National Climate Change Response Strategy.

The National Climate Change Response Strategy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Strategy is 20 years between 2010 and 2030. The goal of the Policy is to achieve a prosperous climate change resilient economy through adaptation and disaster risk reduction, mitigation and low carbon development, cross-cutting issues, governance of climate change and financing.
Sustainable nutritional health interventions will be promoted to ensure food security. Access to clean potable water for basic needs and sanitary facilities will be improved.
Conservation agriculture and agroforestry will be promoted to improve soil and land management practices. Strategies for communal grazing land will be developed in the livestock sector. Furthermore intensive livestock production systems and use of indigenous livestock breeds will be promoted. Afforestation and reforestation programs will be intensified for the rehabilitation of degraded forests, ecosystems and rangelands. The use of renewable energy such as solar, biomass, wind, biofuels will be promoted to reduce biomass (wood) fuel consumption, as well as to ensure energy conservation.
Rural economies will be diversified in the fields of agriculture, livestock, apiculture and sericulture. Extension services will be provided to farmers, animal breeders, fish breeders, as well as to the forest-dependent rural communities. Gender equality will be ensured at all levels.
Pest and disease surveillance and control programs will be implemented in agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors. Investments will be promoted in livestock research, fish hatcheries, commercial fish feed production, green energy sources and water harvesting storage infrastructure for agricultural and fishing purposes. Animal feed and handling equipment will be provided for small scale livestock farmers. Sustainable and renewable freshwater resource management will be ensured with a participatory approach through (i) construction of dams, river basins, drainage systems, and dykes, (ii) surface and groundwater resource assessment and monitoring, (iii) water resources planning and information system for water resources, water supply and sanitation, and (iv) capacity building on management and sustainable use of water resources.
Adaptation measures will be taken for the most vulnerable sectors including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, health, forestry, fisheries, water, and energy. As an important livelihood source, special emphasis will be placed on agriculture. Early warning system will be established to enhance preparedness of farmers and other users through weather information platforms. Farming systems will be developed by crop diversification including the cultivation and consumption of indigenous and more drought tolerant food crops. In order to increase resilience to climate change in agriculture sector, appropriate irrigation technologies for different agro-climatic regions will be promoted, and financial and technical support will be enhanced to agricultural sector research and development. Rural poor will be enabled to engage in climate change mitigation by building the foundation for pro-poor payment for ecosystem service markets. Crop and livestock systems will be integrated. Government support will be provided to enable restocking of livestock after adverse climatic condition. Improved and time-tested forest management practices will be applied to enhance the resilience of forests and forest products. The vulnerability of watersheds, wetlands, groundwater and other water resources and water quality will be assessed. A National Wildlife Adaptation Strategy will be developed to ensure wildlife protection against the impacts of climate change. Clean Development Mechanism will be established. A climate resilient national water and sanitation policy will be developed to ensure sustainable public health. Capacity building will be enhanced in climate change adaptation and mitigation, reduction GHG emissions, and disaster risk reduction.
The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources shall be responsible for tracking, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of this strategic plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.