1994:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC)
• Ratified on 29 August 1994.
• Non-annex I Party, Nigeria so not obligated to reduce emissions under binding targets but
pledged voluntary efforts to combat climate change.
• Acknowledged its vulnerability to climate change impacts, including:
Desertification in the north.
Flooding in coastal regions.
Soil erosion and deforestation affecting agriculture and biodiversity.
• Agreed to submit National Communications
• Nigeria can access funding mechanisms like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for
climate-related projects.
• Participated in Conference of the Parties (COP), Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.
1997:
The Kyoto Protocol
CBDR (Article 10):
• Developed nations must lead emissions reductions due to historical responsibility.
• Nigeria, as a developing nation, has no binding targets.
CDM (Article 12):
• Enables developed nations to fund emission-reduction projects in Nigeria, including
renewable energy and methane recovery.
Adaptation Funding (Article 12.8):
• CDM proceeds assist Nigeria in adapting to climate impacts.
Emission Reduction Targets (Article 3):
• Annex I countries pledged to reduce emissions by 5% below 1990 levels during 2008–
2012.
Nigeria-Specific Challenges
• Nigeria contributes <1% of global emissions but faces severe climate impacts like
desertification and flooding.
• 40% of land is at risk, affecting agriculture, which contributes 25% of GDP and
employs 70% of the population (Article 2.1.a.iii).
• Solar radiation of 5.5 kWh/m²/day can reduce oil dependence, which accounts for
94% of export earnings (Article 10.c).
• Nigeria flares 7.4 billion m³ of gas annually, emitting 93 million tons of CO2.
Methane recovery can cut emissions and boost efficiency (Article 2.1.a.viii).
• Rising Sea Levels Threaten 25 million coastal residents.
• 45% of Nigerians lack electricity, emphasizing the need for renewable energy.
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts
• Net-Zero by 2060: Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan focuses on renewable energy
development (Article 2.1.a.iv).
• Projects like the Katsina Wind Farm and solar mini grids provide clean energy (Article 12).
• The NGFCP targets eliminating gas flaring by 2030, reducing 93 million tons of CO2
annually (Article 2.1.a.viii).
• The Great Green Wall Initiative restores degraded land and combats desertification
(Article2.1. a. ii).
• Promoting drought-resistant crops and climate-smart farming for 25% GDP reliance (Article
2.1.a.iii).
• Leveraging 5.5 kWh/m²/day solar radiation to improve energy access for 45% of Nigerians
without electricity (Article 10.c).
• Training programs enhance expertise in climate adaptation and renewable energy (Article 10).
• Developing systems to capture methane from waste and oil production (Article 2.1.a.viii).
• Sharing resources and knowledge with other developing nations (Article 10).
• Investing in resilient infrastructure for 25 million Nigerians in coastal areas (Article 11).
• Submitting greenhouse gas inventories and reports under UNFCCC compliance (Article 7).
2001:
National Action on Desertification
Nigeria-Specific Challenges
• Desertification: Impacts 38% of land and 27 million people in frontline states (Article 3.2) .
• Deforestation: 350,000 hectares lost annually, with only 30,000 hectares reforested (Article
3.3.2.1)
• Drought: Lake Chad has shrunk by 90%, worsening desertification (Article 3.3) .
• Overgrazing: Livestock density exceeds sustainable limits, degrading drylands (Article 3.3.2.3)
Population Pressure: Drylands host 90% of cattle, intensifying land degradation (Article 3.2)
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts
• National Action Programme: Ratified in 1997 to combat desertification with afforestation and
sustainable farming (Article 6) .
• Afforestation: Raised 10 million seedlings annually, creating shelterbelts and woodlots
(Article 4.3.2) .
• Renewable Energy: Promoted solar, biogas, and efficient stoves to reduce fuelwood use
(Article 4.3.4) .
• Water Management: Built dams, irrigation systems, and watering points through RBDAs
(Article 4.3.1) .
• Poverty Alleviation: Provided micro-credits and rural infrastructure under projects like
NEAZDP (Article 4.3.5) .
• Community Participation: Engaged locals in conservation and resource management (Article
• 4.1) .
• International Partnerships: Collaborated with the EU and UNCCD for funding and technical
support (Article 4.3.6) .
2003:
The National Policy on Environment
Nigeria-Specific Challenges
• Nigeria loses 350,000–400,000 hectares of land annually to erosion and desertification,
threatening agriculture (Articles 3.7, 3.13) .
• Only 57% of rural Nigerians have access to clean water; poor catchment management worsens
scarcity (Articles 3.1, 3.2) .
• Urban air pollution levels exceed WHO limits, driven by emissions from vehicles and industries
(Articles 3.1, 3.2) .
• 40% of Nigeria’s forests have been lost, endangering biodiversity and increasing carbon
emissions (Articles 3.1, 3.2) .
• Rapid urbanization in cities like Lagos causes inadequate waste management, slum growth, and
loss of green spaces (Articles 3.14, 3.15) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts
• Sustainable farming practices and reforestation projects are restoring degraded land and
combating desertification (Articles 3.6, 3.7) .
• Protection of water bodies and promotion of water-efficient crops aim to enhance water security
for agriculture (Articles 3.1, 3.2) .
• Enforced emission limits and industrial recycling programs reduce pollution and promote cleaner
production (Articles 3.10, 3.12) .
• Nigeria leverages 5.5 kWh/m²/day of solar energy to expand rural electricity access and cut
fossil fuel reliance (Articles 3.4, 3.6) .
• Conservation initiatives safeguard ecosystems, regulate natural resource extraction, and protect
threatened species (Articles 3.9, 3.11) .
• Education campaigns drive public awareness on sustainability and environmental responsibility
(Articles 3.10, 3.13) .
• Urban waste management programs focus on recycling, proper disposal, and expanding urban
green spaces (Articles 3.13, 3.14) .
• Nigeria aligns its policies with international commitments like the Paris Agreement and
biodiversity conventions (Articles 3.12, 3.15) .
2003:
First National Communication
Nigeria-Specific Challenges
• CO2 Emissions: 192 Tg CO2 in 1994, with gas flaring contributing 30% and land-use change
40% (Article 2) .
• Methane Emissions: 5.9 Tg, with agriculture contributing 18% (rice) and 19% (livestock)
(Article 2) .
• Deforestation: 3.5% annual loss (~92,000 hectares), threatening biodiversity (Article 1.5) .
• Rising Temperatures: Increased by 0.2–0.3°C per decade, intensifying droughts and
desertification (Article 1.2.4) .
• Sea-Level Rise: Up to 1.0 meter, endangering 13 million Niger Delta residents (Article 5)
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts
• Gas Flaring: Reduced to 1%, minimizing GHG emissions (Article 1.5) .
• Afforestation: Targeted sequestration of 427–580 MtC, requiring $3.8 billion over 40 years
(Article 3) .
• Energy Efficiency: Efficient technologies cut CO2 at $58/ton (Article 3) .
• Renewable Energy: Tapped 190 kcal/day solar radiation and hydroelectric capacity
(Article 1.5) .
• Water Management: Improved reservoirs and rainfall harvesting to meet 34,563 MLD
demand by 2030 (Article 5) .
• Climate Policies: Embedded sustainability in Vision 2010 and Agenda 21 (Article 7) .
• Emission Tracking: Comprehensive GHG inventory under UNFCCC (Article 2) .
• Awareness Campaigns: Educated communities on climate change and sustainability(Article7)
Nigeria’s Achievements in Sustainability and Climate Change
• Reduced gas flaring to 1%, cutting CO2 and methane emissions (Article 1.5) .
• Afforestation: Sequestered 427–580 MtC through forest regeneration programs (Article 3) .
• Energy Efficiency: Adopted efficient technologies, reducing CO2 at $58/ton (Article 3) .
• Renewable Energy: Leveraged 190 kcal/day solar radiation and hydroelectric capacity for
clean energy (Article 1.5) .
• Water Management: Improved reservoirs and rainfall harvesting, boosting water supply
(Article 5) .
• Climate Policies: Integrated climate action into Vision 2010 and Agenda 21 (Article 7) .
• GHG Monitoring: Established a national inventory for tracking emissions under UNFCCC
(Article 2) .
• Public Awareness: Launched campaigns to educate on climate change and sustainability
(Article 7) .
• Agroforestry: Promoted sustainable land use with carbon sequestration initiatives (Article 3) .
• Global Partnerships: Collaborated with UNFCCC and IPCC to access funding and expertise
(Article 7)
2004:
• Ratifies the Kyoto Protocol on December 10, formally committing to international climate change
mitigation efforts.
• Global Context: The Kyoto Protocol officially comes into effect after sufficient ratifications.
2007:
The National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
Nigeria-Specific Challenges
• Droughts: 40% of Nigeria’s land is at risk of desertification, severely affecting agriculture and
water supplies (NAPA: Section 2.2.1) .
• Flooding: Annual floods in Niger and Benue basins displace thousands and destroy crops
(NAPA: Section 2.2.2) .
• Rising Temperatures: 0.2–0.3°C increase per decade worsens water scarcity and crop
failures (NAPA: Section 2.2.3) .
• Coastal Erosion: Sea-level rise threatens 25 million Nigerians in coastal zones (NAPA:
Section 2.3) .
• Deforestation: Loss of 350,000 hectares annually reduces carbon sinks and worsens erosion
(NAPA: Section 3.1) .
• Energy Insecurity: 45% of Nigerians lack electricity, while reliance on fuelwood increases
deforestation (NAPA: Section 3.2) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts
• Afforestation: Planting 10 million trees annually to combat desertification (NAPA:
Section4.1) .
• Renewable Energy: Expanding solar and wind energy to reduce reliance on fuelwood and
electrify rural areas (NAPA: Section 4.3) .
• Water Management: Building dams, reservoirs, and boreholes to secure water in drought-prone
regions (NAPA: Section 4.2) .
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promoting drought-tolerant crops and efficient irrigation systems
(NAPA: Section 4.4) .
• Disaster Preparedness: Strengthening early warning systems for floods and droughts (NAPA:
Section 4.5) .
• Community Involvement: Engaging locals in tree planting and sustainable land use (NAPA:
Section 4.1.3) .
• Education: Raising public awareness about climate adaptation strategies (NAPA: Section 4.6) .
• Global Collaboration: Partnering with UNFCCC and UNEP to secure climate adaptation
funding (NAPA: Section 5.1)
2007:
The Bali Action Plan
Nigeria-Specific Challenges
• Low Emissions, High Vulnerability: Contributes <1% of global emissions, yet faces severe
climate risks (Bali: Preamble) .
• Deforestation: Rapid forest loss reduces carbon sinks, worsening climate impacts (Bali: 1(b)(iii)
• Energy Dependence: Heavy reliance on fossil fuels limits Nigeria’s transition to renewables
(Bali: 1(b)(ii) .
• Coastal Risks: Sea-level rise endangers 25 million Nigerians and key infrastructure (Bali: 1(c
(i) .
• Economic Impacts: Climate response measures pose significant economic challenges for
Nigeria (Bali: 1(b)(vi) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts
• Reforestation: Scaling up forest restoration and reducing gas flaring to cut emissions (Bali:
1(b)(ii) .
• Adaptation Planning: Integrating disaster resilience into national policies (Bali: 1(c)(i) .
• Renewable Energy: Promoting solar and wind energy to diversify the energy mix (Bali: 1(b)(v)
• Technology Transfer: Advocating for affordable, clean technologies to support mitigation and
adaptation (Bali: 1(d)(i) .
• Global Partnerships: Securing funding and technical support from multilateral bodies (Bali:
1(e)(i) .
• Capacity Building: Strengthening local expertise to assess and combat climate impacts (Bali:
1(c)(i) .
• Economic Diversification: Promoting non-oil sectors to build resilience against climate shocks
(Bali: 1(c)(iv)
2007:
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations
Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
Nigeria-Specific Challenges (NESREA-Specific)
• Pollution Control: Enforces air, noise, and water pollution regulations (Articles 20–23) .
• Hazardous Waste: Prohibits harmful discharge into air, water, or land (Article 27) .
• Land Degradation: Addresses deforestation, erosion, and watershed protection (Article 26) .
• Effluent Management: Sets industrial effluent limits to protect water bodies (Article 24) .
• Waste Management: Monitors urban sanitation and reduces pollution (Articles 25, 29) .
• Non-Oil Sector Focus: Regulates non-oil industries, excluding oil and gas (Article 7(h)) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts (NESREA-Specific)
• Global Compliance: Aligns Nigeria with international treaties on climate and biodiversity (Article
7(c)) .
• Renewable Energy: Promotes clean energy policies and pollution reduction (Article 20) .
• Public Awareness: Educates citizens on sustainable practices (Article 7(l)) .
• Environmental Monitoring: Tracks compliance and pollution through data systems (Articles 7(k),
8(l)) .
• Sustainable Agriculture: Supports ecosystem conservation for food security (Article 7(e)) .
• Methane Control: Regulates hazardous gas emissions (Article 27) .
• Flood Resilience: Enhances watershed and flood management (Article 26) .
• Quick Enforcement: Mobile courts expedite environmental violation cases (Article 8(f)) .
• Reinvestment: Uses permit and penalty funds for sustainability projects (Articles 13, 14)
2009:
Participation in the Copenhagen Climate Talks
Nigeria-Specific Challenges (Copenhagen Accord)
• Vulnerability to Temperature Rise: Agriculture employs 70% of Nigerians and contributes
25% of GDP, making Nigeria highly vulnerable to climate impacts (Paragraph 1) .
• Deforestation: Nigeria loses 350,000–400,000 hectares of forest annually, worsening carbon
emissions and biodiversity loss (Paragraph 6) .
• Adaptation Deficit: Limited resources hinder Nigeria’s response to desertification, droughts,
and flooding (Paragraph 3) .
• Funding Gaps: Nigeria requires a fair share of the pledged $100 billion annually by 2020 for
mitigation and adaptation efforts (Paragraph 8) .
• Energy Poverty: 45% of Nigerians lack electricity, underscoring the need for clean energy
solutions (Paragraph 7) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts (Copenhagen Accord)
1. Adaptation Focus: Investing in desertification control, drought-resistant crops, and flood
management (Paragraph 3) .
2. REDD-Plus Projects: Utilizing financial incentives to combat deforestation and promote
sustainable forestry (Paragraph 6) .
3. Accessing Green Climate Fund: Targeting funds for renewable energy, adaptation, and
capacity building (Paragraph 10) .
4. Mitigation Actions: Developing and implementing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation
Actions (NAMAs) with international support (Paragraph 5) .
5. Solar Potential: Leveraging 5.5 kWh/m²/day solar energy to address energy poverty and
reduce fossil fuel reliance (Paragraph 7) .
6. Transparency: Committing to measuring, reporting, and verifying mitigation actions
internationally (Paragraph 5) .
7. Technology Transfer: Accelerating access to climate-smart technologies for agriculture and
energy (Paragraph 11)
2010:
Cancun Agreements
Nigeria-Specific Challenges (Based on Cancun Agreements)
• Climate Vulnerability: Agriculture, employing 70% and contributing 25% of GDP, is
threatened by desertification, flooding, and sea level rise (Article 11) .
• Funding Deficit: Limited access to pledged $100 billion annually by 2020 hinders adaptation
efforts (Articles 95–98) .
• Deforestation: Annual forest loss of 350,000–400,000 hectares contributes to emissions
(Article 70) .
• Energy Poverty: 45% of Nigerians lack electricity, highlighting the need for renewable energy
(Articles 95, 97) .
• Institutional Gaps: Limited technical capacity slows implementation of climate actions
(Articles 113–115) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts (Based on Cancun Agreements)
• Green Climate Fund: Plans to utilize funds for renewable energy, agriculture, and disaster
management (Article 102) .
• Renewable Energy: Solar potential of 5.5 kWh/m²/day can reduce fossil fuel dependency
(Articles 20, 95) .
• Adaptation: Initiatives include drought-resistant crops and flood management under the
Cancun Adaptation Framework (Article 14) .
• Forestry: Developing REDD-Plus strategies to combat deforestation and enhance carbon stocks
(Article 71) .
• Transparency: Committing to MRV systems for actions and financial aid (Articles 60–63) .
• Private Sector: Promoting green investments through public-private partnerships (Article 80) .
• Capacity Building: Strengthening education and training to improve national climate resilience
(Article 130)
2011:
Durban Platform for Enhanced Action
Nigeria’s Role and Challenges (COP17 Durban Platform)
• Ambition Gap: Nigeria struggles to align with the 2°C/1.5°C global warming limit due to its
reliance on fossil fuels, contributing 94% of export earnings and 7.4 billion m³ of gas flared
annually, emitting 93 million tons of CO₂ (Decision 2) .
• Funding Deficit: Access to the $100 billion annual Green Climate Fund remains limited,
stalling renewable energy and adaptation projects (Decision 6) .
• Capacity Constraints: Limited technical infrastructure and expertise hinder effective
implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies (Decision 5) .
Nigeria’s Sustainability Efforts (COP17 Durban Platform)
• Renewable Energy: Leveraging 5.5 kWh/m²/day of solar radiation, Nigeria focuses on scaling
solar mini-grids and wind farms for energy access (Decision 7) .
• Afforestation Initiatives: Programs to restore 350,000–400,000 hectares of degraded land
annually aim to enhance carbon sequestration (Decision 5) .
• Adaptation Projects: Addressing desertification, flooding, and resilient agriculture to protect
70% of the population dependent on farming (Decision 5) .
• MRV Commitment: Implementing robust Measuring, Reporting, and Verifying (MRV)
mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability (Decision 5) .
• Technology Transfer: Advocating for international support to acquire clean technologies for
low-carbon development (Decision 5) .
• Raising Ambition: Submitted plans to close the mitigation gap, focusing on energy efficiency
and methane capture (Decision 8)
