ALN brings African perspectives to the 2026 Oxford Climate Policy Monitor

This is the central message of Policy Matters: Charting a Path to Net Zero, the latest report from the UN Secretary-General’s Taskforce on Net Zero Policy, launched at COP31. Drawing on the University of Oxford’s 2026 Oxford Climate Policy Monitor, the report examines how climate-related policies and regulations are evolving across 39 jurisdictions.

ALN contributed to the Monitor through three member firms: ALN Kenya, ALN Ethiopia and ALN Nigeria, bringing African legal and regulatory perspectives into a global assessment of the frameworks shaping the transition to net zero.

Five Developments Shaping the Next Phase of Climate Policy

• Policy frameworks continue to expand
  The Monitor tracks more than 1,500 policy instruments across 39 jurisdictions, representing 90% of global GDP and 82% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Three new domains—trade, aviation and buildings—are included in the 2026 assessment.
• Ambition and coverage are rising, but stringency lags
  The Monitor finds that climate policy is becoming more ambitious, comprehensive and supported by growing evidence of implementation. However, the mandatory force and enforcement of policies have grown more slowly.
• Progress is uneven across jurisdictions
  The report highlights different national policy trajectories, including instances of delay, weakening and repeal alongside continued strengthening. Businesses operating across borders need to understand the specific requirements and direction of travel in each market.
• Climate policy is increasingly connected to economic policy
  Trade, industrial strategy, energy security, competitiveness and investment are increasingly shaping climate measures and their implications for businesses.
• Disclosure, transition planning and carbon markets need to deliver practical outcomes
  The Taskforce emphasises decision-useful disclosure, credible transition plans, high-integrity carbon-credit rules and cooperation between jurisdictions. Physical climate risks are also increasingly financially material.

African perspectives: Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria
The three ALN contributions illustrate the different policy profiles emerging across African markets. The country Summary figures record the number of policy tools identified across nine domains; the accompanying Policy Tools visuals assess ambition, stringency, implementation and comprehensiveness. The figures should be read as a snapshot of the policy landscape, not as a direct measure of emissions outcomes.

Kenya: Policy Activity in Buildings, Carbon Credits and Transition Planning
The Kenya Summary records seven policy tools in buildings, five in carbon credits and four in transition planning. It also identifies three trade-measure tools, two each in aviation and methane abatement, and one each in public procurement and climate-related disclosure. No prudential tool is recorded in the Summary figure.

The country Policy Tools visual assesses the quality of measures across the four dimensions of the Monitor’s framework. For businesses and investors, the profile makes carbon-market governance and integrity, credible transition planning and the evolving policy treatment of buildings and trade particularly relevant. Kenya’s carbon-market framework and the development of investable projects will also need to be considered in the context of Article 6 cooperation and international standards.

Ethiopia: Transition Planning Features Prominently in Its First Year
Ethiopia joins the Monitor as a new jurisdiction in 2026. Its Summary records five policy tools in transition planning; three each in climate-related disclosure and buildings; and two each in carbon credits, methane abatement, public procurement and trade measures. One tool each is recorded in aviation and prudential regulation.

The profile provides a baseline for understanding the country’s developing climate-policy framework. With Addis Ababa preparing to host COP32, businesses and investors will be watching how transition-planning and disclosure approaches develop, and how the wider framework supports credible climate projects, carbon-market participation and investment. ALN Ethiopia contributed the Ethiopia analysis.

Nigeria: Aviation and Disclosure are the most represented Domains
The Nigeria Summary records three policy tools each in aviation and climate-related disclosure. One tool each is recorded in carbon credits, methane abatement, trade measures and transition planning; no tools are recorded in buildings, prudential tools or public procurement in the Summary figure.

For businesses and investors, the findings highlight the importance of climate-related disclosure and sector-specific policy developments, including in aviation. Carbon markets remain a relevant area for regulatory development, investor confidence and the mobilisation of climate finance. ALN Nigeria contributed the Nigeria analysis.

What this means for Businesses and Investors

• Sustainability disclosure and transition plans
  Assess applicable reporting expectations, improve the quality of climate-related information and develop credible plans that connect targets with governance, investment and delivery.
• Carbon markets and Article 6
  Navigate carbon-credit rules, project approvals, authorisations, integrity standards, safeguards, benefit-sharing and cross-border cooperation.
• Green prudential rules
  Understand climate-related supervisory expectations for banks and financial institutions, including governance, risk management, scenario analysis and transition planning.
• EU trade measures
  Assess the implications of climate-related trade requirements and border measures for exporters and businesses participating in international supply chains.
• Climate finance
  Identify and structure opportunities in sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, transition finance, green bonds and other climate-aligned investments.

Connecting Expertise across African Markets
The Monitor reinforces the importance of cooperation between governments, businesses, investors and institutions. Its findings on carbon markets point to the value of shared principles and cooperation between jurisdictions in supporting market integrity and interoperability.

This is also reflected in ALN’s approach. Through its member firms, ALN brings together local market knowledge and coordinated legal expertise to support clients navigating climate regulation and investment opportunities across Africa. Our capabilities include regulatory mapping and gap analysis, sustainability disclosure and transition planning, carbon-market transactions and project structuring, Article 6 cooperation, climate finance and green financing structures.

Contributing teams

ALN Ethiopia
Mesfin Tafesse, Samrawit Bekele,  Esubalew Amare and Mulugeta Eshetie.

ALN Kenya
Faith Macharia, Eden Gatuiku,  Collins Owino,  and Nabila Bashir.

ALN Nigeria

Explore the reports
2026 Oxford Climate Policy Monitor and Policy Matters: Charting a Path to Net Zero