CLIMATE CHANGE ACT

An Act provides a legal framework for addressing climate change and guiding Nigeria towards net-zero emissions. It targets government institutions, the private sector, and communities to enforce carbon budgets and protect ecosystems. This helps achieve sustainable development by 2060.

What Is This Policy?

The Climate Change Act, 2021 is Nigeria’s first comprehensive climate law, designed to provide a binding legal framework for addressing climate change and guiding the country toward its net-zero commitments.

Who Does It Target?

The act targets government institutions, private sector actors, civil society, communities, and international partners.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

It aims to reduce emissions, protect ecosystems, institutionalize climate governance, enforce carbon budgets, and achieve net-zero by 2060.

Key Features

National Council on Climate Change (NCCC): Establishes a central body chaired by the President to coordinate climate policies, oversee implementation, and monitor progress. National Climate Change Action Plan: Requires the government to prepare and implement a plan for adaptation and mitigation measures. Mainstreaming Climate Policy: Ensures climate considerations are integrated into national development strategies and sectoral policies. Carbon Budgets: Mandates five-year carbon budgets with annual quantified objectives, approved by the Federal Executive Council, to guide emission reductions.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: active in its implementation stage Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Direct, Indirect, Numbers. Funding: Federal Government budget allocations.

Important Terms

Term 1-Applicability: The Act applies to all Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as public and private entities in Nigeria. Term 2- Climate Finance: Mechanisms to mobilize and manage funding from domestic and international sources to support climate projects.

Official Resources

NGF Digital Repository (Nigeria Governors’ Forum) Hosts the official gazetted version of the Act. Direct access: https://ngfrepository.org.ng International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Legal Database Provides downloadable copies of the Act for international reference. Website: https://www.ifrc.org Link to document- Link to document

Legal Framework

The Climate Change Act 2021 is the primary legislation governing climate change response in Nigeria. It operates under the 1999 Constitution (Section 20 — environmental objectives) and gives legislative force to Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC). The Act aligns with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the African Union Common African Position on climate change.