REGULATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Man’s unsustainable environmental activities are a major contributor to climate variability and the resulting environmental degradation, desertification, and biodiversity loss, all of which pose a threat to food accessibility and security. This paper aimed to examine the implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021 and other legal regimes in combating the effects of climate change with a view to achieving food security in Nigeria. It highlighted the lapses evident in the implementation of the laws and policies for combating climate change and argued that this is an ambitious goal, and as such, effective implementation of the provisions of the Act as well as policies targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, which are key to combating hunger and ensuring adequate food provisions for all. Using primary and secondary sources of laws, the paper employed a doctrinal legal approach. It finds that the major problem in effectively solving the challenges posed by man induced climate change is in weak legislation and poor implementation. It recommended that to enhance effectiveness, the government prioritises enforcing climate change regulations and developing institutional capacity for enforcement. It concluded that to attain a maximum level of food security in Nigeria, the law must ensure the implementation of its climate change obligations to maintain environmental protection from the harmful impact of change climate.