The IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy (IRCCS) is a collaborative blueprint aimed at orchestrating cohesive efforts to tackle climate change issues across the IGAD region. It's tailored to (i) enhance livelihoods and well-being, (ii) bolster community resilience and adaptability, (iii) advocate for climate-smart and low-emission economic growth, (iv) streamline regional and national actions in alignment with global and continental goals, (v) support the implementation of key priorities and measures outlined in NDCs and existing climate policies of Member States, and (vi) aid Member States in meeting their obligations under the UNFCCC. The strategy acknowledges the imperative for heightened adaptation to climate change impacts, considering the varied vulnerabilities, including gender disparities, prevalent in the region. Spanning from 2023 to 2030, the IRCCS will steer climate change initiatives at both national and regional levels, fostering synchronized progress over the course of eight years. The Strategy outlines the importance of adaptation to climate change, emphasizing the need for cooperation and integrated planning in areas such as coastal zone management, water resources, agriculture, and the protection of areas affected by drought, desertification, and floods. The Plan aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Gender considerations, environmental context, conflict, and political instability are also addressed in the document. The Strategy sets out the following strategic objectives (i) enhance the scientific and technical capabilities of regional institutions to mitigate vulnerability to climate change; (ii) integrate climate change considerations into regional and national development policies, strategies, programs, and projects; (iii) support the development and execution of regional and national initiatives for climate change adaptation and mitigation; (iv) facilitate the collection, analysis, and sharing of best practices and experiences among Member States in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts. Achieving these objectives will pave the way for climate-smart socio-economic development by (i) assessing vulnerability and institutional capacities to promote community and ecosystem adaptation to climate change impacts; (ii) assisting in the design of tailored programs and strategies to address climate change adaptation and mitigation; (iii) enhancing cross-border collaboration among Member States; (iv) providing guidance for establishing suitable institutional frameworks (legal, policy, organizational) to support climate change initiatives, including identifying adaptation and mitigation needs and building necessary capacities for implementation; (v) promoting low-carbon and climate-resilient development; (vi) establishing appropriate Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks to assess progress and lessons learned at national, regional, and international levels. To fulfill these strategic objectives, IGAD will take the lead in fostering harmonization, coordination, and cooperation among Member States and other stakeholders. The Strategy, informed by methodologies akin to Member States' NDCs, targets key priority areas encompassing agriculture, renewable energy, climate-resilient industries, water resources, transport, forest resources, marine resources, arid and semi-arid lands, security, displacement, gender, youth, and human health, requiring tailored interventions at both regional and local levels, with a focus on agriculture's vulnerability to climate change necessitating transformative measures, addressing energy access challenges, aligning industrial aspirations with clean energy investment, safeguarding water resources, improving transportation sustainability, conserving forest resources, wetlands, and biodiversity, addressing coastal degradation, and tackling challenges in arid and semi-arid lands, while also emphasizing the significant influence of gender dynamics and the vulnerability of youth to climate impacts, underscoring the need to address gender inequalities and prioritize youth welfare in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
2023-01-01