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Environment and Natural Resources Sector Achievements

 

  1. Developed and implemented the East African Community Covid 19 Response Programme in the context of WASH: In collaboration with Wateraid International, the EAC Secretariat constructed permanent handwashing Facilities at five (5) border posts and 32 HWFs at the borders and PoEs in collaboration with IOM with Germany government financial support

  2. EAC Environment week to showcase the achievements of EAC and Partner States in addressing environmental challenges and biodiversity was initiated. The first EAC Environment week was organized in June 2021 in Dodoma, Tanzania

  3. The EAC forestry management has been strengthened through regional framework on forests resources management

  4. The EAC Climate Finance Access and Mobilization Strategy was adopted by 42nd Council to facilitate mobilization of at least 20% of USD 212.181 billion by 2030

  5. The EAC participation in Multilateral Environmental Agreements including UN climate change Conferences

  6. The Regional Steering Committee to guide the operationalization of the Regional Platform on land has been established

  7. Progress was made at 90% on the accreditation process of EAC Regional Implementing Entity under the United Nations Frameworks Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Financing Mechanisms (Adaptation Fund)

  8. The sector has enhanced collaboration with partners including USAID/KEA, European Union, IUCN, WaterAid International, UNEP, Adaptation Fund, UNFCCC Secretariat, WWF, NDC Partnership Secretariat, GIZ, IOM, GGGI and African Land Policy Centre in addressing the challenges of environment and natural resources in the Community

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA-EAC-SADC) Region (2010-2014)

 

The Programme on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Eastern and Southern Africa was a five-year initiative of COMESA, EAC and SADC with the purpose of enabling COMESA-EAC-SADC Member States to increase investments in climate resilient and carbon efficient agriculture and its linkages to forestry, land use and energy practices by 2016.

The overall objective of the Programme was to address the impacts of Climate Change in the COMESA-EAC-SADC region through successful adaptation and mitigation actions, which also build economic and social resilience for present and future generations.

The programme was financed through a multi-donor arrangement involving the following development partners: The Government of Norway, the European Union and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development through COMESA.

The initiative that started in 2010 aimed to inject Africa’s Unified Position on Climate Change into the post-2012 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change global agreement so as to unlock resources for promoting strategic interventions that sustain productivity and livelihood improvements for millions of climate-vulnerable people in the region.

The programme stemmed from the recognition of the seriousness of the challenge posed by Climate Change, which was reiterated by the African Heads of State and Government at the African Union Summit in January 2007. The African Heads of State and Government agreed that the countries in Africa should mainstream Climate Change adaptation and mitigation into their developmental plans. Further, the African Heads of State and Government Summit held in 2009, in Sirte, Libya endorsed the African common position on Climate Change, which advocates for inclusion of Agriculture and Forestry in the Climate Change regime.

 

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Actions in the EAC region (2019-2024)


Supported by Intra-ACP GCCA+, the overall objective of the project is to increase resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in the EAC region. An initiative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, the Intra-ACP Global Climate Change Alliance+ (GCCA+) Programme supports ACP countries’ efforts to address climate change. The EAC 4-year project has 3 key targets:

  1. To enhance the capacity of the EAC region on climate change;

  2. To strengthen the implementation of climate change actions and the Paris Agreement; and

  3. To strengthen regional capacity to access climate change funding

At regional level, the project is expected to strengthen the capacity of the regional Climate Change Technical Working Group (CCTWG) to implement identified climate change actions as well as review and update the EAC Climate Change Policy and the EAC Climate Change Strategy. In addition, the project will support the development and enactment of the EAC Climate Change Bill and identify relevant national best practices, success stories and lessons on management of climate change and share them among partner states.

At national level, the project will support Partner States in reviewing and updating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with the Paris Agreement. In strengthening regional capacity to access climate change funding, the project aims to develop 3 community-based climate change adaptation projects and submit them to the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.  The project will also support the development and implementation of a Regional Climate Change Communication and Advocacy Plan.

WASH and Health Promotion Sensitization and Awareness Programme on COVID-19 and other Communicable Diseases in EAC Region


Access to safe, clean water remains a challenge to a large number of people and more disproportionately to vulnerable groups. Inadequate access to safe and clean water supply and sanitation services increases the risk of outbreaks of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases tend to spread rapidly and affect large numbers of people within a short time, disrupting daily livelihood activities, affecting environment and social dynamics in the communities.

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Conservation and Management of Natural Capital in East African Community Program under USAID/Kenya & East Africa support (2019-2022)

Conservation and Management of Natural Capital in East African Community Program under USAID/Kenya & East Africa Support (2019-2022)

The improving collaborative Conservation and Management of Transboundary Natural Resources in the East African Community program was implemented since June 2019. The program has three specific purposes:

  1. Enhance collaborative management and conservation of transboundary natural resources:
  1. Outcome 1: Regional Policy Harmonisation Strengthened.
  2. Outcome 2: Improved sustainable management of key transboundary landscapes;
  1. Increase perceived value of living wildlife:
  1. Outcome: Increased awareness of the economic and intrinsic value of living wildlife;
  1. Reduce wildlife poaching and trafficking:
  1. Outcome 1: Reduced demand for wildlife and wildlife products;
  2. Outcome 2: Improved regional and bilateral collaboration on enforcement and prosecutions.

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Programmes and Projects

The Environemnt and Natural Resources Management sector is strengthening the resilience and sustainable management of biologically significant trans-boundary freshwater ecosystems; supporting adaptive capacities and resilience to the negative impacts of Climate Change; developing and harmonising standards, framework and regulation on pollution control and waste management; and, strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction management and policy.

In an effort to ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources, environmental management, and conservation with enhanced value addition, the sector is implementing various programmes and projects.

EAC flagship programmes in the environment and natural resources management sector


East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org  |  sgoffice@eachq.org