Taraba State has taken a significant step towards addressing climate change by validating its Climate Change Policy and Action Plan on January 14, 2025, in Jalingo. The policy, developed in collaboration with the Society for Plant and Prosperity (SPP), received funding from the African Climate Foundation (ACF) and the European Climate Foundation (ECF).
The validation workshop, which brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, businesses, and international partners, marked a milestone in strengthening climate governance and attracting climate finance for clean projects in the state. State Director for Climate Change, Ahmed Lazarus, acknowledged the technical team’s efforts in drafting the policy.
The workshop featured a keynote address by Governor Agbu Kefas, represented by Dr. Tafarki Agbadu Eneme, who emphasized the urgent need for climate action in the face of Taraba’s vulnerability to climate impacts. He reiterated the state’s commitment to a climate policy that aligns with global standards, such as the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.
The technical team, led by Professor Emmanuel Oladipo, praised the collaborative effort that produced the policy, urging state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to work together for successful implementation. Professor Chukwumerije Okereke of SPP encouraged the government to use the policy as a stepping stone for mobilizing climate finance and setting more ambitious climate goals.
Stakeholders also recommended strengthening the state’s renewable energy capacity and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, in climate action plans.
