TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT BUREAU (BDT)

ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTIMPACT

ITU SYMPOSIUM ON ICT, THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

ACCRA, GHANA

06TH – 10TH JULY, 2011

Presented by: Ms. Elizabeth Nzagi Director, Legal Affairs

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, ,

1.The IPCC Projections

2. Options for Developing Countries

3.Framework to Combat Climate Change

4.ICT Contribution to Adaptation

5.What Can Be Done

Agenda Agenda

Climate change is a reality and every human being is affected by it though in different ways.The causes of climate change are known to and efforts are done both at national and international level to respond to climate change.

In 2007 the IPCC projected that:• Greenhouse gas emissions could rise by 25 – 90 per

cent by 2030• The Earth could warm by 3°C this century. Even with

a temperature rise of 1– 2.5°C the IPCC predict serious effects including reduced crop yields in tropical areas.

• Spread of climate sensitive diseases such as malaria, and an increased risk of extinction of 20 – 30 per cent of all plant

The IPCC The IPCC ProjectionProjection

• By 2020, up to 250 million people in Africa could be exposed to greater risk of water stress.

• By 2030 developing countries will require USD 28 – 67 billion in funds to enable adaptation to climate change.

The IPCC The IPCC ProjectionProjection

Many options and opportunities to adapt exist such as:

• Behaviour change at the individual level, such as reducing water use in times of drought and using insecticide-sprayed mosquito nets.

• Early warning systems for extreme events, • Better water management, improved risk

management,• Insurance options • Biodiversity conservation. Etc.

Options for Options for Developing CountriesDeveloping Countries

FRAMEWORK TO FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT CLIMATE COMBAT CLIMATE

CHANGECHANGE• International level – UN Framework

Convention oc Climte Change (UNFCC).This convention commits parties to develop national programmes and measures to respond to climate changes.

• Measures that can reduce atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases or increase terrestrial storage of carbon

• Many countries have ratified the Convention. Tanzania ratified in 1996

FRAMEWORK TO FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT CLIMATE COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE (CONT’D)CHANGE (CONT’D)

• Through the Ministry responsible for environment Tanzania has put in place a National Action Plan on climate change in 1997-has short,medium and long term.Sets priorities for adaptation

• The plan is geared at helping communities and ecosystems to moderate,cope with or take advantage of actual or expected changes in climate change.

FRAMEWORK TO FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT CLIMATE COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE (CONT’D)CHANGE (CONT’D)

• To assist communities to improve and sustain human and technological capacity for environment.

• Much as we know ICT networks have adversely contributed to climate change ,they are however the best helper of mankind.ICT systems are used in detecting,monitorin,forecasting ,mitigating effects of climate change ,and inform.ing

• The systems include radio base remote sensing –The systems include radio base remote sensing –terestrial and satellite , and related telecom terestrial and satellite , and related telecom infrastructures,mobile radio etcinfrastructures,mobile radio etc

• Mobile communication can be used to warn the public of hurricanes, tsunamis and other dangerous weather events

• Satellites areused to disseminate information on different dissasters both man mad and natural

• Meteorologists use spetrum to forecast weather,rainfall partens,land degradation and water shortage.

ICT Contribution ICT Contribution to Adaptationto Adaptation

WHAT CAN BE DONE?WHAT CAN BE DONE?• Through appropriate policy and

regulatory frameworks ICT can pray a pivotal role and contribute to the adaptation on climate change as follows:

• Spectrum allocation and management: ensure efficient and effective use of spetrum .Set aside spectrum to be used for emergency and for community services (radio, tv, broadband etc)

WHAT CAN BE DONE? WHAT CAN BE DONE? (CONT’D)(CONT’D)

Licensing requirements: roll-out obligations on universal service.-

easy flow of information on impending dangers due to climate change.

• Interconnection obligations –Service providers to interconnect for ubiquitous communication

• Quality of service –to ensure good quality of service and its availability

• Conditions on environment impact assessment.

FINAL THOUGHTFINAL THOUGHT

• Universal access to ICT can help people receive

information quickly on impending dangers due to

climate change. • The technology can be used to

warn people through allerts should danger be

threatening. • An appropriate ICT policy and An appropriate ICT policy and

regulatory regulatory framework can greatly facilitate framework can greatly facilitate

climate change climate change adaptation in developing adaptation in developing

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