Several Nigerian civil society organizations (CSOs) have criticized the outcomes of the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, calling the decisions on climate finance inadequate and disappointing. The groups expressed their discontent during a media briefing in Abuja, describing the pledges as a missed opportunity to address the urgent needs of vulnerable nations.
At COP29, world leaders agreed on the “Baku Finance Goal,” which aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion in climate finance by 2035. Wealthy nations committed to contributing $300 billion annually to climate-vulnerable countries, marking a significant increase from the previous $100 billion goal. However, Nigerian CSOs criticized the timeline and amount, arguing that the figures fall short of addressing the scale of the climate crisis.
Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director General of Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), labeled the commitments as “unrealistic” and “insulting,” emphasizing that the new financial targets fail to uphold the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She urged developed nations to take greater responsibility for their historical contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
The CSOs raised concerns over the lack of transparency during negotiations, with key finance figures presented at the last minute. They argued that delaying implementation until 2035 ignores the current climate emergency, as extreme weather events continue to devastate communities worldwide. Recent Emissions Gap Reports project that global temperatures could rise beyond 3°C if countries maintain current policies, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Another contentious issue was the reliance on carbon market mechanisms under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. Activists argued that these mechanisms perpetuate “false solutions” by allowing polluters to offset emissions rather than reducing them. They also highlighted the rise of land grabs in Africa, where forests are being traded for carbon credits, displacing local communities and exacerbating inequalities.
Nigerian CSOs called for a shift toward community-led solutions, including investments in renewable energy, agroecology, and the recognition of indigenous rights. They demanded the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies and greater accountability for polluters, as well as a ban on geoengineering experiments that pose risks to ecosystems and local populations.
The groups emphasized the need for a transformative approach to climate finance, urging rich nations to fulfill their climate debt by contributing trillions rather than billions. They proposed redirecting funds from military expenditures and ending fossil fuel subsidies to meet the financial demands of climate adaptation and mitigation.
Looking ahead to COP30, Nigerian CSOs called for a people-centered approach that amplifies the voices of youth, women, and indigenous communities. They demanded substantial investments in loss and damage, the exclusion of fossil fuel lobbyists, and a commitment to just transitions that prioritize social equity and environmental justice.
