Major programme on climate change in Tanzania launched – UMB main Norwegian partner
Joanna Boddens-Hosang
3 December 2009 - The Norwegian government supported ‘Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation’ (CCIAM) programme in Tanzania was launched on Monday in Tanzania in the presence of ministers, the ambassador of Norway and various stakeholders. The 5-year programme includes research, capacity building and student exchange and is orchestrated by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) with UMB as the main Norwegian partner.
Last year the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on a visit to Tanzania announced that Norway would grant NOK 500 million to the country for a five-year partnership agreement to strengthen forest and climate efforts. As part of the partnership, Norway pledged to support research, education and the development of pilot areas for reduced deforestation, as well as the development of technologies and methods for measuring carbon level changes.
Deforestation in Tanzania is among Africa’s largest and results in carbon emissions of approx. 100 million tons per year. Some of the major causes of deforestation and forest degradation include poor agricultural practices, overexploitation (e.g. fuelwood) and illegal practices. The impact of climate change on ecosystems poses serious challenges to sustainable livelihoods and economic development. Through research projects, capacity building, documentation, awareness raising and outreach, CCIAM will focus on enhancing a greener environment by promoting natural forest conservation, afforestation, reforestation and better agricultural practices for improved livelihoods related to the “Reduced Emissions from Deforestations and Forest Degradation (REDD)” initiative. About 50 Master and 17 Tanzanian PhD students, and 27 young and senior professionals in an exchange programme will be involved in the programme during the course of the five-year period.
Collaborating institutions under CCIAM in Tanzania are the University of Dar es Salaam, Ardhi University and the Tanzania Meteorological Agency. The Norwegian University of Life Sciences through its Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric) is the main partner from the Norwegian side. The programme, which is funded through the Norwegian embassy in Tanzania, will also involve other relevant institutions both in Tanzania and Norway. Dr Lars Olav Eik, Noragric, has the programme coordination responsibility at UMB.
A Call for Concept Notes under CCIAM will be announced mid January 2010. These will then be reviewed by a panel of experts from universities and international organisations. By the end of March, a Call for proposals based on the Concept Notes that have passed the review will be announced, deadline 15 April. Research grants for the approved proposals will be made known on 3 May. Information is to be posted on the Noragric/UMB website.
For further information about CCIAM: contact Lars Olav Eik (lars.eik@umb.no)
