Northwest commissioners adopt bold climate change declaration at summit

In a significant move, leaders from Nigeria’s Northwest region issued a powerful declaration at the Northwest Commissioners Summit on Climate Change (NCSCC) convened by Surge Africa Organisation in Kano.

The declaration outlines a comprehensive action plan to tackle climate change issues and foster a sustainable, resilient and low-carbon future for the region.

The Kano Declaration on Climate Change and Environment, adopted at the summit, which was held on February 29, 2024, acknowledges the devastating environmental and social impacts climate change is having on the region, including desertification, floods, unpredictable weather patterns, and declining food production.

The declaration signed by representatives of Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states outlines a seven-point action plan to address these myriad challenges head-on:

Conservation of Biodiversity: Protecting natural resources through establishing protected areas, promoting sustainable land management practices, and combating illegal resource exploitation in the region.

Rural Integration: Closing the gap between urban and rural areas by improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities in rural communities.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Building networks with neighbouring states, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, and local communities to leverage diverse expertise and resources in addressing climate change issues.

Adaptation Finance: Mobilizing and allocating funds to support adaptation measures in the Northwest region through a dedicated state climate fund, grants, loans, and accessing international climate finance mechanisms.

Sustainable Development: Implementing policies that integrate economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection in the Northwest region. This includes promoting renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green businesses.

Climate Security: Addressing climate-related security threats in the Northwest region such as resource scarcity, displacement, and critical infrastructure vulnerability to tackle changing climate change conditions.

Monitoring and Reporting: Establishing a robust system to track progress and inform decision-making through constant reporting and data collection for making data-driven adjustments to climate policies in the Northwest region.

The declaration further emphasizes collaboration and shared responsibility for all seven states and relevant stakeholders. The document concludes with a resounding call to action for all stakeholders to translate the declaration’s principles into concrete actions.

The Northwest Commissioners Summit on Climate Change which brought together representatives from the seven Northwest states, civil society organizations (CSOs) and relevant stakeholders laid the groundwork for robust and meaningful dialogues, assessment of current climate approaches, formation of new climate solutions, public-private collaboration, and the development of inter-state strategies on climate change in the region.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Abubakar Buba, remarked, “Climate security is a regional problem and must be addressed as such, because the bush that runs from Sokoto to Kaduna and down to Niger State is the same. Therefore we must look at it beyond state-level and collaboration to address these issues as a regional threat.”

Participants at the summit believe that the Kano Declaration paves the way for multi-dimensional climate resilient and adaptation solutions at community level in the Northwest region. The Kano Declaration on Climate Change and Environment can be downloaded here.

About Surge Africa

Surge Africa Organisation is a non-profit collaborating with relevant stakeholders to promote, design, and implement innovative measures that improve approaches to climate adaptation through policy, media, and community resilient development in Nigeria and Africa.

By Tribune Newspaper

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/other/northwest-commissioners-adopt-bold-climate-change-declaration-at-summit/ar-BB1jtYZL