Authors :
Obasi, Basil Jacob
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 11 - November
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/yc6p6b5n
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/5yrf7e2r
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10259808
Abstract :
For Nigeria to achieve Goal 13 of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,
governments at the sub-national level should take urgent
and pragmatic steps towards tackling climate change
and its impact through effective public financial
management using the budget as a veritable tool. This
paper examined the climate-responsiveness of public
financial management (PFM) systems and processes
through the annual budget at the sub-national level in
Nigeria. Using a mixed method, the study assessed the
current state of awareness about the importance of PFM
in achieving climate-smart policies, governments’
attitudes towards entrenching climate change sensitivity
in the public expenditure culture. The paper
interrogated the extent to which the budget reflects
government interest in climate-change mitigation and
adaptation policy choices. The findings of the study
suggest that although there exists high level of awareness
and knowledge about the need for climate sensitive
public financial management, only a few States in
Nigeria have made substantial efforts towards making
their PFM systems and processes green. The paper
concludes that government at the sub-national level
should promote policy reforms that respond to climate
change mitigation, adaptation and build resilience
through inclusive PFM systems and processes that
integrate environmentally sustainable practices.
Keywords :
Public Financial Management, Climate Change, Budget Tagging and Green PFM.
For Nigeria to achieve Goal 13 of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,
governments at the sub-national level should take urgent
and pragmatic steps towards tackling climate change
and its impact through effective public financial
management using the budget as a veritable tool. This
paper examined the climate-responsiveness of public
financial management (PFM) systems and processes
through the annual budget at the sub-national level in
Nigeria. Using a mixed method, the study assessed the
current state of awareness about the importance of PFM
in achieving climate-smart policies, governments’
attitudes towards entrenching climate change sensitivity
in the public expenditure culture. The paper
interrogated the extent to which the budget reflects
government interest in climate-change mitigation and
adaptation policy choices. The findings of the study
suggest that although there exists high level of awareness
and knowledge about the need for climate sensitive
public financial management, only a few States in
Nigeria have made substantial efforts towards making
their PFM systems and processes green. The paper
concludes that government at the sub-national level
should promote policy reforms that respond to climate
change mitigation, adaptation and build resilience
through inclusive PFM systems and processes that
integrate environmentally sustainable practices.
Keywords :
Public Financial Management, Climate Change, Budget Tagging and Green PFM.