Without a doubt, climate change has sparked a domino effect, frequently impacting the critical sectors (extractive, industrial, health, and agriculture/food production) of economies worldwide. The Global South (Latin America, Africa, and most of Asia) according to research suffers most of the brunt and with no or underperforming governments, institutions, and critical sectors, countries that fall within the southern hemisphere become more weakened and constantly losing opportunities to leverage to adapt and mitigate these adverse effects[1]. The vast majority of the time, national governments and institutions are exclusively held accountable for attempting to remediate the problem at hand. While it appears that just certain parts of the government are burdened with such responsibilities, the resulting impacts are not always extensive, and over time, mediocre achievements are usually produced. To effectively address these challenges, it is crucial to establish strong coordination and collaboration between the national and subnational levels of government in various countries.
Nigeria recognizes the importance of climate change adaptation and has developed a National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change (NASPA-CCN)[2]. The NASPA-CCN provides a strategic roadmap for addressing climate change impacts and outlines the roles and responsibilities of different government levels, including the national, state, and local governments. It emphasizes the need for cooperation, coordination, and capacity-building among these entities.
The Role of the National Government:
The national government plays a vital role in climate change adaptation by providing policy direction, setting national targets, and facilitating the implementation of adaptation initiatives. It establishes legal and regulatory frameworks, conducts research, and mobilizes financial resources to support adaptation efforts. The national government also engages in international climate change negotiations and accesses global funding mechanisms to support adaptation at the subnational level.
The Importance of Subnational Governments:
Subnational governments, including state and local governments, are at the forefront of climate change impacts and adaptation actions. They are closer to the communities and ecosystems experiencing the effects of climate change, making them well-positioned to implement localized adaptation strategies. Subnational governments can develop climate resilience plans, promote sustainable land and water management practices, integrate climate considerations into urban planning, and foster community engagement and awareness.
Challenges and Opportunities:
Despite the growing recognition of climate change adaptation at both the national and subnational levels in Nigeria, several challenges persist. Limited technical capacity, inadequate financial resources, and insufficient coordination between government levels hinder effective adaptation implementation. Additionally, there is a need to enhance data collection and monitoring systems to support evidence-based decision-making.
However, these challenges present opportunities for collaboration and innovation. By strengthening communication channels and coordination mechanisms, the national and subnational governments can share best practices, exchange knowledge, and build a collective understanding of climate change adaptation priorities. Capacity-building programs can empower subnational governments to develop and implement context-specific adaptation strategies, leveraging local knowledge and expertise.
Recommendations for Bridging the Gap:
To bridge the gap between the national and subnational levels in climate change adaptation, the following recommendations can be considered:
- Enhance intergovernmental coordination and communication channels to ensure the alignment of national and subnational adaptation strategies.
- Increase financial resources for subnational governments, including access to climate finance mechanisms, to support the implementation of adaptation projects at the local level.
- Strengthen capacity-building efforts for subnational governments, providing technical training and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance their understanding of climate change risks and adaptation measures.
- Develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of adaptation initiatives, identify lessons learned, and facilitate adaptive learning among all levels of government.
- Promote community participation and engagement in adaptation planning and implementation, recognizing the importance of local knowledge and empowering communities to take ownership of adaptation actions.
Conclusion:
Addressing the impacts of climate change requires a coordinated and inclusive approach that spans national and subnational levels of governance. Nigeria has taken significant steps by developing the National Framework for Climate Change Adaptation. However, bridging the gap between the national and subnational governments is essential for effective and localized adaptation responses.
By strengthening collaboration, providing financial resources, building capacity, and engaging communities, Nigeria can foster an integrated and multi-level governance approach to climate change adaptation. This will help ensure the resilience of ecosystems, economies, and communities while creating a sustainable and climate-resilient future for generations to come.
Footnotes
[1] https://www.fairplanet.org/story/how-climate-colonialism-affects-the-global-south/#:~:text=The%20climate%20crisis%20is%20a,or%20respond%20to%20natural%20catastrophes.
[2] NATIONAL-ADAPTATION-STRATEGY-AND-PLAN-OF-ACTION.pdf (csdevnet.org)
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Written by:
Kolawole Kolade – Program Officer at PLSI
