By Cole Praise

Financial experts and executives from various establishments have emphasized the need to leverage partnerships to address climate change issues.

They laid this emphasis at the 2022 Climate Change Summit organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The summit was held as a precursor to the Conference of Parties (COP 27) and in light of militating occurrences of environmental and climate disorders in Nigeria.

This summit, which brought together experts from different fields, was held at Chelsea hotel Abuja on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

In a panel session bordering on how to manage climate change with funds from international financial institutes, experts harp on the need for accountability.

Speaking on the best strategy to request funds for climate change management in the country, the Co-founder of the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI)Africa, Olumide Idowu, said that demanding financial aid and grants should be less of an issue.

He noted that the focus should be on demanding transparency from Nigerian stakeholders who are in charge of making such requests for climate change projects.

He further argued that many Nigerians don’t even know that such projects exist. “There is no transparency in spending. And stakeholders are not being carried along,” he said.

When asked what he thinks is the remedy, Mr Olumide submitted that the country needs to utilise its natural resources if it wants international institutions and establishments to render financial assistance.

Jibril Adeojo, a solar energy expert, said the country has to address climate change the way it did COVID-19, where accountability came into play.

“The government should be able to give reports like it had done during COVID-19 and keep the citizenry abreast,” he said.

He noted that according to his research, the country is responsible for some of the severe repercussions caused by climate change by allowing people to lay building structures in areas that they hadn’t even gotten approval for.

Chinenye Uwanaka, the Managing Partner of Firma Advisory and Covener of Africa Policy Conversations, said the country needs to change its orientation on its renewable energy.

“We need a mindset shift when it comes to renewable energy. COP 27 is very important for world leaders. Ministers don’t believe in climate change matters,” she said.

Earlier, Hyeladzira Mshelsla, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) member, advised CSOs to help citizens understand climate change policies.

“There needs to be transparency. Citizens need to be orientated on environmental issues…CSOs need to focus and give accountability about these natural projects,” she said.