From the vast savannahs of the Serengeti to the lush, forested highlands of the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania’s diverse ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts are altering the delicate balance of these natural landscapes, threatening biodiversity, water resources, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. In the savannahs, erratic rainfall and extended dry seasons are disrupting the natural migration patterns of iconic wildlife species such as wildebeest and zebras, while reducing the availability of grazing land and water sources essential for both wildlife and pastoralist communities.
In the forested highlands, climate change is contributing to the degradation of critical habitats, leading to a decline in endemic species that rely on specific temperature and moisture conditions to survive. Changes in precipitation are affecting forest regeneration, increasing the risk of wildfires, and making these ecosystems more susceptible to pests and diseases. Additionally, the alteration of hydrological cycles is impacting river systems and wetlands, which serve as vital water sources for agriculture, energy production, and domestic use. The cumulative effects of these changes threaten not only Tanzania’s rich natural heritage but also the food security, health, and economic stability of its people, highlighting the urgent need for integrated climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Wildfires have raged on the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Droughts have depleted water sources and destroyed farmland and floods have hammered communities across the country. These and other impacts of climate change have had a devastating effect on rural communities in the country.
In response to these challenges, and with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Tanzania has developed a national strategy that outlines measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The strategy focuses on enhancing climate resilience in key sectors, such as agriculture, water resources, healthcare and infrastructure. It also aims to integrate climate change considerations into national development planning and promote sustainable practices. UNEP continues to assist Tanzania in implementing the strategy, by providing technical support, capacity building, and facilitating access to climate finance and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance climate resilience and low-carbon development.
“UNEP has been instrumental in supporting Tanzania’s environmental efforts,” said Selemani Saidi Jafo, the country’s Minister of Industry and Trade and former Minister of State for Union Affairs and the Environment in the Vice President’s Office. “It has helped us develop a new environmental policy and has provided extensive capacity-building initiatives for public servants, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.”
Tanzania is among the 58 countries that contributed their full share to UNEP’s Environment Fund in 2023.
Tanzania is prioritizing locations most affected by climate challenges, including regions where rising sea levels are flooding homes and agricultural fields with saltwater. In Zanzibar, for example, the government has provided communities with fishing boats, reducing their dependency on forests and promoting alternative livelihoods. Sea walls have also been constructed in seven sites along Tanzania’s coast, such as Pemba and Dar es Salaam, to prevent flooding.
The country is also focusing on water management, including efforts such as digging wells, building reservoirs, and improving irrigation systems to ensure consistent water access for farming and daily use, especially in areas facing recurring droughts and water scarcity, such as Arusha, Manyara and Longido. Greenhouse farming is further allowing farmers to grow crops under controlled conditions, mitigating the impacts of erratic weather patterns. Through the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund, UNEP has assisted Tanzania in launching numerous climate adaptation projects that support the country’s progress on these issues.
To counter pollution, Tanzania banned plastic bags in 2019. Several biodiversity conservation projects supported by UNEP are meanwhile working to protect endangered species, restore habitats and promote the use of natural resources. These projects often involve local communities and aim to enhance livelihoods while conserving biodiversity.
“The environment is a major issue globally, and Tanzania is no exception,” said Jafo.
Tanzania is one of UNEP’s 2023 full-share funding partners, whose contributions to the Environment Fund, UNEP’s core fund, enable agile, innovative global solutions for climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Learn how to support UNEP to invest in people and planet.
