Nigel Topping, UK High Level Climate Change Champion for COP26 visits Uganda
Kampala: Nigel Topping, the United Kingdom’s High Level Climate Change Champion is in Uganda for a one day visit.
His visit signals the UK’s commitment to carry forward the actions from COP26 as we countdown to COP27.
His visit included a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda Cities and Infrastructure Growth, Ugandan climate youth activists and CEO’s from major commercial banks to understand the climate situation in Uganda.
The negative impacts of climate change in Uganda are clear, with irregular weather and increased rains causing significant loss of life and livelihoods dependent on natural capital.
Nigel Topping, UK High Level Climate Change Champion poses with Ministry Officials and Climate youth activists at the British High Commission Kampala
The UK has partnered with Uganda to develop climate resilient technologies, harnessing expertise and innovation in order to find solutions that ensure Uganda is adapting for the future.
For example, the WISER programme led by the UK is supporting better access to climate and weather information services aimed to support 198,000 farmers to reduce their vulnerability to climatic hazards.
Following COP26 held in November 2021 in Glasgow in the UK, and the ambitions that were set out by various countries, Topping’s visit emphasises the UK’s resolve to tackle climate change and to continue to engage with countries to find solutions to the climate crisis. As highlighted at COP26, mobilising finance is key to delivering our climate goals. The UK is focused on supporting Uganda in accessing both private and public finance in order to realise opportunities for green growth and create a resilient and adaptive environment for the growing population to thrive.
Damali Ssali, a panelist stresses a point while Meddia Ssemambo and Nigel Topping look on during the climate change panel session at the British High Commission Kampala
Topping met representatives from the Ministry of Water and Environment to understand Uganda’s progress on the nationally determined contributions (NDC’s) and its own COP26’s commitments.
He also met the Uganda Cities and Infrastructure Growth to discuss the status of the energy sector and infrastructure development, a project supported by the UK Government. The highlight of his visit was a panel discussion with climate youth activists on what more needs to be done to tackle climate change globally and in Uganda.
Speaking about his visit, Nigel Topping said:
‘I am excited about Uganda’s focus on climate and environment issues and also encouraged by the stakeholders I have met today who have shared interventions that I believe will be key to tackling climate change in Uganda. The UK remains a strong ally of Uganda in the fight against climate change’.
