Launched on May 23, 2023: SUSTAIN Eco, a novel initiative focusing on the harmonious blend of sustainability and growth, debuts in Tanzania
In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, the Vice President's Office of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Embassy of Sweden, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have jointly launched the SUSTAIN Eco project. The initiative, unveiled on May 23, 2023, in Mbeya, aims to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in the Kilombero and Sumbawanga Landscapes.
The SUSTAIN Eco project targets critical environmental issues in these landscapes, which are rich in biodiversity but face pressures from human activities. The project's objectives include sustainable natural resource management, climate change mitigation, community livelihood improvement, biodiversity conservation, capacity building and awareness, and landscape restoration.
The project's focus on sustainable natural resource management is crucial, as it seeks to enhance the sustainable use and management of resources in these landscapes. This approach is vital to preserving the rich biodiversity and ensuring the long-term viability of these ecosystems.
Climate change mitigation is another key objective, with the project promoting practices that reduce carbon emissions and restore degraded lands. This focus on climate change reflects the growing recognition of the interconnectedness between environmental health and climate resilience.
The SUSTAIN Eco project also emphasises the importance of integrating conservation with sustainable livelihood initiatives. By doing so, it supports local communities to benefit economically while conserving their environment. This approach is essential in ensuring that conservation efforts are not detrimental to the livelihoods of local communities.
Biodiversity conservation is another crucial objective, with the project aiming to protect and restore critical ecosystems within the Kilombero and Sumbawanga areas. This focus on biodiversity conservation is vital for maintaining the health and resilience of these ecosystems, as well as for preserving the services they provide, such as pollination, pest control, and carbon sequestration.
In addition to these objectives, the project involves training local stakeholders, enhancing their capacity to sustainably manage the environment and natural resources. This capacity building and awareness component is essential for ensuring the long-term success of the project.
The project also targets the restoration of degraded lands, similar to other efforts in Tanzania that aim to rehabilitate large areas to restore ecosystem services and reduce carbon emissions. This focus on landscape restoration is crucial for preserving the health and resilience of these ecosystems and for ensuring their ability to provide essential services.
The SUSTAIN Eco project is expected to deliver inclusive, sustainable business and livelihood opportunities to local communities. By doing so, it will demonstrate the importance of ecosystems for climate resilience and economic development. This demonstration is vital for promoting the value of conservation and sustainable development efforts.
The investment in SUSTAIN Eco has been hailed as an important contribution to tackling the biodiversity crisis and enhancing the climate resilience of communities in Tanzania. The project will run for an initial period of 3 years (2023-2025), with further information available from Richard Bruno of SNV and Clarence Msafiri of AWF.
The launch of SUSTAIN Eco was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice President's Office, Mr Abdallah Mitawi, the Permanent Secretary, Vice President's Office, Ms. Mary Maganga, and the Ambassador of Sweden in Tanzania, H.E. Ms. Charlotta Ozaki Macias. These individuals emphasised the importance of good environmental management for a healthy economy and the dependence of Tanzania's rapidly growing population on natural resources for livelihoods and future generations.
Charles Oluchina, Tanzania Country Representative of the unspecified website, and Anthony Mhagama, Tanzania Country Representative of the unspecified website, also attended the launch and committed to working with the government, local communities, and businesses to protect and restore ecosystems in ways that maintain their capacity to support human well-being.
In summary, the SUSTAIN Eco project works to integrate ecological conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience in the Kilombero and Sumbawanga regions, supporting Tanzania's broader environmental sustainability agenda. By doing so, it will deliver inclusive, sustainable business and livelihood opportunities to local communities and demonstrate the importance of ecosystems for climate resilience and economic development.
- The SUSTAIN Eco project, focusing on biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience, aims to protect and restore critical ecosystems within the Kilombero and Sumbawanga areas, enhancing the health and resilience of these ecosystems while preserving the services they provide, such as pollination, pest control, and carbon sequestration.
- In addition to its objectives, the project incorporates environmental science and finance, providing training to local stakeholders to sustainably manage the environment and natural resources, thereby instilling the importance of their role in sustainable business and livelihood opportunities, climate resilience, and economic development.
- The SUSTAIN Eco project targets climate change mitigation as a key objective, promoting business practices that reduce carbon emissions and restore degraded lands, reflecting a growing recognition in the science community of the interconnectedness between environmental health, climate resilience, and business operations.
