National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC 2012, updated under Climate Change Act 2021)

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on Climate Change provides the programmatic framework for Nigeria's response to climate change, covering mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (building resilience). It sits alongside the Climate Change Act 2021, which gives it legislative force, and is implemented through the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2021 to 2025).

Who Does It Target?

All federal and state government ministries, departments, and agencies with a climate change dimension Private sector companies in high-emission industries: energy, transport, manufacturing, and agriculture Climate-vulnerable communities in coastal zones, the North-East, Niger Delta, and Lake Chad Basin Development partners and international climate finance institutions seeking to co-invest in Nigeria's transition

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Achieve a 47% conditional and 20% unconditional reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 relative to business as usual Attain net-zero GHG emissions by 2060 in line with Nigeria's long-term low-emission development strategy Mainstream climate action into Nigeria's annual budget cycle, sector policies, and all three tiers of government Build national resilience to the current and projected impacts of climate change on agriculture, water, health, and coastal infrastructure

Key Features

Mitigation Priorities: End routine gas flaring; expand renewable energy; improve energy efficiency; reduce deforestation; promote low-carbon transport and agriculture Adaptation Priorities: Climate-smart agriculture; coastal protection and managed retreat; drought-resilient water systems; early warning systems for extreme weather Five-Year Action Plans: Rolling five-year National Climate Change Action Plans (NCCAPs) set sector targets; the current plan covers 2021 to 2025 Climate Fund: Nigeria Climate Change Fund receives and deploys domestic and international climate finance including Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund allocations Carbon Budget System: Established under the Climate Change Act 2021; each MDA operates within a designated carbon budget reviewed every five years REDD+ and Blue Carbon: Policy supports REDD+ forest carbon and emerging blue carbon opportunities in Nigeria's mangroves and coastal wetlands

Current Status

The policy is in force, having been updated under the Climate Change Act 2021 and implemented through the National Climate Change Action Plan for 2021 to 2025.

Legal Framework

The National Policy on Climate Change derives legislative authority from the Climate Change Act 2021, which is the primary legal instrument. It aligns with the 1999 Constitution, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) provide the international legal basis.