The Climate Change Act in Nigeria is leading to more environmentally friendly laws. Nigeria may have registered into climate consciousness late but progressing in the right direction. The official journey of Nigeria towards the greener world initiative could be traced to the Climate Change Act 2021 in Nigeria. The act outlined measures to achieve a low greenhouse gas emission in the country. Nigeria’s making environmentally friendly laws, indicates African readiness to tackle such environmental changes.

Tracking administrative position towards global warming since the Climate Change Act 2021 in Nigeria, we see more seriousness. Different state and local governments are also taking proactive actions toward achieving a safer world. With Nigeria playing a leading role, it does seem the rest of West Africa may follow, and possibly all of Africa too.

Examining the Climate Change Act 2021 Nigeria

Back in 2021, the Buhari administration would sign the bill for a climate change template into law. Ever since there have been moves in both the upper and lower chambers and across states to adopt and fine-tune the act into one capable of adapting the country to effectively manage the impacts of global environmental challenges.

Provisions of the Climate Change Act 2021 Nigeria

• The act seeks to reduce and regulate the use, manufacturing, and exposure to greenhouse gases in the country: The current change in our planet is mostly a result of industrial and other human actions. The reverting of such negative change will include reducing or regulating actions that increase greenhouse gas exposure to the environment.

This aspect of the Nigerian Climate Change Act 2021 ensures that industries or individuals producing, using, or distributing greenhouse gas-emitting products will be held accountable in one way or another. Such greenhouse substances include carbon dioxide which is an end product of complete combustion in gasoline vehicles and other machinery running on fossil fuel.

• Implement an action plan to forestall the negative impact of environmental changes: The act seeks to introduce a plan that will see to the implementation and sustenance of the provisions of the act.
• Implement a carbon budget: To achieve a safe emission level, a carbon emission expectation is important to serve as a regulatory model. Exceeding such budget will trigger concern and potentially swift response from the institution that would be saddled with the responsibility of the initiative.
• Meet a Net Zero Output of Green House Gases by 2050: The bill abides by the COP 26 recommendations and aim to reach a Net Zero target of greenhouse gas exposure by 2050 and up to 2070.
• Establishment of National Climate Change Council: Achieving the objective of the initiative will require it to be overseen by a body. In this light, the bill seeks to establish such a council that would oversee the initiative in the short and long term.
• Mandating private entities to implement green environmental measures: Corporations have always shared the bigger blame for global warming. The act also added some level of environmental responsibility to industries and industrial players. Firms with over 26 employees are expected to implement environmentally friendly measures to be outlined or amended accordingly.
• Introduction of a climate change fund: The implementation, monitoring, and regulation of greenhouse gas production, distribution, and emission into the environment would require experts, tools, and even structures. All these require a substantial funding need. The act also made provision for funding to that effect.

Progress of the Climate Change Act Nigeria

Non-controversial events don’t always make headlines in Nigeria, something as important as global environmental change ought to be making headlines. This is not the case in Nigeria. Irrespective of this lack of public attention regarding this important situation, remarkable success is being made.

We have noted earlier about states taking proactive steps to combat the impact of such unprecedented environmental changes. Recently another bill seeking to expand the scope of the environmental changes was introduced in the Nigerian house of rep, the bill facinates safer world passionate firms and individuals. To us in Niger Investor, it was a big move in the right direction.

Recent Move for Climate Change Regulation

In a recent development, a member of the Nigerian House of rep (Sam Onuigbo) introduced a bill seeking a judicious energy transition towards an energy model with lower carbon emissions. Onuigbo doubles as a member of the Northeast Development Commission board and also the Chairman of the climate change committee as established earlier. The Northeast is one of the zones of Nigeria where climate change is having a severe impact as desertification threatens the quality of living in the zone.

The new bill seeks to among other things adopt internationally recommended climate change practices and promote national consciousness among Nigerians on the importance of adopting eco-friendly practices in business and daily living. Seeing that moves are being made in Nigeria to forestall such adverse impacts of environmental challenges is hopeful for humanity. It will drive safe development and improve our readiness to tackle emerging challenges.

Conclusion

The Climate Change Act in Nigeria is getting attention from the right quarters indicating readiness for whatever challenge that may come. The people need to understand that our representatives are making efforts.

Not just the government but industries and the people need to get proactive in preparing for these challenges. Our actions today as a government, firms, and individuals will impact the journey ahead. Everyone has a role to play; we recommend everyone be involved.

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