Academic Associates PeaceWorks, a prominent non-governmental organization, has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive approach to address conflicts driven by climate change, particularly in the coastal communities of the South-South region.
The organization expressed concerns over the detrimental impact of pollution on these communities’ climate and environment, attributing the worsening situation to the government’s failure to regulate emissions effectively in these areas.
Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Deputy Director of Academic Associates PeaceWorks, made the call during a community training session on climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies, and conflict management. The event, titled “Coping with Climate Change as a Cause of Conflict in Coastal Communities in West Africa,” took place in Port Harcourt.
Toyo emphasized that beyond creating applicable tools and fostering cooperation between local, state, and national authorities, specific actionable recommendations must be implemented to mitigate climate change’s impact. These include:
Policy Reform: The Nigerian government should review and reform policies that promote sustainable practices and integrate bottom-up approaches to policy formation.
Comprehensive Climate Mitigation: The Federal Government should prioritize comprehensive climate mitigation strategies and promote alternative livelihoods that reduce conflicts linked to climate change.
Gender-Sensitive Conflict Resolution: Policies should address the disproportionate impacts of climate-related conflicts on women and children in coastal communities, promoting inclusive, gender-sensitive conflict-resolution mechanisms.
In her opening address, Dr. Judith Asuni, Executive Director of Academic Associates PeaceWorks, who joined the event virtually, highlighted that the workshop was the culmination of over 20 years of research and collaboration. “Academic Associates PeaceWorks, a pioneer in conflict management since 1992, has spent years studying the intersection of climate change and community dynamics,” she explained.
Dr. Asuni stressed the importance of ensuring that the findings of the project don’t just gather dust but instead prompt meaningful action. She noted, “Too often, even the best projects end, and reports are left unused. Climate change is too critical an issue for that to happen.”
The event featured plenary sessions where representatives from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, and Cross River states discussed the link between climate change and conflict in coastal areas.
