Empowering Change: Gambian Stakeholders Endorse Historic Climate Bill and Celebrate Natural Eco Capital

Stakeholders in The Gambia have come together to support a new National Climate Change Bill and Policy. This agreement is a crucial step for the country in its fight against climate change.

The validation took place during a two-day workshop on August 18-19 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. Notably, the Nigerian firm Natural Eco Capital played a significant role in facilitating this consensus.

The new framework aims to address the country’s challenges, including rising sea levels and coastal erosion. It outlines a clear strategy for moving towards a sustainable economy.

The bill is designed to create a solid legal foundation while the policy includes a five-part strategy for implementation. According to Rohey John Manjang, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, these documents are vital for The Gambia’s future and show the nation’s commitment to preserving the environment.

Natural Eco Capital specializes in sustainable development and has worked with various governments across Africa. The consultation process involved multiple stakeholders, including government officials, international partners like the World Bank, and local civil society organizations.

The legislation emphasizes decentralization, encouraging local community involvement in climate action. Lamine Jammeh, Director of the Climate Change Secretariat, emphasized the plan’s focus on justice. He mentioned that the needs of Gambians should guide all climate actions, ensuring transparency and fairness, especially as the nation engages in carbon markets.

The drafting process was supported financially by the World Bank’s West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA). Muhammed L. Sanyang, the WACA Project Manager, described the workshop as a major milestone for climate governance in The Gambia.

Key elements of the validated bill include a streamlined governance structure, a new Directorate of Climate Finance, and legal protections for climate initiatives. The legislation also aims to develop a legal framework for carbon rights to attract responsible investments.

With validation now complete, the bill will move to the Cabinet and the National Assembly for final approval.

The urgency of this legislation is echoed in recent data. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global warming is significantly increasing the risks of extreme weather and rising sea levels, making proactive measures like those in The Gambia’s framework more crucial than ever.

In summary, The Gambia’s new climate bill represents not just legal documents, but a commitment to a more resilient future.



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Director of the Climate Change Secretariat,Gambia,Lamine Jammeh,National Climate Change Policy,Natural Resources (MECCNAR),Rohey John Manjang,Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre