NCCCS Unveils Plans to Amplify Nature-Based Climate Solutions in 2025

The National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) has announced its plans to enhance nature-based climate solutions as part of its 2025 programme. This was disclosed during a recent press interactive session held to commence the year’s activities.

Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change and Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat, stated that the initiative aligns with the year’s theme and adheres to Section 27 of the Climate Change Act 2021.

“To kick-start this, the NCCCS is embarking on a technical site visit to the mangrove forests located primarily in the Niger Delta region of the country. Nigeria’s mangrove forest is the largest in Africa and the third largest in the world, covering approximately 5% of the global mangrove forest.

Given the drive towards utilising nature-based solutions as critical mitigation and adaptation strategies to address climate change, Nigeria’s mangrove forest provides a strategic advantage with its remarkable capacity for carbon sequestration and contribution to coastal resilience, among other benefits.

In addition, Nigeria’s mangrove forest has the potential to serve as a hub for global climate finance through the carbon market,” she said.

Dr. Maduekwe added that the technical visit aims to provide an aerial assessment of the impact of climate change on the mangroves, foster collaboration for reforestation and conservation, promote the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Carbon Market Policy, and engage stakeholders in the NDC 3.0 review process.

“Furthermore, as part of World Wetlands Day and in line with the 2025 theme of amplifying nature-based climate solutions, the NCCCS will convene a Stakeholder Town Hall Meeting in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation and the Climate Change Council of Cross River State. This meeting will provide a crucial platform for stakeholders to discuss sustainable mangrove conservation and protection.

A key outcome of this meeting will be the National Roadmap on Mangrove Conservation, Reforestation, Afforestation, and Protection, which will align with the NDC 3.0 review and outline strategies to drive finance for mangrove conservation through the Mangrove Breakthrough Initiative launched at COP27, aimed at raising $4 billion USD for sustainable mangrove projects,” she explained.

The NCCCS also plans to implement several other activities in 2025, including the Youth Climate Summit, Tree Planting initiatives as part of Earth Day and Environmental Day celebrations, capacity-building workshops for government agencies, a Mangrove Art Exhibition, a Climate Negotiators Training programme, a Climate Security Summit, and preparations for Nigeria’s participation in UNFCCC COP30.

“The NCCCS has scheduled July 1, 2025, as the start date for receiving accreditation requests for COP30, with September 29, 2025, as the deadline. We have shared our 2025 activity schedule with all ministries to ensure proper coordination,” Dr. Maduekwe said.

Dr. Maduekwe further highlighted the Secretariat’s progress in reviewing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). With support from international partners, the NCCCS is working on the third-generation NDC review to develop a financial plan with bankable projects. She emphasised the importance of prioritising Nigerian consultants in the process to ensure national ownership and capacity building.

“The NCCCS is committed to achieving a climate-resilient Nigeria in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. We cannot overemphasise the role of partnerships, especially with the media, in achieving this goal. We look forward to your continued support in 2025,” she concluded.