Research Information

Encouragingly, climate change awareness is high: 88% of Tanzanians recognise climate change impacts, with Zanzibar (90.3%) and regions like Iringa (94.2%) and Songwe (93.9%) leading, compared to lower awareness in Kigoma (80.6%) and Geita (81.1%). Communities overwhelmingly report experiencing decreased rainfall (76.5%), shifting rain seasons (74.5%), and rising temperatures (60.5%). However, regional risks vary significantly:

Mainland regions (Arusha, Simiyu, Mara, Dodoma) face severe drought.

Zanzibar reports higher exposure to floods (13.7%) and sea-level rise (up to 56.5%).

Songwe (27.2%) and Rukwa (22.6%) report cyclones.

Mbeya (10.8%) faces landslides.

Dar es Salaam (23.4%) records significant earthquake exposure.

These localised risks demand region-specific strategies, supported by early warning systems and targeted community interventions.

"Tumia Nishati Safi: Linda Mazingira, Tunza Afya, Okoa Muda kwa Uchumi Endelevu"

Policy Recommendations

The 2022 PHC provides a strong foundation for evidence-based policy and action. To secure a climate-resilient future, Tanzania must:

Promote sustainable land management: Expand climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, drought-resistant crops, and sustainable irrigation to protect soils, watersheds, and biodiversity

Develop resilient infrastructure: Invest in climate-resilient housing, clean water and sanitation, renewable energy, and waste management, with tailored solutions for rural and urban settings.

Empower local actors: Strengthen local governments and communities with data and resources to lead adaptation and disaster preparedness

Foster inclusive governance: Ensure women, youth, and marginalized groups are central to planning, decision-making, and benefit-sharing.

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Tanzania

Tanzania’s agriculture sector is an important catalyst for economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security. Nevertheless, the economic losses from climate change impacts on agriculture are estimated at US$200 million every year. The scaling up of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices presents an opportunity to reduce such losses, build resilience in the agriculture sector, improve productivity and farmer incomes, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Estimates indicate that the livestock sub-sector contributes the most to agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An increased focus on the development and scale-out of livestock based CSA programmes are required in order to support the country along a low emissions development pathway

"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness"

Implementing these techniques requires supportive frameworks, access to credit, and technical training for smallholder farmers. Initiatives focus on inclusive market systems and pairing environmental guidelines with clear economic benefits

The agriculture sector contributed approximately 32% to the country’s National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015 [3], mostly through food crop production, which accounted for approximately 65% of the agricultural GDP1 [4]. Agriculture accounts for a third of exports [5]. The sector employs approximately 13 million people, the equivalent of 59% of the economically active population [3]. Women make up roughly half of the workforce and produce more than 70% of the country’s food [4]. Approximately 7.2 million youth make a living from agriculture. Fresh water and marine fisheries also play important roles in Tanzania’s economy and contribute to employment, food security, and incomes. Low productivity has been linked to a combination of several factors, including: over-reliance on rainfall, utilisation of rudimentary and unsustainable production methods, poor access to inputs, and low extension service capacity to deal with climate change issues [2]. Closing the agricultural yield gap would offer opportunities for agricultural sector growth and livelihoods improvements throughout the county

Protecting the Environment Through Sustainable Agriculture

This Tanzania Country Environmental Analysis was prepared by the Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice, World Bank, in close coordination with the Government of Tanzania and the University of Dar es Salaam. It was developed by a Tanzania-based team led by Daniel Mira-Salama (senior environmental specialist, World Bank) and Veruschka Schmidt (environmental specialist, World Bank), under the guidance of Julia Bucknall (director for environment and natural resources), Magda Lovei (practice manager for environment and natural resources), Iain Shuker (practice manager for environment and natural resources), and Bella Bird (country director for Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi and Somalia).

Population and economic growth are driving the depletion of natural resources, and the degradation of ecosystems and habitats. The ecosystem services these resources provide are vital for the country’s population. Particularly rural communities will be negatively affected by their degradation and overexploitation, as natural resources are a primary source of food and energy for them.

"We serve for Sustainable Conservation and Tourism Excellence"

The sustainability of Tanzania’s water resources can be ensured with improved planning, management and monitoring. While the country still has a reasonable per capita water resource endowment, Tanzania recently officially became a water-stressed country. Projections suggest that the situation will get worse because of inadequate water management, increased agricultural demand, rapid population growth, and climate change impacts. It is expected that the decreasing water avaliability and the growing competing demands for it, will also negatively affect water quality. The substantial gaps in the knowledge of water resources—related to water quantity and quality, water use, and hydrometeorology—and the limited availability of monitoring networks prevent informed decision making.

Research on renewable energy in Tanzania

It highlights highlights high resource potential alongside slow adoption of modern technologies, with traditional biomass continuing to dominate over 85% of total final energy consumption. Key areas include widespread biomass dependence, immense untapped potential, and structural deployment barriers.

Resource Potential and Consumption

Biomass: Accounts for over 80–85% of total national energy consumption through firewood and charcoal used for cooking.

Solar: High solar irradiation averaging 5 to 7 kWh/m²/day; solar PV heavily powers off-grid rural mini-grids and household systems.

Hydropower: Historically provides a major share of grid electricity, though output fluctuates due to periodic droughts.

Other Sources: Substantial untapped potential exists in geothermal (estimated >5,000 MW), wind corridors in Singida and the southern highlands, and coastal tidal currents.

Strategic frameworks like the National Renewable Energy Strategy aim to bridge these gaps by scaling up modern installations through public-private partnerships.

"Tanzania Yetu, Nishati Safi: Kuelekea Kesho Endelevu"

Tanzania is endowed with diverse renewable energy resources, ranging from biomass and mini-hydro to geothermal, solar and wind. Tanzania’s power sector is dominated by state-owned TANESCO (Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited). TANESCO owns most of the country’s transmission and distribution network, and more than half of its generating capacity. Currently, Tanzania’s total power installed capacity is 1,602 MW. From this total, 244 MW were added in the past four years.

Facilitation on research information for experts

It involves organizing evidence, synthesizing expert panels, and structuring data so organizations can implement sustainable, evidence-based environmental practices. Key components of research facilitation include:Evidence Synthesis: Structuring rapid assessments of vast environmental data (such as climate or biodiversity baselines) to guide immediate, high-impact decisions.Expert Elicitation: Carefully selecting and facilitating panels of scientists to reduce bias and objectively analyze complex conservation actions.Knowledge Translation: Bridging the gap between empirical findings and actionable policy by creating summaries and interactive frameworks.Stakeholder Engagement: Building platforms that transfer science into public or policy spheres while actively training field professionals in effective communication

Public engagement is a critical driver for systemic behavioral change.Environmental Education: Integrate ecological studies into formal curricula to foster a deep connection with local ecosystems.Citizen Science: Encourage public participation in environmental monitoring and data collection, ensuring community investment in conservation outcomes.

"The goal is to transform data into information, and information into insight."

Within the framework of the national agricultural policy of achieving food self-sufficiency, improving nutritional standards, restoring agricultural export production and improving rural living standards, the Government introduced major reforms in the agricultural strategy in 1986 as part of the Economic Recovery Programme. These policies included increased producer prices in real terms, the re-establishment of co-operatives to handle agricultural marketing and input distribution activities and the privatisation of agricultural estates. It is in this context that the project was formulated.