Dickson Endorses Subnational Climate Governance Ranking Report

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Seriake Dickson has described the Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (CGPRR) of Nigeria’s 36 States project as a timely and innovative intervention.

Dickson was speaking in Abuja shortly after receiving the report of the project which was launched by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in close collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DCC), Federal Ministry of Environment.

Dickson in his endorsement remark said: “This project will encourage increased climate action at the subnational level with resounding effect on national climate actions that will help Nigeria accelerate its commitment into achieving global climate change goals.”

The former Bayelsa State Governor stated further “we have just concluded a two-day retreat of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Ecology and Climate Change which took place on 25-26 July, 2024, in Abuja where we discussed how further stakeholders collaboration can help advance climate action in the country.”

“This Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking report will now serve as a tool for further engagements as the Joint Committee embarks on its proposed engagements with the subnational and private sector and consequently spur more actions in the areas where gaps exist in specific States,” he said.

“I have reliably gathered that this report is the first-ever Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking of Nigeria’s 36 states.

“I am delighted to endorse it as a resource and tool for the advancement of climate change actions at the subnational level especially the local governments and senatorial districts where the most vulnerable communities experiencing the direct impacts of climate change are domiciled.”

Dickson commended SPP, led by foremost Professor of Environment, Global Climate Governance and Public Policy, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the entire Ministry, for embarking on such an outstanding and unique work which will now be the evidence-base for aggregated and improved subnational climate actions.

The subnational Climate Change Governance Performance Ranking project evaluated the extent of climate change governance and performance in Nigeria’s thirty-six states using five key ranking criteria namely: climate institutions and governance; climate policy and action plan; climate budget and finance; climate change projects implementation and monitoring; and climate online visibility.

After months of rigorous reviews and scrutiny, Lagos State emerged the overall best State, with Gombe and Ebonyi occupying the second and third positions respectively.

The winners were announced at a high-level event chaired by the Honourable Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, on Thursday, 26 July, 2024.