The UN General Comment on Children’s Rights and Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change 2023: Implication for Nigeria

Introduction

Climate change is a complex and dynamic problem which requires dimensional and multi-sectoral mitigation and adaptation initiatives within a policy framework to properly tackle it. Climate change does not affect people at the same level. Women and children have been considered the most vulnerable group negatively impacted by climate change in Nigeria. It has been recorded that 1.7 million children lose their lives every year as a result of avoidable environmental impacts. While millions of them are being forced to leave their homes, missing out on school and suffering from diseases (with respiratory diseases increased in children between 0 to 16 years). Some of the effects of climate change include displacement. For instance, the flooding incident in Nigeria towards the end of 2022 affected states like Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Bayelsa and others, leaving so many people especially children out of school for a long period of time. Children who provide the primary labour for the family unit would have to put in the additional effort at supporting various house chores as a result of the impact of climate change. This shows the grave effect of climate change on children and the continued suffering if this matter is not addressed.

Please click here for the full article.

For further discussion on the above, contact us at ngozi.ole@alliancelawfirm.ng or lilian.adat@alliancelawfirm.com