The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it is excited by the nomination of Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director for Climate Change and Green Growth, as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Climate Policy 2019.
Mr Chawki Chahed, the bank’s Senior Communications Officer, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
He said that the nomination was by Apolitical, a peer-to-peer learning platform for governments.
Chahed added that Nyong, a Nigerian and pioneering and globally recognised climate change expert, was named among the top 20 on the prestigious listing announced on Wednesday in London.
He quoted Amadou Hott, the bank’s Vice President, Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, as saying that he was delighted by “this nomination of one of our own to this list”.
According to him, it is a worthy recognition of his, and the bank’s commitment to responding to climate change threats on the continent, which remains disproportionately affected.
He also quoted Apolitical’s Executive Chairman, Lisa Witter as saying that there was an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
“174 countries and the Eùropean Union agreed to act at the Paris Agreements.
“At Apolitical, we highlight the good work that government does and help it to become even better.
“By showcasing these climate policy leaders, we hope to encourage more collaboration and exchange to accelerate the effective response to the global climate threat,” Witter said.
The spokesperson noted that Nyong joined the bank in 2008 and built up the bank’s climate change initiatives including its Green Growth Agenda.
“Prior to joining the bank, he worked as a Senior Programme Specialist for Climate Change at the International Development Research Centre in Nairobi.
“In this role, Nyong successfully mobilised substantial resources to set up the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa programme that has significantly built adaptation capacity across the continent.
“Prior to that, he was a Coordinating Lead Author of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was a Co-Recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions.
“Mr. Nyong also served as a Professor of Climate Change at the University of Jos, Nigeria,” he said.
“It is an honour to be acknowledged amongst such an influential list of leaders who are passionate and actively working to influence policy and make a tangible difference towards addressing global climate change,” said Nyong.
“Climate change has evolved from an environmental worry to a threat on global development, particularly in Africa. The African Development Bank, under the leadership of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has demonstrated a strong commitment at both policy and implementation level, to climate compatible development in Africa,” he added.
Apolitical’s “100 Most Influential People in Climate Policy” list celebrates inspirational leaders, politicians, advocates, youth activists, academics and diplomats from all over the world whose work is indispensable to raising awareness.
By Mustapha Sumaila
