TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS: TZ resolves win plaudits

Climate change

A cross section of analysts have appreciated initiatives Tanzania is taking to mitigate the effects of climate change for sustainable development.

They also called for putting in place strategies that will ensure effective realisation of the set targets in all aspects.

Their comments came in response of the remarks President Samia Suluhu Hassan made on Monday in Sharm El Sheikh City, Egypt, while attending the 27th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).

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During her speech, President Samia said the government has already put in place the national climate change response strategy and contribution with a target of reducing green gas emission economy wide between 30 to 35 per cent by the year 2030.

She said the country is also continuing to construct and expand rapid transport networks that are expected to reduce more than 900 million tonnes of carbon generated every year.

“We are also determined to increase the use of renewable energies from 6 per cent in 2015 to 8 per cent in the year 2025, as well as planting 200 million trees every three years,” she noted.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ on the matter, the University of Dodoma Lecturer Dr Paul Loisulie said the country is doing a commendable job, adding that there is a need to maintain the spirit.

“This has to be maintained, if we want to tackle the effects of climate change as a result of the negative impacts that have been observed so far,” he said.

In the course, the don proposed for an increased budget on environmental issues from internal sources-a move that will also assure timely implementation of programs aimed at fighting climate change.

“We have to reduce dependency on external support when it comes to environmental issues because whatever delay on issuance of the budget will have a direct impact on the programme execution,” he said.

Expounding further, Dr Loisulie said the effective funding for climate change will also help to improve in agriculture, forest and fishing sectors.

He said, since forests are a good source of rain and also help to reduce carbon and in turn control climate change, thus, there is a need also to improve efforts on protecting the available natural vegetation.

Commenting on the same, Head of Communications at the WWF Tanzania, Ms Joan Itanisa commended efforts taken by the government in mitigating the impacts of climate change, expressing confidence that the measures will bear fruits.

She cited the clean energy strategy being implemented by the government as one which is very recommendable in bringing positive results to the country and the world in general.

“WWF remains committed to continue working with the government institutions complementing the efforts as well as offer technical support in the course of mitigating climate change impacts is currently a global concern,” stated Ms Itanisa.

On his part, environment and human rights specialist at Environmental Human Rights Care and Gender Organization (ENVIROCARE), Mr Godlisten Muro suggested that the government needs to rollout more investment in the distribution of compressed natural gas for domestic use and the running of vehicles, especially to reduce further carbon emission to the environment.

According to him, should Tanzania succeed in employing the use of compressed natural gas to more homes for the country will be a better place to ensure effective utilization of its set targets.

Similarly, he called for major efforts in extensive public awareness and campaigns in the protection of the environment as well as encouraging people to continue planting more trees.

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