Norway’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Jon Lomoy, and the Director of the Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA) at the University of Dar es Salaam, Professor Pius Yanda, signed the agreement at the Norwegian Embassy on 12 March 2009.
AGREEMENT SIGNING: The Contract was signed by Professor Pius Yanda, who is the Director of the Institute of Resource Assessment, and Norway's Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Jon Lomøy, at the Embassy 12 March. Photo: Borghild Berge
The agreement is worth 2 million US Dollars, and the role of IRA is to facilitate the development of a National Strategy for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD). Tanzania's deforestation strategy is being developed in collaboration with the UN-REDD Programme. The UN has now approved 18 Million Dollars under the UN-REDD Programme in support of five pilot countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, including Tanzania.
Forest Carbon Trading
- I am very pleased to sign this contract, which marks the start of a new phase in the partnership on forest and climate change between our two countries. We think IRA will make an important contribution in assisting the government in the development of a comprehensive and inclusive strategy for REDD in Tanzania, says Ambassador Lomoy.
Over the next 18 months, IRA will facilitate a strategy development process coordinated by a task force comprising repesentatives from the Division of the Environment and Forestry and Forestry and Beekeeping Division. The National REDD Strategy will guide the coordination and implementation mechanisms required for Tanzania to benefit from a post-2012, internationally-approved system for forest carbon trading, based on demonstrated emission reductions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Global REDD Initiative
Deforestation and forest degradation is the cause of around 20% of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming. In response to this challenge, Norway launched an International Climate and Forest Initiative in 2007, with a global commitment of around 500 million US Dollars annually towards REDD efforts at international and national levels. The Climate Change Partnership between Norway and Tanzania, which was signed in April 2008, is a part of Norway’s global initiative.
This project - the facilitation of the development of a National REDD Strategy for Tanzania – is one initiative to be funded within the partnership agreement. Other initiatives will be funded over the next five years to enable Tanzania prepare for a future REDD arrangement.
Watch videos about the human cost of climate change in Africa on IRIN!
Tanzania – a Pilot Country
- This initiative is a unique opportunity to address the issues of climate change and CO2 emissions in Tanzania, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of the process. Tanzania is a pilot country in this regard, and we are determined to share our experiences with other developing countries, says Professor Pius Yanda.
He proceeds by stating that the Institute of Resource Assessment is honoured to be given the chance to facilitate the process.
- On behalf of the Tanzanian people, I would like to express my gratitude to Norway for providing funds for this initiative, says Professor Yanda.
For further information please contact:
Mr. Ivar Jørgensen, Counsellor on Environment and Climate Change +255 782 777 023 / ivjo@mfa.no
Mr. Simon Milledge, Consultant on Environment and Climate Change +255 754 279 539 / milledge.simon@gmail.com