Lagos showcased subnational climate action leadership at COP30 – official

 

Panelists at the Lagos Private Roundtable at COP30 in Brazil

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its continental leadership in climate action following a successful series of high-level engagements at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in São Paulo, Brazil.

In a statement on Thursday on Lagos, the state’s Office of Climate Change and Circular Economy (OCCE) said that Lagos featured in three strategic sessions from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8 and showcased flagship programmes.

The office said that the programmes included the 80 Million Clean Cookstoves Initiative and LAMATA’s e-Mobility aimed at attracting global capital for inclusive and measurable climate progress.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs Titi Oshodi, said that Lagos went to COP30 to demonstrate catalytic subnational leadership.

“Lagos went to COP30 to demonstrate what true subnational leadership looks like.

“We are proving that African cities can build bankable climate solutions that are inclusive, investable and capable of transforming millions of lives.

“The world is looking for climate ambition-backed by action, and Lagos is stepping forward,” she said.

The official said that active presence of Lagos at COP30 strengthened global partnerships, deepened investor confidence and positioned the state as a model for how African cities could translate climate vision into bankable, people-centred projects.

Oshodi said that the Lagos Private Roundtable with the theme: ‘Financing Urban Climate Solutions for a Just and Inclusive Transition”, brought together development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations and private-sector investors at COP30.

She said that discussions at the roundtable focused on co-financing pathways, de-risking instruments and innovative financing structures capable of scaling green investments in Lagos.

“Key investment outcomes from Lagos’ COP30 participation include commitments to advancing feasibility and financing discussions for clean cooking projects, and interest in co-developing e-mobility pilot corridors with private investors.”

 She added that the outcomes included

the need for exploratory talks with international partners on green bond issuances under the Lagos Climate Finance Framework.

“At the Africa Innovation Forum, co-curated by OCCE and Climate Action, Lagos was spotlighted as a leading voice among African cities advancing climate innovation.”

According to Oshodi, the panelists included herself; the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo; the President of Oando Clean Energy, Mr Demola Ogunbanjo; and Senior Manager, Climate Business Department, International Finance Corporation, Ms Diep Nguyen-van Houtte. (NAN)