COP31: Osun to Showcase Climate Initiatives, Renewable Energy Projects In Turkey

The Osun State Government is set to showcase its climate change initiatives, renewable energy projects and investment opportunities at three side events scheduled for the 31st Conference of Parties (COP31) holding in Antalya, Türkiye.

The events, slated for Saturday, November 14, 2026, will provide an international platform for the state to present its interventions in climate governance, circular economy, renewable energy and sustainable development.

The Director-General and Special Envoy to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Climate Change, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, disclosed this in an article titled, “Osun State at COP31: From Local Climate Action to Investable Development.”

Obuaku said the state’s participation was aimed at demonstrating how climate action at the subnational level could translate into economic opportunities, job creation, social inclusion and sustainable development.

According to her, the engagements will hold at the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) Pavilion, located behind the Nigerian Pavilion at the conference venue.

One of the highlights will be the screening of a documentary, From Waste to Wealth: A Documentary Journey into Africa’s Circular Economy, alongside the international unveiling of a book titled Our Planet, Our Responsibility: A Student Guide to Climate Change, Circular Economy, Renewable Energy and Tree Planting.

The session is scheduled to hold between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

The documentary is expected to highlight how waste can be converted into economic resources through recycling, resource recovery, enterprise development and community participation.

The book, on the other hand, is designed to promote climate education among students by introducing them to issues such as climate change, renewable energy, circular economy and tree planting.

Another major feature of the Osun presentation will be the Imole Solar Lantern initiative, which will be showcased through a photographic presentation titled “Lighting Lives, Powering Opportunity,” scheduled for 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Obuaku disclosed that more than 10,000 solar lanterns had been distributed through the initiative, noting that the intervention demonstrated the role of decentralised renewable energy solutions in improving access to lighting, supporting education and enhancing household welfare, particularly in underserved communities.

The state’s participation will also feature its Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, which seeks to attract private-sector participation, development finance, technical partnerships and institutional investment into climate-related projects.

Obuaku said the portfolio was designed to move the state’s climate commitments beyond policy declarations by identifying projects capable of attracting investment and supporting sustainable economic growth.

She noted that climate action required adequate financing and strategic partnerships, adding that state governments needed to develop credible investment opportunities and strengthen institutional frameworks to attract private capital.

According to her, Osun is positioning climate governance, renewable energy and the circular economy as complementary tools for economic diversification and sustainable development under the Adeleke administration.

She, however, stressed that the success of climate leadership should not be measured by participation in international conferences alone, but by the projects implemented, investments attracted, jobs created and communities positively affected.

“The real measure of Osun’s climate leadership will not be the number of conferences attended or presentations delivered, but the quality of projects implemented, the investments mobilised, the jobs created, the communities reached and the measurable improvements in environmental and social outcomes,” she stated.

She added that the state’s participation in COP31 presented an opportunity to attract international partnerships, technical expertise and investment to support its emerging green economy agenda.

Obuaku said Osun’s message at the global climate conference was that local climate action could generate economic value and create opportunities for a more resilient and inclusive future.

“The message from Osun is clear: climate ambition must become development action, and development action must become investable opportunity,” she said.