National Climate Change Policy for Nigeria: 2021-2030.

This National Policy’s purpose moves from the need to define a new multi-sectoral and dynamic framework to guide the Country’s initiatives to the developing challenges of climate change. Therefore, the Policy prescribes sectoral and cross-sectoral strategic statements and actions, within a medium term time framework, between 2021 and 2030, for pursuing a climate resilient national sustainable development. On these bases, the protection of the environment becomes essential for achieving the mission and the overall goals of this National Policy: ensuring sustainable development and a climate proofed economy through multi-stakeholder engagement and promoting a low-carbon, climate-resilient and gender-responsive sustainable socio-economic development. The expected outcomes of these goals include: improved social, cultural, economic and ecological resilience; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; increased awareness of climate change impacts; enhanced and strengthened research, innovation and technology development; enhanced capacity to implement climate change related interventions at national, state and community levels.
The National Policy also defines strategic objectives and guiding principles relevant to the achievement of the goals, including: adaptation and mitigation measures promoting low-carbon development and climate change response; implementing appropriate strategies and actions to reduce the vulnerability of Nigerians to the impacts of climate change across all sectors; mainstreaming gender, children and youth, and other vulnerable groups into all climate change interventions; promoting sustainable land-use systems in order to enhance agricultural production, ensure food security and maintain ecosystem integrity; effective citizenship participation; international partnership and cooperation; gender equality and social inclusion; sustainable management of the environment and promotion of its quality and ecological equilibrium.
The Policy is subdivided into 7 sections. Section 1 provides a general background on climate change in Nigeria, focusing on the previous approaches adopted, strategies and plans for the Policy review and the link between the Policy and other related national policies. Section 2 highlights the relevance of the Paris Agreement in influencing the national response to climate change and emphasises Nigeria’s policy and legislative responses to the issue. Section 3 concerns goals, objectives and guiding principles. Section 4 provides for statements related to acceleration of the needed process and implementation of climate change mitigation initiatives. Section 5 elaborates on the key directions for adaptation to climate change in the Country in several core sectors. Section 6 addresses the enabling conditions necessary for realising a climate resilient economy. Section 7 concerns implementation strategies and actions for ensuring a climate resilient compatible and sustainable development for the Country.
This National Policy reflects the government commitment to address the climate change challenge through various measures in different areas. It particularly provides for a Nationally Determined Contribution, following the ratification of the Paris Agreement and aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity of GDP by 20% by 2030, above all in agriculture, forestry and other land use and then optimising production, without compromising food security. Energy is another core sector where the Policy is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the transition towards clean and affordable energy sources. The Policy also aims at promoting health facilities and infrastructure that are climate resilient. Other relevant sectors in which the Policy is oriented towards the reduction greenhouse gas emission, are: industry, oil and gas, transportation routes, waste management, drinking water and wastewater treatment. In order to improve the financial resources to effectively respond to climate change challenges, the Government launches green bonds focused on national projects related to environment, agriculture, power and energy efficiency-transportation. Concerning some climate change related and development issues, this National Policy provides for the 2030 and 2063 National Agendas, in order to eradicate poverty and couple inclusive social and economic integration, democratic governance and peace and security with climate compatible development. This National Policy updates the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan as an economic blueprint for addressing the economic, social and environmental sustainability dimensions of development.