Weeks after the successful public presentation of the draft Imo State Climate Change Policy and incorporation of the feedback received from the public, Spaces for Change | S4C and the Imo State Technical Committee on Climate Change have formally handed over the draft policy to Imo State Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, signaling the conclusion of the first phase of the state’s subnational climate governance journey. The handover ceremony, held on June 27, 2025, in the Ministry’s conference room in Owerri, drew a cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, civil society representatives, and members of the Technical Committee that steered the policy development process.
Handing over the draft climate policy document to Imo Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Honourable Barr. Major Emenike, S4C thanked the Ministry for the overall state support and cooperation throughout the drafting process. The policy, specifically adapted to the local context, is already drawing interest from development partners and civil society organizations who are already beginning to align their programming and advocacy actions with its provisions. “This policy was not lifted from national templates or adapted from federal blueprints; rather it is a homegrown document—shaped by the voices, inputs and lived experiences of Imo people,” S4C emphasized. The policy went through a thorough and inclusive process of drafting, redrafting and reviews, including engaging with citizens through radio feedback and peer learning exchanges. The town hall meeting served as the grand finale, with all feedback and inputs incorporated into the draft policy to tailor it to local needs and priorities.
Receiving the document, Hon. Barr. Emenike commended the dedication of the Technical Committee throughout the entire drafting process. He acknowledged and hailed the successful collaboration with Spaces for Change which contributed significantly to the development of a robust and groundbreaking Climate Change Policy for Imo State. Not only that, Spaces for Change’s advocacy has also elevated the Environment Ministry’s visibility in the climate governance arena both nationally and internationally. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has also publicly commended S4C during the launch of the Imo Climate Knowledge Paper, titled, Advancing Inclusive Climate Governance in Imo State: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities on April 30, 2025. Mr. Chukwuma Iheanacho, Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, hailed the milestone as historic, noting that few states in Nigeria have articulated a climate policy laying the foundation for coordinated inter-agency action, and long-term sustainability in the face of intensifying climate impacts. Regarding the next steps, the Environment Ministry announced plans to develop the accompanying Imo State Climate Action Plan, which will translate the policy’s vision into actionable steps for implementation.
The Imo State Climate Change Policy drafting process began on July 3, 2024, with an inception meeting between S4C and the Environment Ministry where the vision for a state-owned climate change policy was birthed. Since then, the draft policy has been shaped through a broad spectrum of engagements including community townhalls, radio call-ins, peer learning exchanges with other states like Enugu, and technical inputs from the National Council on Climate Change and other national climate change actors. A key highlight of the handover event was the presentation of certificates of commendation to members of the Technical Committee in recognition of their outstanding technical, logistical, and advisory contributions. To match policy with action, all hands must now be on deck, whether government, civil society and local communities, to operationalize the policy for the benefit of every citizen in Imo State.
