Global warming increases risk of mega-floods

With the biggest global companies reporting almost $1 trillion at risk from climate impacts, with many likely to hit within the next 5 years, the founder, Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE), Africa, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, says global warming has significantly increased the risk of mega-flooding in Lagos and other parts of the country.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) Outlook report had predicted last year that 27 states across were at substantial risk of floods.

Speaking in Lagos during the NBC stakeholder's forum 22, Jibunoh noted that the state faces problems such as flood and storm surge, with developments being carried out in Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

He noted that highbrow areas on Lagos Island needs mega plans to minimise the impact of climate change and disasters as they are in situated in wetland lands, which make them prone to floods and other water management issues.

According to him, reoccurring cycles of flooding are challenges to the water and reservoir industry.

He said the state needs a comprehensive plan to tackle floods.

He said he had collaborated with the government on a long- term flood protection programme, which covered support, including assistance in its climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes.

According to him, states such as California in the United States were facing increased the risk of mega-flooding and disasters, which have had massive effects because climate change was considered a serious threat in the past.

He explained many countries were devastated by wildfires, catastrophic landslides and reoccurring cycles of drought and flooding.

He pledged his support and urged the government to sustain the effort to ensure a cleaner environment.

Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Coca-Cola HBC (CCHBC), Marcel Martin, said climate is a key area of focus as the company works towards its 2030 Science Based Target of an absolute 25 per cent emissions reduction and its ambition to be net zero carbon globally by 2050.

He said the Coca-Cola system aims to explore opportunities to build climate resilience across its business, supply chain and communities, while engaging with other private sector actors, NGOs, and governments to support collective action against climate change.

The Managing Director, NBC, Matthieu Segiun, noted that the circular economic model could open up market opportunities worth billions of naira and create millions of jobs for Nigerians.

The model, according to him, was key to the economic development, through assisting more small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Segiun noted that challenges such as climate change are far too great for government.

To this end, he said the company was partnering with government to communicate and raise public awareness about reducing, sorting, collecting, and recycling waste, and about circular economy.

For this reason, he said the company has continued to engage with experts, nonprofits and industry, to support actions toward sustainable change across the value chain.

He said the companies seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, recycling investments, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across its value chain.

The Managing Director and Vice President, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Alfred Olajide, reiterated the company’s commitment to a greener environment through the numerous initiatives launched and supported by the company.

He said the company would continuously support and facilitate the implementation of the circular economy in Nigeria across the entire value chain and interact with consumers to increase public awareness and shap new habits of responsible waste management in the society.