COP30: UK govt launches new phase of climate partnership to power clean energy and climate action

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil on Wednesday, the UK government officially launched Phase Two of the Nigeria–UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) Fund.

This significant package of support includes eight new technical assistance projects and five expert deployments aimed at supporting Nigeria’s implementation of its ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to deliver on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 is vital to both national development and global climate goals. 

UK PACT is a flagship programme under the UK Government’s International Climate Finance (ICF) portfolio, jointly managed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Operating across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, UK PACT provides technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to help partner countries deliver their climate commitments and advance just, inclusive transitions. 

UK PACT currently supports 14 countries with expertise, funding, and partnership models that combine innovation, policy reform, and capacity strengthening. The Nigeria-UK PACT Fund part of this global effort and launched in 2021, supports Nigeria in strengthening climate governance, increase incentives for mobilising finance, and implementing clean energy and nature-based solutions that align with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, Climate Change Act, and NDCs. 

The new phase two portfolio is structured around supporting a transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future through: 

Clean Energy Transition Projects: Five new projects are dedicated to support the accelerating clean energy transition, a critical area for sustainable development and emissions reduction in Nigeria by:  

• Unlocking renewable energy access by scaling up the deployment of decentralised renewable energy solutions, including mini-grids and embedded generation, to provide reliable power to underserved communities. 
• Strengthening energy systems by enhancing the technical and regulatory capacity of key energy sector institutions to effectively integrate a higher share of renewables into the national grid. 
• Driving innovation and investment by creating market-enabling environments that de-risk and attract private investment into clean technologies. 

Implementing Partners for Clean Energy Transition Projects include the Landell Mills, Africa PPP Advisory Services, Mercy Corps, Wayne Energy Consult, and Glasgow Caledonian University. 

Climate policy and governance projects: Three projects aiming to institutionalise and sustain climate action within the Nigerian government by:   

• Enhancing institutional capacity to develop, implement, and monitor climate-smart policies. 
• Supporting evidence-based policymaking by improving data collection, Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems to ensure policies are informed by robust data and align with international best practice. 
• Creating an enabling environment by fostering the necessary policy frameworks to promote private sector participation and innovation in Nigeria’s low-carbon economy 

There will be expert deployments working with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).  

Implementing Partners for CPG Projects include the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, Perspectives Climate Research gGmbH, and University of York. 

 These projects are expected to: 

• Enhance climate data tracking and reporting on NDCs through the development of an economy wide, harmonised MRV system. 
• Facilitate the deployment of small-scale hydropower in off-grid areas. 
• Build Nigeria’s strategic and technical negotiation skills. 
• Creating market-enabling environments to de-risk and attract private investment into clean technologies for healthcare electrification. 
• Piloting scalable renewable embedded generation in Nigeria’s power sector to reduce risk and unlock over $8 billion in private investment. 

Together, these achievements form a foundation for deeper engagement in Phase 2, linking clean energy, climate policy, and governance to accelerate Nigeria’s pathway to net zero. 

The Phase 2 launch builds directly on the foundational success of UK PACT support in Nigeria which has been ongoing since September 2021.