Tanzania has role to play in crafting global climate deal.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Tanzania and other fast growing economies in Eastern Africa have a crucial role to play in ensuring the climate change meeting to be held in Paris, France (COP 21) at the end of the year succeeds to reach an agreement to reduce emissions that universal and binding.

 

This is because the devastating effects of climate change, unless checked by global efforts, will dismantle economic gains so far made by the country and stifle further measures to attain sustainable development.

 

“Tanzania has a vibrant economy which, however, is highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. The economy is linked to agriculture, which is very vulnerable to climate disruption. The impact on their livelihoods could have dramatic consequences for Tanzanians. We stand alongside Tanzania as it faces these challenges,” explained Annik Girardin, French Minister for Development and Francophony, at a press conference held in Dar es Salaam recently.

 

The Minister was on a tour of consultation and dialogue with some African countries that are parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) as a way of laying foundation for reaching a universal climate change agreement at the world conference on climate change.

 

During the tour, the minister met with government officials, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders in Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia all of which have fast-growing economies. She was also scheduled to visit some countries in West Africa for the same purpose.

 

“African countries are most vulnerable to climate change but they have solutions to ensure that the average global temperature does not rise to two degrees within this century and further disrupt the climate.  These solutions must be more widely known, better promoted and better shared. This is the aim of my trip to Africa,” the Minister clarified.  

 

 She explained that development and climate are closely linked. “To be clear, if nothing is done to mitigate climate change, progress in development that has been made in the past several decades will be lost,” she noted, adding that there are development solutions which are also effective against climate disruption, such as renewable energies. 

 

“Wind turbines and solar panels provide free access to clean energy. Biogas used by families to replace traditional fireplaces is a cheaper, cleaner source of energy which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and above all protects the health of millions of women and children across Africa by preventing respiratory diseases,” the Minister said .

 

 Speaking about financing climate change solutions, she explained that some of them like renewable energies, adaptation and the fight against deforestation will be one of the main challenges of the Paris Climate Conference.  However, she said that France has already started mobilizing all its industrialised partners to meet the challenge.