Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the international community to provide affordable, long-term financing to enable subnational governments to implement climate solutions at scale. He made this call at the UN High-level Meeting on Climate Action and the Just Transition, held during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on accelerating the global energy transition, strengthening climate adaptation, and expanding access to affordable financing, particularly for developing countries.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that states, regions, and subnational governments are ready to deliver climate solutions, but require partnerships and investment to do so at scale. He highlighted growing cooperation between Lagos and California in climate action, energy, technology, trade, innovation, and investment, appearing alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom. This cooperation aims to deepen ties between the two regions, with Lagos and California recently strengthening their sister-state relationship.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that climate action is critical to Lagos' development agenda, given the state's large population and vulnerability to flooding, rising sea levels, and extreme urban heat. He noted that climate action is not separate from development, but central to building a more resilient and prosperous state. The governor identified key areas where climate action can drive economic development, including transportation, waste management, urban resilience, and clean energy.
The governor highlighted efforts to create economic value from over 5,000 tonnes of solid waste processed daily through recycling and circular-economy initiatives. He also noted that more than 5.2 million vehicles operate on Lagos roads, making cleaner and more efficient transportation an important component of the state's transition plans. These initiatives aim to create jobs, improve services, and strengthen resilience.
Sanwo-Olu identified limited access to affordable financing as a major obstacle to implementing climate projects at scale across developing cities and states. He urged development finance institutions, private investors, and businesses to view climate projects in emerging markets as viable investment opportunities. The governor emphasized that the opportunity for climate investment in emerging markets is enormous.
The Lagos-California partnership demonstrates how subnational governments can move beyond diplomatic ties to practical cooperation in investment, technology, and climate action. Sanwo-Olu participated in various engagements at the Global Renewables Summit, Gates Foundation Goalkeepers, and UN Global Compact Africa-Caribbean events, highlighting the importance of mobilizing investment for energy transition, climate adaptation, and resilience.
The meeting formed part of wider UNGA81 and Climate Week engagements, focusing on mobilizing investment for energy transition, climate adaptation, and resilience. Sanwo-Olu's call for affordable, long-term financing aims to support the implementation of climate solutions at scale, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and prosperous future for Lagos and other developing regions.
Key points
- Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu calls for affordable, long-term financing to implement climate solutions at scale.
- Sanwo-Olu highlights growing cooperation between Lagos and California in climate action, energy, technology, trade, innovation, and investment.
- Limited access to affordable financing is a major obstacle to implementing climate projects at scale across developing cities and states.
