In addition to lobbying governments on the national level, CCI volunteers, led by Africa Coordinator Dr. David Michael Terungwa (shown above), are also lobbying to enact climate policies on a state level, and they’re making great progress.
In late August, volunteers from Yola Group in Adamawa State, Nigeria, participated in the public hearing on a climate change policy bill for Adamawa State. The hearing took place at the Adamawa State House of Assembly. The bill was initiated by the volunteers after several lobby meetings and engagement with the State House of Assembly.
The bill, titled “A Law to Establish the Adamawa State Climate Change Commission to Provide for the Mainstreaming of Climate Change Actions and for Other Matters Incidental Thereto,” passed the first and second reading in the House. It is sponsored by the Honourable Yohanna Sahabo Jauro, the House Committee Chair on Environment.
Dr. Terungwa and CCI Yola Group leader Ibrahim Bello participated in the public hearing. Dr. Terungwa gave a presentation on Climate Income and made a case for its inclusion into the policy, which sponsors of the legislation plan to do.
The public hearing is the last step in the process before the bill goes before the full Assembly for a vote. If approved, the bill sent to the state governor for assent. The bill is a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to address climate change. The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), led by Dr. Terungwa, will continue to support lobby efforts towards ensuring that the law is passed by the state assembly and approved by the governor.
The progress made so far underscores CCI’s belief that when ordinary citizens respectfully engage and build relationships with policy makers, they can build a livable world on a liveable planet.
