Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
With the largest global corporations reporting nearly $1 trillion at risk from climate impacts, many of which are expected to occur within the next five years, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, founder of Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE), Africa, says global warming has significantly increased the risk of mega-flooding in Lagos and other parts of the country.
Last year, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) Outlook report predicted that 27 states were at high risk of flooding.
Jibunoh stated during the NBC stakeholders forum 22 in Lagos that the state is dealing with issues such as flooding and storm surge, with developments taking place in Ikoyi and Victoria Island.
He noted that highbrow areas on Lagos Island require mega plans to mitigate the impact of climate change and disasters because they are located in wetland lands, making them vulnerable to flooding and other water management issues.
Flooding cycles, he claims, pose a challenge to the water and reservoir industries.
He stated that the state requires a comprehensive flood plan.
He stated that he had worked with the government on a long-term flood protection program that included assistance in its climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
According to him, states in the United States, such as California, were facing an increased risk of mega-flooding and disasters, which had massive consequences because climate change was previously considered a serious threat.
He described how wildfires, catastrophic landslides, and recurring cycles of drought and flooding had devastated many countries.
He praised the Lagos State government’s urban renewal and beautification efforts.
He pledged his support and urged the government to keep working to make the environment cleaner.
Marcel Martin, Coca-Cola HBC (CCHBC) Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, stated that climate is a key area of focus as the company works toward its 2030 Science Based Target of an absolute 25% emissions reduction and its ambition to be net zero carbon globally by 2050.
He stated that the Coca-Cola system intends to investigate opportunities to build climate resilience across its business, supply chain, and communities, while also collaborating with other private sector actors, non-governmental organizations, and governments to support collective action against climate change.
Matthieu Segiun, Managing Director of NBC, stated that the circular economic model could open up billions of naira in market opportunities and create millions of jobs for Nigerians.
According to him, the model was critical to economic development by assisting more small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
Segiun stated that challenges such as climate change are far too large for government to handle.
To that end, he stated that the company was collaborating with the government to communicate and raise public awareness about waste reduction, sorting, collection, and recycling, as well as the circular economy.
As a result, he stated that the company has continued to collaborate with experts, nonprofits, and industry to support actions toward long-term change across the value chain.
He stated that the company’s goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives, communities, and the environment through water replenishment, recycling investments, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across its value chain.
Alfred Olajide, Managing Director and Vice President of Coca-Cola Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to a greener environment through a number of initiatives launched and supported by the company.
He stated that the company would continue to support and facilitate the implementation of the circular economy in Nigeria across the entire value chain, as well as interact with consumers to raise public awareness and instill new habits of responsible waste management in society.
