GENERAL INFORMATION
Grant Approval Date
End (estimated) Date
Project Cost
$500,000
Sector
Executing Agency
African Development Bank
Current status
Ongoing
Background
All African countries have ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement, signalling a high-level political commitment to address climate change. As part of the commitment to the goal of the Paris Agreement of limiting global average temperature to well below 2°C and ideally 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, countries were invited to submit new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development Strategies (LTS) by 2020 (Paris Agreement Article 4). Due to existing capacity constraints, further compounded by COVID-19, many countries were unable to meet this timeframe and are planning to submit their LTS ahead of COP26, planned for November 2021.
The latest scientific publication, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), is categorical: global surface temperature will continue to increase until at least the mid-century under all emissions scenarios considered and highlights the urgency of transitioning toward decarbonized economies as fast as possible to reach a collective net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
LTS are therefore important foundational documents to guide the pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050. As of August 2021, only two African countries had submitted LTS, namely South Africa and Benin, although the latter submitted a short-term one (2016–2025). South Africa's LTS provides a longer trajectory to 2050.
In this regard, the project will aim to support Botswana, Lesotho, Liberia, and Gabon to develop their Long-Term Low Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development Strategies (LTS). The selection of the countries is based on their limited access to LTS support, expressed demand for assistance, and good progress in NDC implementation or updates and the LTS process. For example, Lesotho, Liberia, Gabon, and Botswana have not received donor support to commence the process of developing their LTS. Each of these countries presents unique challenges in managing climate change while promoting poverty reduction programmes. Liberia has submitted its updated NDC, while Gabon, Botswana, and Lesotho have not submitted their updated NDC and may not have made much progress from their previous versions. This project will assess each country’s readiness, understand the challenges, and support the building of foundational work.
It is imperative to note that there is no dedicated LTS support for countries to tap into. ACCF funds are catalytic for this process and will provide the necessary foundational work and lessons learned at the country level that can be built upon to broaden the reach of country support to LTS development.
Objectives
The project aims to support Liberia, Lesotho, Botswana, Uganda and Gabon to embark on low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathways in line with the Paris Agreement.
Main Components/Outputs
The project articulates around a key outcome which is strengthened capacity of Stakeholders’ institutions for the elaboration of Long-Term Strategy in Lesotho, Botswana, Liberia, and Gabon.
Key Achievements or Progress
The project is nearing completion by the end of 2025. In the meantime, the following key results have been achieved:
Capacities of 19 institutions strengthened to develop long-term visions in the four focus countries (including Lesotho, Botswana, Liberia, and Gabon).
73 LTS experts (41% women) from ministries and government agencies trained to support the development of sectoral strategies and LTS frameworks. These capacity-building efforts have established a solid foundation for sustained progress, enabling countries to independently refine and implement their climate strategies.
Development and approval of four LTVs in the focus countries
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