Key players in the Lagos State climate change and circular economy are considering innovative solutions, policies and frameworks that will enable the state to tackle threats and maximise opportunities for economic growth.
According to them, this has become necessary as the state pushes to achieve a zero-carbon emission city by 2050.
At its inaugural stakeholders’ forum on Tuesday, Titilayo Oshodi, special adviser on climate change and circular economy to the governor of Lagos State, said the climate action plan 2020-2025 shows that more than half of Lagos’s 21 million residents live in informal settlements, which renders them highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
She said Lagos State Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP) estimates the effects of climate inaction at $22-29 billion, hence the need to proactively take actions to mitigate the threats.
Oshodi who charged stakeholders on collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibilities, affirmed that it was the vision of the governor to make Lagos the most sustainable city on earth, while its mission is to solve climate change issues and create economic opportunities by harnessing deep relationships and data.
“More than 65 percent of Lagos residents are highly vulnerable to climate change, but it is our resolve to turn these threats to opportunities. Lagos faces the challenges of waste management and pollution. Embracing circular economy practices will not only alleviate these issues but also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
“We need to bridge the knowledge gap between the government and the people through education, campaigns and advocacy initiatives by fostering a deeper understanding of the link between climate change, circular economy practices, and the well-being of our urban and local communities,” she added.
According to Oshodi, Lagos would position itself as a leader in sustainability to inspire other urban centres to take similar actions, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for the planet.
“We will unearth innovative solutions that will unlock the full potential of circular economy opportunities for Lagos State. Through shared expertise, we can institute the right policies, develop market-friendly frameworks, and accelerate the sector’s growth, ensuring a harmonious co-existence of economic progress and environmental sustainability,” she said.
She added that her office would accelerate the connection between the people and government-driven climate actions by creating an enabling environment that will ease the implementation of climate action strategies for government agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the state governor, Mosopefolu George, the state’s commissioner for economic planning and budget, assured that his administration would not fail to design and implement policies, frameworks and programs to preserve the State against the impact of climate change.
Meanwhile, during a panel session, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, director general of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) who spoke on Policy Perspective of climate change, urged other State actors to implement existing laws on environmental sustainability and enforce zero tolerance to waste management.
Gbadegesin revealed that Lagos State Development Plan 2052 is available online, therefore, everyone should download it and get first-hand information for quality decisions. “We also have Lagos State climate action development plan 2020 to 2025. So we need to take action now or we will all perish in no distant time,” he implored.
