EU grants Tanzania 16bn/- to mitigate climate change effects

By Correspondent David

 

Filiberto Sebregondi, EU Ambassador to Tanzania

 

The European Union (EU) and the government of Tanzania inked a 16bn/- financial agreement for climate change adaptation in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony of the second Global Climate Change Alliance Programme (GCCA) in Dar es Salaam yesterday, EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Filiberto Sebregondi, said the funds (grant) shall be directed to projects aimed at increasing capacity of vulnerable local communities to adapt to the effects of climate change in the world.
“While negotiators from all over the world discuss the future of international climate change regime, the EU is confirming itself at the forefront of climate action by not only setting tough targets for European countries but also supporting actions to face climate changes in developing countries,” he said.

He said the projects will be implemented in different ecosystem with the aim of increasing the capacity of the most vulnerable communities to adapt to the effects of climate change through sustainable use of natural resources.

The Ambassador said that the GCCA with the concept of ‘eco-village’ provides a model for green development, promoting food security, resilience and ability to adapt to climate change in a community-led and community owned manner with the potential for replication in other parts of the country.

The envoy mentioned some achievements in the ended first phase of GCCA project as planting of over one million trees in Pemba, educating women on how to establish kitchen gardens and communal compost piles.

Other achievements include the introduction of solar energy together with cooking alternatives to charcoal and the improvement of bee keeping skills.

According to the Ambassador, through the implemented projects financed by the EU, environmental committees in the country are now aware on their responsibilities and community awareness on climate change has increased.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said the fund will boost the government’s efforts to reduce and control the adverse effects of the climate change.

The deputy PS mentioned the agricultural sector - which employs majority of the people in the country – as one of the most affected sector by climate change. As such, Mkenda noted that the fund will bring a solution to revamp the sector for the betterment of farmers and the nation in general.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN