Edo State Govt. Marks World Environment Day 2026, Reaffirms Commitment to Climate Action Under SHINE Agenda
By Amina Ebor
The Office of the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Hon. Sally Suleiman, has joined the global community in commemorating World Environment Day 2026, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.
This year’s United Nations theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” with the campaign slogan NowForClimate, underscores the urgency of collective action to protect the environment and secure a sustainable future.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Suleiman noted that the administration is actively advancing climate action through the SHINE Agenda and the domestication of the Sustainable Development Goals across key sectors of governance.
She explained that Edo State’s climate interventions are structured around targeted priorities aligned with global development goals.
Under Nature-Based Solutions (SDG 11, SDG 13 and SDG 15), she said the State Government is expanding green parks and urban forests across Benin City, Esan Central, Uromi, Auchi, and other local government areas. According to her, the initiative is designed to mitigate urban heat, improve air quality, and strengthen community resilience against flooding and desertification.
On Mass Mobilisation Against Desertification (SDG 13 and SDG 15), she disclosed that the government is sustaining annual tree-planting and environmental awareness campaigns in schools and communities to restore degraded lands and promote ecological restoration.
She further highlighted efforts under Clean Cities and Waste-to-Wealth (SDG 11 and SDG 12), noting that the SDGs Office, in collaboration with stakeholders, is promoting recycling initiatives, waste management partnerships, and community clean-up campaigns aimed at fostering sustainable consumption and production patterns.
On Protecting the Vulnerable (SDG 1, SDG 10 and SDG 13), Suleiman emphasized that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, adding that the SHINE Agenda prioritizes sensitisation programmes for displaced and at-risk communities to enhance environmental awareness and resilience.
She commended the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to environmental sustainability and reiterated that the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo has strengthened public awareness on the importance of environmental protection.
“Climate action is not a stand-alone goal. As the UN has noted, progress on climate significantly eases the path to achieving goals on poverty, hunger, water, and health. Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda mainstreams climate change into state policy because our future depends on it,” she said.
The Office reaffirmed Edo State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), development partners, and citizens in advancing climate action for sustainable development.
Edo State joins the global community in marking World Environment Day 2026 under the call: NowForClimate.
