ENG - UN CC:Learn

AFRICA
SWAZILAND
MDG7
Progress Towards Environmental Sustainability
Swaziland covers an area of 17,364 square kilometers, 11% of which is
arable land. The Government has declared its commitment to “provide a
climate and infrastructure that will progressively maximize the quality
and security of the life of the people of Swaziland and make the best use
of the country’s natural and human resources.”
About 49% of the total land area is vulnerable to desertification and degradation. Erosion is prevalent in all the agroecological
zones, but more so in communal grazing Swazi Nation Lands. Overstocking and cattle movement are major
contributing factors to this problem. A programme for the improvement of degraded Swazi Nation Land involving communities,
the Government, non-governmental organizations, and a team of experts has initiated programmes in 3 target pilot areas covering
618 square kilometers.
Access to sanitation has fluctuated between 63% and 80% between 1985 and 1998. Access to water declined from 60% in the mid-
1990s to 56% in 1998. Overall, an estimated 49% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water, and 30% lack access
to proper sanitation, leading to a high incidence of water-borne diseases.
Challenges to environmental sustainability in Swaziland include: limited collaboration between government sectors concerned
with water, sanitation and health; inadequate planning of grazing,
farming and habitats, and lack of enforcement of legislation; and
QUICK FACTS
CURRENT PORTFOLIO BUDGET
Total UNDP-GEF and Co-Finance: $1,117,100
Total UNDP and Co-Finance: $205,000
Total: $1,322,100
SOUTH
AFRICA
Mbabane
Manzini
SWAZILAND
MOZAMBIQUE
limited utilization of indigenous knowledge systems in central
planning and management activities. 1
Environmental Education Programme Raises Awareness 2
SPOTLIGHT
The National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP), managed by the Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC) – a
government unit under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Communication – supports public awareness activities on
environmental issues in Swaziland, in order to promote the understanding, acceptance, application and evaluation of environmental
conservation principles and practices by the people of Swaziland, for a better quality of life. Programme activities
include the periodic publication of pamphlets and brochures for public circulation, and a twice-weekly radio broadcast on environmental
issues and concerns, which is broadcast given in the local language, Siswati, to ensure broad coverage. NEEP is also
a key player in ensuring that UN Environment Days are covered by the media each year to further raise public awareness.
Initial seed funding for this initiative was provided by GEF, and SNTC has since continued to fund the radio programmes. UNDP
has supported the programme by facilitating the communication of important issues and debates in the environmental arena
through these radio programmes in simple language for the public to follow.This was enabled through very effective information
sharing via UNDP, from GEF, UNEP, the World Meteorological Organisation, and other multilaterals working on environmental
issues in the country.
The initiative has been very successful in broadening the awareness and understanding of the general public – and young people
particular – on environmental issues. This is evident from the growing number of school environmental clubs in the country,
and bodes well for future sustainable development in Swaziland.
STRATEGIES
104