Tanzania takes strides towards sustainable cooking solutions to combat climate change

Dar es Salaam. The government has signed grant contracts with five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as part of a pivotal step towards addressing climate change.

The agreements under the Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solution Programme, backed by a total of EUR 9.9 million (Sh26 billion) from the European Union (EU), aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The development also targets combating deforestation and improving the overall well-being of Tanzanian communities over the next five years.

During the grant signing ceremony held in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Ms Amina Hamis Shabaan, expressed gratitude to the EU for their steadfast support, emphasising the grants as a testament to a collaborative partnership.

She stated, "This grant not only signifies the financial support the EU has extended to Tanzania but also fosters a sense of partnership, collaboration, and shared values between the two parties."

The EU's Head of Cooperation in Tanzania, Mr Cedric Merel, highlighted the urgency of addressing rapid deforestation and its consequences for the environment and climate change. He outlined the multifaceted approach of the programme.

"By increasing the production of sustainable wood fuel in rural areas and promoting the usage of modern and clean cooking solutions in urban areas, the programme aims to contribute to a reduced climate change impact in the country," he said.

The grants were awarded to NGOs through a competitive selection process, focusing on administrative compliance checks, proposal quality, and adherence to eligibility criteria.

Ms Shabaan underscored the importance of the process, stating, "The projects are aligned with the national and sector strategic frameworks, and therefore, we expect their implementation will have a positive impact on Tanzania's development agenda."

The selected NGOs—Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (HELVETAS), TaTEDO-Sustainable Energy Services Organisation (TaTEDO-SESO), Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), World Vision Tanzania, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)—will collaborate with local partners to implement projects covering six regions: Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tabora, Tanga, Morogoro, and Pwani.

The projects focus on sustainable forest management, renewable energy, and community empowerment, aligning with the government's broader agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Ms Shabaan highlighted, "The projects are part of the government's agenda that seeks to meet its nationally determined contribution commitments."

Mr Merel emphasised that the selected NGOs have substantial experience in the forestry sector and engagement with rural communities.

He expressed hope that these organisations would deliver the expected results and contribute to making the wood-fuel value chain more sustainable, equitable, and beneficial for communities.