06/11/2023
AN Abuja-based think tank, , has warned that unless urgent and bold actions are taken, Nigeria risks becoming one of the worst-affected countries by climate change.
The Agora Policy stated this in its report, titled: ‘Climate Change and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria, which was released in Abuja and was produced with the support of the .
According to the 84-page report, it identifies opportunities for Nigeria to address climate change, while supporting economic growth and resilience.
The report states: “It is evident that climate change is not a marginal or peripheral issue that the government and the people of Nigeria can take lightly.
“Climate change is compounding poverty challenges in Nigeria and impeding the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals,” adds the report. “Climate change is already increasing hunger, poverty, disease burden, migration, conflict and insecurity in Nigeria. It is damaging infrastructure, changing Nigeria’s coastlines, fuelling desertification, producing water scarcity, facilitating erosion and resulting in the loss of revenue for states and the national government.”
The report also stated that “Climate change offers opportunities for economic competitiveness, energy security, and sustainable development.”
“There are many climate-led opportunities that Nigeria can explore to enable rapid economic growth, create jobs for a rapidly growing youthful and urbanising population, and address high levels of abject poverty and inequality through a just transition.”
Urging the Federal Government to consciously pursue a climate-compatible development agenda, the report called for investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, promoting climate-smart agriculture, embracing green manufacturing, harnessing natural resources for adaptation, and enhancing disaster risk reduction systems.