The East African Community Climate Change Master Plan (EACCCMP) provides for a long-term vision and a basis for Partner States to operationalise a comprehensive framework for adapting to and mitigating climate change in line with the EAC Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources Management and with international climate change agreements. The timeframe of the policy is 20 years covering the period between 2011 and 2031. The overall objective of the Master Plan is to strengthen regional cooperation to address climate change issues that concern regionally shared resources. The EAC Partner States identify and prioritize main regional issues which are vulnerable to climate change, as follows: agriculture (crops, livestock and fisheries) and food security; water security; energy security; ecosystem services and biodiversity; tourism; infrastructure; human health, sanitation and settlements; trade and industry; and education, science and technology. The Master Plan aims to improve food security, nutrition, food self-sufficiency, and increase incomes by strengthening land and water management, improving market access, conducting agricultural research, and increasing smallholder food production. Indigenous/traditional/local knowledge on adaptation will be incorporated into scientific knowledge. Water availability and sustainable use practices and technologies will be promoted in agriculture, livestock and aquaculture for efficient utilization of water especially in arid and semi-arid lands. Integrated crop and livestock pests and disease management will be strengthened in the region. Early warning systems will be improved for food security. Sustainable agricultural practices will be promoted with agricultural based emission reduction through land management, planning and optimal utilization of agricultural resources. Climate smart agriculture will be promoted by up scaling existing agroforestry or initiating new ones by use of multipurpose trees. Natural resource management will be strengthened to boost food productivity and enhance food security. Support will be provided to pastoralists in the form of irrigation subsidies and training on modern cultivation practices, value addition and marketing, and climate change adaptation. Cold chain facilities will be established to facilitate the storage and trade of livestock products like meat and milk. Water conservation, efficiency and sustainable use and exploitation of regional water resources will be improved in view of the changing climate. The utilization of groundwater will be promoted to ensure water supply and quality and to relieve the stress on surface water resources. Agricultural irrigation with groundwater will be promoted. Groundwater will be used for up scaling agriculture and livelihood enhancement. Transboundary groundwater management will be strengthened in the region by developing water policy and legal frameworks, managing groundwater resources as a shared responsibility between all the partner states, taking pollution control measures, collaborating in the management of transboundary aquifers, strengthening groundwater resources planning, and promoting participation of the private sector, civil societies and women in the management of water resources. The Master Plan stresses the important role of biodiversity, ecosystem services and tourism in enhancing livelihood in marginalised regions of East Africa. Transboundary natural resource management initiatives will be supported to reduce conflict over diminishing resources. Sustainable management of forestry and wetlands will be promoted as part of ecosystem based adaptation. Forest management will be strengthened for reducing emissions and enhancing removals of greenhouse gases in areas where there is considerable forest cover. Measures will be taken to preserve the ecosystem integrity of critical wildlife habitats and endangered species. Energy resources will be diversified and energy infrastructure will be developed. The availability and accessibility of sustainable, reliable and affordable renewable energy resources will be increased. Energy security will be ensured by developing climate-resilient indigenous renewable energy resources and biomass cogeneration for energy production. Environmentally- friendly solid and liquid waste management facilities will be developed. The Master Plan underlines the potential of cogeneration in reducing vulnerability of the rural population by reducing poverty through job creation both at the cogeneration plants and at the source of raw materials for the industries. The Master Plan provides for the establishment of climate change development and adaptation institutions to build the human capacity in the areas of science, policy, adaptation, mitigation, and carbon markets.
2011-09-01