Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has underscored the state’s commitment to addressing climate change through immediate and impactful actions. Speaking at the 10th Lagos International Climate Change Summit, held at the Continental Hotel in Victoria Island, Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, announced the launch of the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP) and the Lagos Climate Change Mainstreaming Strategy.
The three-day summit, themed “Accelerating Climate Finance and Championing Local Adaptation Initiatives,” aims to explore funding avenues for climate adaptation and build resilient infrastructure. The Governor emphasized that climate change is a pressing reality requiring urgent solutions.
“Lagos is not deterred by challenges but motivated by its vast prospects and attributes,” said Sanwo-Olu. Highlighting the city’s vulnerability as a coastal metropolis, he pointed to historical efforts like the construction of the Great Wall of Lagos, which prevented Victoria Island from succumbing to the Atlantic Ocean.
Lagos has also made strides in sustainable transport, implementing a multi-modal Transit BRT System that has cut transportation-related carbon emissions by about 15 percent. Additionally, the introduction of Nigeria’s first electric car in 2020 sets the stage for a significant shift, with plans to transition 50 percent of the public transport fleet to electric vehicles by 2030.
The summit also featured remarks from Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who stressed the importance of integrating adaptive measures with greenhouse gas reduction to foster climate-resilient development. He noted the transformative impact of past summits on global climate consciousness and the ongoing efforts to promote renewable energy and sustainable waste management in Lagos.
Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola highlighted the effectiveness of the summit since its inception in 2009, asserting Lagos’s leadership in climate change initiatives. He emphasized that Lagos’s environmental strategies have consistently aimed at reducing carbon emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
The event serves as a reminder of the urgency outlined in the global IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report and a call to action for mobilizing climate finance toward local adaptation projects. This year’s summit aims to build on previous successes, continuing the dialogue, collaboration, and innovation necessary to address climate-related challenges in Lagos.
As Lagos celebrates its achievements in climate action, the state remains focused on future challenges and solutions, reinforcing its commitment to creating a sustainable, resilient future for all its residents.
