Nigeria Launch Net Zero Project to Tackle Climate Crisis, Biodiversity Loss

News in Brief:

-The Net Zero Nature-Positive Project aims to help Nigeria achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and restore degraded ecosystems.

-This UN-backed initiative will integrate low-carbon strategies, protect biodiversity, and support community-led green growth.

Nigeria has officially launched the Net Zero Nature-Positive Project (NZNP), a bold, nationwide initiative aimed at tackling climate change, reversing biodiversity loss, and accelerating the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy by 2060.

The project was inaugurated in Abuja during an inception workshop attended by key government officials, development partners, and climate experts.

Speaking at the launch, Halima Bawa-Bwari, Director of Forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment, described the project as a 'pivotal moment' in its journey toward a climate-resilient and inclusive future.

She said that it will strengthen institutional coordination, attract green investments, and drive biodiversity conservation while advancing the nation’s climate goals.

“Nigeria’s commitment to a net-zero, nature-positive future is not just aspirational, it is grounded in action,” Bawa-Bwari added. “We’re investing in nature-based solutions that deliver both climate mitigation and adaptation benefits.”

Integrating Emission Reduction with Community Development

According to Bawa-Bwari, the NZNP represents a transformative opportunity to link emission reduction efforts with environmental restoration and community development.

The project will prioritise nature-positive investments, expand ecosystem restoration, and promote inclusive green growth that benefits local communities, especially those in vulnerable regions.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Elsie Attafuah, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, lauded the project as a reflection of Nigeria’s** commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

She said that the initiative targets the conservation of 30% of Nigeria’s land and marine ecosystems by 2030, focusing on biodiversity hotspots such as the Niger Delta.

“We will partner with women’s cooperatives and youth networks, ensuring they are not only beneficiaries but leaders of the green transition,” Attafuah added.

Funding and Implementation

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds the NZNP, which is jointly implemented by the UNDP and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

According to Nkechi Aneke-Agnes, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry of Environment, the project is part of 11 integrated programmes under the GEF-8 cycle. These programmes are designed to scale up nature-based and technological climate solutions, expand access to clean energy, and de-risk sustainable investments across Nigeria.

Government officials from Rivers and Bayelsa States have pledged their support for the project, highlighting its role in protecting regional biodiversity and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

The NZNP is expected to play a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and reinforcing its global standing as a leader in Africa’s climate resilience movement.