The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the groundbreaking Enugu State Climate Policy and Action Plan (ESCPAP), signaling a transformative step toward climate resilience and sustainable development.
Announcing the development, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, Senior Policy Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development, described it as a bold commitment to merging economic transformation with environmental sustainability, inclusiveness, and innovation.
Governor Mbah’s ambitious vision aims to elevate Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion in 2023 to $30 billion by 2031, with ESCPAP playing a pivotal role in future-proofing critical sectors like agriculture, energy, and natural resources.
Key Features of the ESCPAP:
- Sustainable Economic Growth: Projected 25-fold GDP boost by 2060 through green investments in renewable energy, agriculture, and technology.
- Job Creation: Over 792,000 jobs expected in renewable energy, waste management, and afforestation.
- Energy Transition: 80% renewable energy usage targeted by 2060, coupled with a 60% reduction in transport emissions.
- Climate Resilience: Adaptive measures to combat flooding, drought, and other environmental challenges.
- Education Initiatives: Climate change curriculum to be introduced in Smart Green Schools, empowering future generations for leadership in green innovation.
This policy marks the first long-term climate strategy by a subnational government in Nigeria, leveraging tools like emissions modeling, micro-energy audits, and extensive stakeholder engagement.
The implementation of the ESCPAP will be overseen by a committee comprising government officials, private sector representatives, civil society, and international donors. Aligning with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and global climate agreements, Enugu State is positioning itself as a leader in Nigeria’s low-carbon transition.
Developed under the coordination of Prof. Okereke and supported by the African Climate Foundation and European Climate Foundation, the ESCPAP’s public unveiling will occur on a date to be announced soon.
With this initiative, Enugu State is proving that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability can coexist, setting a precedent for climate governance in Nigeria.
