TheCable

Despite directly impacting our communities, health, and livelihood, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business. Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken toward limiting its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• Ahead of the final stage of the global stocktake (GST) later this year, the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) has called for a ‘needs-based approach’ in addressing mitigation and adaptation. Speaking at the heads of delegation meeting held last Thursday, Ephraim Shitima, AGN’s chairman said the bias in favour of mitigation at the expense of adaptation needs to be rectified. Shitima said the recognition of adaptation actions as part of the contribution of parties towards the global efforts should be given adequate attention. He said such subsequent actions to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement should be based on principles of fairness or equity.
• Meanwhile, in 2023, four regional climate weeks will be held ahead of COP28 and the conclusion of the first global stocktake to fulfill the Paris Agreement’s key goals. Simon Stiell, United Nations’ executive secretary said the role of climate week is to help regional stakeholders identify as well as present regionally applicable strategies and plans at COP28 in Dubai. The regional climate weeks include: Africa Climate Week (ACW 2023) and African Climate Action Summit in Kenya, September 4 – 8, Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (MENACW 2023) in Saudi Arabia, October 9 to 12, Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW 2023) in Panama City, October 23 to 27, and Asia-Pacific Climate Week (APCW 2023) to take place in the second half of the year. 
• Last week, the federal government identified food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change as factors responsible for the rising prices of food items in the country. Nebolisa Anako, permanent secretary at the federal ministry of budget and planning, spoke at the development strategy workshop for the Nigeria food systems transformation pathways held in Abuja. Anako, who was represented by Zakari Lawani, director of national monitoring and evaluation, said the impacts of climate change have made food provisions out of reach for many, as well as undermined their right to food. Anako then called on the government at all levels to identify issues surrounding the food systems and come up with innovative strategies to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition in the country. 
• Also, at a climate action event celebrating Commonwealth Day held at Lufasi Park in Lagos, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, British deputy high commissioner, said the United Kingdom was firm in its commitment to overcoming challenges caused by climate change in Nigeria. Jones said there was a need to build infrastructure that could withstand the dangerous effects of climate change and prevent further damage to the country. The deputy commissioner also urged the public to use lower-carbon energy sources to help in decarbonizing the ecosystem.
• Last Monday, Abubakar Yelwa, managing director of the Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), visited Mosun Kingdom, one of many communities affected by the 2022 floods. Yelwa said the federal government would soon commence the construction of buildings to accommodate about 10,000 people displaced by the floods while noting that the relocation was necessary for villagers who deserted their homes for safety. Read more here