TOPIC 5: CLIMATE CHANGE

6.1. Introduction
• Climate change refers to an average increase in global
temperatures. Record of surface temperatures over the last
century shoe that there has been a gradual increase in average
temperatures around the world.
• Although some of this is due to natural causes, it has also
been argued that human activities may be accelerating the
warming process.
• The main contributory factor of climate change is the emission
of green house gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, thereby
damaging the ozone layer.
 Introduction cont’d
• GHG are defined under article 1(5) of the UNFCCC as those
gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and
anthropogenic, that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation.
• Under Annex A of the Kyoto Protocol, GHG include: carbon
dioxide; nitrous oxide, methane; hydrofluorocarbons;
perfluorocarbons; and sulphur hexafluoride.
• Although least developed countries contribution to GHG is
negligible, they are considered to be the most exposed to the
impact of climate change. Unlike the developed countries with
adaptive capacities, developing countries have low adaptive
capacities.
• Uganda’s Meteorology Authority at Entebbe releases periodic
reports on impacts of climate change in Uganda.
 Introduction cont’d
• Since 2002, it has been established that the snow caps on Mt.
Rwenzori have been retreating fast. Globally extreme weather
events have continued to be a regular occurrence, e.g.
tsunamis, elnino rains, extreme and prolonged drought,
hurricanes, floods, landslides and heavy rains.
• In a country like Uganda that largely depends on agriculture and
exploitation of natural resources, climate change may adversely
affect such activities. Oil and gas activities have also greatly
contributed to the contribution of GHG in the atmosphere due to
the burning of fossil fuels and emission of hydrocarbons into the
atmosphere.
• Climate change has been addressed mainly through adaptation
and Mitigation strategies.
Introduction cont’d….
• Adaptation – Means an adjustment in natural or human
systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or
their effects, which moderates harm or exploit beneficial
opportunities.
• Mitigation – Means a human intervention to reduce the sources
or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.
• Therefore an integrated climate resilient and low carbon
development pathway emphasizes: Sustainable development;
mitigation and adaptation.
• Adaptation to climate change in Uganda requires a series of
coordinated policy responses that are either sector specific or
cross-cutting in nature. E.g. Agriculture and Livestock,
Water, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Transport and Works,
Forests, Wetlands, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services,
Introduction cont’d….
Health, Energy, Wildlife and Tourism, Human Settlements and
Social Infrastructure, Disaster Risk Management, Vulnerable
Groups.
• Like adaptation to climate change, mitigation of greenhouse gas
emissions in Uganda also requires a series of coordinated policy
responses that are either sector-specific or cross-cutting in
nature. E.g. Forestry, Land Use and Land-Use Change,
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation,
Wetlands, Agriculture, Energy Generation, Transport, Waste
Management, and Industrial Sector.
• It is apparent that there is a significant shortage of climate
monitoring stations and networks in Uganda, and this negatively
affects the country’s ability to monitor, detect and predict climate
variability and climate change.
6.2. International Legal Regime for Climate Change
6.2.1. The UNFCCC
• The Global response to climate change saw over 180 States
sign and ratify the UNFCCC.
• The UNFCCC aims at stabilizing the concentration of GHG in
the atmosphere. One of the major principles of the UNFCCC
is the precautionary principle.
• So as to monitor climate change, the Parties are require to
periodically update, publish and make available national
inventories on anthropogenic emissions of GHG.
• In addition to establishing inventories, States are required to
put in place a legal regulatory framework for climate change
including making recommendations in mitigation.
UNFCCC cont’d
• The UNFCCC also provides for technology innovation and
transfer.
• The UNFCCC also has traits of the common but differentiated
principle.
6.2.2. The Kyoto Protocol
• The UNFCCC is supplemented by the Kyoto Protocol (KP).
• The KP imposes more specific mitigation commitments
compared to the UNFCCC.
• The KP also sets binding numerical targets for the limitation and
reduction of GHG.
• Under the KP States are required to enhance energy efficiency,
enhance sinks and reservoirs of GHG, promote sustainable
forest management, research and innovate new technology.
Kyoto Protocol cont’d
• The KP provides for 3 market mechanisms that are aimed at
increasing the cost effectiveness of GHG emission reductions.
These include: The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM);
Carbon trading; and Certified Emission Reductions (CER).
• However, in Uganda, the CDM and carbon trading are the main
applicable ones.
6.2.3. The Paris Agreement
• Adopted in 2015 at the end of the UNFCCC (COP 21) and it is
the first universal and legally binding agreement on climate
change.
• Entered into force on November 4th 2016, after being ratified by
55 countries representing at least 55%of total GHG emissions.
• The Paris Agreement aims at keeping global warming below 2
degrees centigrade increase by the end of the 21st century.
The Paris Agreement cont’d…
• Paris Agreement was also reached due to the financial
commitments (originally set in 2009 in Copenhagen) and the
fact that each country had an obligation to develop its own plan
to reduce minus (-) 2 degrees centigrade climate change.
• Up to 195 countries made commitments to update their climate
plans also referred to as Nationally determined Contributions
(NDC’s) so as to achieve long time goals of reducing emission
of green house gases by 70%-80% by the second half of the
century.
• The Paris Agreement also stipulates that developed countries
must financially assist developing countries both in terms of
adaptation to global warming and mitigation of green house gas
emissions, which requires the expansion of renewable energies.
6.3. CDM and carbon trading projects in Uganda
• 1994 Forest absorbing Carbon dioxide Emissions (FACE)
project on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and Kibaale National parks
runs by UWA.
• West Nile Electrification project where credits bought by the
WB carbon fund.
• The cooperation of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) with
GIZ in the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Programme, especially in the industrial parks (2014-
2017).
• The Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
programme” (PREEEP) which is a Cooperation Agreement
between The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company
and GIZ to promote climate change mitigation activities in
Uganda through the use of clean and renewable energy.
CDM and carbon trading projects in Uganda cont’d
• Uganda Plan Vivo Project on carbon trading supporting tree
farmers in Bushenyi and Kasese districts.
6.4. Policy and Legal framework for climate change in Uganda
• Climate Change Act 2021, Uganda National Climate Change
Policy, Vision 2040, Uganda Forestry Policy 2001, National
Environment Act 2019, The National Energy Policy 2002, The
Oil and Gas Policy 2008, National Policy for the Conservation
and Management of Wetland Resources, The Constitution, The
National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, The Renewable Energy
Policy 2007, The Energy Policy 2002, The Water Policy, 1999,
the Physical Planning act, Uganda National Meteorological
Authority Act, 2012, The Land Act, The Water Act, National
Health Policy,
Policy and Legal framework for climate change cont’d
The Electricity Act, The National Environment Act, and The
National Agricultural Research Act 2005.
6.5. Institutional Framework
• Ministry of Water and Environment
• Policy Committee on Environment
• Department of Climate Change
• National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National
Forestry Authority (NFA) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
• National Climate Change Advisory Committee
• National Planning Authority (NPA)
• Districts and lower Local Governments
• Ministries of Energy, Agriculture and Tourism
6.6. Challenges?
• The National Climate Change Act 2021 is yet to be fully
implemented
• Policy and legal regulatory framework of the National
Environment Act 2019 was not designed to address climate
change.
• Projects such as CDM, CERs and carbon trading also do not
prominently feature.
• Lack of financial facilitation and manpower.
• Institutional structures do not reach the grassroots level as
they are mainly national in nature.
• Multiplicity and duplication of institutional frameworks.
• Ineffective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.