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NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
A TECHNICAL SUMMARY
NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
7, MAUMARR AL GHADDAFI AVENUE
BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
Tel: (220) 224 122/228 216/226 154
Fax: (220) 225 009
e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected]
1:
INTRODUCTION:
The Gambia is a small sub-tropical country in West Africa, lying between latitude 13 and 14
degrees North, consisting of a narrow strip of land some 400 kilometres long and 30 kilometers
wide on both sides of the Gambia river. It is surrounded on three sides by Senegal and bordered
on the West by the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia's small area, narrow physical configuration and
its geographical location in the drought-prone Sahelian shrub land have endowed her with an
impoverished natural resource base. This has adverse economic and social repercussions. The
prevailing climatic pattern favours only a short agrarian, production regime (on average three
months) which is the main source of employment and food supply for 80% of the population.
The population is now estimated at 1.33 million with density of 130 persons per square
kilometer, making it one of the most densely populated countries in Africa (UNDP, 2000). At
4.2% per annum, population growth is relatively high and almost 40% of the population are
concentrated in the urban areas around Banjul, the island capital. About 60% of the population
are less than 25 years old (about half of this number under age 10).
2:
NATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
The Gambia is classified as one of the Least Developed Countries in the world. The UNDP
Human Development Report 2000 ranks The Gambia at 161 out of 174 countries, with a Human
Development index of 0.396. It has a per capita income of about US$260. In the area of
education, literacy levels are very low, with the overall illiteracy level standing at 63 percent and
that for females at 78 percent. The incidence of malnutrition is quite high with children being
the most affected group, while under-five mortality estimated at 192 per thousand is one of the
highest in the sub region, albeit on a declining trend. Life expectancy at birth is still low at 55
years overall, and at 54 and 57 years for males and females respectively.
The basic social indicators clearly demonstrate pervasive poverty in the country. According to
the Household Poverty Survey (UNDP, 1998), 37% of Gambian households and 51% of the
population are extremely poor.
3:
GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY:
3.1:
Total National Emissions:
A total of 181.1 Gg of Carbon Dioxide (Gg CO2) were emitted into the atmosphere while about
50,000 Gg were removed from the atmosphere by various socio-economic activities conducted in
The Gambia in 1993. This indicates that The Gambia is a net sink of carbon dioxide. Other gases
emitted into the atmosphere are Methane (193 Gg CH4), Carbon Monoxide (73 Gg CO), NonMethane Volatile Organic Carbon (7 Gg NMVOC), Nitrogen Oxide (3 Gg NOx) and Nitrous
Oxide (0.23 Gg N2O).
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3.2:
Sectoral Emissions
Energy:
The Energy Sector is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases in The Gambia. Carbon dioxide is
the highest emitted greenhouse gas in the Energy sector and the major category is fuel
combustion in the Transport sector. Fuel combustion in the Transport sector is responsible for
over 108 Gg CO2, Energy Industries (EI) emitted over 54 Gg CO2 and about 48 Gg CO were
emitted from fuel combustion in Other Sectors (OS) such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Agriculture:
In the Agriculture sector, Methane (CH4) was emitted most with Rice Cultivation (RC) emitting
about 27 Gg CH4 and Enteric Fermentation (EF) emitting about 12 Gg CH4. About 3 Gg CO
were also emitted from Prescribed Burning of Savannas (PBS).
Land-use Change and Forestry:
There was a net absorption of 50,000 Gg CO2 from the Land-use Change and Forestry category.
Considering the size of The Gambia the net absorption of over 50,000 Gg of Carbon dioxide, per
year from the Land-use Change and forestry category should be seen as a sizeable contribution to
the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The figure 50,023 Gg CO2 is a result of
net emissions of 63 Gg CO2 due to stock change, 1,245 Gg CO2 due to conversion of forests,
29.365 Gg CO2 from soils and a removal of 80,696 Gg CO2 due to increased in biomass as a
result of the abandonment of managed lands. This is a clear indication that there is need to
identify changes in the land-use policy, law and tenure that discourages forest clearing at the
same time significantly influencing and encouraging forest conservation and sustainable
management. Non-CO2 emissions include 15 Gg CO, 2 Gg CH4, 0.44 Gg NOx and 0.01 Gg N2O.
Waste Management:
The major gas emitted in the Waste Management Category is Methane. A total of 148 Gg CH4
was emitted in 1993. Of this amount 94% (139 Gg CH4) comes from Wastewater handling and
6% (9 Gg CH4) comes from solid waste disposal at dump-sites. About 0.001 Gg N2O was
emitted from the Banjul Sewerage system.
3.3: Comparison of Effectiveness of Gases using the Global Warming Potential (GWP)
The Global Warming Potential concept indicates that methane emissions of 192.8 Gg CH4
translate to 4.43 million tons of carbon equivalent and nitrous oxide emissions of 0.2 Gg N2O
translate to 0.68 million tons of carbon equivalent. The carbon dioxide uptake of 50.023 Gg CO2
and carbon dioxide emissions of 181.1 Gg CO2 translates to an uptake of about 49.84 million
tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Thus, methane is expected to contribute most in the warming
that results from emissions in The Gambia in 1993. Considering the GWP of each GHG we
obtain a total uptake of 45,340,098 TCO2E and, with a population of 1,025,867, the per capita
uptake is 44.2 TCO2E/capita/year.
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4:
POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES:
The Gambia has no commitment to reduce its emissions but can join other countries in the
reduction of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Based on desk review of
literature on mitigation of greenhouse gases the following list of potential mitigation measures
was developed.
Industry
Energy-Cost-Sensitive Options (actions for which energy-cost savings are the dominant criteria)
include:
(a) Measures for existing processes
 Housekeeping, equipment maintenance, and energy accounting.
 Energy management systems;
 Motor drive system improvements.
(b) Measures for new equipment
(c) Fuel switching
Non-Energy-Cost Sensitive Options (actions for which broader criteria such as overall
production cost and product quality are the dominant criteria) include
(a) The nature of major modifications;
(b) Installation of new production capacity;
(c) More efficient use of materials.
Residential and Commercial sectors
(a) Efficiency Improvements for Existing and New Building Shells
(b) Efficiency Improvements for New Equipment
(c) Efficiency Improvements for Existing Equipment
(d) Switching to Energy Sources/Equipment with Lower GHG Emissions
Transport sector
(a) Improve vehicle technical efficiency
(b) Switch to fuel systems with lower emissions
(c) Improve system efficiency
(d) Encourage shifts toward modes with lower emissions
(e) Manage transport demand
Renewable energy supply
Promotion of:
(a) Solar Energy
 Photovoltaics.
 Solar Thermal-electric.
 Solar Thermal-Industrial Process Heat.
 Solar Building Technologies.
(b) Wind Energy
(c) Biomass energy
 Biomass Electric Technologies
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 Biomass Heating Technologies
 Biomass Energy systems
(d) Hydropower
Agriculture
Animal Husbandry
(a): Enteric fermentation.
 Improved Nutrition Through Mechanical and Chemical Feed Processing::
 Improved Nutrition Through Strategic Supplementation and Other Methods:
 Production Enchancing Agents:
 Improved Production Through Improved Genetic Characteristics:
 Improved Production Efficiency through Improved Reproduction:
(b) Manure management system facilities.
Rice Cultivation
 Nutrient Management:
 Water Management:
Fertilizer Application
Soil Carbon in Cultivated Soils
Rangeland and Grasslands
(a) Rehabilitation of degraded rangelands including afforestation, reforestation grass and shrub
establishment, control of grazing lands, halophyte establishment on salinized lands, etc.
(b) Reducing livestock numbers, and
(c) Improving the quality of the diet.
Waste Management Systems:
(a) Landfill/Dump site management
(b) Recovery and use of landfill gas
(c) Alternative waste-management strategies.
(d) Wastewater Treatment.
(e) Aerobic Treatment.
(f) Recovery and Utilization of Methane from Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater or Sludge.
Forestry
(a) Maintaining Existing Stocks.
 Forest Protection and conservation.
 Increased Efficiency in Forest Management, Harvesting and Product Utilization.
 Bio-energy Initiatives.
(b) Expanding Carbon sinks
 Afforestation;
 Reforestation;
 Agroforestry:
 inter-cropping for the purposes of producing both agricultural and forest products
 boundary and contour planting for wind and soil protection, as well as for providing
agricultural and wood products.
(c) Urban and Community Forestry.
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5:
VULNERABILITY (Impacts of and Adaptation) TO CLIMATE CHANGE:
5.1:
Climate and Socio-economic Scenarios
Climate Scenarios
Four GCM (GFDL, CCCM, HCGG, and HCGS) 1 outputs were used to create the climate change
scenarios of The Gambia. On the average, by 2075, mean temperatures of The Gambia are
estimated to increase by 30C to 4.50C depending on the GCM used. By 2100 a decrease of 59%
(HCGG), 17% (HCGS) and 15% (GFDL equilibrium model), and an increase of about 15%
(GFDL01) and 29% (CCCM) about the 1951-1990 average rainfall amount are estimated in The
Gambia. Little change is estimated in solar radiation (-0.4% (GISS), -5% (GFDL-equilibrium),
and 6% (UKMO)) and PET (+1% CCCM and GFDL-equilibrium, -5% HCGG and -3% HCGS).
A CO2 concentration of about 330 parts per million (ppm) is assumed for the 1970s. Double CO2
concentration levels of 540 - 580 ppm are likely to be achieved by 2075. Sea level rise scenarios
adopted in this study are based on the IPCC first Assessment report. These are 0.2m as baseline,
and 0.5m, 1.0 m, and 2.0 m by 2100.
Socio-economic Scenarios:
Assuming that population growth rate will remain at 4.0 percent for the first decade of the
analysis period, 1.4 by 2075 and 0.8 by 2100, a population of about 8 million is estimated by
2075 and about 10 million by 2100. The GNP value of 2.87 million Dalasis for 1993 is projected
to increase to 27.64 million Gambian Dalasis (US $ 3.037 million) in 2075 and 55.12 million
Dalasis (US $ 6.058) by 2100. The GDP value of 2.95 billion Dalasis in 1993 grows to 14.27
billion Dalasis in 2075 and 18.3 billion Dalasis by the end of the century.
5.2:
Sectoral Impacts
Agriculture
The vulnerability and adaptation analysis of the sector to climate change made use of the results
of the CCCM, GFDL, HCGG and HCGS models, and the crops studied are groundnut, late and
early millet, and maize. All the four models project significant reductions in grain weight of the
cereal (food) crops (range of 28 – 40% for maize, 29 – 46% for late millet, 3 – 30 % for early
millet), in climate change scenarios than under the current climate. Meanwhile, groundnut
production would be more favourable in climate change scenarios than under current climate.
All growth parameters are estimated to be significantly higher under climate change scenarios,
with grain weight estimated to range from 9 – 25 percent above the current climate’s production.
With an estimated population of 8 – 10 million people during the study, coupled with the
ongoing, low prices for the groundnut crop in the world market, it is certain that the estimated
increase in groundnut production would not have any meaningful impact on the significant
decrease in the production of food crops. This would certainly require more hard currency to
foot the importation of food.
1
(GFDL=Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Laboratory, CCCM=Canadian Climate Change Model, HCGG=Hadley
Centre with Greenhouse Gases, HCGS=Hadley Centre with Greenhouse gases and Sulphate aerosol.
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Biodiversity and Wildlife:
The size of The Gambia (11,000 km2) makes it very difficult to get the home range of many
animal species, especially the big game, and as a result they cannot be found in the wild. Many
places of the country have already been devoid of forests. Only 42% of the country is covered
with forest.
Analysis based on a Habitat Suitability Index (HIS) shows that the HSI values range from 0.029
to 1.0. Animal species with a HSI score of more than 0.5 are in conducive habitats and vice
versa. From the result, it can be seen that the country’s temperature and associated habitat are
highly favourable for Bushbuck especially within the protected areas under the current climatic
conditions. This is followed by Great White Egret, Turaco, Dwarf Crocodile and Osprey.
In trying to understand and project potential impacts of climate change on wildlife species, some
species and geographic areas are found to be at greater risk than others. Similarly, species with
small populations, restricted ranges, and specific habitat requirements often are most vulnerable.
In The Gambia, animal species such as the Dwarf Crocodile and Osprey are vulnerable to both
the current and projected change in climate. Migratory species such as the Osprey may be
especially vulnerable because they require separate breeding, wintering, and migration habitats.
In many cases, one or more of these habitats could be at risk because of climate change and other
habitat loss.
Coastal Zone
In the coastal zone of The Gambia it is projected that about 92 km2 of land will be inundated as a
result of 1-metre sea level rise. Shoreline retreat would vary along the coast from 102 metres in
the harder cliffted zone between Cape Point and Fajara to 839 metres in the gently sloping, sandy
strand plain near Sanyang Point. In the sheltered coast of the Gambia, about 50% (47 km 2) of the
total land loss due to inundation comes from the sheltered coast. It is evident that with a 1-metre
sea level rise, the whole of the capital city of Banjul will be lost due to the fact that the greater
part of the city is below 1 metre. The mangrove systems on St. Mary’s Island, Kombo St. Mary
and on the strand plains in the north bank from Barra to Buniadu Point will be lost. About
D1,950 Billion (217 Million US Dollars) worth of land will be lost.
Fisheries:
Fish productivity is projected to increase by 10% under GFDL30 equilibrium model scenarios,
11% under the CCCM and the HCGS, and 14% under HCGG and the Transcient GFDL01
models over the current climate productivity of 7.82 * 106 kg/km of the river.
The projected climate change scenarios from the General Circulation Models shows that the
potential warming of 30C to 50C for the next century has little or no effect on the suitabilty of the
present habitat for the pelagic species of Shad, Tilapia and Catfish. Shrimps, Grouper, Ladyfish
and Cassava Croaker are found in depths of less than 100m, are sensitive to oxygen and cannot
tolerate low oxygen in waters of below 20% oxygen saturation with maximum temperature of
350C. Warming up of more than 30C to 50C will have negative impact in their habitats for their
productivity.
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Under temperature scenarios projected by the various General Circulation Models (GCM),
shrimp yield is estimated to increase. By the end of the next century, yield increase over
baseline scenario yield vary from 38% under the GFDL30 equilibrium model scenario, 40%
under the CCCM model, 42% for the HCGS model to 50% under the GFDL01 and the HCGG
models.
Forestry
Simulations using the Holdridge Life Zone Classification scheme show that the vegetation cover
of The Gambia has the potential to improve from tropical very dry forest to tropical dry forest by
the end of the 21st century. Simulations using a Forest Gap Model show that Basal Area and
Stand Biomass are projected to increase as warming of the climate increases in The Gambia.
However, this average increase is not common to all the tree species simulated in this study.
Analysis of individual tree species shows that diameter expansion is slow under current climate
scenarios but faster under all the climate change scenarios used in the simulation. Except for the
Rhizophora, all tree species are simulated survive longer under current climate scenarios than
under climate change scenarios. For the Rhizophora species more trees per hectare and more
biomass production are simulated for all climate change scenarios.
Rangelands and Livestock
Simulations from the SPUR2 model suggest that precipitation at the Bakendike Flats is projected
to increase by 1% under HCGS scenarios but decrease under the other GCM scenarios. Except
for potential evapotranspiration, simulations of all other water balance parameters show similar
patterns of variation. Potential evapotranspiration is projected to increase by 5 to 31% depending
on the GCM scenario used. Projected increases in soil evaporation are significant, varying from
93% to142% depending on the GCM scenario used. Because of the decrease in precipitation and
increase in soil evaporation, the annual average quantity of water available to the plants
decreases by 13% under GFDL and CCCM model scenarios. There is little variation in the
projected value of plant available water between current climate and HCGG scenarios but
projection from the HCGS is 9% higher than current climate estimates.
Similarly, the average leaf area under various climate change scenarios are projected to be 31 to
45% lower than current climate scenarios. The average monthly and annual live biomass
simulated shows a reduction of 43% under CCCM and GFDL, 34% under HCGG and 29% under
HCGS climate change scenarios. Average peak standing crop increases by 8% under the CCCM
and GFDL and by 24% and 35% under the HCGG and HCGS scenarios, respectively. However,
standing crop is realized only during the first 14 years of the simulation period, illustrating that,
as the climate warms it will not be able to support warm season grasses under all model
scenarios. Average aboveground dry matter production for warm season grass is simulated to
increase by 35% to 69% depending on the GCM scenario used but all scenarios project that dry
matter production will not be sustained after 2065.
Nitrogen to Carbon Ratios for warm season grasses are estimated to increase above current
climate estimates. Simulations of the effects of temperature on nitrogen uptake (ETNU) in warm
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season grasses shows that temperature is effective during the early years of the simulation period
but temperature becomes less effective with increased warming of the climate. Simulation of the
effect of moisture on nitrogen uptake (EMNU) for warm season grasses shows that moisture is
less effective under the cooler CCCM and GFDL climate change scenarios but more effective
under the warmer HCGG and HCGS scenarios. Similarly, the effects of moisture on denitrification increase as the climate warms. These combined effects of temperature and moisture
on nitrogen uptake resulted to the simulated reduction in the average amount of nitrogen
mineralized but nitrogen fixation increased under the warmer HCGG and HCGS climate
scenarios
It can be concluded that the rangelands at the Bankendike Flats may degrade under warmer
climate due to the projected decrease in precipitation and increase in evaporation, especially soil
evaporation. Less water will be available to the plants. It is also projected that increased
temperature and less moisture will affect nitrogen up-take by plants. Hence, the grasses will be
less palatable to the animals grazing on them leading to reduction in their weight and milk
production. The consequence of this is that human population is affected as they depend on these
animals for meat and milk consumption.
Water Resources:
The GFDL and HCGS GCMs used in this study do not indicate any significant changes in
rainfall relative to the post-1970 situation. In the vulnerability assessment, the scenario for
future climate change is that of a 2 K/Century rise in global temperature, and 100 cm/century rise
in mean sea level.
A global warming trend is found to have marginal impacts on river flow in the upper Gambia
River Basin, where the surface geology of hardshield rocks, and accidental topography largely
determine the catchment’s water balance. On the other hand, projected sea level rise is expected
to have a downgrading and retarding effect on the peak of annual flow hydrographs entering the
Gambia from the upper Gambia River Basin.
Under projected sea level rise, the saline front (salt concentration = 1g/l) is expected to migrate
landward/upstream of its present upper limit around Kuntaur (river km 254). However, the extent
of this translocation is fraught with uncertainty. The best estimate, at present, based on the
relationship between tidal range at Banjul and semi-diurnal excursions of the saline front, is 4
km. Evaporation losses from the river, in the order of 0.3 m3/s, are expected to add another 170
m to the above intrusion length. Modification of the flow hydrograph arising from a higher
mean sea level, is also expected to result in changes in the salinity regime at different locations
along the River Gambia. Oceanwards, the duration of salt-water transgression will be increased,
whilst the opposite is true the further one moves upstream.
Considering that groundwater is replenished by local infiltration, and significant deviations of
rainfall from current levels has not been demonstrated, a global warming trend is expected to
have limited impacts on groundwater recharge. The magnitude of the impact has not been
successfully quantified in this study because of poor partial correlation between recharge and
temperature. Making use of the mean ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration at
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Sambangalou and Gouloumbo, one may however deduce an overall reduction in groundwater
recharge of 3% by the year 2075, which may be expected to be even lower considering the
expected expansion of agricultural land, at the expense of forests.
6:
ADAPTATION OPTIONS:
Fisheries Sector
1. Stricker control on exploitation of fish resources which include:
 reduction in the number of fishing license issued to foreign vessels;
 improved surveillance of the fisheries waters;
 increases in licensing fees for dermersal trawlers; and
 implementation of closed seasons during spawning and in areas such as the nursery
grounds
2. Improve fish production through:
 Rehabilitation and development of ponds and other inland water bodies used for
spawning;
 Control the flow of pollutants (pesticide run-offs and plant discharges) into water bodies;
 Regulate the destruction of mangroves (fish nursery areas) and other fish habitats;
 Conduct a study upon the state of the mangroves;
 Raise the local awareness on the importance of the habitats to the maintenance of high
fish productivity and thus protein in diet.
 Strict biological monitoring of fish stocks is essential to ascertain the extent of the
resource base and also establish optimum margins for sustainable exploitation.
 Fish producers should also maintain sustainable and rational utilisation of the resources
 Set a minimum standard for total catch of the already exploited dermersal fish species.
3. Sensitization, Public Awareness Campaign and Capacity Building:
 Organising workshops for all user groups
 Research to further assess the feasibility and scope of fish farming in the Gambia.
 Research on the abundance and distribution of fish and of plankton as a source of food
for fish
Water Resources
Adaptation measures identified include the:
1. Construction of a retention dam in the upper Gambia River basin at Sambangalou to be used
for flow regulation and salinity control and for pursuit of higher water use efficiency in
irrigation systems.
2. Introduction, enactment and implementation of legislative measures such as licensing and
permits for withdrawal of river water for irrigation will serve a lot more purposes in addition
to adapting to the projected climate change.
3. Other adaptation measures include groundwater development for increased economic growth
(i.e. vulnerability reduction), and capacity building within water resources institutions.
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Coastal Zone:
In the study area, the suggested response is to protect only the important areas between Banjul
and Cape Point and areas around the Hotel Complex from Kairaba to Kololi Beach Hotel. The
following shoreline hardening and stabilization techniques could be used to protect these areas.
1. Rehabilitation of the Groin System between Laguna Beach/Palm Grove Hotels and Banjul
Point;
2. Construction of a long and high terminal groin between State House and Albert Market to
reduce the flow of sand to the Port and Ferry Terminal;
3. Construction of Breakwater Systems around the Hotel Complex from Kairaba to Kololi
Beach Hotel to reduce the strength of breaking waves coming onshore, reduce their impact
on the shoreline and thus reduce the quantity of sand eroded;
4. Construction of Revetment System to reduce erosion;
5. Construction of a low cost seawall or a bulkhead;
6. Employment of an innovative sand management approach to solve the large erosion problem
between the NAWEC (National Water and Electricity Corporation) Water Thanks and Banjul
Point;
7. Construction of a Dike System on which is planted some vegetation to protect the area
between the Cold Storage Plants west of the Public Works Complex (National Partnership
Enterprise and Pelican) and the Gambia Senior Secondary School, and areas bordering the
mangrove systems.
Long-term adaptation options in the Coastal Zone include:
1. Public Awareness and Outreach Activities
2. Increase in height of Coastal Infrastructure and Urban Growth Planning:
3. Wetland Preservation and Mitigation:
4. Coastal Zone Management Plan:
7:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF STEPS TO IMPLEMENT TNE CONVENTION
For The Gambia, climate change is view as a development path. Hence, the UNFCCC is being
implemented with sustainable development guiding all future activities and programmes. Based
on the identified mitigation and adaptation measures in sections 4 and 6 above, the following
strategy is developed for the future implementation of the Convention in The Gambia. The
successful implementation of the strategy and the Convention depend on the availability of the
human and financial capacity of the country.
7.1:
Climate Change Action Plan for the Coastal Zone:
Priority Actions for the Action Plan on Coastal Resources include:
1. Management of the Sand Bar at the Laguna and Palm Grove hotels;
2. Construction of 16 kms of dykes to protect villages bordering the wetlands and swamplands
from seasonal flooding;
3. Rehabilitation of the groin systems;
4. Construction of revetments, seawalls/bulkheads and breakwater systems in order to protect
the economically and culturally important areas;
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5. Development and enactment of appropriate regulations and policies relevant to construction,
urban growth planning, and wetland preservation and mitigation; and
6. Development of a Coastal Zone Management Plan.
Implementation Strategy:
The priority actions identified for the Coastal Zone will be translated into project proposals. The
Coastal Zone Management Working Group under the National Environment Agency will lead
the implementation of all projects developed under this Action Plan. Collaborating institutions
will be the Department of Water Resources, Department of Parks and Wildlife Management,
Department of Fisheries, the Association of Fishermen and the Municipal Councils in Banjul,
Kanifing and Brikama.
7.2:
Climate Change Action Plan for the Water Resources sector:
Priority Actions for the Action Plan on Water Resources:
1. Regulation of abstraction of freshwater from the river to maintain a delicate equilibrium
between flow and saline intrusion;
2. introduction of legislative measures such as licensing and permits for withdrawal of river
water for irrigation;
3. improvement of the efficiency of existing irrigation systems and introduction and
encouragement of the use of more efficient irrigation systems such as sprinkler and drip
irrigation systems;
4. construction of new infrastructures such as anti-salinity bridge/barrage proposed at
Balingho and dam/reservoir in the upper basin at Kerketi;
5. promotion of water harvesting techniques;
6. development and utilization of better planning tools such as aquifer simulation models and a
predictive/operational saltwater intrusion models;
7. Construction of dikes or small dams in most of the smaller streams of the river; and
8. Improvement of tidal water level monitoring and water resources assessment capability of
the water resources institutions.
Implementation Strategy:
The Department of Water Resources will be the Lead Agency in the implementation of projects
developed under the Water Resources Action Plan. The Water and Sanitation Working Group
and the Administrative Divisions and related institutions of the National Climate Committee will
assist the Department of Water Resources.
7.3:
Climate change action plan for the Agriculture (Crop Production) sub-sector:
Priority Actions for the Action Plan for the Crop Production Sub-sector:
1. Integrated Crop/Livestock Farming
2. Methane recovery from abattoirs and peri-urban dairy farms
3. Waste recycling for agricultural production through composting
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4. Efficient management of soil and water so as to reduce runoff and nitrogen leaching and also
improve soil conditions to enhance crop production.
5. Contour farming and construction of dykes, crop residue farming, fallowing and crop
rotation for the maintenance of soil structure.
6. Crop cultivar screening, training of rural development agents, and on-farm adaptive
research on crop management practices.
Implementation Strategies
Department of Agricultural Services will lead the implementation of elements of the Action Plan
for the Agriculture Sector. Collaborating agencies will the Department of Livestock Services,
Department of Agricultural Planning and Non-Government Organizations such as Gambia Rural
Development Agency (GARDA).
7.4:
Climate Change Action Plan for the Fisheries Sector:
Priority Actions for the Action Plan on Fisheries
1. Introduce biological monitoring;
2. Enforced fishing control measures;
3. Promote aquaculture.
4. Modify and strengthen fisheries management policies and institutions and associated fish
population and catch-monitoring activities;
5. Preserve and restore essential habitats and promote fisheries conservation and
environmental education;
6. Foster international and interdisciplinary research;
7. Restock with ecologically sound species and strains as habitat changes; and
8. Use hatcheries to enhance natural recruitment.
Implementation Strategy:
The Department of Fisheries will lead the implementation of elements of this Action Plan.
Community Based Organizations at the grassroots level, such as Village Fisheries Associations,
will collaborate with the Department of Fisheries.
7.5:
Climate Change Action Plan for Forests and Wetland Ecosystems:
Priority Actions for the Forestry and Wetlands Action Plan:
1. Establishment of National Parks (NP) and Protected Areas (PA);
2. Establishment of plantations;
3. Reforestation of landscapes with fragmented forest areas;
4. Conservation of existing carbon pools in forests;
5. Expansion carbon in forest ecosystems;
6. Switching from fossil-fuel-based to biomass-based energy products;
7. Introduction and promotion of incentive programs;
8. Development of Seed Banks; and
9. Promote effective management practices and flexible criteria for intervention.
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Implementation Strategy
The Forestry Department and the Department of Parks and Wildlife will implement the Forestry
and Wetlands Action Plan with the Forestry Department taking the lead. Mouhtara Holding Ltd.,
the only active member of the National Climate Committee from the private sector, will be
actively involved in the implementation of this National Action Plan. Department of Fisheries
and related NGOs and CBOs will collaborate in the implementation. These NGOs and CBOs
include GARDA, Gambia Environment Association, Gambia Fishermen Association, and
Gambia Association of Timber and Wood Cutters.
7.6:
Climate Change Action Plan for Rangelands and Livestock
Priority Actions for the Forestry and Wetlands Action Plan:
1. Active selection of plant species
2. Control animal stocking
3. Promote and encourage new grazing strategies
7.7:
Climate Change Action Plan for the Energy Sector
Priority Actions in the Energy Action Plan
1. Promote energy efficiency and reduce energy use by applying basic housing keeping and
retrofitting:
2. Promotion and Use of Renewable Energy (Solar Home Systems).
3. Promotion of Non-Motorized Transport (NMT)
4. Replace firewood and charcoal by LPG as a source of domestic energy supply
5. Revitalization and promotion of River Transport
Implementation Strategy
Government, non-governmental organizations and rural communities will jointly implement the
Energy Action Plan. The Department of Energy under the Department of State for Trade and
Industry will be the Lead Agency. Local experts shall be drawn from GREC, REA, and other
private firms such as VM, GAMSOLAR.
For sustainability, consumers will be adequately charged to eventually cover the capital outlays
and running costs. Experts from the outside the communities will eventually be replaced by
members of the communities, who would have then acquired the necessary training and skills.
7.7:
Climate Change Action Plan for the Waste Management Sector
Priority Actions in the Waste Management Sector
(a) Landfill/Dump site management
(b) Recovery and use of landfill gas
(c) Alternative waste-management strategies.
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(d) Wastewater Treatment.
(e) Aerobic Treatment.
(f) Recovery and Utilization of Methane from Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater or Sludge.
Implementation Strategy:
The Department of State for Local Government will lead implementation of elements of the
Waste management Action Plan by using the Municipal Councils countrywide. Collaborating
institutions include the National Environment Agency, Department of Water Resources,
Department of Health and Moukhtara Holding Ltd. Relevant NGOs and CBOs will also assist at
the local level.
8:
SENSITIZATION, AWARENESS CREATION, EDUCATION AND CAPACITY
BUILDING ON CLIMATE CHANGE (CROSS-SECTORAL MEASURES)
Cross-sectoral measures are important in addressing climate change requirements to ensure a
coherent approach in implementing the adaptation and mitigation measures and strategies
contained in the National Action Plan. Public education, research, technology development and
transfer, as well as the building up of institutional capacities are vital in addressing climate
change issues of any nation or region.
8.1:
Public Sensitization and Education
Formal sector
The science, mitigation and adaptation measures as regards all the sectors of the national
economy should be incorporated in school curricula at lower and upper basic levels. These
should be incorporated in disciplines such as Social and Environmental Studies (SES), General
Science and other related subjects. At the tertiary level, both government and private educational
institutions should be encouraged to develop and incorporate the relevant curricula on climate
change. They should be assisted in building both the material and human resources capacities of
the collaborating institutions to better handle the climate change curriculum.
Informal sector
The curricula used by Audit and Non-formal Education directorate should be expanded to cover
climate change issues. Mass media techniques such as television/video, radio, print media,
traditional communicators and extension agents could be used in well designed campaigns aimed
at achieving the desired results in climate change, by changing attitudes and ushering in the right
behaviour. Awards for media people communities and any other bodies could be in the annual
NEA awards competition to encourage participation in climate change activities. Celebrities,
important public figures and opinion leaders should be called upon to vehicle messages, giving
particular focus on women and youth who are kept actors on the ground.
8.2: Capacity building
The National Climate Committee is mandated to implement the Climate Change Convention in
The Gambia. It is made up of permanent institutional representation from central and local
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government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs)
and a few private sector organizations, namely the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(GCCI) and Moukhtar Holding Ltd. It is recommended that the NCC should be developed as a
special Unit of the Department of Water Resources and should be semi-autonomous. It should be
disengaged from other government functions so as to function effectively. Through the NCC, the
capacity of collaborating institutions should be developed both in terms of their human and
material resources so as to be capable of implementing the Convention. In the development of
the final version of the Plan, capacity building needs will be streamline and focused on priority
needs of the country.
8.3: Research, Training and Technology development and transfer.
Major issues identified under this component of the Action Plan are:
1. Strengthen existing institutions dealing with research on global and climate change to
increase their efficiency. Tertiary Education Institutions grouped in a body for research,
technology development and transfer should be mandated to co-ordinate research activities,
acquire/develop technology, monitor and evaluate research and technology application.
2. Establish a body to review and control technology transfer between the Gambia and the rest
of the world, with a view to checking for compliance with UNFCCC regulations.
3. Encourage tertiary educational institutions to take up the challenge in climate change
research and development of technology. This could be achieved by collaborating with
research institutions (Government or private) in the developed world.
9: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENTION IN
THE GAMBIA
The National Climate Committee and its collaborating institutions are constrainted by inadequate
human and institutional capacity to finalise this Action Plan. The major dificit is in the economic
analysis and presentation of the cost of the activities and their implementation. Hence, in the first
instance the National Climate Committee should collaborate with development partners to
finalise the Plan.
Specific strategies for implementation of sectoral plans have been defined in the above sections.
Implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures identified in National Communication
will be led by the National Climate Change Focal Point and the National Climate Change
Committee. Relevant Departments will implement the Sectoral Plans in collaboration with
concerned institutions particularly the NGOs, Local Government Organization (LGOs) and
Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Most of the NGOs, LGOs and CBOs that will be
involved in implementation of the various plans are already members of the National Climate
Committee. These have long standing working relations with the grassroots level communities
and this relationship will be exploited. Hence, human resources required for the implementation
is in place and the NCC will exercise the coordination experienced gained during more than ten
years of its existence. Financial resources identified will need to be met from Government and
Donor contribution.
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The Cross-cutting Issues Task Force (CITF) of the National Climate Committee will undertake
outreach activities, which included public meetings to solicit support and comment on the
measures, educational campaigns, and media events. The National Climate Committee and
collaborating institutions will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the
implementation of the measures.
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