BY RITA OYIBOKA/AMAYINDI YAKUBU
Belém, Brazil, the Amazon basin roars with life, a living testimony to the lungs of the planet. This year, the world’s eyes are on the heart of the rainforest, where the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) unfolds from November 10 to 21, 2025.
For the first time, the conference is held in the Amazon region, sending a clear message: tropical forests are critical battlegrounds in the fight against global warming. Some 50,000 participants, including world leaders, negotiators, activists, and representatives from nearly 200 countries, gather to negotiate solutions for climate finance, forest protection, adaptation for vulnerable nations, and the transition to low-emission economies.
COP30 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Countries are expected to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to ensure alignment to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Nigeria reaffirmed a 32 per cent greenhouse gas reduction target by 2035, signalling its commitment to climate leadership in Africa.
Beyond targets, Nigeria has launched a National Carbon Market Framework and Climate Change Fund to generate, trade, and retire carbon credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, channelling proceeds into adaptation and resilience.
Complementing this is a five-year “Carbon Market Roadmap” that introduces an Emissions Trading System and a Carbon Tax regime, with fiscal incentives to encourage clean industry. The overarching narrative at COP30 is clear: it is time to shift global climate discourse “from pledges to performance, from ambition to action, and from dialogue to delivery.” Nature-based solutions, forests, oceans, and landscapes as carbon sinks, are emphasised, with Nigeria pledging to restore degraded land, reforest, and build capacity for “blue carbon” projects.
The injustice of the climate burden on Africa is another recurring theme. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions historically, African nations, including Nigeria, bear disproportionately high costs. Calls for predictable, equitable climate finance, including grant-based funding and debt-for-nature swaps, echoed throughout the conference halls.
Nigeria’s Role on the Global Stage
Nigeria’s delegation, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has not been a passive participant. The country launched a National Data Hub for Gender and Climate Information, aligning with the Climate Change Act and the National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change. Nigeria also supported the Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF) for forest conservation and signed a five-year partnership with California for clean energy, zero-emission transport, and climate-smart agriculture. Lagos State showcased its climate solutions, highlighting green jobs and resilience initiatives.
Representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) emphasised maritime decarbonisation and the role of AI in emissions monitoring. Although Nigeria lost its bid to host COP32, it showcased its carbon market framework and innovation in climate leadership, cementing its position as a continent-wide climate frontrunner.
Domestically, Nigeria has taken significant strides to meet its Paris Agreement commitments. The Climate Change Act of 2021 established carbon budgets and laid the groundwork for low-emission growth. At COP26, the country pledged net-zero emissions by 2060 and unveiled the Energy Transition Plan (ETP), emphasising renewable energy and efficiency. Its updated NDC 3.0, submitted in 2025, targets raising renewable electricity from 22 per cent to 52 per cent while deepening emission reductions through just transitions and green jobs. Bold strategies this year include methane guidelines for oil and gas and the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme. Institutional reforms are mainstreaming climate actions across sectors and improving citizen participation.
Yet, the challenges are plain. Nigeria faces heatwaves causing droughts and water scarcity in the north, heightened wildfire risks, flooding displacing millions, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and declining pollinator populations threatening food security. Poor governance, stakeholder engagement issues, and the economic impact of fuel subsidy removals hinder growth.
COP30 Highlights and Side Events
COP30 has gone beyond standard plenary discussions. The Brazilian government hosted over 100 side events focused on green infrastructure, forest protection, climate finance, and indigenous knowledge. Nigeria’s pavilion drew attention with interactive presentations on carbon markets, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy projects.
In one engaging session, Nigerian youth delegates shared innovations in solar-powered mini-grids, clean cookstoves, and water-efficient irrigation techniques. Shettima himself addressed African vulnerability: “Our countries are paying the highest price for emissions we did not cause. We call for financial predictability and technological support to adapt and survive. Africa cannot wait while the world negotiates.”
These sessions were complemented by field trips to Amazonian reforestation sites, highlighting the importance of tropical forests as carbon sinks and biodiversity reservoirs. The focus was on actionable insights: how lessons from the Amazon could inform mangrove restoration in Nigeria’s coastal regions or forest rehabilitation in the Niger Delta.
One notable absence at COP30 was the United States. Historically, the largest cumulative emitter and second only to China in annual emissions, the US sent no official delegation under the Trump administration. The shuttering of the State Department’s climate office reflected a broader scepticism of multilateralism. Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who led an alternate US group, called this a diplomatic “own goal,” warning it ceded leadership to nations like China. Trump’s fossil fuel focus, including offshore drilling plans, starkly contrasts with global efforts, potentially estranging the US from crucial negotiations.
Voices from Nigeria: Advocates on the Ground
Amid this global chessboard, Nigeria’s voice remained robust, highlighting the urgent climate challenges and opportunities at home. Advocates and youth leaders on the ground emphasised the lived realities behind the statistics, offering a perspective often missing from high-level negotiations.
Some See Climate Change As End Time Sign But… – Nzaekor
In an interview, Global Youth Ambassador and SDG advocate, Ms Chizoba Nzaekor, offered a candid assessment: “In Nigeria, attitudes towards climate change and clean energy vary widely. Some, like metal and plastic pickers or solar panel sellers, unknowingly contribute positively to these efforts, viewing it just as a means of making a living.
“However, even educated individuals often deny climate change, dismissing it as unsupported by science. Surprisingly, even at events like COP, elites consider climate change a ‘religion,’ negotiating solutions while simultaneously celebrating the oil and gas sector’s achievements. This contradictory behaviour exacerbates the problem.
“While Nigeria has various policies aiming for a greener and cleaner environment, the challenge is their actual implementation. Sadly, many of these policies remain unenforced, with no one being held accountable. As Christians, we view ourselves as stewards, believing we have control over everything God created. The irony lies in the global scenario where, despite having dominion, we’re contributing to environmental destruction. Climate actions align with God’s will to preserve His creation. Neglecting environmental care contradicts our faith.”
She continued, “At a recent COP event, it was discussed that if religious leaders emphasise climate actions, their followers would be more committed. Hence, leaders worldwide, including the Pope, were invited. Climate change and clean energy activists are not doomsday preachers. I, for one, am not. We simply advocate for responsible actions. We encourage tree planting to replace the trees that are being cut down.
“It is crucial to maintain a clean community and conserve energy. Turn off your light bulbs when not in use or when you are away from home. Our advocacy is for the use of cleaner energy and for building a cleaner world. The thing is that until something gets so bad that it kills everybody or destroys everything, that is when people start taking it seriously.”
According to her, “Still, the signs are there in the Niger Delta part of Nigeria, where the bodies of water are contaminated, lands are rendered infertile, and people have lost their source of livelihood because of the destruction of the environment.
She added, “Some see climate change as an end-time sign. Regardless, can’t we maintain clean communities and create a habitable earth in the meantime? After all, cleanliness is next to godliness. Waste management is a serious concern in Nigeria that needs immediate attention. People tend to throw their waste randomly into roadside gutters, leading to the blockage of drainage systems.
“Moreover, the unavailability of waste bins on the streets creates a major inconvenience for people who intend to dispose of their garbage properly. This has resulted in littering and has worsened the waste management situation in Nigeria.”
Climate change: Govt Should Invest In Green Farming – Malik
Meanwhile, a climate change advocate from Ogun State, Omotosho Malik, highlighted shifts in rainfall and seasonal patterns:
“In recent times, we have noticed a variation in the rate of rainfall and the seasons we are experiencing. Even in the dry seasons, changes have been occurring for some time. Let’s say about two to three years ago. Recently, this year in particular, we have observed a similar pattern, where rainfall extends beyond its normal range, more than what we typically experience during a good season.
“Now, at times, we are seeing November, and we are still getting rain occasionally, which is most of the time by the end of September or October, or at times early November. And now the dry season tends to arrive late and is prolonged, lasting longer.
“The intensity of the heat correlates with the depletion of the ozone layer, which we all know. The intensity of the heat over the years has been increasing, and there is a projection that it will be even higher next year than it was this year.
“Nigerians need to take cognisance of their flood system. We need to make sure that our drainage systems are not blocked. We are less free because we now have more rainfall, and there’s definitely a higher water supply that will be going to our drainage systems.”
He continued, “One thing we need to do is diversify more and invest more in a channel, channelling a lot of energy into agriculture itself, and ensure that there are many green projects like these. Additionally, the government can promote more green farming, such as greenhouse farming, instead.
“In these kinds of situations, when you have greenhouse farmers, such as those using greenhouses and coal, they would be less likely to experience issues like drought and specific seasonal problems, because a greenhouse has its own system. The plants inside are familiar with that kind of system and continuously reproduce. When you see plants that grow in a greenhouse setting, they actually have a longer life cycle than the normal plants in the open field. Now that their environment is being regulated, they have a certain number of sun hours every day, as well as a certain amount of shade. They actually have a system designed to make them live longer than the other plants outside, aside from getting damaged by insects or other issues.”
According to him, “Additionally, they have gas waste, which we also have. We are being refined into something better, which will ultimately benefit the economy. Understandably, awareness is also fundamental. Also, the government can actually privatise certain sectors. Our power sector can be privatised, and when it is being privatised, the private sector is expected to invest more in waste management. Most of these are fossil gas waste. They can actually use them and refine them into something better. Some can be used for electricity,” he said.
Climate Change: 25 Per Cent Of Newborns At Risk From Extreme Heat- Soole
Similarly, a Masters student in Agribusiness Innovation at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco, Olufemi Soole said, “The current state of climate change in Nigeria is pathetic. It’s challenging and very complex. Nigeria is currently among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing rising temperatures. There’s an increase in extreme weather events. Even though there is a change in our rainfall pattern, there are many projections. There was a projection in 2016 that Northern Nigeria would face extreme rising temperatures, extreme heat, and extreme humidity as well.”
He continued, “You can see that there is extreme rainfall, which leads to flooding and its associated consequences. This literally affects human health and human productivity. Just like currently, in the healthcare sector, they say that extreme heat, especially for pregnant women and their newborns, is dangerous. There is an estimate that approximately 20 to 25 per cent of newborns die due to the extreme heat their mothers have been exposed to during pregnancy. That’s one of the things climate change is currently doing to us. Even in the agricultural sector, it’s affecting the whole of those that are rain-dependent; it’s stressing crops.”
“Those involved are experiencing a decline in freshwater and marine fish stocks. Production is declining due to extreme heat, temperature fluctuations, and irregular rainfall. Therefore, the agricultural sector, including key crops such as cassava, maize, millet, and rice, is seeing reduced yields.”
According to him, “The world, in general, projects a decline of between 7 and 40 per cent in crop yields. In 2017, Nigeria’s population was estimated at around 300 million. If we continue on this route, food security is not certain. Agricultural productivity is also threatened by climate change. One of the best ways to initially address it is to have policies in place. We have emissions primarily from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which account for 44 per cent. Nigeria is still developing. We cannot confidently say we are a developed country; we are still at the cradle of development.”
He added, “Even if we acknowledge that fossil fuels are a major issue, do we have electric vehicles? Are we really adhering to renewable energy? In Nigeria, reliance on electricity is unsustainable, so people return to using generators. We are burning fossil fuels in cars. If policies were in place to reduce emissions, one effective approach could be climate credits, carbon credits, or carbon finance. However, we are still at the foundation. Some people are involved in carbon farming, but there are no incentives to encourage them. In carbon farming, we use MRV – monitoring, reporting, and verification. Currently, these systems are not effective. There is no proper system for monitoring, reporting, and verifying carbon credits in Nigeria. That is one way policies could have worked well. It’s not that they are not trying; their systems are in place, and organisations are actively working to achieve something.”
“So, if we don’t combat it quickly, it becomes increasingly pathetic every year because the effects compound. We are seeing the impact everywhere. People witness flooding, like the recent incident in Katsina, where the dam broke and affected many lives. Climate change has a significant impact on us,” he said.
“You know, the agricultural sector depends on the weather. Extreme rainfall leads to flooding and erodes crops, while extreme heat damages plants and triggers premature fruiting. This affects not just crops but also livestock and poultry. Extreme weather has a severe impact across the agricultural industry.”
He continued, “But what are farmers doing despite limited resources? Farmers are making sacrifices. The reason food is cheap in Nigeria is that farmers are willing to work in poverty to make food affordable. Farmers pay with their poverty. And this is why discussions about food security often overlook the reality: a farmer producing for food security without incentives or policies will remain poor while ensuring affordability for the population.”
“Many agribusinesses focus more on business security than food security. They import hybrid or drought-resistant seeds at high costs to maintain productivity. They sell at rates that protect their business, not to make food cheap nationally. National food security requires policies, subsidies, and incentives; otherwise, farmers remain impoverished, and food production suffers,” he explained.
“So, how are farmers adapting? They are using Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSA). These include drought-resistant seeds, efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation to conserve water, and soil conservation techniques such as agroforestry. Agroforestry involves planting trees to provide shade while growing crops beneath them, maintaining soil fertility and preventing erosion. Mulching and contour farming are also employed.”
Speaking on carbon farming, Soole said, “The goal is to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers are paid to plant trees that absorb carbon, but it takes years before measurable benefits are realised. Implementation is still ineffective in Nigeria due to poor monitoring, reporting, and evaluation systems. Carbon farming is not yet widely adopted, though some efforts exist.”
He emphasised, “Nigeria will improve if we take responsibility ourselves. We often complain instead of acting. To combat climate change in food production, we must start with farmers but also consider the entire supply chain: inputs, production, processing, distribution, and retail. Research centres like AITTC and CREIM test and validate new technologies. Only when technologies are proven effective should extension agents introduce them to farmers. Research funding is crucial, as is investment in agricultural extension services to train farmers and demonstrate practical solutions.”
“So, incentives, subsidies, and policies are essential to promote sustainable practices and carbon farming. Forcing adoption does not work; farmers return to old practices if their profit is threatened. Governments are making efforts, but awareness is low. Many farmers using renewable energy or green practices are unaware of available grants or funding. Knowledge is power; lack of it hampers adoption,” he said.
He continued, “Climate-smart agricultural practices, drought-resistant crops, efficient water use, soil conservation, and proper post-harvest storage can help reduce losses and emissions. Post-harvest losses emit methane, contributing further to climate change.
“So, with proper policies, funding, research, extension services, and awareness, Nigeria can progress. Some organisations and individuals are already making positive contributions. It is not widespread yet, but with collective effort, we will get there,” he added.
A Path Forward
Nigeria has a decision to make. COP30 demonstrates both the urgency of climate action and the potential for African leadership. Effective implementation, citizen engagement, innovation, and equitable finance are the pillars for a resilient, sustainable future. From forest restoration in the Amazon to carbon markets at home, Nigeria’s climate journey reflects a mix of promise and challenge.
As Nzaekor aptly put it, “We can be proactive about energy conservation. You don’t have to do so much or be a researcher to be actively involved. The signs are all around us, and we must take them seriously. We do not have to wait for very terrible things to happen for us to understand that climate change actions are important.” The Amazon may host COP30, but the lessons resonate across continents. Nigeria’s response will not only shape its national trajectory but also signal Africa’s capacity to lead in a world racing against the clock.
