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 impacts.

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

• The UK government, on August 2, launched a £95 million Propcom+ international climate finance project to improve the climate resilience of Nigerians. James Cleverly, UK’s foreign minister, said the project will raise investments in agriculture and support four million people, most of whom will be women, to adopt and scale sustainable agricultural practices that increase productivity and climate resilience. Cleverly said the new practice will also help in reducing emissions and protecting natural ecosystems. Find out more here.
• The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Kano state government, on August 3, launched an initiative to cascade disaster early warning measures to the grassroots. Mustapha Ahmed, NEMA director-general, said Nigeria is facing a growing rate of human and nature-induced disasters that are causing loss of lives and properties. Ahmed said the partnership will enhance effective disaster risk management, and improve food security as well as socio-economic growth in the country. Read more here.
• Taraba state government, last week, secured the conviction of 46 persons involved in illegal mining and violation of environmental laws in the state. Jeremiah Faransa, the chairman of the task force on implementing the ban on illegal mining and deforestation, said over 100 trucks carrying different kinds of wood out of the state have been impounded. Faransa added that logging and mining activities have been suspended by the government, pending the production of guidelines. Read more here.
• Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, on August 3, asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to assist the state in overcoming food insecurity. Alia said the federal government should support the state and prioritise the development of the agriculture sector to help Nigeria achieve food security. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had earlier projected that about 25.3 million people in Nigeria will experience acute hunger due to food insecurity in August this year. Find out more here.
• The World Bank and Sustainable Energy For All (SEforALL) on August 4, expressed their intention to mobilise private sector finance for clean energy investments in Africa. Ajay Banga, World Bank president, and Damilola Ogunbiyi, chief executive officer of SEforALL, met with private sector stakeholders in Abuja to discuss funding for African countries’ energy, climate and development goals. Banga and Ogunbiyi emphasised the role of the private sector in delivering universal energy access. They said renewable energy is key to a sustainable energy future in the Global South, adding that the World Bank is taking the lead in scaling transition finance. Read more here.