Climate change is no longer a distant risk discussed at global summits. It's here, it's local, and it's already reshaping the way Nigerians live, work and do business. From flooding in Lagos and Bayelsa to desertification in the North and erratic rainfall affecting food production across the country, climate impacts are testing the resilience of our communities and the sustainability of our economy.
Yet, much of our response remains reactive: emergency relief after floods, ad-hoc repairs to damaged infrastructure, or short-term policy announcements. What is urgently needed is a shift from reactive to proactive building resilience. This is where environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks provide a powerful, practical way forward.
Climate resilience is the ability of communities, systems and businesses to anticipate, absorb and adapt to climate-related shocks while functioning and thriving. This is not just an environmental issue; It is an economic, social and administrative imperative. ESG, when properly implemented, brings flexibility to decision making, investment planning and community engagement.
From an environmental perspective, resilience starts with how we manage natural assets. Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers against climate shocks. Reforestation, wetland restoration and sustainable land use reduce flood risk, protect water sources and improve food security. In my work as an ESG consultant and on reforestation projects, I have seen how tree planting is often dismissed as “environmental charity,” yet it is actually climate infrastructure. A forest can stabilize soils, regulate temperatures, protect livelihoods and reduce the long-term costs of climate disasters.
For businesses, integrating environmental resilience means understanding climate risks across the value chain; These range from sourcing and logistics to energy use and waste management. Companies that invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate-smart operations are not only reducing emissions; They are protecting themselves from rising energy costs, supply disruptions and regulatory shocks. Climate resilience is increasingly becoming an issue of competitiveness.
The social pillar of ESG is where resilience becomes deeply human. Climate impacts disproportionately impact vulnerable populations such as women, children, informal workers and rural communities. Floods destroy homes and small businesses. Drought disrupts farming and pushes families into poverty. Heat stress affects productivity and health. The list goes on.
Building social resilience requires deliberate investment in people and communities. This includes climate-aware health systems, resilient housing, skill development for green jobs and inclusive community partnerships. Businesses operating in climate-affected areas must move beyond corporate philanthropy toward structured social investments that strengthen local adaptive capacity. When communities are resilient, businesses are more stable. When communities fail, businesses inevitably bear the costs.
Governance is often the least discussed but most important pillar of climate resilience. Without strong governance, environmental and social initiatives remain fragmented and ineffective. Climate resilience demands clear policies, transparent decision-making, data-driven risk assessment and accountability at the board level.
Boards and executive teams must treat climate risk as a strategic risk, not a sustainability footnote. This includes climate scenario analysis, integration of climate considerations into enterprise risk management and explicit monitoring of ESG performance. Regulators and policy makers also have a role to play in providing coherent frameworks, incentives and enforcement mechanisms that encourage long-term flexibility rather than short-term compliance.
In Nigeria and across Africa, the climate challenge is often seen as a development obstacle. I see it differently. Climate resilience, rooted in ESG, is a growth opportunity. It can unlock new financing, attract responsible investment, create jobs and strengthen trust between businesses and communities.
Global capital is increasingly flowing towards climate-resilient and ESG-aligned projects. Investors are asking tough questions: How sensitive is this business to climate risk? How prepared is its workforce and host community? How strong is its rule? Organizations that cannot answer these questions convincingly will struggle to compete for capital, contracts, and credibility.
At the same time, we must resist the temptation to treat ESG as a reporting exercise divorced from local realities. Climate resilience in Nigeria will not be built by wholesale copying from Europe or North America. It should be based on relevant, local data, community needs and indigenous solutions. ESG works best when it is practical, measurable and embedded in everyday business and governance decisions.
The climate is changing, whether we are ready or not. The real question is whether our institutions, businesses and communities are equipped to adapt and thrive. ESG offers much more than the language of sustainability; It provides a structure for flexibility.
As an ESG professional, I believe that the organizations that will succeed over the next decade are not those that react fastest after a crisis, but those that deliberately prepare before a crisis occurs. There is no cost to managing climate resilience. It is an investment in continuity, stability and shared prosperity.
In the face of a changing climate, resilience is no longer optional. This can be achieved through ESG.
Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun is the Founder and Managing Partner of Tisu Consulting Limited, a leading ESG consulting firm. He is a former Community Materials Manager at Shell Petroleum Development Company and has served as Special Adviser on Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management to the Edo State Government. She is also the host of the #SarahSpeaks podcast on YouTube @WinningBigWithSarah, where she shares insights on leadership, strategy, and sustainable development.
