National adaptation programme of action (NAPA) for Tanzania

Abstract

Tanzania National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) preparation has been a timely opportunity to look at the country’s climate change related vulnerabilities in various sectors which are important for the economy. Tanzania NAPA document is informed by the aspirations of National Development Vision 2025 for high and shared growth, quality livelihood, peace, stability and unity, good governance, high quality education and global competitiveness. Since Tanzania’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, it is deemed that sustainable development can be achieved when strategic actions, both short term and long term are put in place to address climate change impacts on agriculture and other key economic sectors. The process of NAPA preparation involved looking at the effects of climate change as a threat mainly to the agrarian population that still depends on subsistence agriculture for their daily livelihood. The past trend on droughts and floods; and recent poor harvest in 2005 which caused hunger in most parts of the country and disappearance of the ice cap at Mount Kilimanjaro is now more than ever imminent evidence of climate change due to evident temperature increases caused by global warming. The frequency of extreme weather events such as El Nino floods in 1997/98 and the recent drought are few but important reminders of the deadly effects of climate change to Tanzania. In this context, the Tanzania NAPA identifies priority areas in various sectors, and further prioritizes project activities in those sectors. These activities need immediate and urgent actions for the country to adapt to such climate change effects on a short term basis as well as putting in place mechanisms for addressing long-term adaptation initiatives.