ENG - UN CC:Learn

Water and energy are so central to the quality of life and the blossoming of economic activity that their presence or absence
traces a fine line between poverty and well-being. Access to the essential services of water and electricity is a required pathway
to reaching the Millennium Development Goals in Gabon. 3
Bintou Djibo, Resident Representative
CHEMICALS ENERGY FSSD*
PORTFOLIO
UNDP is supporting Gabon’s efforts to develop national capacities in environmental policy and planning. For example, in 2004, the
Government of Gabon provided funds towards roundtable discussions, and to reinforce capacity of the Director General of the
Environment toward implementation of the National Environmental Action Plan.
In terms of Climate Change, UNDP supported Gabon in the preparation of its initial National Communication to the UNFCCC, funded by
GEF. The process included making an inventory of GHGs, conducting studies of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, and
analysing the abatement of GHG. Additional activities relating to technology transfer and systematic observation systems, with an
emphasis on information transfer, awareness and education are further contributions to Gabon’s commitment to combating climate
change.
UNDP has assisted Gabon with its Montreal Protocol compliance programme for over 8 years. The support is focused on the refrigeration
sector, through development of a refrigeration management plan update that provides the necessary additional training and spare
parts to the national refrigerants recovery and recycling effort. The initiative is accompanied by a monitoring component that ensures
proper maintenance practices are in place. Gabon also participates in a regional methyl bromide (Me. Br.) phase-out project, implemented
by UNDP for low-volume consumers in Africa. This project provides policy strengthening assistance to prevent the future introduction
of Me. Br. use in the country.
CONTACTS
Mr. Bernard Voubou – bernard.voubou@undp.org
Tel.: 241 73 88 87/90
Fax: 241-73 88 91
http://mirror.undp.org/gabon/domaines-thematiques/nrj-environnement.html
1
Gabon MDGR 2003 http://www.undg.org/documents/3501-Gabon_MDG_Report.pdf; 2 UNDP Gabon,“Gestion urbaine partagée á Libreville", 2004:
http://mirror.undp.org/gabon/publication/Fiche%20sur%20situation%20actuelle%20projet%20assainissement.pdf. ; 3 http://mirror.undp.org/gabon/ and http://mirror.undp.org/gabon/domainesthematiques/nrj-environnement.html;
*Frameworks and Strategies for Sustainable Development
61