Discussions on climate change continue to spark mixed reactions, highlighting the need for a clear and decisive approach to the issue, but what exactly is climate legislation?
The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES), in partnership with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has convened a working session in Nigeria. The session brings together legal experts, legislative drafters, and climate specialists to review and validate the draft Model Climate Change Law for Africa.
Previously, AGNES collaborated with national parliaments, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), and other partners in a series of regional parliamentary meetings. These engagements aimed to educate legislators on climate change and provide a platform to exchange experiences.
These meetings included parliamentarians from committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture, Sustainable Development, and Water, as well as parliamentary staff and UNFCCC focal points from Africa’s four sub-regions.
This initiative aligns with recommendations from the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which underscores the importance of climate legislation in shaping effective policy and institutional frameworks. Robust climate legislation is deemed instrumental and essential for climate finance, defining roles and responsibilities in climate action.
Dr. George Wamukoya OGW emphasized the urgency of legislative action in putting up with climate change.“We must acknowledge that climate change is here and take measures to address it. One key tool for action is legislation.”
Currently, fewer than ten African countries have enacted specific climate change laws. However, growing awareness has prompted many nations to begin drafting legislation, while others are integrating climate provisions into existing environmental laws.
Regional meetings in Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Namibia, and Liberia led to key resolutions aimed at addressing gaps in climate legislation. These include:
- Developing a climate change curriculum to educate parliamentarians and parliamentary staff.
- Creating a Model Climate Change Law that can be adopted by African nations.
- Establishing a Monitoring and Accountability Tool to enhance parliamentary oversight on climate matters.
- Forming the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC) to amplify Africa’s collective voice on climate policy.
David Awolala, Director of Policy Research at AGNES, noted that only three African countries have dedicated themselves to climate legislation and that is Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. He further noted that other countries have incorporated climate change laws in the Environment Ministries.
As discussions in Nigeria continue, legislators and experts are analyzing best practices in climate law to refine the draft Model Climate Change Law for Africa. The final document is expected to strengthen climate governance, enhance policy implementation, and support effective climate action across the continent.
