Poverty - Environment Linkages Uganda’s Case By D.N Byarugaba Commissioner for Forestry

Background Environment and Natural Resources (ENRs) is seen as a crosscutting sector accorded highest priority within framework of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), PEAP aims at reducing absolute poverty below 10 % of total population in Uganda is grossly endowed with natural resources –land, forests, fish, livestock, soils, wetlands, minerals, water, wildlife, and good climate NRs provide sources of livelihoods and means to overcome poverty for the majority of Uganda’s population.

Background - continued Uganda’s economy relies heavily on ENRs. ENRs contribute 54% of the country’s GDP. ENRs contribute more than 90% of Uganda’s energy – charcoal and firewood for domestic use. 85% of Uganda’s population is employed in ENR-based activities Therefore NRs are key Uganda’s efforts to ensure sustained poverty reduction.

National Policy and Legal Provisions Uganda’s constitution – Article 245, 1995 The National Environment Management Policy for Uganda, 1994 The Water Statute, 1995 The The National Environment Statute 1995 The Uganda Wildlife Policy and Statute, 1999 The National Forestry Policy 2001 The Wetlands Policy, 1995 The Land Act, 1998 The Local Government Act, 1997

International Obligations Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 Convention on Climate Change Convention to combat desertification, 1994 The Ramsar Convention on wetlands 1971 Convention for protection of world cultural and natural heritage, 1972 Convention on trade in endangered species, 1979 Agenda 21, 1992

Strategic ENR National Plans The National Forest Plan The Wetlands Sub-sector Strategic Plan Land Sector Strategic Plan National Environment Action Plan Wildlife Protected Area Systems Plan

Priority National Strategic Programmes Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) Poverty Action Fund Public Sector Reform Programme Land Sector Strategic Plan

Environment and the Economy

Cost of environmental degradation in Uganda (2000 UGShs = 1 USD)

Contribution of various sectors to ENR generated GDP

Approximation of Uganda’s Exports (Total of USD 478m)

Contribution of Forestry to Poverty Eradication

Forestry and the key issues in PEAP Poverty is not just having little money. It is also about having access to services, insecurity, control of your own life Need to consider all causes of poverty and how to overcome them Majority of poorest are found in rural areas - hence importance of natural resources (most especially forestry)

PEAP Pillars Pillar 1 - To build a strong economy that continues to grow Pillar 2 - To make sure that Government accounts to the people and protects them Pillar 3 - To help POOR PEOPLE RAISE their incomes Pillar 4 - To make life better for the poor

What PEAP says about Forestry Natural resources contributes to economy and livelihoods environmental degradation - a cause & consequence of poverty environment crucial to sustainability of poverty reduction & quality of life Government should provide resources to protect forests community participation in forest management is important

What the poor say about forestry Forests provide products and services –food, energy, water, housing, medicines –safety-nets during hardships –employment, income generation –environmental benefits –recreational values –cultural and spiritual values

Contribution of forestry to the national economy sale of forest products - Shs 66 billn. employment - currently about 1million people contributes 6% to GDP tourism - shs 2.7 billn annually Un-quantified –Contribution to environmental services Soil erosion control, micro climate, aesthetic beauty –Support to agricultural sector Rain, protection of watershed, contribution to soil fertility

Past forestry policy and programmes Not pro-poor policies and programmes Limited access and benefits to the local people Little participation of local communities in decision making Weak skills, governance structures and programmes that can eradicate poverty

Forest sector reforms aimed at poverty eradication Geared towards sustainable forest management and improving livelihoods of the poor, including: –new Forestry Policy (2001) –National Forest Plan (2002) –National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 2003, Divestment of the Forestry Department Formation of the National Forestry Authority –increased stakeholder participation –multi-sectoral approach (PMA, Energy, Education, Health)

Importance of PEAP Guides sectoral plans (e.g. NFP) to be poverty focused –spend on activities that help the poorest –contribute to 4 pillars, & priority areas –sectors to demonstrate evidence of benefits to the poor –the poor must say it (UPPAP reports)

NFP strategies for pillar 1 boost investment & private sector development large & medium-scale forestry commercial investments employment in the forestry sector desired outcome is higher incomes and better services to the rural poor To remove constraints and provide incentives for economic growth

NFP strategies for pillar 2 decentralise district forestry services community-based forestry planning increasing access to forestry information promoting civil society collaborative forest management desired outcome is to enable poor people participate in decision making To ensure institutions, policies and laws are pro-poor

NFP strategies for pillar 3 advisory & training support promoting small business growth provide employment wood & non-wood processing business tree nursery management access to market information & credit security of land & tree tenure desired outcome is diversification of livelihood options & increase income To increase access to productive assets & forestry-related opportunities for income

NFP strategies for pillar 4 biomass energy conservation safety nets to reduce vulnerability shelter, food security and nutrition, health securing cultural values environmental values such as water supply and their contribution to quality of life To ensure sustainable forest management in order to improve quality of life