Conducted between October 25 and November 25, 2023, the nationally representative mobile phone survey reached over 2,762 people across Uganda, underscoring a strong local belief that forest loss plays a central role in the country’s changing climate.
As
global leaders and environmental advocates convene at COP29 in Baku,
Azerbaijan, a new survey from Twaweza’s Sauti za Wananchi reveals that a
significant majority of Ugandans view deforestation as the primary driver of
climate change.
Conducted
between October 25 and November 25, 2023, the nationally representative mobile
phone survey reached over 2,762 people across Uganda, underscoring a strong
local belief that forest loss plays a central role in the country’s changing
climate.
According
to survey results, 42 percent of respondents identified deforestation as the
leading contributor to climate change, followed by wetland destruction, cited
by 19 percent of the respondents.
“Ugandans’
perspectives align with available evidence on the primary drivers of climate
change in tropical regions, with forest clearance recognized as the main source
of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change,” the Twaweza report
reads in part.
Hosea
Kigayi Kimono, Manafwa District Chairperson, said that there are visible
effects of deforestation in areas like the Elgon region, where forest clearing
has left the land increasingly vulnerable to landslides.
Kimono added
that the impact of deforestation extends beyond climate concerns; it also
contributes to soil erosion, and biodiversity loss among other effects.
"In
our region, when forests are cleared, the bare land cannot retain moisture, and
landslides become common with every heavy rainfall," Kimono explained.
Much of the cleared wood is also used for charcoal and firewood, which
increases carbon emissions, he added.
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According
to the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Uganda loses approximately 9,000
hectares of forest annually. Once
covering 24 percent of the country’s land in the 1990s, forest cover has shrunk
to 8 percent.
Global
Forest Watch data shows that Uganda’s rate of forest loss has more than doubled
over the past two decades, from 297 km² in 2001 to 736 km² in 2020, a
concerning trend for climate advocates.
"In 2010, Uganda had 6.92 Mha of natural forest, extending over 29% of its land area. In 2023, it lost 68.7 kha of natural forest, equivalent to 36.3 Mt of CO₂ emissions" reads the data.
The
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that forest loss and damage contribute
approximately 10 percent to global warming. “There’s simply no way we can fight
the climate crisis if we don’t stop deforestation. We need to protect forests
now more than ever,” WWF emphasizes on its website.
Scientists
widely acknowledge that preserving forests is essential in combating climate
change. In response, policymakers have introduced a suite of policies under the
umbrella of ‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation’ (REDD).
These policies aim to provide financial incentives for governments,
agribusinesses, and local communities to protect and increase forest cover,
rather than diminish it. While
most Ugandans in the survey believe that deforestation and wetland destruction
are significant climate change drivers, there is also recognition of the global
origins of the crisis.
David
Kureeba Senior Program Officer Forests Biodiversity and climate change officer
at the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) pointed
out that while local deforestation does contribute to carbon emissions, the
bulk of climate change is driven by emissions from industrialized countries.
“Forests
and wetlands act as natural carbon sinks, so when they are destroyed, the
emitted gases stay in the atmosphere, worsening climate effects,” Kureeba
explained. Still, he emphasized, "the primary responsibility lies with wealthy,
industrialized nations."
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Meanwhile,
from the survey, it was pointed out that Ugandans are not only aware of the
causes of climate change but also concerned about its impacts. Findings showed
that 57 percent of citizens believe the climate is changing for the worse, with 86 percent expressing worry about
its effects on their lives. Additionally, 92 percent agree that everyone has a
role in mitigating climate impacts, though about 30 percent feel it may already
be too late for meaningful action.
The
survey also reveals a growing awareness of the responsibilities of wealthy
countries. About half of respondents agreed that developed nations, which
produce the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, should take greater
responsibility for addressing climate change, with most agreeing that those
responsible should bear the costs of adaptation and mitigation.
