The Federal Government has painstakingly validated the National Adaptation Plan on Climate Change in preparation for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Conference of Parties, COP 30, in Belem, Brazil, next month.

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, dropped the hint at the Workshop on Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Document in Abuja, saying, “We are particularly glad that the participation is broad-based across all the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.”

He said that climate change is the defining issue of our time, and they are at a defining moment, as Nigeria is highly vulnerable to its impacts. These phenomena manifest in changing weather patterns, such as drought and desertification.

Lawal further explained that it extends beyond these to include rising sea levels, the inundation of coastal lands by seawater, and flooding, all of which have adverse impacts on food security, human health, and settlements, resulting in increased loss of lives and property.

He said, “Our climate governance architecture must be dynamic, capable of responding to emerging risks, from extreme weather events to shifting economic landscapes, while safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of all Nigerians now and for the future.”

He declared, “As we validate this report, let us commit to a cycle of continuous improvement. Let us set ambitious yet achievable targets; monitor progress with rigour; report transparently to the public; and adjust strategies in light of lessons learned.”

Similarly, he maintained that the challenges of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. If drastic and decisive actions are not taken now, coping with these impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly.

“As Nigeria’s NAP Document is validated today, the next phase would be the implementation. All hands must be on deck to ensure that we are able to attract the needed funds, both locally and internationally, to address climate impacts, especially with regard to adaptation,” he said.

According to the United Nations, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. However, since the 1800s, human activities have been the primary driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.