Climate Change Secretariat

 

 

CLIMATE CHANGE SECRETARIAT’S MANDATE 

 

As directed by the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) of  2016, the Climate Change Secretariat is formed within the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) with the mandate of strengthening the Ministry’s endeavor in effectively fulfilling its functions and requirements in pursuing its national climate change agenda by diligently working with sectors and institutions (Government & Non-Governmental) on integrating climate change into the national and sub-national plans, and coordinating the implementation of  the NCCP . The Secretariat shall work closely with all stakeholders particularly the Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery of the Office of the President, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, UN Agencies and International Partners in carrying out its functions.  

The Secretariat shall be headed by a Director, supported by a Principal Climate Change Officer, Senior Climate Change Officer and two Climate Change Officers for mitigation and adaptation with their TORs aligned to the roles and responsibilities of the Secretariat.  
 

The key roles and responsibilities of this Secretariat shall include the following: 

  •  Facilitation of climate change strategies/policy development, including the incorporation of climate change considerations into new and existing policies, in consultation with all sectors. The Secretariat will be responsible for establishing procedures to integrate and mainstream climate change in all relevant national policies and programmes (such as screening programmes and projects, or developing sector wide guidelines); and procedures for including climate considerations in government and administrative processes, procedures and systems (such as budget call circulars/codes, public expenditure reviews, and monitoring processes).

 

  •  Develop initial draft of terms of reference (ToRs) and draft rules of procedure, and initiate a call for nominations for the multi-stakeholder National Climate Committee; and facilitate activities leading to its formal establishment and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretariat. 

 

  • Develop a formal network of Climate Change Focal Points in each sectoral ministry. These focal points will go beyond the role of integrating climate change in new and existing sectoral plans, and will also be responsible for ensuring that climate change considerations are taken into account in the implementation and monitoring of existing sectoral policies, 

 

  • Develop sector specific adaptation- and mitigation measures that are not under the mandate of other sectoral ministries

 

  • Manage strategic information and knowledge, in particular information on the risks, costs and benefits of climate change, to promote constructive engagement with other sectors regarding the need to integrate climate concerns (such as impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, and socio-economic analysis)

 

  • In collaboration with other stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the MECCNAR, represent the interests of The Gambia in international climate negotiations/meetings and resource mobilization platforms,

 

  • Facilitate  capacity building initiatives on climate change across all sectors and at all administrative levels, while taking necessary efforts to institutionalize and retain  this capacity at the sectoral level.

 

  • Promote research and technical cooperation between national, regional and international institutions; and support The University of The Gambia to develop and implement the National Research Framework on Climate Change

 

  • Continue to assess and determine technological requirements in collaboration with other sectors, to implement UNFCCC initiatives and the climate change policy,  develop and seek funding for the implementation of   Climate Change Technology Development and Transfer Action Plan, 

 

  • Develop and implement a national climate change communication strategy and awareness campaign to sensitize and solicit the support of relevant stakeholders and the general public for implementation of the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP)

 

  • Along with other sectoral ministries, plan, implement and monitor effective activities to promote public climate change education, 

 

  • Regularly track progress in mitigation and adaptation using participatory monitoring and evaluation methods,   

 

  • Develop and promote accountability measures that empower local communities,

 

  • Further support the existing network of Expert Thematic Groups, which includes the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Team, the National Vulnerability and Adaptation Team, etc., to provide technical advice and support. The Expert Thematic Groups shall report regularly to the National Climate Committee.