Govt commits to increase use of renewable energy
DODOMA: THE government has made a commitment to increase the use of renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent come 2023, to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In the course, efforts will be intensified to phase out the use of pol- luting energy sources and eliminate subsidies for coal consumption.
Additionally, there will be a focus on strengthening international cooperation and involving the private sector and civil society.
Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment) Dr Selemani Jafo, made these remarks recently, while presenting the resolutions reached at the 28th Conference of the Par- ties (COP28) on Climate Change to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Water and Environment in Dodoma.
During discussions on strategies to reduce green- house gas emissions, leaders of member countries deliberated on how to enhance efforts to limit emissions to below two (2) degrees Celsius. Dr Jafo stated that “the discussions primarily focused on establishing a program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the need to phase out funding and the use of fossil fuel and coal sources due to their contribution to emissions and environ- mental pollution. However, no agreement was reached on these matters.”
Furthermore, member countries collectively requested funds to sup- port the implementation of the Climate Change Resilience Committee’s work plan and provide guidance and training to identify the needs of developing countries in preparing and implementing national climate resilience plans. COP28 recognised a significant funding gap, estimating an annual requirement of 5.8 to 5.9 trillion US dollars to achieve emission reduction goals by 2030.
“The discussions on this agenda were focused on facilitating timely and cost-effective access to the required technologies, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Convention,” noted Dr Jafo.
He called on financial institutions to continue seeking funds for the development and transfer of climate resilience and emission reduction technologies in developing countries. Dr Jafo mentioned that the participation of the President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the 28th conference has strengthened the country’s cooperation with international and regional communities, creating more opportunities for projects, investments, and research on climate change issues.
The Chairperson of the Permanent Commit- tee for Water and Environment, Mr Jackson Kiswaga, commended the government for its preparations and participation in the conference, which yielded fruitful outcomes.
He emphasised the need to intensify efforts in writing funding proposals to developed countries, so that developing countries, which have been greatly affected by the impacts of climate change, can benefit from them.
It is worth noting that the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023, and an agreement was reached to phase out the use of fossil fuels which causes a significant environmental pollution.
