Humankind in the modern day world that is characterised with the emergence of innovative technologies available for smooth business practice and operations, have continued to witness unparalleled development and growth in national and subnational economic fronts.
The rapid industrialisation occurring in most economies have been marked with intense manufacturing and construction activities which generate wealth through marketing and trading opportunities linked with capital formation, job creation and improvement of life quality. Individuals in developed and developing economies deriving high economic gains from extensive resource exploitation for industrial purpose have continued to deplete the natural environment with less concern for its attendant consequence.
Large scale economic production requiring competitive use of natural resources to meet growing societal needs have given rise to the alteration of ecological balance, thereby resulting to issues of climate change. Climate change which is mostly associated with unwise human activities in the natural and built environment have increasingly gained the attention of policy makers and researchers on a global level.
The impact of climate change on public health due the exposure of people to environment pollution emanating from release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) have been significantly negative. Community members residing in urban areas that are susceptible to environmental degradation have in recent time suffered from injuries and in extreme cases lose their lives from health complications triggered by global warming.
Environmental issues in Nigeria such as flooding, windstorm and desertification have not only lead to deaths but have also displaced and impoverished communities by destroying their properties and means of livelihood. Affected communities who mourn for their social and economic losses are often time compensated by public authorities in charge of disaster management. Despite the receipt of these compensation, individuals tend to frequently indicate displeasure with the modality of the exercise in terms of settlement or cash reward.
The question of how comparable the new location is or how fair the payment is when compared with the magnitude of loss suffered have been an issue of contention in most situation. Furthermore, the non-inclusion of affected community members in the decision-making process of compensation makes the transparency of the entire process to be challenged.
Besides the resistance of affected communities to the compensation offered by public authorities, global scholars in land management and environmental management discipline have also expressed dissatisfaction with adequacy of the traditional methods of appraisal used for climate-induced disaster in developing countries like Nigeria.
This is due to the fact that intangible environmental assets affected by climate change such as scenic features, vegetation and wildlife cannot be valued using conventional techniques approved by the statute (Land Use Act 1978) to be adopted in Nigeria regarding compensation. This makes the question raised about the fairness of compensation for climate-induced disaster imperative, especially in contemporary practice where modern techniques have emerged for environmental valuation.
Environmental valuation which have not been well appreciated in the valuation of intangible environmental assets in Nigeria have made it difficult to answer the question if the compensation offered is done in the light of economic expediency or climate justice. Public authorities faced with the responsibility of assessing damages for payment of compensation should re-evaluate the existing approach to determine if the compensation given to affected members is equitable, fair and just.
In conclusion, the government should ensure that the land policy on compensation recognize the need for specialized valuation approach relating to climate change. It is prudent to make sure that employees of the government working in land ministries, department and agencies are trained on environmental valuation in order to bring about fair values which will not cover only tangible losses but intangible losses as well.
Land experts empowered by law to carryout valuation for compensation purpose such as Estate Surveyors and Valuers and community members affected should be actively involved in the decision making process in order to determine the appropriate method of appraisal to be adopted. Strategic stakeholder engagement constituting collaborative effort between international and local entities will ensure transparency and just compensation for climate induced loses in Nigeria.