Deliver practical climate solutions, researchers reminded

DODOMA: RESEARCHERS have been urged to ensure that climate change studies generate practical, local solutions that can inform policy decisions and improve livelihoods.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Daniel Mushi made the call on Thursday in Dodoma at the opening of the first Annual Research Progress Review (ARPR) meeting under the Climate Change Research Programme coordinated by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).

Prof Mushi said climate change research must go beyond academic interests and directly address national challenges, noting that evidencebased studies are critical in shaping government policies and strategies.

“This research must respond to real problems facing our country and support decision-making at both community and national levels,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Mushi said the sixth-phase government established the Climate Change Research Programme to strengthen the country’s response to climate change through science and innovation.

So far, the programme has received 14.5bn/- in funding, with 12.1bn/- already invested in 39 research projects covering key sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, water, natural resources and socioeconomic systems.

He urged institutions overseeing the projects to ensure close supervision and accountability, stressing that research must align with national priorities and actively involve communities and policymakers throughout implementation.

Prof Mushi assured researchers that the government is strengthening systems that link research outputs with policymakers to ensure findings are utilised in national strategies and development plans.

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For his part, COSTECH Director General, Dr Amos Nungu, said the programme represents a deliberate investment in the next generation of Tanzanian scientists who will drive climate research, innovation and policy engagement in the future.

He noted that a key feature of the programme is its strong emphasis on human capital development, with about 90 students directly involved in the projects, including 20 PhD candidates and 70 Master’s students. He emphasised that the annual reviews are an integral part of the programme, urging principal investigators and research teams to take them seriously and engage openly.

“This is our first Annual Research Progress Review meeting, and some challenges are expected. However, I am confident the process will become smoother and more impactful in the coming years, yielding tangible solutions and policy-relevant evidence,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Royal Norwegian Embassy Representative Dr Lutgart Lenaerts said Norway will continue partnering with Tanzania in supporting research initiatives that help address climate change challenges. She commended COSTECH for its work and called for professionalism and accountability in research implementation.