Confronting climate change in South Sudan
The country needs a bold and ambitious international response, including access to new, adequate and sustained source of climate change finance and clean technology. While a good start, the needs far outstrip the resources available within the Global Environmental Facility and the Green Climate Fund.
Start-up funding and support must target building climate smart agriculture practices, provision of clean energy solutions to set in motion a nation-wide process of transformative adaptation. This would mean promotion of crop diversification, breeding better adapted seeds and livestock, climate sensitive agriculture extension services, and sustainable water management across the country for building self-sufficiency in food and nutrition security.
South Sudan has a historic opportunity to enjoy the latecomer’s advantage by gleaning lessons from other countries. The country has the potential for stand-alone solar photovoltaic (PV) units and possibly for large-scale solar thermal generation since it experiences in average 10 hours of sunshine per day year round. The private sector has a vital role to play and can draw on replicable successes in South Africa and Kenya.
Nonviolent Peaceforce