (AR6) of the IPCC serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.