Abuja, Nigeria – From January 27 to January 30, 2025, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja will host the Validation of the Model Climate Change Law for Africa, a pivotal gathering aimed at advancing the continent’s climate legislation.
Organized by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) in collaboration with NILDS, the event will bring together legal experts, lawmakers, and technical professionals from across Africa to finalize a unified climate change law for the continent.
Addressing Africa’s Climate Crisis
Africa is warming at an alarming rate of 1.5°C, faster than the global average of 1.1°C, according to the World Meteorological Organization. This rise in temperature has aggravated droughts, flooding, and other climate-related disruptions, disproportionately impacting African countries with limited resources to adapt.
The Paris Agreement provides a global framework to combat climate change, yet fewer than ten African nations have enacted dedicated climate change legislation. This meeting aims to close the gap by finalizing a Model Climate Change Law, incorporating best practices from across the globe.
Key Objectives
The four-day session has several objectives. It seeks to review the draft Model Climate Change Law for Africa, incorporating lessons learned from best practices around the world. Another priority is strengthening the capacity for legislative drafting among African nations, equipping lawmakers with the tools to implement effective climate governance. Finally, the meeting will provide a platform to develop a unified framework for the national adoption of the finalized law, ensuring its alignment with regional needs and priorities.
Agenda
The event will include reflections on global and regional legislative practices, detailed reviews of the draft law, and discussions on next steps for adoption. Day 1 will feature opening remarks from key stakeholders and an overview of the draft law. Day 2 and 3 will be dedicated to analyzing and refining specific sections of the draft, with plenary sessions to encourage input from all participants. The event will conclude with a comprehensive review and a roadmap for implementing the law across Africa.
A Unified Voice for Climate Action
This initiative follows a series of regional parliamentary meetings across Africa emphasizing the importance of unified climate governance. Recommendations from these sessions led to the draft law’s development, aiming to empower African nations to address climate challenges collectively.
