By Adeola Ogunlade
The Director Climate Change and Environmental Planning, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Bankole Michael, has said that the 2021/2022 budget preparation in Lagos state has catered for the inclusion of gender-based climate action.
Michael said this recently at a One-Day Capacity Building on Climate Finance and The Green Climate Fund for Women in South-West held At Presken Hotel, Allen Junction, Ikeja, Lagos.
The programme was organised by The Centre for 21st century Issues (C21st) in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Environment (Department of Climate Change), Lagos. It’s trained over 40 local women representatives from the South-west region of Nigeria. The women representatives were drawn from across different states in the south west comprising; Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.
Michael said inclusiveness in public finance is very important, and one of the most impacted groups is the “women” when it comes to climate change.
He noted many are in denial of climate change, while some others do not understand the concept of climate change, but the effect is steering us in our faces.
In his words, The Technical Partner of Natural Eco Capital, Dr. Eugene Itua, who spoke on Climate Finance and Green Finance, said financial flow must remain consistent for a climate resistant economy. Climate finance creates an opportunity for employment and youth development.
He noted that Green finance is majorly financial flows required to support projects that benefit the environment. Green finance is broader, while climate finance is a subset.
He also explained that Climate finance promote public finance to combat climate change under the UNFCCC. Developed countries are expected to provide funding for developing countries. Government cannot do it alone, hence the need for private organisation to support.
Earlier, the convener of the event, The Executive Director of Centre for 21st century Issues, Ms Titi Akosa noted that the project was aimed at building capacity of local women at the state and grassroots level in Nigeria with knowledge and skills to advocate for gender and climate finance and raise their voices to incorporate gender into climate finance and GCF processes.
Akosa enlightened the women representatives on how they can engage the GCF processes.
In her presentation, Akosa noted that the major objective is that women participate in the green climate fund because, of all the climate funds over the world, the GCF is the most recognised because it prioritises women.
“This is a pool of fund that local women can access, Akosa said.
She highlighted the role of gender policy and gender action plan in harnessing climate fund.
“The GCF has moved a cause for gender action plan to be instituted and then funding should follow.
She noted that participation is power because participation brings more engagement”.
While emphasizing the importance of setting up a network after the capacity building that will help participants get the maximum benefits, she urged participants to think about gender policies as that will go a long way for gender and social inclusion.
Akosa also said the participants must understand GCF readiness programme which involves consultation of stakeholders.
