SustyVibes and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) have argued that more stakeholder collaborations are needed to tackle climate change in Nigeria.
Representatives from both organisations recently submitted the Pre-COP29 Stakeholders Hangout in Abuja.
The event convened over 50 journalists, Civil Society Organizations (CSO) leaders, climate advocates, and sustainability experts. It focused on Nigeria’s priorities for COP29 and explored how collaboration can amplify its climate agenda.
At the event, experts discussed climate issues extensively, laying a foundation for Nigeria’s unified presence at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, this coming December.
In his welcome remarks, the country lead for the Global Strategic Communications Council, Daniel Oladoja, emphasised the need for unity and strategic planning in tackling climate change. Project manager, SustyVibes, Hannah Omokhaye highlighted the importance of collaboration between media and CSOs
Senior project manager at CJID Ifeanyi Chukwudi urged CSOs to hold leaders accountable for their climate commitments. Chukwudi outlined Nigeria’s path forward in the energy transition, advocating for incremental shifts towards renewable energy and a cohesive national platform at COP29.
During the panel session, experts addressed Nigeria’s COP29 priorities, the essential roles of CSOs in climate advocacy, and the media’s capacity to shape public understanding.
In her remarks, Kwaji Environmental Foundation Lovelyn Andrawus emphasised that climate adaptation was a pressing need, calling for financing to support resilience initiatives for vulnerable communities. Andrawus shared insights on CSOs as key advocates, highlighting successful local projects that showcase Nigeria’s adaptability to climate change.
Media specialist EnviroNews, Michael Etta, pointed out the knowledge gap in climate reporting and called for capacity-building programs for journalists to improve climate literacy. Roundtable discussions followed, delving into climate financing strategies, best practices for COP reporting, and potential avenues for collaboration.
In her closing remarks, Gatefield Maryam Ahmad, senior analyst (communications, partnerships and campaigns), called on participants to continue leveraging their connections to foster partnerships beyond the event. “Together, we can drive climate action in Nigeria,” she stated, urging journalists and CSOs to maintain the momentum in the lead-up to COP29.
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