National Climate Change Policy.

Drafted as an updated version of the previous five-years one, this Policy seeks to ensure a climate-resilient economy addressing low-carbon growth path and achieving sustainable development of the country. Its main purpose, in compliance with Sustainable Development Goals, is the definition of interventions for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and for adaptation to the adverse effects of climate variability. This Policy is structured as follows: 1) Introduction and purpose of the revised Policy, including: the Policy environment and approach; climate change projections for Sierra Leone; National development Plans and socio-economic development. 2) Policy vision, goals and guiding principles and scope of the National climate change Policy 2020-2030. 3) Priority areas for the Policy, including climate change adaptation and mitigation; loss and damage; capacity building, education, training and awareness; research and technology; climate change financing; gender equality; cross-cutting issues. 4) Policy directives. 5) Implementation arrangements. 6) Monitoring and evaluation. 7) From Policy to Actions. Annex: sector background summaries.
The Policy aims at achieving the following goals and is guided by the related principles: reduction of climate-related loss and damage across all productive sectors; protection of livelihoods, food security and standard of living; promotion of a clean and healthy environment for all; strengthening community development and redirecting economic activity away from vulnerable areas; respect for the country’s natural resources; sustainable use and conservation of Sierra Leone’s natural capital; promotion of gender equality; adoption of new technologies and early warning systems; implementation of sustainable land management best practices to combat land degradation; transition to renewable energy sources and energy efficiency and reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions; establishment of polluter pays principle; poverty reduction. Concerning specific sectors, the Policy describes the following climate change impacts affecting agriculture, coastal resources management, fisheries, forestry and biodiversity, human health, water resources: extreme weather conditions, floods, and seasonal drought; modifications in the production of cereals, tubers and nuts; rising sea level and coastal erosion; retreat of wetland eco-zones; alteration of the productivity of riverine fisheries resources and shrimps particularly; shift in the vegetation to tropical dry forest; gradual increase in total biomass production; hunger and malnutrition; spread of non-communicable diseases; reduction of groundwater reserves.