Circular Economic Development and Climate Justice: A Synergistic Framework for Equitable Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria

The accelerating global environmental crisis has made it imperative to adopt sustainable development frameworks that are both economically efficient and socially equitable. This paper explores the intersection between circular economic development and climate justice, proposing a synergistic model for addressing ecological degradation and socio-environmental inequality in Nigeria. While the circular economy promotes waste reduction, resource efficiency, and regenerative industrial systems, climate justice emphasizes the equitable distribution of climate-related burdens and benefits, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized populations. By integrating these two paradigms, the study highlights how circular economic practices—such as recycling, sustainable product design, and waste-to-resource innovation—can be strategically leveraged to advance climate justice goals. Through a critical review of policy documents, empirical case studies, Biofil Technologies Nigeria Limited (BTNL) case illustration and theoretical frameworks, the paper identifies key opportunities and challenges in harmonizing circular economic strategies with climate justice imperatives. It argues that a just transition to a circular economy requires inclusive governance, equitable access to green technologies, and robust community engagement. The study concludes that aligning circular economy initiatives with climate justice principles not only ensures environmental sustainability but also fosters socio-economic resilience and intergenerational equity, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions like Nigeria.