Stakeholders' perspectives on addressing climate change and respiratory health impacts in Nigeria

Abstract

, 2024, involving participants from Lagos and Ogun States. The framework for the activities was adapted from Gardner´s climate change engagement pathways, which examine key drivers (8 questions), barriers (7 questions), and adaptation pathways (3 questions). Data were collected through note-taking, written contributions, audio and video recording, and subsequently transcribed and analysed thematically. A total of 42 registered participants, comprising government officials, academicians, healthcare professionals, community and religious leaders, attended the stakeholder engagement meeting. Participants made group presentations and submitted a total of 380 written contributions. There were varying views on the drivers of climate change, but there was consensus that the most vulnerable populations include the poor, homeless, pregnant women, children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions. An important barrier identified was the sociocultural belief that climate change is an act of God or spirits. Financial constraints were a recurrent theme in discussions about mitigation and adaptation to climate change. This report provides valuable information on the most vulnerable population to the effects of climate change in Nigeria and identifies sociocultural beliefs and financial constraints as key barriers to the adoption of effective mitigation and adaptation behaviors.