The Gambia is planning to enhance its greenhouse gas mitigation pledge under the Paris Agreement and articulate gender-sensitive, medium and long-term climate strategies. The inclusion of new sectors through circular economy strategies allows the country to further raise the ambition of what already is the most ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution under the UNFCCC (Climate Action Tracker, 2018).
Development goals
The Gambia has a long-term goal for national development which is set out in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2021 with a Vision to 2030. According to this vision, the goal for The Gambia is to make the transition from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a middle-income country by 2030 supported by inclusive, stable and sustainable economic growth whilst alleviating poverty. The Gambia recognizes the strong link between economic development, sustainability and the need to mainstream environmental considerations, including action on climate change into its development plans.
The Government’s vision for the “new Gambia” is a country that upholds the highest standard of governance, accountability and transparency; where social cohesion and harmony prevails among communities; citizens enjoy a standard of living and access to basic services to enable them to lead descent and dignified lives; youth, women, children realize their full potential, and a nurturing and caring environment exists for the vulnerable; there is an enabling environment for our private sector to thrive; and our natural heritage is nurtured and preserved for future generations.
Circular mitigation opportunities
The Gambia National Development Plan (2018-2021) will be used as a starting point for a metabolic analysis to identify circular mitigation opportunities. These opportunities aim to address multiple issues, and contribute to the goals outlines in the National Development Plan.
Agriculture and natural resources are leading sectors in The Gambia’s economy, contributing 20-50 per cent of the nation’s GDP and employing most of the country’s poor. The weak performance of the sector has resulted in deepening rural poverty and stalled GDP growth, which is barely able to keep up with population growth. The goal for agriculture and natural resources under the NDP is a modern, sustainable and market-oriented agriculture, natural resources and livestock for increased food and nutrition security, income and employment generation, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, resilience building and economic transformation.
Reaching the ambitious goal and transition to a zero-carbon economy by 2030 and beyond will require achieving progressively deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding new carbon intensive assets being developed and locked in for decades. Therefore, The Gambia developed a vision of macroeconomic management for sustainable and inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction that optimizes resource efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, seek cross-sectoral impacts and ability to inspire inclusive low carbon economic growth best practices across the Gambian economy.
Client: UNDP
Partners: Katim Seringe Touray, EnvirSense, Circular Vision, Energy Changes, Climate Focus, Subbarao Consulting Services Ltd
2020-21
Photo credits: Photo by Dan Roizer on Unsplash
Photo by Wim van ‘t Einde on Unsplash
