Experts: Local researches, reliable data crucial in fighting climate change in Tanzania
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- The research, they said, will inform policies and actions designed to mitigate the effects of global warming and put the country in a better position to reduce emissions by 30 to 35 percent by 2030.
Dar es Salaam. Experts said Tanzania needs to conduct its own research that will provide reliable data and evidence sufficient to deal with the effects of climate change locally.
The research, they said, will inform policies and actions designed to mitigate the effects of global warming and put the country in a better position to reduce emissions by 30 to 35 percent by 2030.
They spoke of the requirement on Wednesday at and event for the signing of an MoU between the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (Costech), aiming to fund research on how to combat the situation.
Minister of State in the Vice President's Office (Union and Environment), Mr Selemani Jafo, said the need arises out of the reality of increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.
The factors pose substantial threats to human health, safety, food and water security, as well as socio-economic development in the country.
Mr Jafo presided over the signing ceremony between NORAD and Costech, which solidified their partnership in executing pivotal climate change research projects.
Norway has pledged Sh9 billion to support climate change research under the auspices of Costech. The investment is part of a larger scheme that also extends to higher education institutions across the country.
"This shows that the research agenda in the country is going to be very significant, especially at this time when we need reliable data and evidence to achieve our ambitious goals in the fight against the effects of climate change.
"Through our institution, Costech, which manages research issues, we target to provide robust answers to the social questions raised by this cross-cutting issue," said Mr Jafo.
The minister urged researchers from various institutions to cooperate on researching unresolved societal challenges.
"We rely on researchers. Bring research and answers that will address sectors that require significant attention, especially in areas of mitigation and adaptation, such as productive and sustainable agriculture," he noted.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Tone Tinness, said climate change knows no national borders. “Its impact felt globally, and Tanzania, with its rich natural diversity and vulnerable communities, remained exposed to its effects,” she said.
Ms Tinness expressed Norway's pride in collaborating with Tanzania through Costech to launch a research programme, describing the power of knowledge and research as tools in the fight against climate change.
She explained the programme's objectives, which are to advance scientific knowledge and promote sustainable practices to fortify Tanzania's stance against climate change.
The five-year programme supports Tanzanian research institutions through a competitive call for proposals managed by Costech.
Costech director general, Dr Amos Nungu, said disbursement of funds to successful applicants would commence next month, with each project receiving between a minimum of Sh200 million and a maximum of Sh600 million.
A researcher, Dr Modekai Ngenze, told The Citizen that climate change is a global crisis that demands rigorous research, reliable data, and international cooperation.
“The collaboration between Norway and Tanzania, as witnessed in the signing of the MoU, is a significant step towards advancing scientific knowledge and promoting sustainable practices,” he said.
