Nigeria’s Call for Climate Action at COP30
Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has urged world leaders to move beyond mere pledges and focus on tangible actions in addressing climate change. He emphasized the need for a shift from dialogue to delivery, calling on global leaders to take meaningful steps to combat natural disasters that have led to loss of lives and displacement across the globe.
At the Leaders’ Climate Summit during the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the UNFCCC in Belém, Brazil, Senator Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to reducing emissions by 32% by 2035. This pledge is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to lead in global climate efforts.
The Vice President noted that this commitment follows the unveiling of the National Carbon Market Framework and the Climate Change Fund. These initiatives are designed to attract significant investments in clean energy and adaptation measures, forming the core of Nigeria’s climate finance architecture.
With the framework and fund in place, Senator Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s renewed climate agenda is not just an aspiration but a national commitment to preserving the planet for future generations. He stressed that climate ambition cannot be sustained solely by goodwill and called for a reliable and equitable system that supports developing nations in fulfilling their global commitments.
“I hereby say without absolute certainty that we are not the problem; we are an integral part of the solution,” he stated. “This is why, at COP30, we hope to demonstrate that Africa can lead in carbon capture through forests, in renewable energy expansion, in digital monitoring of emissions, and in regional cooperation that translates ambition into prosperity.”
Senator Shettima also mentioned that Nigeria is ready to collaborate with all nations to build a fairer, greener, and more resilient world. He emphasized that future generations should inherit not the ruins of past indifference but the fruits of collective resolve.
The National Carbon Market Framework will enable Nigeria to generate, trade, and retire carbon credits in alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The proceeds from these activities will flow into the newly established Climate Change Fund, supporting communities affected by floods, droughts, and desertification.
Additionally, the Nigerian government has launched a five-year Carbon Market Roadmap, which will lay the groundwork for an Emissions Trading System and a Carbon Tax Regime. This roadmap includes fiscal incentives to promote clean industrial innovation.
Nigeria’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), validated and submitted in September 2025, outlines the country’s comprehensive strategy across energy, agriculture, transport, waste, and industry. The Decade of Gas Strategy remains pivotal in powering the transition, balancing natural gas utilization with expanded solar and off-grid electrification to drive rural energy access and sustainable development.
Global Calls for Urgent Action
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the failure of countries to remain below 1.5 degrees Celsius. He called for a paradigm shift to limit the magnitude and duration of temperature overshoots, emphasizing the risks posed to ecosystems and billions of people.
Guterres stated, “Every fraction of a degree means more hunger, displacement, and loss, especially for those least responsible.” He urged world leaders to act with speed and scale to make the overshoot as small and safe as possible, aiming to bring temperatures back below 1.5 degrees Celsius before the end of the century.
Brazil’s President, Lula Inacio Da Silva, emphasized the need for a collective effort to fight climate change. He highlighted the importance of listening to indigenous communities and those most affected by climate change to adopt a global approach.
“Climate change is the result of the same dynamics that, during centuries, has broken our societies between rich and poor. Climate justice is aligned with fighting hunger and poverty, the struggle against racism and gender inequality,” he added.
Prince of Wales, William, who represented his father, King Charles III of England, at the plenary, called for safeguarding the natural world for future generations. He urged collective action, collaboration, and decisive commitment to address the challenges of climate change.