An Exposition on National Climate Change Act (2021) on Sustainable Growth

Abstract

It has been noted that imminent threats of climatic changes and environmental degradation are posing significant challenges to sustainable growth and development on a global scale. Nigeria, being the most populous country in Africa and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is not an exception. Understanding the problems hindering sustainable growth in which the implementation of the National Climate Change Act of 2021 has been able to address or otherwise, has motivated this study. The study examined the theoretical exposition on the National Climate Change Act of 2021 on sustainable growth in Nigeria through critical review and analysis of some related literature, government documents and Climate Change Act. From the review, it has been found that National Climate Change Act of 2021 is aiming at the need to address critical issues of climate change in Nigeria; and that there are potential benefits in the implementation of the Act. Again, jobs are created, energy efficiency is increasing, and energy costs are reducing, all as a result of the implementation of the Act. On the basis of the findings, the study recommended that existing policies on Climate Change should be strengthened, ambitious targets should be set, relevant capacity built, a green financing facility should be established, and investment should be made in the area of research and development.