Impact of Climate Change on the Livelihoods of the Vulnerable Groups - more especially the

Women in Uganda

A Country Position and Analyses Paper Presented at National Tribunal on Climate Change organized

by AWEPON, 16 November, 2012 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala Uganda

By Joshua Zake, Doctoral Research Fellow at BOKU, Vienna, Austria Email: joszake@gmail.com; Tel: +256773057488

Personal website: http://ug.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-zake/23/45/181

Objectives of this paper

• This paper presents an analysis and position of climate change impacts on livelihood of vulnerable groups (especially women) in Uganda among other related critical issues.

• It highlights key recommendations targeting key stakeholders at all levels to take proactive actions to advance adaptation and mitigation to these impacts.

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Terms of Reference for the task

(1) Undertake a desk study and draft an analytical paper on the current climate change situation and how it has impacted negatively on the livelihoods of vulnerable groups especially women;

(2) Make personal observations and comments on the following:

- Manifestation of climate change and weather patterns in Uganda citing examples

- Impact of climate change on agriculture, food and water security, health, …

- How these manifestation affect women in differentiated way

- Violation of laws/policies/constitutional mandate, if any, by the concerned state agencies/department

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Terms of Reference for the task

(3) Identify policy coordination needs and institutional mechanism for climate change adaptation, implementation and climate proofing of national development policies and strategies that effect women;

(4) Look at the Draft National Climate Change Policy and make personal recommendations for policy options to mitigate negative impacts of climate change on the vulnerable more the especially women to support positive developments ;

(5) With simple illustrations use Bududda and Bwaise as live examples highlighting the negative impacts of climate change on communities …

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Methods and tools • Desk review of literature on climate change impacts and

responses in Uganda and elsewhere.

• It’s also based on my own experience and exposure through engagement on issues of environment, agriculture, natural resources management and climate change for the last 10 years in Uganda.

• Results were analyzed and synthesized qualitatively and subjectively to draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations to advance climate change mitigation and adaptation actions at community, local and national levels.

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Key definitions of terms and concepts in respect to climate change

• Climate is the prevailing or average weather conditions of a place as determined by the temperature and metrological change over a period of time. Various factors determine climate and the most important are rainfall and temperature

• Climate change refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural causes or as a result of human activity

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Key definitions of terms and concepts in respect to climate change

• Global Warming is the gradual increase in the average temperature on the earth and affects all sectors of development. It is the documented historical warming of the earth’s surface based upon the worldwide temperature records which have been maintained by humans since 1880s. In real terms, it is the historical and/or recent climate change on the global scale

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Key definitions of terms and concepts in respect to climate change

• Climate change adaptation refers to adjustments in practices, processes, or structures to take into account changing climate conditions, to moderate potential damages, or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change.

• Greenhouse gases are gaseous elements of the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation. They exist naturally in the Earth's atmosphere and are part of what keeps the Earth warm and habitable. E.g. Methane and nitrous acid

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Key definitions of terms and concepts in respect to climate change

• Mitigation - refers to an intervention to reduce green house gas (GHS) emissions or enhance GHG sinks

• Gender refers to the differences in socially constructed roles and opportunities associated with being a man or a woman and the interactions and social relations between men and women. Gender determines what is expected, permitted and valued in a woman or a man in a determined context.

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Key definitions of terms and concepts in respect to climate change

• Gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boys. Equality between men and women is seen both as a human rights issue and as a precondition for, and indicator of, sustainable people-centered development.

• Gender Inequality originated from development models that were used to build present societies. Social assessment of individuals based on their gender has led to an unfair distribution of accessible resources and opportunities and, therefore, of the possibilities for participation in the benefits of development.

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Main causes of climate change

• Production of GHG emissions (mostly carbon dioxide) from human activities including agricultural production, industrialization, burning of fuels (fossil

and bio), and deforestation

• GHG react with the Ozone layer which protects the earth from direct heat from the sun. When this layer is depleted, sun rays hit directly on the earth resulting in temperature raises which influence climate on the earth and these changes manifest as global warming, prolonged droughts, and unreliable

rainfall.

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Main causes of climate change

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Main causes of climate change

• Developed countries particularly USA, China among others is the largest producers of these emissions and hence the largest contributors to climate change

• However developing countries also contribute to carbon dioxide emissions through deforestation, exhaust fumes from old vehicles and industrialization albeit to a very small extent.

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Main effects of climate change in Uganda

• Floods – in 2011, 750 residents from 404 households in Bwaise were affected/displaced (NV);

• Prolong droughts;

• Heavy rains with hailstones;

• Heavy rains with strong winds;

• Receding and falling water levels in lakes and rivers particularly, Lake Victoria and River Nile;

• High temperatures – scotching sunshine – Global warming;

• Increased incidence/severity of pests and diseases for crops and livestock;

• Increased Household conflicts and violence ;

• Receding ice caps on mountain Rwenzori;

• More than 300 people died in Bududa as a result of landslides due to heavy rains in 2010 and 2012.

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Climate variability related natural hazards (particularly droughts and

floods) that have occurred more frequently from 1979 to 2006 are

presented in the Figure. These figures depict the size of population

effected climate variability disasters. And period during which they

occurred.

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Climate variability related natural hazards (particularly droughts and

floods) that have occurred more frequently from 1979 to 2006 are

presented in the Figure. These figures depict the loss of life by these

climate variability related disasters.

Main effects of climate change in Uganda

• These climate variability related disasters have had a great impact on livelihood and economic development in the country. They are likely to continue with greater impacts given the current trends of climate change, variability and uncertainty.

• In Uganda (in 2007) especially in Eastern (for instance in Bududa) and Northern parts of Teso and Lango, and in Kampala (– in Bwaise) floods cut off the road network making communication difficult; submerged crop fields and destroying crops and this will result in long term famine and increase in cost of food. This means that over 1000 families affected became food insecure and were not able to meet their daily food requirements and subsequently it required adequate and timely provision of relief food rations to save their lives.

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Eastern Uganda, 2012 Tabu

Iguluibi village, L.

Victoria basin.

Science direct

Teso floods, 2007. Pilgrim

Nakasongola . Drought in Mubende, 2009. Ben T.

Teso floods, 2007. Pilgrim

Floods submerge road in Bwaise, 2011. Awamu, bandoned houses in Bwaise – due to flooding, 2010. Echwalu

Teso floods, 2007. Pilgrim

Impacts of climate change on Agriculture • Declining crop yields due to prolonged droughts,

unreliable rainfall patterns , floods, hailstones …could leave hundreds of millions without the ability to produce or purchase sufficient food – household food insecurity, malnutrition, poor health eventually resulting in death.

• Furthermore, droughts lower the country’s productive capacity; reducing her agricultural exports, increasing food prices leading to food shortages, nutritional deficiencies and an unstable macro economy. For instance, there is uncertain that increasing temperature rise will affect coffee production in Uganda.

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Impacts of climate change on Agriculture • Floods destroy infrastructure such as roads, bridges –

thus limiting access of agricultural produce to markets;

• Floods promote water borne diseases (cholera, malaria…) which affect farming community thereby reducing their performance/output on their farms;

• Climate variability increases incidence and severity of crop and livestock diseases (Wilts, Mossaic, Newcastle, Swine fever…) results in higher expenses on treatment costs and at extreme loss of crops and livestock

• Climate change/variability reduces country gross domestic product (GDP) and loss of livelihood of communities’ dependant on agricultural production;

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Impacts of climate change on Health • Climate variability related natural hazards such heavy rains

and floods increase the incidence of water borne diseases as they result in stagnant water, which provides a good environment for the proliferation of diseases causing germs and vectors.

• In Uganda increase out breaks of Malaria, bilhazia and other water borne diseases were reported as often occurring during and immediately after floods

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Figure .. Monthly pattern of cholera cases from 1997-2008

• It shows that during this period (1997 and 2008), the highest number of

cholera cases were registered in the months of January, February, March,

April and may.

•Also notable is that in 1998, the Elnino induced flooding which affected

many parts in the country resulted in increased number of cholera cases.

Impacts of climate change on Health • The incidence of diseases such as malaria, bilhazia, cholera,

dysentery will increase in communities affected by floods resulting in death unless otherwise substantial resources are needed to provide adequate treatment for the victims.

• Climate change further imposes additional burden on the health services e.g. estimates by the MoH indicate that the average expenditure on malaria-related treatments are as high as US $300 million annually and are likely to increase as malaria epidemics emerge in areas where the disease was not known before – such as Kabale

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Impacts of climate change on Health • At community level it means that households are spending

more money for treatment of climate variability induced ailments (such as cholera, respiratory diseases , malaria, bilhazia, diarrhoeal, dysentery) and in extreme cases it results into death when they cannot afford the treatment.

• The diseases also affect the productivity of the household considering that the household members who are affected stay bed ridden and weak making them less productive thus affecting the household labor force and activity.

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Breakdown in social networks

• Widespread impacts of climate change could lead to waves of migration, threatening international stability. One study estimates that by 2050, as many as 150 million people may have fled coastlines vulnerable to rising sea levels, storms or floods, or agricultural land too arid to cultivate.

• Migration across borders has frequently led to violent clashes over land and resources.

• In addition, these migrations lead to breakdown of social networks, conflicts as grazing and watering points become scarce among pastoralist communities and livelihood insecurity

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Breakdown in social networks

• Conflicts at community levels as a result of diminishing water sources and pastures are experienced among pastoral communities particularly the Karamojong and Pokot of North-eastern Uganda and Northern Kenya; Encroachment on Queen Elizabeth National Park by the Bansongola; Conflicts among the Balaalo (pastoralists) and Banyoro in Buliisa.

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Undermine poverty reduction efforts

• Climate change will further undermine efforts to mitigate world poverty, directly threatening people's homes and livelihoods through increased storms, droughts, disease, and other stressors.

• Not only could this impede development, it might also increase national and regional instability and intensify income disparities between rich and poor. This, in turn, could lead to military confrontations over distribution of the world's wealth, or could feed terrorism or transnational crime;

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How have climate change impacts affected vulnerable groups in Uganda, more especially the

women?

• Climate change affects various gender categories at a household level differently. It’s therefore, important to understand how each gender category is affected and also determine their climate adaptation and mitigation needs.

• Additionally, it requires an understanding of existing inequalities between women and men, and of the ways in which climate change can exacerbate these inequalities. Conversely, it also requires an understanding of the ways in which these inequalities can intensify the impacts of climate change for all individuals and communities.

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How have climate change impacts affected vulnerable groups in Uganda, more especially the

women?

• Many studies have revealed that poor women and children are more vulnerable to natural disasters, given socially constructed gender roles and behaviors.

• For instance, in many communities in Uganda, women are expected and or take up the role of tilling the land, caring for the family, caring for the sick among other household chores. Despite this, very few women own and have limited access to resources and decision making.

• Only about 7% of agricultural land in Uganda is owned by women, yet they do most of the agricultural work

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How have climate change impacts affected vulnerable groups in Uganda, more especially the

women?

• This therefore means that when climate change impacts strike, women have limited options for coping and adaptation as compared to men.

• As such, women are often less able to adapt to climate change than men since they represent the majority of low-income earners, they generally have less education than men and are thus less likely to be reached by extension agents and they are often denied rights to property and land, which makes it difficult for them to access credit and agricultural extension services.

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How have climate change impacts affected vulnerable groups in Uganda, more especially the

women?

• At the household level, the failure of women to meet their gender constructed roles amidst climate change impacts results in domestic violence and conflicts.

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The climate change policy framework and legislation

• Policy formulation, planning, implementation and governance processes at all levels in the development of any country are very important.

• The effectiveness of these processes is a precondition for achieving anticipated targets and outcomes of such policies and programs which are usually about poverty reduction, sustainable economic development, sustainable use of environment and natural resources and improved livelihoods among others.

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The climate change policy framework and legislation

• Achieving these targets has always been and is still difficult for various developing and least developing countries. This is partly due to inadequate planning, weak policy implementation, limited enforcement of legislation and poor governance.

• Consequently, there is escalating forest degradation and deforestation; poor waste management and disposal; escalating encroachment on wetlands; increased contamination of water bodies due to siltation and pollution; soil fertility depletion in various parts of the country; limited access to tree seedlings to support tree planting; Violation of environmental impact assessments by private developers!!

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The climate change policy framework and legislation

• Climate change cannot be entirely held responsible for the problems such as poverty, low household incomes, food insecurity, malnutrition, poor sanitation among others. However, it will escalate these problems to levels that are unmanageable resulting in increased loss of lives and property.

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The Draft National Climate Change Policy for Uganda

• The process to develop the National Climate Policy for Uganda is underway. It’s coordinated through the Climate Change Unit, Ministry of Water and Environment.

• The goal of the policy is to ensure harmonized and coordinated action towards a climate resilient and sustainable low carbon development path for Uganda.

• The overarching objective of the policy is to ensure that all stakeholders with a role to play in the development of Uganda address climate change impacts and their causes through appropriate measures while promoting sustainable development.

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Appraisal of the draft policy in respect to addressing climate change impacts on vulnerable groups especially women

• The policy recognizes that climate change impacts on vulnerable groups in Uganda. The policy categorizes them under crosscutting priorities with sub categories of gender issues and children welfare; and vulnerable groups.

• Under each sub category the respective challenges presented by climate change are well articulated and related specific strategies to address them are earmarked.

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Appraisal of the draft policy in respect to addressing climate change impacts on vulnerable groups especially women

• However, the following observations and suggestions are flagged for consideration in the policy:

The draft policy has not adequately analyzed vulnerability due to climate change impacts based on locality. Such analyses would be the basis for selection of locations where adaptation actions should be prioritized considering the extent of vulnerability. If information and statistics in this respect are missing, then conducting studies to generate this information should be integrated in the specific strategies of the policy;

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Appraisal of the draft policy in respect to addressing climate change impacts on vulnerable groups especially women

The draft policy does not appreciate/recognize that the various gender groups/categories (women, men, children, vulnerable groups – people with disabilities, HIV/AIDs) have differentiated climate change adaptation needs, preferences and capacities. Therefore, climate change adaptation programs should address these adaptation needs, preferences and capacities at different levels. The information on the climate adaptation needs, preferences and capacities of the different gender categories may not be known and hence not available. In this case a strategy for generating this information should be integrated in the policy;

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Appraisal of the draft policy in respect to addressing climate change impacts on vulnerable groups especially women

The draft policy treats aspects gender and vulnerable groups as cross-cutting issues among the different sectors. This presents risk of these issues falling out during implementation. One way of addressing this is by instituting a gender focal point within the Climate Change Unit/Climate Change Department to oversee implementation and screening of the different sectors programs/projects to ensure that aspects of gender are addressed.

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Appraisal of the draft policy in respect to coordination, institutional mechanisms and climate proofing of national

development policies and strategies • At the national level the policy suggests transition of the Climate

Change Unit into the Climate Change Department under the recently approved Uganda National Meteorology Authority

• The functions of the suggested Climate Change Department will include:

• Information clearinghouse on climate change concerns;

• Policy and strategic advice on climate change;

• Ensuring the integration of climate change concerns in planning at national level;

• Overall monitoring of the implementation of the Policy and its implementation Plan;

• National focal point on climate change. 1/10/2014 41

Appraisal of the draft policy in respect to coordination, institutional mechanisms and climate proofing of national

development policies and strategies • At the local level, the draft policy suggests the Natural Resources

Department of the District Local Government as the focal point for policy implementation and all Local Government Departments will ensure that climate change issues in their sectors are integrated in the District Development Plans.

• However, the draft climate change policy is silent on the aspect of climate proofing implementation of national development policies and whose role this is.

• It’s also questionable whether the Climate Change Department has the mandate and authority to take up such a role or this role be re-allocated under the Office of the Prime Minister or National Planning Authority and in such an arrangement, the Climate Change Department would be tasked to provide technical input and guidance.

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Appraisal of the policy in respect to coordination, institutional mechanisms and climate proofing of national

development policies and strategies • In this respect as well, the development of guidelines as a reference for

different sectors to use in climate proofing implementation of different national policies should be added as another function of the Climate Change Department.

• In order to further enhance collaboration, coordination, harmonization and mainstreaming of issues initiatives within the various ministries, an Inter-Ministerial Policy Committee should be instituted at the national level.

• Similarly at the local level, it’s questionable whether Natural Resources Department has the authority to ensure that climate change issues are fully integrated in DDP or this role should be re-allocated to the office of the District Chief Administrative Officer with technical input and guidance from the District Natural Resources Department.

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Other strategies which the current draft climate change policy should consider to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation at community level

Agriculture sector

• More targeted awareness and training of smallholder framers about climate change impacts, possible adaptation and mitigation techniques/practices and early warning actions;

• Research – early maturing and drought resistant crop varieties;

• Support farmers to access and multiply these technologies;

• Promote and support indigenous drought resistant crop varieties (arrow roots, yams…);

• Support farmers to access appropriate technologies for irrigation; 1/10/2014 44

Other strategies which the current draft climate change policy should consider to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation at community level

• Support trees on farm (for instance planting trees

along/around farm boundaries) and agro-forestry (trees, crops, livestock, apiary based on an appropriate farm land use plans);

• Support and promote soil and water conservation techniques and practices on farm;

• Support and promote improved fertilizer (both organic and inorganic) management and application techniques and practices;

• Support and promote household water harvesting during the rainy season including water tanks, construction of water points for livestock

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Other strategies which the current draft climate change policy should consider to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation at community level

• Strengthen early warning early action – systems at

community , local and national levels;

Health

• Advance targeted awareness about climate variability induced diseases (malaria, cholera) among stakeholders;

• Advance preparedness and early warning for control and management of climate variability induced diseases (malaria, cholera) among stakeholders.

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Other strategies which the current draft climate change policy should consider to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation at community level

• Support community innovative initiatives that turn waste

into wealth while cleaning the environment thus making the environment free from diseases and pathogens; and reduction of green house gas emissions – carbondioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from biodegradable waste.

• Such initiatives include charcoal briquettes making; commercial compost making; tree nursery management; crafts and jewel making from plastics; packaging banana peelings for livestock feed.

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Other strategies which the current draft climate change policy should consider to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation at community level

Water

• Support domestic water harvesting at household level using appropriate technologies;

• Support and promote urban forestry – by setting aside/gazatting land for forestry in urban areas. Secondly, house plans in the city and urban centers should integrate a certain percentage of land to be occupied by trees (for fruit trees), otherwise they should not be approved;

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Implementation of the NAPAs in Uganda

• NAPA is a National Adaptation Programmes of Action

• It provides a framework for programs/projects with actions to address and adapt to the impacts of climate change in Uganda.

• NAPAs are quick channels of communicating urgent and immediate adaptation needs to COP 7 of the UNFCCC. COP 7 adopted a decision to establish an LDC fund to support the preparation and implementation of NAPAs. In Uganda, the preparation of NAPA was completed.

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Implementation of the NAPAs in Uganda

• A strategy was developed and it informed piloting implementation of the NAPA in 4 districts (Bundibugyo, Nakansongola, Apac and Pallisa) – coordinated by Climate change Unit in Collaboration with NGOs

Key Issues to reflect on - NAPA implementation requires 39.8 USD – these resources

are not yet available thus the pilot in 4 districts! - Considering the climate change effects/impacts, does a

pilot response/approach work? - What about considering use of a business unusual concept

by all stakeholders during planning and implementation of development program? This approach would help in supporting climate adaptation and mitigation in program implementation at local and national levels 1/10/2014

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IITA URCSF DTC

UCDA ADEKE FAO

Briquettes making in Bwaise. ActogetherUg and EA Kinawattaka Women’s Initiative

Banana peels for sale in Bwaise. EA, 2009

Kinawattaka Women’s Initiative. EA,

2009

Conclusions

• Climate change and its impacts on livelihood and economic development are here with us and is not about to go. It is no longer a myth and a problem of the developed countries as some schools of thought purport to think.

• Therefore, the time is now for different stakeholders including Government, Development partners, Civil Society both National and International and communities among others to act.

• This should be through prioritizing climate change through long term planning and resource allocation to address the impacts of climate but also through undertaking appropriate strategies at different levels including local, national and regional and international levels.

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Conclusions

• It is by now widely accepted that failure to include women in decision-making processes around climate change mitigation and adaptation at local, national, regional and international levels not only exacerbates gender inequalities, but also undermines the effectiveness of climate change responses. This should be addressed in policy formulation and implementation at all levels.

• There is thus an urgent need to clearly identify obstacles to women’s participation in decision-making, and find ways to address these constraints through supporting grassroots awareness-raising, confidence-building and advocacy and leadership training programs.

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Conclusions

• The implementation of the climate change policy for Uganda after approval by the Cabinet should be fast tracked to advance community climate change adaptation and mitigation.

• AWEPON and other stakeholder’s at different levels should actively and proactively take their roles and responsibilities as stipulated in the policy to support its implementation.

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Possible actions/strategies as responses to Climate Change

• Adaptation and mitigation actions should be both at individual, community and organization levels ;

• Behavior change in terms of practices for consumption and use of environment, for instance how do you manage waste at all levels?

• Reviewing policies, plans and programs to integrate/mainstream climate adaptation/mitigation actions;

• Reviewing/Clarifying climate change advocacy issues based on niche/interest, stakeholder mapping and development of advocacy strategy - AWEPON and partners

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Possible actions/strategies as responses to Climate Change

• Action research – climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, adaptation, mitigation - across sectors – Bududa &Bwaise ;

• Piloting adaptation and mitigation actions (technologies) – the NAPA, (2007) suggested 9 projects including:

-Community tree growing; -Land degradation and management;

-Strengthening Metrological services;

-Community water and sanitation;

-Water for production; -Vector, pests and diseases control;

-Drought adaptation; -Indigenous knowledge and natural resource management ;

-Climate change and development planning.

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Possible actions/strategies as responses to Climate Change

• Training and awareness for action targeting various stakeholders at all levels;

• Policy dialogue at local and national levels;

• Targeted awareness creation at all levels;

• Practical training, mentoring

Possible actions/strategies as responses to Climate Change

• Policy/program analyses and reviews;

• Exposure learning visits involving different stakeholders (Policy makers, researchers, community….) to sites of impacts/pilots

Key strategies

Area wide interventions for awareness on climate change impacts – adaptation and mitigation actions

• Media engagement at local and national levels i.e. infomercials, interactive programs, news paper supplements and articles

Key strategies

Area wide interventions for awareness on climate change impacts

• Targeted documentation e.g. illustrative posters, Interactive CD-roms, fact sheets, Issues papers …

Thank you for Listening!!

Mwebale nnyo!!

Timeline / Deadline for remaining Tasks –

Climate change policy for Uganda

• 1st draft of Costed implementation strategy; October 19th, 2012

• PS MWE & CCU; October 29th, 2012

• Consultations with Civil Society and Private sector; October 30th, 2012

• Expert meeting in Kampala; October 31,st 2012

• CCPC TWG; November 1st, 2012

• PS' forum; November 6th, 2012

• Final Draft Costed Policy Implementation Strategy for consultation; November 23rd, 2012

• National consultation workshop on Costed Implementation Strategy; December 13th, 2012

• Cabinet Workshop on Draft Policy and costed Implementation Strategy; December 14th, 2012

• Final version of Comprehensive Costed Implementation Strategy; December 21st, 2012

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