Tanzania has launched over 63 carbon trading projects spanning multiple sectors to reduce its carbon footprint while generating revenue through environmental services. This initiative, highlighted by Deputy Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office for Union and Environment, Khamis Hamza Khamis, aims to enhance conservation efforts and support sustainable development across agriculture, energy, forestry, livestock, and waste management.
Deputy Minister Khamis, speaking at the National Assembly, noted that these registered projects cover forestry (51%), energy (33%), agriculture (8%), livestock (5%), and waste management (3%). He was responding to a question raised by Amani MP, Abdul Yussuf Maalim (CCM), who inquired about the government’s broader plans to expand the carbon credit market as a strategy to curb deforestation.
Among the 33 forestry-focused projects, specific initiatives include tree planting, forest restoration, and efforts to reduce forest degradation. The Deputy Minister further emphasized Tanzania’s new National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024-2034), which promotes sustainable fuel alternatives such as natural gas and renewable energy to help reduce reliance on firewood, a leading cause of deforestation.
Additionally, the government has launched the National Blue Economy Policy (2024) and its accompanying Implementation Strategy (2024-2034), introducing blue bonds and carbon trading specifically in marine-based activities to preserve aquatic resources.
When asked about conservation efforts in Zanzibar, the Deputy Minister indicated that officials have been trained in the opportunities of carbon trading, with new regulations underway to support the trade. In response to Chaani MP Juma Usonge Hamad (CCM) about carbon trade in Zanzibar, he acknowledged that initial efforts have focused on education to ensure effective engagement, given Zanzibar’s potential in both blue and green carbon projects.
Through participatory approaches and public awareness, Tanzania seeks to make carbon trading a central component of its environmental strategy, positioning the nation as a leader in conservation efforts and emission reduction in the region.
