FG submits National Adaptation Plan, targets climate finance to protect vulnerable communities

The Federal Government has submitted the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), setting out strategies to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change, protect vulnerable communities and unlock green economic opportunities.

The submission fulfils Nigeria’s obligation as a party to the Convention and aligns with the Cancun Adaptation Framework, which provides for countries to identify medium- and long-term climate adaptation needs and develop strategies to address them.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who disclosed this in a statement, described the submission as a significant step towards translating President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into practical climate action.

He said the agenda recognises climate resilience, sustainable development, food security, agricultural transformation, economic diversification and the protection of vulnerable communities as interconnected priorities for national prosperity.

Lawal said the NAP would provide a framework for integrating climate change adaptation into government policies, development programmes and planning processes across sectors and levels of government.

He explained that the initiative seeks to reduce vulnerability to climate change by strengthening the adaptive capacity and resilience of communities and economic sectors, while ensuring that adaptation measures become an integral part of national development.

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A major component of the process, he said, was the Climate Risks and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA), which identified vulnerable communities and helped prioritise appropriate adaptation strategies.

The minister noted that the assessment would guide interventions towards areas and sectors most exposed to climate-related threats, enabling the government to develop responses that address local needs and support sustainable development.

He said the identified strategies were consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda and national development plans, adding that they would support climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure, ecosystem restoration and the mobilisation of climate finance.

These priorities, he added, would help strengthen food security, safeguard livelihoods, protect communities exposed to climate risks and create opportunities for green economic growth.

The mobilisation of climate finance is particularly important to supporting adaptation projects, strengthening infrastructure and helping vulnerable communities respond to the growing effects of climate change.

Lawal said the plan provided a comprehensive framework for adaptation planning and governance, offering a pathway towards environmental sustainability and a more climate-resilient Nigeria.

He added that effective implementation would help ensure that climate adaptation measures contribute to inclusive economic growth, protect national assets and strengthen the country’s capacity to manage climate-related risks.

The minister maintained that the submission demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to integrating climate resilience into national development and pursuing a sustainable future for Nigerians.