Energy & Environment

Click here for the Programme document

The Environment and Energy management practice area falls under the third pillar where a number of crosscutting issues constrain achievement of the targets of the MKUKUTA/MKUZA, the UNDAF and the CPD. Tanzania has made considerable progress with the support of the United Nations System in mainstreaming crosscutting issues into national development plans and policies, most notably MKUKUTA and MKUZA. However, significant challenges remain with regard to ensuring that mainstreaming is carried out effectively in terms of capacity as well as ensuring sustained commitment at all levels throughout the implementation process. The third pillar of the country programme will address these issues through support for up scaling their mainstreaming efforts.

Under the Environment and Energy practice area, support will be provided to deliver key outputs: (a) accelerate the access to energy such as renewable energy, including photovoltiac initiatives, through the Global Environment Facility; (b) increase sustainable use of biomass (including wood and charcoal); (c) integrate environmental concerns into development policies and plans; (d) reduce the dependence of the poor on natural resources for their livelihoods; and (e) conserve biodiversity and ensure that communties benefit from these resources including considarations for mitigation and adaptation to climate change effects and the promotion of innovative land management practices.

Promotion of gender equality and women empowerment will be addressed in this practice area in partnership with other United Nations organizations and civil society. Within the practice area attention will be paid to gender mainstreaming through the implementation of specific initiatives in order to provide a platform for advocacy and monitoring of progress.

The current exploitation of natural resources including tree-felling for charcoal production, inappropriate farming methods that facilitate soil erosion, and unsuitable fishing methods is unsustainable. Community participation in the planning and management of natural resources and the environment remains weak and existing regulations and by-laws are inadequately applied.  Communities are unable to benefit from high economic growth spurred by sectors such as forestry, fisheries, tourism and mining. In addition, tensions over land rights, environmental concerns related to the impact of invasion of water catchments and wetlands, the impact of land degradation and tensions over impacts of climate change and climate variability have risen dramatically.