Following its participation in the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB 64) climate sessions in Bonn, Germany, the Animal Protection Organisation of Nigeria (APON) has announced a comprehensive national roadmap to scale climate action through sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and green food systems.
APON, according to a statement issued after the event, is urging the Nigerian government to urgently pivot toward agroecological farming practices and financial frameworks that support plant-based businesses to meet national climate adaptation goals.
Industrial agricultural expansion remains a primary driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss in Nigeria. APON’s post-conference strategy emphasises that safeguarding Nigeria’s endangered wildlife requires an immediate shift away from destructive land-use practices. By protecting natural ecosystems from industrial livestock encroachment, Nigeria can preserve vital carbon sinks and protect vulnerable animal species from extinction.
To combat land degradation, APON is launching a nationwide advocacy campaign promoting organic compost application as a direct replacement for chemical fertilisers.
A critical takeaway from the Bonn climate talks is the necessity of shifting financial flows toward low-emission food systems. APON is calling on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to establish dedicated financial support pipelines, including grants and tax incentives, for: plant-based food businesses that will accelerate the growth of sustainable, local meat alternatives, as well as eco-conscious farmers – subsidizing smallholders who transition from intensive livestock rearing to climate-resilient crop cultivation.
‘Climate adaptation in Nigeria cannot succeed without transforming how we treat our land and our animals. By subsidising plant-based food systems and adopting organic soil management, Nigeria can lead Africa in humane, climate-smart agriculture that protects both our wildlife and our food security,’ the statement from APON concluded.