Experts canvass increased budgetary allocation for climate adaptation

Following poor budgetary allocation by the federal and state governments on climate change over the years, experts have called for increased national appropriation for adaptation and mitigation in the country.

Speaking at a Climate Budget Review 2024 Workshop in Abuja, they lamented that fund allocation to food security, renewable energy, erosion control; waste management and climate-related research are low and not evenly distributed.

Michael David of Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation said this year’s climate budget represents only about 5.02 per cent, adding that this cannot address climate change issues in the country.

According to David, the Federal Government has allocated N381 billion and N218 billion to climate adaptation and mitigation, respectively, to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability in communities, ecosystems, and water resources.

He, therefore, lamented that the Federal Ministry of Environment budget of N47 billion was grossly inadequate, saying, there were 4.89 per cent projects such as erosion and flood control to address the menace of climate change.

In a presentation, Prof Shuaib Hassan of Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Abuja, said Nigeria is advocating improved climate and energy finance to reduce emissions through decarbonisation pathways.

Hassan declared: “The plan is expected to create significant economic opportunities and create jobs across various sectors of the economy, including renewable energy, and electric vehicles. It is possible that five million jobs could be created by 2030.”

The university teacher called for research and development efforts focused on advancing energy technologies, improving energy storage solutions, and enhancing grid integration capabilities, adding that clean energy sources can mitigate air pollution and others.

Adesola Effiwatt of National Council on Climate Change, said issues relating to adaptation and mitigation have been played down, and these will require strong political will, and adequate funding to achieve sustainable reliable power access to communities.

“Nigeria Energy Transition Plan can play a crucial role in addressing the country’s electricity challenges, a comprehensive approach that combines renewable energy development with other complementary measures will likely be necessary to achieve more in the sector.

Dr Sanjo Faniran of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, called for a new green economy drive, robust institutional capability and active participation from critical stakeholders, including government, and the private sector.

Similarly, Mr Patrick Odey of the Federal Ministry of Agric and Food Security, commended the government for declaring a state of emergency on food security, regretting that food is not available and affordable at the moment in the country.

Contributing, Mr Lucky Abeng of Ecosteward Humanitarian Foundation, expressed dismay that after the Paris Agreement, the Federal Government did not handle the climate change issues with seriousness, which led to consultancy from foreign partners.

Abeng believed that if the National Assembly carries out climate budget harmonization, it will go a long way to boost both adaptation and mitigation as these are critical to realising its objectives and achieving Nigeria’s net-zero target by 2060.