The high costs and interconnected impacts (agriculture, energy and water, the environment and the economy) of climate change in Tanzania makes planning critical, but challenging. In an effort to support the country’s preparation of a national climate change strategy, more than 30 Tanzanian decision-makers, researchers, and civil society advocates met in Windhoek, Namibia for an international Learning Week on Global Best Practices in Comprehensive Climate Change Planning as a precursor to the 17th round of international climate negotiations in Durban in November 2011. Funded by the World Bank’s South-South Learning Exchange and the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Tanzania delegation was joined by climate change experts from Namibia, Mexico, South Africa and Zambia, all countries that have undertaken major initiatives to prepare for climate change at the national level.
Mr. Ngosi Mwihava, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Tanzanian Ministry of Environment, said the delegation was eager to attend the workshop to “learn from the experience of other global leaders” about climate change policies and programs. Presentations and interactive discussions on practical topics ranged from how to set the vision to financing investments. There were differing approaches for climate change plans shared by representatives from each country, but participants found several common threads to successful strategies.
In addition to the workshop discussions, participants visited several innovative climate change adaptation efforts at work in Namibia. At the Habitat Research and Development Centre, the group observed how local technologies and recycled materials are developed and tested for use in environmentally sustainable housing designs. Participants also visited factories that manufacture charcoal and compressed wood briquettes from invasive bush plants cleared from ranch lands and game preserves, demonstrating how waste can benefit wildlife and the environment by providing a better habitat and more a efficient energy source, as well as create jobs.
Tanzanian delegates met to summarize the main takeaways from the workshop and next steps after returning from Windhoek. Tanzanian officials agreed on an action plan and invited the workshop participants to meet again to discuss progress on the national strategy.
World Bank press release: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:23087692~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html
