Gov't approves climate change policy

Oct 06, 2014

IN efforts to address climate change problems, government has approved a National Climate Change Policy that will help to broadly respond to challenges of climate variations in the country

By Jeff Andrew Lule

 

IN efforts to address climate change problems, government has approved a National Climate Change Policy that will help to broadly respond to challenges of climate variations in the country.

 

It will also guide the transition of the country towards a low carbon climate resilient development.

 

The state minister for water and environment, Flavia Munaaba Nabugere said it is an important step for Uganda to tackle climate change issues.

 

She said the policy provides for broader adaptation and mitigation actions in a number of priority sectors.

 

“The national climate change policy and its cost implementation strategy has been approved by Government.  With this policy we shall now be able address the challenges of climate change,” she noted.

 

Munaaba said this at the opening of the Climate Finance and Investment forum in Eastern and Southern African, at Protea hotel in Kampala.

 

She said Uganda being a signatory to the international climate change instruments, is committed to contributing to global efforts of tackling climate change in different parts of the country raging from prolonged droughts, floods, and landslide among others.

 

He said Uganda has also established 14 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) registered projects in different sectors like waste, transport and energy among others. 

 

She noted that five of the 14 projects are already receiving Certified Emission Reduction (CERs) credits, which can be sold on international carbon markets.

 

“We have also set up an early warning system on disasters, climate change unit has now been turned into a full department, while the metrological department is now an authority,” Munaaba added.

 

She attributed the rapid climatic change in the country to pollution, deforestation and wetland encroachment among others. 

 

Munaaba said they are already working with private institutions to push for climate financing at regional and international level.

 

The Germany Ambassador to Uganda, Peter Blomeyer, said climate change has been mainly caused by developed countries, saying that they need to support developing countries especially in Africa to mitigate the problem before it is too late.

 

“Industrialisation has led to this problem and we need to give more support to African countries like Uganda,” he said.

 

The United Nations Residential Coordinator in Uganda, Dr. Ahunna Eziakonwa Onochie said Government needs to strengthen policies for sustainable renewable energies.

 

“We need a multiple approach in renewables energies like bio gas and cooking stoves to control deforestation among others. They must make sure everything is affordable including hydro power,” she added.

Related stories

Climate change hits agric, power production - IPCC report

UN summit rallies global action on climate change

Gov't issues new climate change guidelines

Uganda not safe from the effects of climate change

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});