Nigeria on Monday, October 13, 2025, launched the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Project (NZNP) to address climate change challenges and achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2060.
Speaking at the NZNP inception workshop, the Director of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, Halima Bawa-Bwari, noted that the project marks a pivotal moment in the collective journey toward a climate-resilient and rich in biodiversity and inclusive in its development.
Bawa-Bwari said that through the NZNP project, Nigeria would strengthen institutional coordination and boost biodiversity, restore degraded ecosystems, and unlock investment pipelines that prioritise nature-positive, low-carbon development.
“NZNP project offers a unique opportunity to address these challenges in an integrated and transformative way.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our collective journey toward a future that is not only climate-resilient but also rich in biodiversity and inclusive in its development.
“Nigeria’s commitment to a net-zero, nature-positive future is not just aspirational, it is grounded in action from updating our newly submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Bawa-Bwari stated that the NDCs would reflect more ambitious climate targets, and actively investing in nature-based solutions that deliver both mitigation and adaptation benefits.
“Our efforts should go beyond emissions reduction. This programme represents a powerful platform to accelerate those efforts,” she said.
Also speaking, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, said that NZNP is a movement that reflects Nigeria’s bold commitments to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2060.
Attafuah, who was represented by Mr. Blessed Chirimuta , the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, added that NZNP project would conserve 30 per cent of Nigeria’s land and marine ecosystems by 2030.
She said that the project would ensure that the Niger Delta, embed environmental accountability and to channel investment toward green growth.
Attafuah stated that climate change is already disrupting lives and livelihoods, biodiversity loss is accelerating, and vulnerable communities are bearing the heaviest burdens hence the urgency is real.
“The Niger Delta, especially Rivers and Bayelsa, stands at the front lines of these challenges.
“Through this project, we wil work with state governments in Rivers and Bayelsa to integrate net-zero and nature-positive strategies into development planning.
“Partner with women’s cooperatives and youth networks, ensuring they are not only beneficiaries but leaders of the green transition.
She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment, from the creeks of Bayelsa to the bustling cities of Rivers, and indeed across the entire nation, so that the Net Zero Nature Positive Project becomes a model for Africa and the world.
The NZNP Project in Nigeria is a global initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNDP.
Also, in an address of welcome, Mrs. Nkechi Aneke-Agnes, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Environment, said that NZNP Accelerator is one of the 11 Integrated Programmes under GEF-8 cycle.
“This is aimed to accelerate the implementation of nature-positive and net-zero pathways by investing in nature and new technologies.
Aneke-Agnes, who is also the Operational Focal Point of GEF, said that the launch is a significant step to Nigeria’s transition to a Net Zero and Nature Positive future by promoting ecosystem restoration, expanding access to clean energy and de-risking sustainable investments.
“The project will also support Nigeria’s vision in achieving the NDCs, Nature Positive Commitment by 2030 and Net Zero emission target by 2026.
Similarly, Dr Nkemdirim Odoya, Director, Department of Forestry, Rivers Ministry of Environment, assured the state’s support for UNDP on the project.
“Rivers houses a unique species of elephant that you cannot find in any part of Nigeria and so this project is a welcome development,” she said.
Mrs. Susan Uyadongha, the Director of Forestry, Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, said that the project aligns perfectly with the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
By Abigael Joshua