The Environment and Climate Justice (ECJ) programme is aimed at nurturing a crop of young negotiators and developing domestic expertise in climate negotiation and diplomacy. Nigeria has established an institutional framework for engaging in the global climate change discourse and tackling climate change domestically, including through commitments for climate action, passing a framework legislation and establishing a Secretariat for effective coordination. However, there is a resource and capacity gap owing to inadequate investment in a structured climate change knowledge sector that is inclusive and expansive.

Solving climate challenges requires the active participation of Nigerians both in understanding its impact and their role, especially for women, the youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other climate vulnerable groups in: public decision-making processes and labour markets; contributing to climate-related planning, budgeting, negotiations, policy making, implementation; and monitoring and evaluation of risks which exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.

The ECJ addresses this gap by engaging Nigerian Youth in Climate Diplomacy Programme through Climate Justice Law clinics across Nigerian universities and contribute to capacity building for local actors in international climate governance.