Nigeria submits updated climate pledge to UN, targets 29% emissions cut by 2030

Nigeria has submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

With clearly defined mid-century pathways, Nigeria now commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29 percent by 2030 and 32 percent by 2035 compared to 2018 levels, moving decisively toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

In its last pledge (NDC 2.0), submitted in 2021 ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Nigeria committed to an unconditional reduction of 20 percent and a conditional 47 percent reduction in emissions by 2030, relative to business-as-usual levels.

The new submission updates these commitments with more specific milestones and a mid-century decarbonisation pathway.

With the move, Nigeria joins Eswatini, Jordan, Tunisia and Honduras as some of the countries to file their revised climate pledges on September 22 — the deadline given by the UNFCCC for submissions ahead of COP30.

The submission is part of global efforts to strengthen commitments ahead of the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) scheduled for November in Brazil.

In a statement on Monday, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UNFCCC, described Nigeria’s new submission as a “significant step forward” in the country’s energy and climate transition.

“The clean energy economy presents Nigeria with an opportunity to usher in a new era of economic growth,” Stiell said.

He noted that the revised plan could generate jobs, attract investment and harness the potential of the country’s youthful population.

The UN climate chief also commended Nigeria for strengthening inclusivity in its plan, saying broader involvement of society would make climate action more effective.

“Every country is now in a race to realise the benefits of clean energy. By setting clear goals, including near-term targets to reduce emissions towards achieving net zero by 2060, Nigeria is sending a clear signal to the world: development and climate action go hand in hand,” he added.

Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 was validated in August at a workshop organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

The council had earlier said the updated pledge would be lodged with the UN before COP30 in November.