NiMet urges climate data integration in sustainability reporting

The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Charles Anosike, has called for stronger collaboration between financial regulators, investors, and sustainability leaders to close climate data gaps and integrate weather information into sustainability reporting.

Anosike made the call through a statement signed by the ministry on Monday, saying, “Increasing climate damages are straining private insurance markets, shifting more costs to government-run plans, and raising questions about their sustainability. We need to work together to integrate contextual meteorological data into sustainability reporting and close climate data gaps in Nigeria.”

“Extreme weather events are both short-term and long-term risks, highlighting their significant and growing economic costs, disproportionate impact on developing countries, and potential triggers for food price shocks, supply chain disruptions, and increased insurance costs.”

Highlighting the impact of climate awareness, Anosike noted that meteorology provides the fundamental weather and climate data that form the foundation of sustainability reporting.

He stressed that “Reliable climate data is crucial for informed decisions in our financial markets. It is essential for agricultural productivity and food security, aviation safety, building and construction, disaster preparedness, maritime operations, public health, and infrastructure development, among others, thereby ensuring a sustainable economy.”

He also spotlighted NiMet’s role as the nation’s climate custodian, entrusted solely with the mandate to observe, collate, collect, process, and disseminate weather and climate information for the safety of lives and property.

According to him, NiMet is responsible for “making weather and climate predictions across various timescales and ensuring timely communication of weather and climate information to support sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria.”

“NiMet has been at the forefront of climate data management and people-centred early Warning Systems,” said Anosike, as he emphasised that greater investment, mutual engagement, and quality climate data sharing are critical for effective sustainability reporting, fostering trust, transparency, and collective progress towards climate-informed goals.