FG wants developing countries to increase transparency in climate financing

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, has called on the developing countries most impacted by climate change to put more structures in place to prioritise climate action and enhance accountability and transparency.

The minister said the challenges of climate change and energy transition require not just innovative solutions but also a firm commitment to ethical governance, emphasizing that transparency and accountability are the bedrock of any sustainable development.

Salako stated this at the first International Anti-Corruption and Climate Change Conference with the theme: ‘National Stakeholders’ Engagement for Accountability and Transparency in Climate change, Energy Transition and Oil Extraction Licensing for Sustainable Development’ in Abuja organised by the Human and Environmental Media Development Agency (HEDA) Resource Centre in collaboration with HawkMoth and supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

The minister, who was represented by the Director, Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Iniagbon Abiola-Awe, disclosed that the maiden event has underscored the interconnectedness and the need for all sectors and stakeholders to tackle the urgent challenges posed by the phenomenon of climate change.

The minister also called on the developed countries which are the principal drivers of global warming and climate change to be more transparent and accountable in climate funding.

Earlier in his speech, the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, stated that climate change and anti-corruption might seem as two different concepts, but they do have a convergence as global warming and environmental devastation are not unconnected with abuse of laws and regulations regarding environmental management.

Olukoyede further reiterated that their convergence is around social and economic sustainability which are central to the anti-corruption campaign being driven by the EFCC in Nigeria.

He also revealed that EFCC’s efforts against corruption are broad based, stressing that the Commission is evolving more effective prevention frameworks to curb economic and financial crimes in the country.

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