Report from the Uganda Talanoa Dialogue

Workshop and Writeshop1

Held Friday April 6, 2018
At Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala

Photo: Session during the Talanoa Dialogue Workshop and Writeshop

Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD)

P.O.Box 27551 Kampala
Email: ugandacoalition@infocom.co.ug
Website: www.ugandacoalition.or.ug
Tel: +256 414 269461
April 6, 2018

1 An intensive process aimed at bringing together a range of relevant stakeholders to produce to produce a publication in a
very short time (in this case content for submission to the Talanoa Dialogue Portal).

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1.0 Introduction
The Paris Agreement sets clear goals to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and keep our
global temperature under 2 degrees Celsius, and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius. At
COP23 in Bonn, a major step was taken towards this aim in form of the ‘Fiji Momentum for
Implementation’.

The ‘Fiji Momentum for Implementation’ (CP/1.23) reemphasizes Parties’ determination to

conclude the Paris Rulebook by December 2018 and recognizes that an additional negotiation
session may become necessary during the latter half of 2018. Furthermore, the COP23 decision
officially launches the Talanoa Dialogue (previously known as the Facilitative Dialogue). This
refers to an inclusive process of dialogue where all participants, regardless of power or influence,
are peers.

Globally, the current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are likely to realize only
one-third of the emission reductions required by 2030 to reach the Paris long-term goal (UNEP
‘The Emissions Gap’ Report 2017). Equally, East Africa which is largely vulnerable to climate
change needs to prepare for the upcoming review of progress on the broad and multifaceted
Paris Agreement’s global goal on adaptation to be done in context of the global stocktake that
will take place every five years starting 2023 (UNEP, ‘The Adaptation Gap’ Report 2017)

As a follow up to the ‘Fiji Momentum for Implementation’, COP24 will take place in 3 -14,
December 2018 in Katowice, Poland. It is expected to be a new strong push to move forward the
global climate agenda. The Presidencies of COP 23 and COP 24 will throughout 2018
socialise/discuss the Dialogue with Party and Non-Party stakeholders via a range of avenues,
including workshops, webinars, forums, and relevant meetings. At the same time, Party and
non-Party stakeholders are encouraged to have their own meetings on the Talanoa Dialogue to
organise, strategize, and consolidate their input. This will climax into a high level political
discussion that will focus around assessing the collective efforts to meet the Paris Agreement
goals and informing the review of the NDCs.

1.1 The Intersessional Talanoa Dialogue in May 2018

The Inter-sessional Talanoa Dialogue in May 2018, provides the first opportunity for both Party
and Non-Party Stakeholders (NPS) to interact. This will include an opening plenary of the
Talanoa Dialogue; a day of working groups (organised into three consecutive sessions)
addressing the three overarching questions of the Dialogue below); back to plenary reporting;
and a closing plenary. In advance of the Inter-sessional Talanoa Dialogue, the COP Presidencies
will have an instructional note published on the Talanoa Dialogue online platform detailing the
methodology, agenda and any supporting material for May.

In the period from January to April, the Presidencies would like to encourage Parties and non-
Party stakeholders to cooperate in convening local, national, regional or global events in support
of the Talanoa Dialogue. It is suggested, for example, that they organize discussions around the
three questions identified (below) and that they inform the Presidencies and the UNFCCC
secretariat of any such event in advance so that information can be made available on the
Talanoa Dialogue Online Platform.

Further, the Presidencies (COP23 and COP24) encourage Parties and non-Party stakeholders to
get engaged in the Talanoa Dialogue through the submission of inputs. Such inputs could
include relevant studies or point of views in the form of documents, presentations or videos.

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All inputs should be sent through the Talanoa Dialogue Online Platform, which provides
information on the process for submission.

Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development as a part of the Civil Society Organisations
implementing the Project: Promoting Implementation of the Paris Agreement (PIPA) in East
Africa – through a pro-poor focus, have recently raised a ‘red flag’ in form of a policy brief, in
which they have recommended measures that East African Community stakeholders can
undertake to fully integrate poverty reduction in implementation of NDCs of the EAC Partner
States. This Brief follows the PIPA project Partners’ submission at COP23 calling for
development of the ‘Paris Rule book’ in order for the resulting NDCs and climate actions to
mitigate climate change, build climate resilience, enhance sustainable development and above
all reduce poverty in developing countries.

In view of the PIPA Project focus and the call for NPS engagement in the Talanoa
Dialogue, UCSD organised a one-day workshop and writeshop on April 6, 2018. With an
aim to raise CSOs awareness about the Talanoa Dialogue and the how CSOs and other
NPS can engage in it, ahead of the first Inter-sessional Talanoa Dialogue in May 2018,
where both Party and Non-Party Stakeholders (NPS) will interact for the first time.

2.0 The three overarching questions for the Talanoa Dialogue

The Fijian and Polish Presidencies encourage Parties and non-Party stakeholders to address
these questions from their own perspective. They invite everyone, from their own standpoint,
to reflect on:
1. Where are we?
2. Where do we want to go?
3. How do we get there?

The Workshop and Writeshop focused on question 1: Where are we?

3.0 Expected outputs

The Expected outputs from this events were as follows:
 Participants are made aware of the Talanoa Dialogue process (that is already underway)
from the Fiji
 Momentum ‘Fiji Momentum for Implementation’ (CP/1.23) / Paris Agreement, and are able
to link it with the National Climate Change Policy, the NDC commitments, the NDPII and
Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy, among other strategies.
 Using participatory tools, participants have made a contribution to at least one of the three
overarching questions of the Talanoa Dialogue (Where are we?) that will be submitted via
the Talanoa Dialogue Portal.

3.1 Target Audience

The workshop and writeshop was attended by 25 CSOs in

Uganda working on climate change related issues and are
part of the Uganda PIPA Campaign group that was launched
in 2017 during the inception of the PIPA project. It is
comprised of those key stakeholders who are interested in
climate change and follow up of the Paris Agreement
commitments and implementation in Uganda.

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3.2 Methodology/ Approach

The information was generated gradually as participants have

been working together for close to a year under the umbrella of
Uganda PIPA Campaign Group since 20172.

UCSD sent out the invitation to participants along with the

Talanoa Dialogue response template for non-Party
stakeholders’ inputs for the Talanoa Dialogue format for the
Question 1: Where are we? (As provided by UNFCCC), along
with a concept note.

In addition plenary sessions were held initially to brainstorm and reach a common agreement
in the relevant questions to focus on (from those in the Talanoa Dialogue format), followed by
brainstorming on some agreed questions. To ensure full participation, use of cards with
different shades was employed, that provided an opportunity for each of the participants to
make an input to the plenary questions, which were instantly validated and / or clarified.

The participants were also divided into two groups where they were given a set of questions to
address, in addition to those in plenary session. The response from the groups was presented
using cards (of different shades) and also subjected to validation and collective agreement.

The entire process was participatory in nature facilitated by Kimbowa Richard (UCSD). UCSD
will consolidate the report into UNFCCC format and annex the report for Submission to through
Talanoa Dialogue portal ahead of the October 29, 2018 deadline.

4.0 Presentation
4.1 Summary of the Talanoa Dialogue: Presented by Kimbowa Richard

Mr Kimbowa Richard - Programme Manager UCSD, made this presentation highlighting the
Talanoa Dialogue at the UNFCCC & Uganda, The Talanoa Dialogue concept, the Talanoa
Dialogue overarching questions, UCSD input to the Talanoa Dialogue process, The Talanoa
Dialogue process (Prep. & Political phases), important dates for this process, the upcoming
Bonn Talanoas (May 2018) and resources for further engagement with the TD process

The full presentation is available from here

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Youth Plus Network, Africa Partnership on Climate Change Coalition, Hands on Action, National Association of Professional
Environmentalists, Albertine Rift Conservation Society Water-Aid Uganda, Environmental Management for Livelihood
Improvement Bwaise Facility , Association of Uganda Professional Women in Agriculture and Environment , CARITAS
Uganda, TEENS Uganda, Joint Energy and Environment Projects, National Association for Women's Action in Development
, African Center for Trade and Development , Climate Action Network Uganda , Rural Development and Media
Communications , Uganda Environment Education Foundation UEEF, Kikandwa Environment Association, Parliamentary
Forum on Climate Change - Uganda

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4.2 Plenary session

Since the launch of the Talanoa Dialogue at the beginning of the year,
the Presidencies have received requests from Parties and non-Party
stakeholders for guidance on how to approach the three questions of
the Dialogue.

The Workshop and Writeshop had a focus on the Question 1: Where are
we? Hence, input was provided on the UNFCCC format questions in
order to gauge their relevance, for clarification and beefing up prior to
answering them.

Therefore with specific inputs from the participants in plenary, a set of detailed questions was
discussed and agreed as follows:

1. What are the main sources of emissions? What are the underlying drivers?
2. What are the current impacts of climate change that we are experiencing now? What future
predictions 2030?
3. What are the current sectoral, national and international legal and policy frameworks for
addressing climate change? Do they adequately address national and international climate
change goals?
4. What are the current main initiatives and actions from government, leading private
industries and other non-Party stakeholders to address climate change? Which ones have
worked and what obstacles or barriers have been encountered?
5. What “best practice” examples and business models have successfully driven climate change
action? (How sustainable )
6. What available technologies can be game changers for addressing climate change
today? Can they be easily implemented and what are the anticipated costs?
7. How has the financial sector responded to date on opportunities to address climate change
within the different sectors? What models have worked and under which conditions?
8. What are examples of successful partnerships between governments and non-Party
stakeholders? Which modalities have proven to be effective (e.g. contracts, blended
financing, joint investments, etc.)?
9. What roles have women, local communities and indigenous people including youth
played in the transition to low emission and carbon resilient society? What should be their
future roles?
10. What should be their future roles?

5.0 Responses from the plenary and group sessions

5.1 What are the main sources of emissions? What are the underlying drivers?

East Africa regional countries emitted 669 million metric tons

(MtCO2e) of greenhouse gases in 2011, with the Democratic
Republic of Congo emitting the largest amount at 208 million
metric tons (MtCO2e) of greenhouse gases, followed by
Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Burundi,
Rwanda and Djibouti. These eight countries are responsible for
1.43 percent of global emissions (ClimateLinks, 2011). The 3
countries (Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda) contribute less
than 1% of the global emissions.

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Participants listed a number of sources of emissions as follows:
– Deforestation and degradation
– Industrialisation
– Degradation of wetlands
– Livestock agriculture that releases methane
– Biomass waste from fuel and firewood production
– Motorised Transport
– Bush fires/burning

Drivers leading to emissions were identified as:

Inadequate regulation of the private sectors/ Poor implementation of legal and regulatory
frameworks
– Foreign cultures/ biotechnology
– Unsustainable lifestyles
– Population growth
– Industrialisation
– Biomass for cooking
– Deforestation
– Unsustainable livestock management practices
– Poverty
– Uncoordinated investment policies resulting in developments within ecologically sensitive
areas (commercial agriculture, large scale forestry monoculture plantations etc.)
– Internally Displaced People and refugee influx
– Motorised transport and vehicle density

5.2 What are the current impacts of climate change that we are experiencing now?
What future predictions 2030?

The current impacts of climate change that are being experienced now included the following:
– Poor health e.g. High allergic condition
– Floods and landslides
– High frequency of droughts
– Poor agricultural productivity
– Water pollution and scarcity
– Extreme weather events – seasonal changes / climate variability
– Unsustainable modern technology influx e.g. GMOs
– Loss of biodiversity and indigenous species are evident in most of the areas we are operating
– Declining quality of nature-based tourism

With regards to the future prediction 2030, the participants suggested that in the near future
the following will be what will be experienced:
– Ecologically sensitive areas will be nearly wiped out by 2030 as by noted in Uganda’s
National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA)
– Genetic erosion of livestock and crops
– Prolonged hunger and famine
– Higher mortality and morbidity among women and children
– Increased loss and damage due to climate change in various sectors
– Increased expenditure by the government and development partners to address the impacts
of climate change

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– Increased resistance of pests and diseases increase
– Increased pollution due to vehicular pollution and industrialisation
– Temperature rise of up to 2 degrees by 2030 if no action is taken.
– Increased crop failure e.g. coffee producing areas drastically reducing or being wiped out
– Change in agriculture livelihoods options- adaptation
– Decline in tourism
– Risks of climate induced migrants and conflicts and Disappearance of traditional nutritional
foods
– Costly changes in design: housing and infrastructure not withstanding impacts

5.3 What are the current sectoral, national and international legal and policy
frameworks for addressing climate change? Do they adequately address national
and international climate change goals?
Uganda has made significant progress in terms of climate change policies, plans and actions.
Some of the programs and policies that have included agriculture and climate change as one of
the major actions include:
– The Uganda constitution and Environmental laws.
– Agriculture sector National Adaptation Plan (2015)
– National climate change policy and its strategy (2013)
– Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
– Comprehensive NAP process flagged off (on going)
– 10 year Climate Smart Agriculture program (2015 – 2025)
– NAPA was piloted in 4 districts (Apc, Pallisa, Nakasongola and Bundibugyo) representing 3
ecosystems ( Semi-arid / cattle corridor, Lowland, and mountainous) and is now informing
the NAP process
– The Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy
– National Land Use Policy
– Vision 2040
– National Policy on Disaster Preparedness and Management (2010)
– National Development Plan (2015/16 – 2019/20)
– National REDD+ strategy
– Renewable Energy policy (2007) under review
– Rural electrification policy
– National climate change communication strategy which is under consideration by cabinet
level
– Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change (PFCC Uganda)
– The Climate change bill under development
– Agricultural policy

Despite these advancements, political will in enforcement is still lacking especially at the
subnational level government; NDCs development was done a very quick way to address the
international level rather than consultation of the key stakeholders at national level. Hence
there is need to make it participatory in future (upcoming review processes). There is also a
need to harmonise with the other existing policy frameworks. Institutional capacity is low – a
major challenge in implementation of the NDCs at various level. Projecting our implementation,
there is less action as one moves to the lower government level including sharing of information
and knowledge. There is also need to improve accountability to the beneficiaries, in addition to
donors for climate funds.

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5.4 What are the current main initiatives and actions from government, leading
private industries and other non-Party stakeholders to address climate change?
Which ones have worked and what obstacles or barriers have been encountered?

Project activities on going / completed:

– Switch green Africa on sustainable consumption (NEMA, URI, SNV /PLAN, UNFE)
– Global climate change adaptation (Ministry of Water and Environment, District local
government, UN FAO, Environment and Natural Resources Civil society organisation
Network, Makerere University Climate change Research Institute),
– Farmer Field Schools (Climate Action Uganda and member organisations)
– Promoting local innovation (Prolinnova) by Prolinnova members
– PREACH project (location: Soroti, Serere, Amuria and Moroto) focus renewable energy, food
security, afforestation Stakeholders involved: TEENS Uganda, SOCADIDO, ICCO, Dan
churchAid, local government.

Progress made with some of these interventions:

Most of these projects have registered some progress whereby some have been highly adopted
but the stakeholders. Some barriers noted include financial modalities being stringent,
dissemination of results beyond project areas low, and community participation being poor, low
coverage, limited framework for CSOs to complement interventions, gender disaggregated data
missing, financial sustainability is still a challenge, limited participation of all the stakeholders,
farmers innovations having no copy right – property right and economic impacts of the
initiatives still not felt.

5.5 What “best practice” examples and business models have successfully driven climate
change action? (How sustainable)

Some of the highlighted best practices and business models that have driven climate change
action include:
– Community Based Adaptation
– Landscape approach to natural resources management
– Integrated Risk management
– Media capacity building through media grants, radio work, journalists on climate change
reporting and investigative reporting
– Farmer field learning exchange visits for the LVEMP II Community Driven Development
Sub projects on Lake Victoria in Katonga catchment where capacity of communities was
built to demand for duty bearers.
– Ecosystem based adaptation Payment for Ecosystem Services Bushenyi, Kasese, Masindi and
Mt Elgon under ECOTRUST
– FACE Foundation under Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kibale National Park;
– Women and youth in ICT and CTA and markets
– Ministerial mainstreaming and integration of climate change;
– Knowledge sharing and information dissemination;
– nature based conservation;
– Indigenous knowledge to predict rain , weather changes e.g. insects, birds) conservation e.g.
Kikandwa Environmental Association, ACCRA, Nature palace Foundation;
– Cleaner Production centres LVEMPII under the East African Community
– Gender action learning systems (GALS).

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5.6 What available technologies can be game changers for addressing climate
change today? Can they be easily implemented and what are the anticipated costs?

Available technologies include:

– Information computer Technology (ICT) and non-formal technologies of creative and
performing arts;
– Climate smart agriculture technologies;
– Rain water harvesting;
– Irrigation;
– Recycling Energy efficient technologies;
– Post-harvest handling technologies;
– Non-motorised technologies;
– Weather forecasting technologies by UNMA, LVBC, some specific localities.

5.7 How has the financial sector responded to date on opportunities to address climate
change within the different sectors? What models have worked and under which
conditions?

– Commercial Banks – funding products in place on energy saving assets, awareness and
making the products affordable
– Through CSRs institutions are giving back to communities particularly on solar. A lot of
awareness of the use of solar is amplified i.e. MTN, Total, Shell Barclays, and Centenary.
Global Environment facility (GEF) small grants,
– UNEP through ecosystems based adaptation for food security under cassava
industrialisation project;
– Agriculture insurance – microfinance institutions i.e. pride, housing finance bank,
opportunity bank, through the clean energy loan for household lighting;
– FAO, World Food Programme, IFDC through financing Climate smart Agriculture;
International institutions – African Development Bank with the bankable projects;
– East African Development Bank with the climate change bankable projects.
– UNFCCC through microfinance institutions for local costs loans – renewable energy
access
– World Bank support to REDD+ readiness projects which has now seen the finalisation
Uganda’s strategy
– National Planning Authority (NPA) in development of the Uganda’s Green Growth
Development Strategy (UGGDS), National Development Plan II Vision 2040 and
mainstream of climate change in all sectors.

Challenges are linked to capacity to develop bankable proposals due to lack of skills and
human resources especially at the subnational levels.

5.8 What are examples of successful partnerships between governments and non-Party
stakeholders? Which modalities have proven to be effective (e.g. contracts,
blended financing, joint investments, etc.)?

There are already working partnership that are considered successful in Uganda:

– Kakira sugar works co- generation of clean energy from sugar cane wastes sold to
national grid
– LVEMP II project on cleaner energy production technologies e.g. leather tannery in Jinja

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 – Eco- tourism – Nature Uganda through the restoration of the Echuya forest in Kabale
National Forestry Authority offered private sector / co-management investment
opportunities in central forest reserves
– UNFCCC negotiations process at the national level through thematic dialogues that
include diverse stakeholders
– CSO participation in policy and legislative processes
– Government investment in education programmes on climate change
– Removal and reduction of tax on renewable energy technologies, agriculture etc.
(adaptation technologies by government);
– NAPE in collaboration with NFA promoting Apiary in areas around Kaiso tonya near
Lake Albert – Kasese Local Government; memorandum to restore system areas around
lake Katwe.
– Community forest management (CFM) in forest management and communities allowed
to manage part of Reserves
– NAPA project involving DENIVA, Pallisa District and Ministry of Water and
Environment where knowledge sharing was key through reporting challenges existed
(project ended).

5.9 What roles have women, local communities and indigenous people including
youth played in the transition to low emission and carbon resilient society? What
should be their future roles?

Suggestions made
– Embracing low carbon technologies
– Conservation of forests on own lands
– Youth’s championing tree planting campaigns
– Participation in developing local bye laws and ordinances
– Youths to market approved technologies and applications
– Involvement in Climate Smart Agriculture projects & conservation of threatened
indigenous crop varieties and animal breeds
– Practicing earth laws
– Practicing of Ecosystem based adaptation approaches

5.10 What should be their future roles?

In terms of the future roles the following suggestions were put forward:
– Adaptation management and sustainability of the good practices;
– Promoting / scaling up innovations that are appropriate to their settings
– Youths to intensify in advocacy work
– Intensify with ecosystem based adaptation activities (green projects)
– Continued capacity building of women, youths and indigenous people;
– In reference to the NAPA pilot project implemented by DENIVA in Pallisa district,
continuously building women and teach fellow women and men
– Lead role in the governance issues decision making leadership position and mobilisation
roles

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6.0 Conclusion
– Overall, the participants noted that NPS from the global South to Talanoa Dialogue has had
very minimal contributions to the process. We need to continue to make new contributions
ahead of the next deadline of October 29, 2018.

– The Workshop encouraged members to read and comprehend the Talanoa Dialogue in
order to contribute meaningfully to the on-going process through organising similar events
with their members and beneficiaries; and addressing the 3 questions set.

– UCSD promised to prepare the report from the workshop and writeshop and use it to make
a submission to the Talanoa Dialogue portal (report as annex).

– On behalf of UCSD, Kimbowa thanked participants for giving in their time and shared their
experiences in order to inform the global process as set out in the Paris Agreement. He
encouraged others also to submit more views through other forums.

Annex 1: Proposed Agenda

9:00 – 9:20 Introductions and Welcome remarks UCSD

9:20 – 9: 40 Presentation on the Talanoa Dialogue UCSD

9:40 – 10:00 Discussion and agreement of the relevant generic

questions to be answered under the question: Where are we? ALL

10:00 – 10:30 am Break

10:30 – 12:30 pm Group work based on the agreed guiding questions

and the framework provided ALL

12:30 – 1:00 pm Plenary session to build a coherent story on the question:

Where are we? ALL

1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch Break

2:00 – 3:00 pm Plenary session to build a coherent story based on the question:
Where are we? ALL

3:00 – 3:15 Closure UCSD

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Annex 2: List of Participants to Workshop and Writeshop
Title/
No Name Institution Position Gender Email:
1. Damba NGO Forum Programme F rdamba@ngoforum.or.ug
Racheal Assistant
2. Saabwe Youth Plus Executive M scolline@yahoo.com
Colline Network Coordinator
3. Geoffrey NAPE Senior M kamese@nape.or.ug
Kamese Programme
Officer
4. Phillibert ARCOS Programme M pnsengiyumva@arcosnetwork.org
Nsengiyumva Manager
5. Eva Babirye AUPWAE Programme F
Assistant
6. Jaliah EMLI Bwaise Project F nambirujaliah@gmail.com
Nambiru Facility Assistant
7. Hamba TEENS CEO M hambarichard@yahoo.com
Richard
8. Thomas K. JEEP Advocacy & M tbkentos@yahoo.com/
Bakyaita Biodiversity info@jeepfolkcenter.org
Officer
9. Florence NAWAD Prog. Manager F bflorencekebirungi@yahoo.com/
Kebirungi nawadorg@gmail.com
10. Susan ACTADE Exec. Director F snanduddu@gmail.com/ actade.org
Nanduddu
11. Miriam CAN Uganda Programmes & F mtalwisa@yahoo.com
Talwisa Partnership
Officer
12. Sarah Kisolo RUDMEC General Sec. F rudmec@gmail.com
13. David Nature Exec. Director M naturepaldn@gmail.com
Nkwanga Palace
Foundation
14. John Kaganga KEA Exec. Director M johnkaganga@gmail.com
15. Christine PFCC- Coordinator F kaayact@gmail.com
Kaaya
16. Phillip APCCA Communication M philipericbk@gmail.com
Bakalikwira Manager
17. Harriet C. ACSA Coordinator F
Nakasi
18. Carol Buganda PEO F carolkizibaziba@gmail.com
Kizibaziba Kingdom
19. Kabishanga New Executive M kabishanga@gmail.com
Horizon Director
20. Wamagale Env. Alert PO. ENR M hebertwp@gmail.com
Herbert
21. David UCSD PO M dmwayafu@ugandacoalition.or.ug
Mwayafu
22. Emily Arayo UCSD Com. Officer F emilyirri@gmail.com
23. Kimbowa UCSD PM M rkimbowa@ugandacoalition.or.ug
Richard
24. Rebecca UCSD FA M rkwagala@ugandacoalition.or.ug
Kwagala
25. Kalanzi R UFDA Coordinator M ufda2001@gmail.com

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