National Climate Change Policy
The National Climate Change Policy provides policy guidance to develop administrative and legislative framework for the pursuance of the country’s low carbon development through suitable and relevant climate strategies including sectoral and cross sectoral adaptation and mitigation measures. The Policy will be revised every five years with public review to determine effectiveness in achieving the objectives. Implementation is done through stakeholder networks designed to facilitate self-monitoring and reporting.
The Policy is constructed to achieve the following objectives:
To reduce or avoid GHG emission from all emitting sectors
To enhance carbon sinks
To protect the natural environment and human health
To conserve and build resilience of human and natural systems to adapt to impacts of climate change (including capacity building, application of clean technologies, R&D)
To enhance agricultural production and food security
To educate the public on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies; and
To conserve and guarantee a sustainable supply of potable water
Following specific measures are mentioned in the Policy
Increase the use of renewable energy: developing renewable energy policy and standards; introducing fiscal incentives; and replacement of street lighting with solar powered Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Provide guidance to increase energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings
Increase use of alternative fuels and fuel switching in the transportation sector
Increase the use of cleaner technology in all GHG-emitting sectors
Enhance natural carbon sinks
Strengthen existing institutional arrangement for synthetic observation, research and climate change modelling including through co-operation with academia, non-governmental organizations and the private sector
Assess sectoral vulnerability to climate change by conducting vulnerability analysis and formulate adaptation options
Revise sectoral policies to include consideration of climate change impacts derived from vulnerability analyses
Revise national development plans to incorporate climate change vulnerability, impacts and adaption options with a view to climate proofing new developments and retrofitting existing infrastructure
Enhance the resilience of natural biophysical systems so as to maximize ecosystem services (e.g. natural coastal defence properties of coral reefs and mangrove system through national protected areas)
Promote community-based adaptation through expanded use of the Green Fund for capacity building and enhancing resilience
Participatory approach to climate change
Communication strategy to ensure public awareness
Adaptation measures include sectoral assessment of climate change vulnerabilities, strengthening of institutional arrangements, revision of national development plans, enhancement of resilience and promotion of community-based adaptation using Green Fund.
Education, awareness raising, capacity building and institutional strengthening are described as one of the critical pillars of successful implementation, which will be directed in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations. The importance of information, data sharing and financial support of implementation are mentioned in the plan.
