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On Friday, November 15, 2024, Uganda took a significant step toward addressing climate change by launching its Alliance for Climate Forestry Compensation Strategy during the ongoing UN Climate Summit (COP29) in Baku. The initiative is part of the Alliance for Climate Resilience (ACR), which aims to unite stakeholders in promoting sustainable energy generation and utilization while addressing the country’s unique challenges in energy access, affordability, and security.
The Forestry Compensation Strategy is designed to guide Uganda in developing projects that generate carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector, especially emissions related to the country’s oil and gas projects currently under development.
Speaking at the launch, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, emphasized the need to balance energy development with environmental sustainability. She noted that while Uganda is endowed with abundant natural energy resources and a favourable climate, preparations must be made to address the emissions generated by oil and gas projects under development. “As we develop our energy projects, we must prepare for the greenhouse gas emissions they will generate. We have identified government and district forest reserves to offset these emissions,” Nankabirwa said.
Eng. Michael Mugerwa, General Manager of the Uganda Refinery Holding Company, a subsidiary of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), highlighted the strategy’s reliance on nature-based solutions. Key interventions include Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects. Mugerwa stated that these projects aim to achieve an initial carbon drawdown of up to 1,000,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to Uganda’s energy projects.
A pre-feasibility study has already identified potential sites for carbon drawdown, targeting approximately 65,000 hectares of degraded land for reforestation and 220,000 hectares of threatened forests for protection under REDD+. ACR seeks to establish strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors to secure land and implement these projects effectively.
ACR represents a collaborative platform that includes government ministries, agencies, development partners, private sector entities, and other stakeholders, all working together to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in Uganda’s energy sector. The initiative builds on Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan, launched at COP28, which provides a roadmap for sustainably developing the country’s energy resources.
The launch of the Forestry Compensation Strategy underscores Uganda’s commitment to aligning energy development with climate resilience. By integrating nature-based solutions and fostering collaboration, the country aims to balance industrial growth with global environmental goals, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy practices.