Legal Framework for Combating Climate Change in Nigeria

Abstract

A very important issue that needs to be addressed urgently across the globe is the issue of climate change. Nigeria as a country is not left out in the battle against climate change. One of the major things that results in the change in climate is the low level or inadequate laws governing activities which lead to climate change. The laws available are ineffective as the level of compliance with the existing laws is extremely low; ignorance on the part of Nigerians is another major issue as an average Nigerian is not aware that his/her day-to-day activities might result in a change in climatic condition. The concept of climate change is a concept in Nigeria that has received a bit of recognition but has not been addressed as it ought to be. This paper examines the effects of climate change on Nigerians and the Nigeria environment in its totality; it further makes an overview of the international conventions on climate change while evaluating the adoption of the international conventions by Nigeria. It examines the laws put in place by the Nigeria government in relation to environmental protection generally and further considers their effectiveness. It concludes that there is no solid legal framework to combat climate change in Nigeria and that the laws put in place to govern environmental protection in Nigeria are grossly inadequate. It protection in Nigeria are grossly inadequate. It recommends that new laws should as a matter of urgency be promulgated to tackle the menace of climate change in Nigeria.