Katsina Targets Carbon Credit Revenue, Plans Climate-Smart Projects In 2027

The Katsina State Government will commence the implementation of a carbon credit initiative in 2027 as part of efforts to boost internally generated revenue through climate-smart policies and environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects.

The Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board (KTDMB), Mustapha Shehu, disclosed this during the 2027 budget defence of the Department of Climate Change before the Budget Committee chaired by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Malik Anas.

Shehu said the state’s recently approved climate policy has positioned Katsina to benefit from the global carbon credit market by promoting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with international environmental standards.

According to him, the policy has triggered key reforms, including the implementation of carbon credit initiatives, climate-related procurement and the integration of climate considerations into public infrastructure development.

He explained that government construction projects would now be required to comply with climate-smart standards, with preference given to environmentally friendly and locally sourced building materials capable of attracting carbon credit incentives and other international climate financing opportunities.

Shehu cited a pilot classroom project in Funtua, where red bricks were used instead of conventional cement blocks, as an example of how climate-compliant construction could generate carbon credit earnings and create a new revenue stream for the state.

He added that the Department of Climate Change would provide technical oversight by monitoring compliance with climate standards, inspecting projects and deploying specialised equipment to verify that infrastructure projects meet environmental requirements.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change, Prof. Al’amin Mohammed, presented the department’s 2027 budget proposal, seeking an increase in the allocation for climate administration and mainstreaming from the ₦400 million approved in the 2026 budget to about ₦1.107 billion.

Prof. Al’amin said the proposed increase was necessitated by the approval of the state’s climate policy, the establishment of the Climate Change Council, Climate Change Forum and technical committees across ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the commencement of climate budget tagging and other governance reforms.

During the deliberations, Committee Chairman Malik Anas questioned the proposed increase and directed the department to provide a detailed breakdown of its planned activities, procurement requirements and service costs.

Anas said although the committee supports the carbon credit initiative, the proposed expenditure must be properly itemised and justified before approval, stressing that transparency would strengthen the state’s chances of accessing climate-related funding and other development opportunities.