Coalition urges FG to ‘prioritise climate adaptation over mitigation’

Sa’adatu Umar-Baba, a representative of the coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), has urged the federal government to prioritise climate adaptation over mitigation.

She said this will help reduce the impact of climate change on women.

Umar-Baba said this in Calabar, the Cross River state capital, at the ongoing 23rd national council on women affairs.

“Although Africa strikes a better balance between adaptation and mitigation than other regions, mitigation accounted for 49% of climate finance flows, followed by 39% towards adaptation, and 12% to dual benefits,” she said.

“This contrasts with other regions globally where adaptation represents only 7%–16% of total climate finance.

“Accordingly, this is a positive trend, given Africa’s disproportionately high vulnerability to climate change.

“Yet, funding for both adaptation and mitigation must increase by at least six and 13 times respectively if the continent is to make any significant progress.”

Umar-Baba also asked the federal government to provide the needed national framework which will serve as a reference point for bringing together various adaptation plans from the different sectors of the economy.

“Nigeria has several national action plans and policy frameworks to enhance its adaptation plans,” she said.

“However, most of the time, we focus on climate mitigation which has far less ability to resolve the challenges we are facing, especially for women who are the most vulnerable and who are affected most by the impact of climate change.”

Also speaking at the event, Ifeoma Anyanwu, deputy director of gender, federal ministry of agriculture, said subnational governments should adopt and domesticate the national policy on gender in agriculture.

Ahaji Idris, director of economic services, federal ministry of women affairs, emphasised the readiness of the federal government to partner with local and international organisations on the changes.