The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has commended the Abia State Government for the successful validation of its Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, describing the achievement as a bold and strategic step toward strengthening climate governance, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic resilience in the state.
FENRAD, an environmental rights advocacy organisation, actively participated in the policy validation process alongside government institutions, civil society organisations, community representatives, and other key stakeholders.
The organisation acknowledges the Department of Climate Change under the Abia State Ministry of the Environment for providing institutional leadership and coordination throughout the policy development and validation process.
FENRAD also commends PACE-Agile for its technical expertise and funding support, which were instrumental in ensuring the development of a robust, evidence-based, and inclusive Climate Change Policy and Action Plan.
“The validation of the Abia State Climate Change Policy and Action Plan marks a critical turning point in the state’s response to climate risks. The technical guidance and financial support provided by PACE-Agile, alongside the leadership of the Department of Climate Change, ensured that the policy aligns with global best practices while addressing Abia State’s local realities and Inclusive and Rights-Based Climate Framework.
“FENRAD applauds the participatory and inclusive approach adopted in the development and validation of the policy, which integrated inputs from women, farmers, local communities, persons with disabilities, private sector actors, and civil society organisations.
“This approach reinforces the importance of rights-based, people-centred climate action, particularly for vulnerable and climate-exposed populations across the state.
Advancing Sub-National Climate Leadership
The organisation noted that the validated Climate Change Policy and Action Plan positions Abia State as a leading example of sub-national climate action in Nigeria, while complementing national commitments under the Climate Change Act and international obligations such as the Paris Agreement and National Determined contributions
The policy 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.
Call for Sustained Implementation and Partnerships
While commending the achievement, FENRAD emphasised that effective implementation, sustained funding, inter-agency collaboration, and continuous stakeholder engagement will be essential to translating the policy into measurable climate resilience outcomes.
FENRAD reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Abia State Government through:
- Technical input on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
- Community-level awareness, education, and capacity building
- Monitoring, accountability, and environmental rights advocacy in the policy implementation.