The Lagos State Government says it is set for the ninth edition of its Climate Change Summit.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, stated this at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos ahead of the summit.
According to Bello, the summit, which will take place from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, will be action-oriented because the government has decided to do things differently.
Bello said that for the government to achieve a robust summit, it co-opted the Organised Private Sector (OPS) from the planning stage to the delivery of the Summit.
“This is in recognition of the impact of the OPS on economic growth in Lagos and our resolve to mainstream climate action in the next phase of the developmental agenda in Lagos state.
“It is also an affirmative action in the support of the role of the private sector in mitigating the effects of climate change,” Bello said.
He said that the theme of the 2022 edition of the Summit is “Integrating Climate Actions in Lagos State Development; Investment Opportunities and Trade-offs”.
According to him, the theme demonstrates the effect of climate action on the state and how new vistas of opportunities can be developed.
The commissioner said that the state government inaugurated the Lagos State Climate Action Plan at the eighth edition of the summit in 2021.
He said that the projected agenda embedded in that plan was aimed at charting a course towards achieving net zero emissions; that is zero carbon emission in Lagos by 2050.
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He added that the state hopes to achieve zero carbon emission through the provision of impact-oriented actions across various sectors of the economy.
“What this simply means is that we have to accelerate the development of a green economy in the state by exploring innovative climate solutions and mobilizing various resources required to achieve the target,” Bello said.
He said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be the Special Guest of Honour at the summit.
The commissioner said that the lead paper, titled “Financing Transformative Climate Action for Lagos State”, would be delivered by Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke.
Okereke is the Director of the Center for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi.
Bello enjoined all stakeholders, development partners, and investors to join Lagos as partners in progress towards achieving green and sustainable economic growth in Lagos.
The commissioner expressed optimism that the summit will create a sustainable environment for future generations.
Other dignitaries present at the conference included the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Lagos State, Mr. Lekan Shodeinde, and the Consultant on Climate Change, Prof. Babajide Alo.
Also in attendance was Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment.
