Benue State University, Makurdi

A Jurisprudential Analysis of the Climate Change Act, 2021 and the Challenges of its Enforcement

U. D. Ikoni

Abstract

Climate change is causing planetary tipping points, with earth hitting temperature records and extreme events affecting communities in every state of Nigeria and other parts of the world, with weather and climate disasters costing huge sums of money as a result. These adverse impacts are expected to worsen in the coming years, and the window of opportunity to ensure a liveable future is closing rapidly. In order to course-correct, this research analysed the Climate Change Act, 2021 so as to identify the gaps to bridge, barriers to overcome and opportunities to replicate and scale up. The research adopted a doctrinal research methodology wherein both primary and secondary source of materials were consulted and utilised. The research found the challenges of climate change in Nigeria and the implementation of the climate change Act, 2021 in particular to include corruption, lack of political will on the part of the government to implement and enforcement the Act, endemic poverty of the people, inadequate funding etc. The research therefore made recommendations to address the challenges including the need for governments at all levels to support systems transformations that mainstream climate resilience, low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions development and credible, accountable and transparent actions by all stakeholders to strengthen these efforts, in addition to the adoption of nature-based solutions, among others.

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