The objective is to foster Sustainable Blue and Green Economy Initiatives that Combat Climate Change and Enable Local Economic Growth.

The Niger Delta region is one of the world’s largest oil-producing areas and has been known for its significant contribution to the global crude oil supply. However, several environmental and social issues have arisen as a result of petroleum exploration and exploitation in the region. Extensive oil spills, gas flaring, and deforestation have led to the degradation of the ecosystem and the loss of livelihoods for many communities. The exploitation of oil and gas resources also contributes to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases. Thus, the region experiences extreme weather conditions like floods, erosion, rise in sea levels, acidification, heat waves, and unpredictable rainfall due to climate change, which impact food and water security and exacerbate poverty, insecurity, crime, and conflict in the area. This has made the region vulnerable to the impacts of climate change with devastating effects on the environment and the green and blue economy. As a result, there has been a rise in criminality such as piracy activities in recent years, citizens who cannot find sustainable livelihood activities are easily recruited by criminal groups to take advantage of weak governance and security in the area. The link between petroleum exploration and exploitation, climate change, piracy, and the green and blue economy in the Niger Delta underscores the need for sustainable and innovative practices that go beyond short-term profits. This concept therefore incorporates sustainable ecosystem-based adaptation measures that are effective and cost-efficient to mitigate these impacts and build resilience among coastal communities.