Press ReleaseThe Centre for Climate Action, Innovation, and Engagement (CCAIE) and the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), will, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 convene a Stakeholders Validation Workshop on the Climate Action Index (CAI) at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja. The workshop will host climate experts, policymakers, government representatives, civil society organizations, and development partners to refine and validate the CAI framework, which aims to transform Nigeria’s climate governance by ensuring accountability, transparency, and impact at the subnational level.
The Climate Action Index (CAI) offers a solution by establishing a standardized, data-driven framework for measuring and ranking subnational climate action. Developed by CCAIE and CeFTPI, the CAI aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and international obligations under the Paris Agreement, while providing a clear roadmap for subnational implementation. It seeks to evaluates state-level commitments and performance to ensure that climate initiatives are transparent, measurable, and impactful.
The Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop will introduce the CAI framework and methodology, allowing participants to provide expert insights on its implementation, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. This event is particularly timely given the governance gaps in climate action at the state level, where 80% of public climate projects are managed but lack proper monitoring tools. Additionally, past initiatives, such as the ecological funds management continue to face accountability issues, with reported misappropriation funds due to weak monitoring structures. The CAI seeks to address these inefficiencies by establishing a public dashboard for ranking state performance, ensuring that climate funds are directed towards projects that deliver real results.
Speaking ahead of the workshop, the Executive Director of CCAIE, A’aron John emphasized the importance of subnational accountability in driving climate progress. “Without a structured system to evaluate climate actions at the local level, Nigeria risks missing its 2030 emissions reduction target by 20%. The Climate Action Index bridges this gap by not only tracking progress but also incentivizing performance through transparent rankings and data-driven decision-making.” Dr. Umar Yakubu, the Executive Director of CeFTPI added that the Index will also play a crucial role in unlocking climate finance, as investors and development partners increasingly prioritize funding for regions with strong governance and accountability structures.
It is envisaged that the CAI will present a scalable solution for climate accountability across Africa. Drawing insights from global best practices such as Europe’s Climate Action Tracker and South Africa’s municipal climate programs, the Index will offer a localized yet internationally recognized framework for evaluating climate action at the state, regional, and continental levels. With climate finance expected to play a pivotal role in Africa’s sustainable development, the CAI can serve as a benchmark for attracting investments into clean energy, adaptation initiatives, and community resilience programs.
Co-signed:
CEFTPI & CCAIE