THE Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for Tanzania that has just been published by the World Bank saud that without significant climate action, economic growth could be reduced by up to 4 percent by 2050.

Nathan Belete, World Bank country director for Tanzania, said at the launching of the report in Dar es Salaam yesterday, that the effects of climate change could also push an estimated 2.6m people into poverty, pushing internal migration of as many as 13m people across the country.

The report highlights the urgent need to integrate climate change issues into the country's development agenda, noting that Tanzania’s Vision 2050 needs to align its climate action outlook with economic growth and poverty reduction goals.

“Tanzania has made impressive strides in social and economic development, but high poverty levels and an over-reliance on low-productivity agriculture make the economy vulnerable to climate risks,” the director affirmed. 

Integrating climate change efforts in development planning is a vital strategy for the country to ensure future growth and resilience, with the new report providing an overview of Tanzania’s potential climate futures.

It outlines key intervention areas to achieve resilient, low-carbon and inclusive growth by 2050, showing several actionable pathways to safeguard the country's development objectives, he stated.

One key focus is equipping people to cope with climate risks and access opportunities, stressing social protection, improving access to water, sanitation, health services and education, “creating climate-compatible jobs to support vulnerable communities in adapting to climate shocks,” he further noted.

Optimizing land and water use to boost agricultural production, improving land and water management, investing in climate-smart technology and resilient infrastructure are key objectives, it says.

It also stresses promoting nature-based tourism to enhance rural economic activities while lowering greenhouse gas emissions, prioritizing resilient and low-carbon infrastructure being another key area.

It highlights the need for developing infrastructure in transport, energy and digital sectors to enhance resilience to climate events and reduce emissions. Special attention is also given to emerging sectors such as energy transition minerals, he said, pointing out strengthening institutional arrangements to support climate action is also crucial. 

The report calls for building strong governance frameworks, enhancing coordination between central and local governments and involving the private sector in climate initiatives.

It stresses the importance of mobilizing climate financing, reorienting public spending towards climate-compatible development, attracting private investment, and leveraging tools such as carbon markets and insurance to finance key climate actions in sectors like agriculture, energy and transport.

Finance minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba acknowledged at the meeting that climate challenges faced by the country, underlining the government's commitment to sustainable growth.

"We are working towards creating a more sustainable path for our country, with a focus on equipping our vulnerable communities to face climate challenges while unlocking new opportunities for growth," he stated.

The  climatei report is part of the World Bank's broader effort to guide countries in integrating climate and development, with the reports being designed to help governments, businesses and other stakeholders identify effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

They show how to adapt to the changing climate while aligning these actions with broader development goals, he elaborated.

As Tanzania moves forward with Vision 2050, the World Bank report serves as a critical tool in shaping the country’s climate response, ensuring that future growth is both sustainable and resilient to the climate challenges ahead, the minister added.