GOVERNOR UBA SANI APPROVES CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY, LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES 06-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu Governor Uba Sani Approves Climate Change Policy, Launches Ambitious Environmental Initiatives.
As part of effort toward promoting sustainable development, and ensure environmental protection, the governor of kaduna state, Sen. Uba Sani has approved the Kaduna State Climate Change Policy.
The policy is a step toward positioning Kaduna State as a leading subnational entity in the fight against climate change, and ensuring a strategic commitment toward reducing carbon footprint and enhancing climate resilience.
In a statement, the Special Assistant to Governor Uba Sani on Climate Change. Mr. Yusuf Idris Amoke points out that, the policy was developed by the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources, with comprehensive framework and sustainable practices across sectors to include, agriculture, energy, transportation, and waste management.
It says, the policy aims to integrate climate considerations into the state’s development planning processes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience and ensuring environmental sustainability.
According to the statement, part of the commitment include, ambitious campaign for the planting of 10 million trees over the next four years, to combat deforestation, restore degraded lands, and enhance biodiversity, considering its crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“Tree planting campaign is being implemented through community engagement and partnerships with local organizations, schools, institutions and businesses.
“government has installed more than ten thousand, 10,000 solar-powered street lights across Kaduna and presently providing solar power to seventy thousand, 70,0000 civil servants in its “solar for all program”.
“The initiative not only aims to provide reliable and sustainable lighting solutions, but also to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, considering that, it is a clean, renewable source that generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, hence making it a key component of the state’s climate action plan” explained Amoke.
Idris Amoke further points out that, the installation of solar-powered street lights will enhance public safety, improve visibility at night, and reduce the state’s electricity costs, in addition to supporting the development of green infrastructure and demonstrates Kaduna State’s commitment to adopting innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
Worthy of note Also is the fact that, Governor Sani’s approval of the Climate Change Policy and the launch of the initiatives reflect a proactive approach to climate action, setting a precedent for other subnational entities to follow and showcasing how local governments can play a pivotal role in addressing global environmental issues.
Amoke notes that, successful implementation of these initiatives will require continued commitment, collaboration, and investment by all stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and international partners, to support these efforts and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient Kaduna.
He emphasizes that, by prioritizing climate action, the State is not only safeguarding its natural resources and improving the quality of life for its residents, but also contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.