http://thenationonlineng.net/new/lagos-validates-draft-policy-on-climate-change/

A draft policy to provide an integrated, harmonised and multi-sectoral framework for responding to climate change action plan is being formulated to combat climate change in Lagos State.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, broke the news at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop organised by the ministry in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He said: "As you all know, Lagos has a volatile ecosystem and vast coastline, which informed the need to address the issue of climate change seriously."

The commissioner noted that the state government's approach to climate was guided by two considerations.

The first is the need to be pragmatic and sustainable, bearing in mind the costs and the trade-offs involved to adopt policies that balance the economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The second is the imperative of collective action at the local and global levels.

Bello said: "The workshop will provide better ways of improving existing prorammes on climate change, such as tree planting, international climate change summits, climate change clubs in schools, sectoral seminars, improved waste management and improved transportation system, among others."

He added that the workshop brought together policy makers, civil societies, the academia, environmental experts, the private sector's henchmen, international organisations and the media, from around the country to fine-tune the policy document to become a world-class document.

The commissioner said the document would receive the speedy approval of the State Executive Council (Exco).

He stressed the essence of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the media in raising public awareness on climate change.