Nap expo 2015 Session VII, I The Gambia

GAMBIA’S EXPERIENCE ON

FORMULATING AND IMPLEMENTING

ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

Isatou Camara

Development Planner at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

NAP EXPO 2015

14 to 15 April Bonn, Germany

Geography, Climate and Demography The Gambia is the smallest

country on Mainland Africa.

Its located on the West

Coast of Africa.

Senegal surrounds it on

three sides.

The Gambia has a Sahelian climate with a short rainy season and a long dry season.

Estimated population of The Gambia is 1.8 Million (2013 Census)

Background (1/3)

The risk of climate change induced damage to human and

economic development in coastal areas of The Gambia is

mounting

The combined effects of (sea level rise and changes in

upstream river discharge and natural sediment dynamics, and

erosion of coastal embankments) pose a serious threat to the

natural resource base and livelihood opportunities of coastal

communities

Background (2/3)

Background (3/3)

NAPA identified coastal erosion issues as the primary focal

area to focus on

Following further deterioration of the coastline and the

increased threat to coastal zone communities their livelihood

and investments

The need for coastal adaptation is widely recognised as a

priority

• The Government secured a loan of US$ 20 Million from ADB

Kololi Beach Area in 2002 before Nourishment

100metre-wide nourished Kololi Beach Area in 2003

Kololi Beach Area in 2010 – 7 years after

nourishment

POLICY FRAMEWORK

The Gambia’s commitment to tackling the effects of

climate change is reflected in its First, Second and Third

National Communication (UNFCCC)

The National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)

(2007)

The Programme for Accelerated and Employment (PAGE

2012-2015)

MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY

The PAGE is the Gambia’s climate change integrated

medium term strategy as a cross-cutting theme

A Climate Change Priority Action Plan (CCPAP) has been

developed

US$47 Million is required for it‘s implementation

FORMULATION PROCESS (1/2)

Consultations are held with different stakeholders

Two broad categories are identified:

(I ) State actors- Government ministries and agencies; and

(ii) Non state actors which include local communities, civil

society organizations (NGOs and CBOs) and the private

sector.

FORMULATION PROCESS (2/2)

National consultant recruited to train technician on

integrated CC into national development plan

A task team comprising of relevant stakeholders

constituted

In addition discussions are also held with socio-economic

groups

QUANTIFYING COST

Certain studies were conducted:

1. Assessment of institutional and human capacity

1. Needs assessment of early warning infrastructure and

technology

CHALLENGES

A critical issue for The Gambia is the absence of a land-use

plan and control system to ensure the protection of the

coastal area of the Gambia in a sustainable manner

Fragmented coastal zone Legislation

The lack of reliable information and uncoordinated policy

interventions

Inadequate capacity to quantify adaptation cost

LESSON LEARNED

Coordination is hindered by the absence of an overarching

framework on climate change

overlapping institutional mandates

The need to enhance technical and managerial capacities of

implementing agencies, beneficiaries and extension workers

Participatory planning and multi-stakeholder processes as

means to help build/strengthen adaptive capacity.

THANK YOU YOUR ATTENTION