The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has applauded the Abia State Government for the successful validation of the Abia State Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, describing it as a bold and strategic milestone toward strengthening climate governance, environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience in the state.
FENRAD, a frontline environmental rights advocacy organisation with extensive experience in climate change mitigation, adaptation and inclusive environmental governance, actively participated in the validation exercise alongside government institutions, civil society organisations, community representatives and other critical stakeholders.
The organisation specifically commended the Department of Climate Change in the Abia State Ministry of the Environment for providing strong institutional leadership and effective coordination throughout the policy development and validation process.
FENRAD also lauded PACE-Agile for its technical expertise and funding support, noting that its contributions were instrumental in producing a robust, evidence-based and inclusive Climate Change Policy and Action Plan.
According to FENRAD, the validation of the policy represents a critical turning point in Abia State’s response to climate risks.
The technical and financial support provided by PACE-Agile, combined with the leadership of the Department of Climate Change, ensured that the policy aligns with global best practices while responding to the state’s local realities through an inclusive and rights-based climate framework.
The organisation further praised the participatory approach adopted in the policy’s development and validation, which incorporated inputs from women, farmers, local communities, persons with disabilities, private sector actors and civil society organisations. This, FENRAD noted, reinforces the importance of people-centred and rights-based climate action, particularly for vulnerable and climate-exposed populations across the state.
FENRAD observed that the validated Climate Change Policy and Action Plan positions Abia State as a leading example of sub-national climate leadership in Nigeria, while complementing national commitments under the Climate Change Act and international obligations such as the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The policy, it said, provides a strategic framework for mainstreaming climate considerations into development planning, budgeting and key sectors, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, waste management and disaster risk reduction.
While commending the achievement, FENRAD emphasised that sustained implementation, adequate funding, inter-agency collaboration and continuous stakeholder engagement will be crucial to translating the policy into tangible climate resilience outcomes.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Abia State Government through technical input on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, community-level awareness and capacity building, as well as monitoring, accountability and environmental rights advocacy during implementation.
FENRAD congratulated the Abia State Government, the Ministry of the Environment, the Department of Climate Change, PACE-Agile and all stakeholders involved in the validation process, and urged the swift adoption and operationalisation of the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan to protect the environment, safeguard vulnerable populations and promote sustainable development in Abia State.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD)
Environmental Rights Campaigner | Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Expert
Tel: 08033383708, 07062949232
Email: info@fenrad.org.ng
Website: www.fenrad.org.ng
