Lagos State Government on Thursday convened the first edition of Lagos Climate Change Business Meeting with the organised private sector, sharing her vision in advancing Climate Action in the State.
Speaking at the roundtable talk held at Ebony Life Place, Victoria Island, the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello said government as an enabler is keen on partnering with the private sector to confront climate change.
He added that the several mitigation and Adaptation measures adopted by government could be embraced by the private to improve their productivity, profit and make the state more liveable.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, he said the State Government has deemed it necessary to begin to have conversations to co-opt the private sector into the Lagos Climate Action initiative.
He revealed that climate change is now more of a developmental issue which requires the collaborative effort of Government, The Organized Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, The Academia and all relevant stakeholders.
Bello said Government in year 2021 launched its Climate Action Plan which is expected to equip the State to take decisive and impact-oriented action to address the development challenges it faces in the pursuit of sustainable low-carbon and climate-resilient socio-economic development.
“In as much as we are aware of the threat climate change poses to the environment, the economy and livelihoods, we also need to begin to view climate change through the prism of the opportunities it presents in the areas of job creation, attraction of direct investments, healthcare improvements, waste to energy initiatives, sustainable infrastructure development, and renewable energy investments” he adviced.
Bello gave an example of the result from the Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory conducted by the Ministry which revealed that the energy sector contributes the highest emission, while Lagos receives less than12,000MWh daily from the National grid which is about 6.25%.
“Even if we compare generator cost of N130/ KWh with a grid cost of N50/ KWh , the cost associated with burning fossil fuel by residents and businesses in the State for energy generation daily is estimated at a staggering sum of 14.4 Billion Naira daily and N5.3 Trillion annually . This value currently spent on non-renewable energy sources can be channeled into renewable energy sources with potential savings made” he revealed.
He said this is a decade of action and it is important to collectively begin to mobilize necessary support and resources to embark on transformative actions on Climate Change adding that this will enable a shift towards green economic growth, develop our adaptive capacity towards climate change and also achieve emission neutrality.
He however express optimism that with the initiation of the meeting, collaboration on Climate Action will be established and sustained to effectively deliver on the goals of the Lagos Climate Action Plan in the Energy, Waste and Transport Sectors.
Speaking at the event, the Head and General Manager Sustenability at Dangote Cement, Igazeuma Okoroba commended the initiative of the State Government on the parley, promising Dangote coy’s commitment to its sustenance.
She said when Government shares its vision as an enabler, the private will be more to participate actively in such venture just like Dangote Cement did with the 8th Lagos Climate Change Summit last year.
The meeting also had in attendance reresentatives from Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance(FBRA), banks, multinational companies and agencies of the State Government.
Kunle Adeshina
Director Public Affairs
June 16, 2022