- The experts suggested using renewable energy and conducting environmentally friendly agriculture as other ways.
- Tanzania is concerned about climate change, which may impede its ability to achieve critical goals such as economic growth, sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Yesterday during the Mwananchi Thought Leadership Forum under the main topic, “To strengthen the National Climate Change Agenda”, environmental experts recommended four areas to be prioritised to help the country build resilience to the impacts of climate change and contribute to the global effort of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They advised the full implementation of the environmental policy reviewed in 2021 and establishment of an independent climate policy.
The main question that guided the conversation was, ‘What’s next for Tanzania after the Egypt COP27 meeting?’ Noting that climate change impacts affect agricultural production, water resources, marine and coastal zones, public health, energy supply and demand, infrastructure, biodiversity, and the ecosystem. The experts suggested using renewable energy and conducting environmentally friendly agriculture as other ways.
During the conversation, Mr Bakari Machumu from Forum CC said that there was a big difference between the Environment and the Climate, suggesting that as a country, there must be a strategy to create an independent climate policy that will provide guidance and a direct strategy to deal with its effects. He noted that “Tanzania has a great chance to achieve its goals if it utilises the opportunity of renewable energy and attracts more investors in this sector.” Also, Prof David Nyange, a policy advisor at ASPIRES Tanzania, expressed his concern that the population was increasing at a higher pace and at the same time, the agricultural area continued to decrease rapidly due to climate change. The representative of the Minister of State, Vice President’s Office, Union and Environment called for stakeholders to unite in implementing the national environmental policy reviewed in 2021.