VP: What we are doing to counter climate change
Vice President, Dr Phillip Mpango. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Mpango says the government has various measures to address climate change issues, including conserving and protecting multiple areas
Dar es Salaam. Vice President Phillip Mpango yesterday outlined measures the government is taking to address climate change, which he described as a crisis affecting Tanzania’s economic growth, sustainable development, and poverty reduction target efforts.
Dr. Mpango was speaking virtually at the fourth edition of the Kusi Ideas Festival in Nairobi.
He said that Tanzania, like any other African country, has been affected by climate change, with extreme events such as droughts and floods disrupting the livelihoods of both rural and urban communities.
In addressing the climate change challenges, he said, the government has taken several measures, including reserving and protecting areas.
Dr Mpango also explained how climate change affects agricultural production, water resources, marine and coastal zones, public health, energy supply and demand, infrastructure, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
“We have reserved 361,594 square kilometers, which is equivalent to nearly 40 percent of the total land, and 7,330 square kilometers of the ocean,” he said.
According to him, Tanzania has been implementing an extensive tree planting programme in which each district has a target of planting 1.5 million trees annually.
In 2021, over 100 million trees were planted countrywide, he said.
Tanzania has also scaled up investment in renewable energy, including solar power plants, windmills, charcoal made from waste, and many others, he said, adding that the country is working on harnessing geothermal energy and targeting to generate about 200 megawatts by 2025.
“We have also launched a campaign to reduce the use of charcoal in cooking, which will help to raise public awareness while increasing supply of liquefied petroleum gas for cooking, installing biogas, and promoting renewable energy cooking stoves,” Dr Mpango told the participants.
“Tanzania recognizes all regional and global efforts to address climate challenges.”
“However, more needs to be done; we believe science, innovation, and partnership are key to finding solutions to these challenges,” he added.
During the event, Prince Rahim Aga Khan of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) announced that the network of companies, including Nation Media Group, is committed to net-zero emissions by 2030.
“This festival brings together some of Africa’s brightest minds to put this agenda into action and put ideas and solutions into action. The Aga Khan is also transforming its business and programmatic models to respond to this crisis,” he said.
“We will demonstrate proactive, socially responsible, and value-oriented leadership.” All AKDN network operations across agencies and institutions will have net-zero emissions before 2030.
In the opening remarks, Nation Media Group (NMG) chairman Wilfred Kiboro hailed the role of the company in the campaign to revive Karura Forest, one of Africa’s biggest forests located within the capital city of Nairobi.
Dr Kiboro asked development partners to join the company in its efforts to empower society by pushing for reforms on issues such as climate change.
“With a different set of circumstances, we would not be here.” Karura might not have survived. We owe its survival to courageous Kenyans, some of whom were imprisoned or killed as a result of their actions...I am proud that Nation Media Group answered the call of duty and offered its muscle to bolster the campaign to save Karura,” Dr Kiboro said.
He also hailed the role of the Kusi Ideas Festival in driving the conversation on many issues affecting Africans, including climate change.
“We created this festival to prepare Africa to overcome its challenges and exploit its opportunities. I’m glad that some of the ideas that have been discussed in the previous Kusi Ideas Festivals featured prominently during the COP27 event in Egypt. It is through this event that we hope to explore our response to climate change,” he added.
KUSI Ideas is an event organized by NMG to explore challenges facing the African continent and how they can be solved.
This year’s event focuses on how Africa can tackle the effects of climate change.
This year’s festival revolves around the theme “Climate Change: Exploring African Responses and Solutions” and explores the impact of the warming climate on the continent, from its impact on food security to the financing and technology needed to mitigate its impact on the environment and the people.
