ENG - UN CC:Learn

AFRICA
MOZAMBIQUE
MDG7
Progress Towards Environmental Sustainability
Mozambique is a country rich in an array of natural resources including
wildlife, lumber and minerals, some of which hold a significant exportable
value. Some of these resources are largely under-exploited due to prolonged
conflict, except for large fauna, which has been significantly
impacted by the war. Still, localized practices, such as uncontrolled logging,
hunting, and over-fishing already pose pressure on individual species. Also,
inadequate use of water resources, as well as disorganized urban development,
are mainly linked to increased economic activity and may also threaten
in the long run the existing natural resource base, if this unsustainable trend is
not reversed early enough.
Xai-Xai
Maputo
The geographical location of Mozambique makes it susceptible to constant floods, cyclones and droughts, all of which have considerable
impact on the environment. Although comprehensive, existing sectoral policies and programmes have so far not led to the formulation
of a broad, updated and multi-sectoral sustainable development policy, which could provide the much-needed coordinating
umbrella. Challenges for the formulation of a sustainable development strategy include increased coordination between the Ministry
of Environment and sectoral ministries to ensure coherence in policies and programmes; identifying ‘win-win’ strategies; increasing
substantially the current low levels of conservation enjoyed by ecologically significant areas; and promoting integrated environmental
management with involvement of communities and other stakeholders in areas where it is likely to have success.
QUICK FACTS
CURRENT PORTFOLIO BUDGET
Total UNDP-GEF and Co-Finance: $200,000
Total: $200,000
Cumulative Total ODS Phased-Out:
6.9 ODP tonnes
Public-Private Partnership Promotes Effective Water Governance 2
ZIMBABWE
Moreover, account for the geographical vulnerability of
Mozambique in the national development policy framework is
much needed in order to accommodate for the different types of
natural disasters that the country is prone to. Integrating other
important crosscutting issues into the national development strategy,
such as gender and HIV/AIDS, also constitutes a priority high on
Mozambique’s development agenda.
Recent milestones in environmental management in Mozambique
include the 2001 declaration of the Bazaruto Archipelago as an area
under environmental protection. It now ranks among East Africa’s
largest national marine parks. 1
Through this innovative grant project, area-based offices and consultative water committees are established to enable communities
to actively participate in the water sector; a critical leverage point for poverty alleviation. Through the project, community
representatives learn key issues involved in water supply and sanitation and become focal points to address these issues with
the Water Regulatory Board and the private supplier. Community representatives are also trained to understand the water tariff
structure as well as how to handle water leakage and other problems that would impact water tariffs.These processes help create
WATER
public awareness of the rationale for private sector participation in public service delivery, help avoid confusion and resistance
often seen in the reform of public services in developing countries, and ensure that the poor will be able to afford the water
and sanitation services provided.
SOUTH
AFRICA
ZAMBIA
SWAZILAND
MALAWI
Tete
Beira
TANZANIA
Nampula
Quelimane
MOZAMBIQUE
INDIAN OCEAN
SPOTLIGHT
Water does not always flow easily in Mozambique. In the provinces of Maputo and Matola, the urban poor lack access to safe
water supplies, while poor sanitation and infrastructure exacerbate and sustain the high levels of poverty.
To address these significant challenges, UNDP has established a public-private partnership for more effective water governance.
Together with the Government and CARE International, UNDP’s Public-Private Partnership for Urban Environment
(PPPUE) initiative launched a project in 2002, with US$ 100,000 grant funding, to provide water and sanitation services to 20,000
households in Maputo and Matola. The project is also working to institutionalise dialogue among consumers, private companies
and municipal councils to protect vulnerable communities from negative impacts of water privatisation. Other partners
include the Municipal Directorate of Water and Sanitation, the Water Regulatory Council, community-based organisations in the
cities of Maputo and Matola and Aguas de Mozambique, a private firm currently running water supply and sanitation in both
cities.
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