Climate change threatens Vision 20:2020

ABUJA — World Bank, yesterday, said for Nigeria to achieve its Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, and Vision 20:20:20, it was imperative for the nation to address its climate change challenges.

World Bank Country Director, Ms. Marie Marie-Nelly, noted this while speaking to journalists after presenting Nigeria Climate Change Report by World Bank in Abuja.

She said the nation must focus on the vulnerable sectors of the economy, especially agriculture.

Marie-Nelly said climate change had the greatest effect on agriculture because of its productivity output.

She said: “Nigeria’s economy can be made more climate-resilient and less carbon-intensive without foregoing growth.

“The World Bank is privileged to have a strong partnership with the government of Nigeria, and I am pleased that our latest collaborative effort takes a close look at climate change and its potential impacts on Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.

“The good news is that a range of technological and management actions are available and offer promising opportunities to build resilience to climate change into the fabric of the economy.

“The report addressed 10 practical short term priority actions that could help to address the threats that climate change poses to vision 20:2020.

“These actions include strengthening the overall governance for climate action, enhancing agricultural research and extension services, integrating climate into the planning and design of water infrastructure, and promoting sustainable land management practices as part of the government’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda.”


-- Vanguard